CNA Classes & Jobs in Columbia, SC

Working as a CNA in Columbia

Columbia is part of the South Carolina CNA registry, which means your training and certification follow the same NNAAP standards used across the U.S. The local healthcare market here is anchored by Prisma Health, which consistently hires new graduates and offers competitive starting wages around $14.75/hour. After a year of experience and a strong track record, CNAs inColumbia commonly move into specialty roles (ICU support, rehab, memory care) at $3–$7 above the entry rate.

South Carolina CNA training requirements

To work as a CNA in Columbia, you'll need to complete a state-approved training program (typically 75–180 hours depending on South Carolina's requirements), pass the NNAAP written and clinical skills exams, and register with the South Carolina Nurse Aide Registry. The full South Carolina CNA certification guide covers application steps, fees, testing locations, and renewal cycles.

What the NNAAP exam tests for Columbia CNAs

Every CNA in South Carolina takes the same National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP). It's a 70-question written exam plus a 5-skill clinical checkoff. The exam doesn't change by city, but how you study for it should match the skills local employers care about. Prisma Health and other major systems inColumbia weight hand hygiene, transfers, vital signs, and feeding highest when hiring.