How to Get Your CNA Certification in Georgia (GA): 2026 Guide

If you want to work as a Certified Nurse Aide in Georgia, you train through a state-approved program, then test through Credentia using the NNAAP exam. This guide walks you through the actual Georgia process — the registry, the 85 training hours, the test format, where to sit for it, and the one quirk that catches most first-time candidates off guard (online proctoring exists here, but only for part of the exam).

Georgia CNA at a glance

• State agency: Georgia Department of Community Health — Healthcare Facility Regulation Division
• Exam vendor: Credentia (NNAAP — National Nurse Aide Assessment Program)
• Training requirement: 85 total hours (state-approved program)
• Written exam: 70 multiple-choice questions
• Clinical skills exam: 5 skills performed on a live actor
• Written exam time: 90 minutes
• Skills exam time: approximately 30–40 minutes (5 skills)
• Passing score: Contact Credentia for the most current passing standard
• Testing format: Written/Oral can be taken online via Credentia CNA365; Skills must be in-person at a regional test site
• Application lead time: Schedule through the Credentia portal; clinicals must be completed before you can sit for the state exam

Who oversees CNA certification in Georgia

CNA certification in Georgia is administered by the Georgia Department of Community Health, Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD). HFRD maintains the official Georgia Nurse Aide Registry and contracts with Credentia to deliver the NNAAP exam. For applications, scheduling, and to verify your listing once you've passed, you go through Credentia's Georgia candidate portal at https://credentia.com/test-takers/ga/.

If you need to reach the registry directly, contact information is published on Credentia's GA test-taker page. Use that portal first — it has the up-to-date forms and fees.

Training programs in Georgia

Georgia requires every CNA candidate to complete a state-approved training program of at least 85 hours before sitting for the exam. Programs are offered through technical colleges, community colleges, private training schools, nursing homes, and some hospital-based programs. The 85-hour total is the state minimum; most Georgia programs run roughly 6 to 12 weeks depending on whether you attend full-time or part-time.

Cost varies widely by site and sponsor. As a general range, programs in Georgia typically run $400 to $1,200 if you pay out of pocket. Employer-sponsored programs — particularly through nursing homes — are common and often free in exchange for a work commitment. The federal requirement that nursing homes pay for nurse aide training and testing (including re-test fees) is actively enforced in Georgia, so if you already work at or are hired by a Medicare/Medicaid-certified facility, ask your employer about a sponsored route before paying out of pocket.

For background on what your program will cover and how to study alongside it, see our study guides.

The CNA exam in Georgia: NNAAP details

Georgia uses the NNAAP, delivered by Credentia. The exam has two parts:

1. Written (or Oral) exam. 70 multiple-choice questions covering the three NNAAP domains: Role of the Nurse Aide, Psychosocial Care, and Physical Care Skills. You have 90 minutes. You can take this part as a written test or as an oral test (audio version with a headset, available in English and Spanish).

2. Clinical Skills exam. You perform 5 randomly selected nurse aide skills on a live actor in front of a Registered Nurse evaluator. One of the five skills is always handwashing; the other four are drawn from a skills bank that covers things like ambulation with a gait belt, transferring, perineal care, vital signs, and feeding.

In Georgia, the Written/Oral portion can be completed online via Credentia CNA365 — a live remote-proctored environment you take from home or any quiet private space. The Skills portion must be done in person at a regional test site. You register through the Credentia portal and choose each component separately, which means many Georgia candidates schedule Written/Oral first (online) and Skills second (in-person at a nearby regional site).

You'll need to create a Credentia account, submit your training program completion, and pay the testing fee before you can schedule. Lead times vary — popular sites like the Atlanta metro area often have slots within 2 to 4 weeks, while smaller cities may only test monthly.

How much does the Georgia CNA exam cost?

Georgia doesn't publish a single all-in fee the way some states do. The costs you'll encounter typically include:

• Credentia state application/testing fee: Contact Credentia for the most current combined testing fee (it covers both Written/Oral and Skills). The fee differs slightly depending on whether you take Written or Oral.
• Re-test fee: If you fail one portion, you pay a re-test fee for that portion only. Contact Credentia for current re-test pricing.
• Background check: Georgia requires a criminal background check before clinical placement in most programs. Cost varies by program and is often bundled into tuition.
• BLS / CPR card: Some employers require an American Heart Association or Red Cross BLS card before hire. Separate from your CNA testing fees — typically $60 to $110 if you pay out of pocket.
• Employer-sponsored testing: If you're a nursing home employee, federal law requires your employer to pay your exam and re-test fees. Many Georgia CNAs never see a testing bill.

For exact figures, use the Credentia GA test-taker portal — fees are listed at registration and updated periodically.

Where to take the test in Georgia

Credentia runs regional test sites across Georgia plus the CNA365 online proctored option for the Written/Oral portion. Plan around your home base:

• Atlanta metro (Winder and additional sites). The largest concentration of testing — multiple regional test centers in the metro, including sites like Winder CNA Training. Recurring test dates year-round, often multiple times per week at the busier sites. This is where most Georgia candidates test.
• Augusta. Regional Credentia test site serving the CSRA region. Periodic scheduling — call Credentia to confirm current cadence.
• Macon. Vision Nurse Aide Training Program hosts a regional test site. Periodic scheduling — typically once or twice a month.
• Savannah. Regional Credentia test site for the Coastal Georgia region. Periodic scheduling — call to confirm dates.
• Statewide (online). The Written/Oral portion can be taken from anywhere in Georgia through Credentia CNA365 online proctoring — on-demand scheduling, no travel. Skills still require an in-person visit.

To book: create an account on the Credentia GA portal, submit your training completion, pick your Written/Oral (in-person or CNA365) and your Skills site, and pay. Confirmation emails include your seat time, what to bring, and cancellation policy.

Scheduling and what to bring on test day

For the Written/Oral exam, bring a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport). If testing online via CNA365, you'll show your ID to the remote proctor through your webcam. For Skills testing in person, bring the same photo ID plus your candidate confirmation. Wear closed-toe, non-slip shoes and comfortable clothing — clinical skills testing involves moving, bending, and repositioning an actor. Plan to arrive 15 to 30 minutes early.

A common Georgia scheduling pattern is two separate test visits: one for Written/Oral (often done first via CNA365 from home) and one for Skills at a regional site a few days to a few weeks later. You don't have to take them on the same day. Some candidates do combine Written/Oral with Skills at a single regional site visit if a date is available — check the portal.

After you pass: Georgia certification and renewal

Once you pass both portions, Credentia notifies the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry. Your name appears on the state registry, which is what employers actually verify. Registry cards or certificates typically arrive within a few weeks — your online registry listing is usually live sooner than the physical card, and most employers verify electronically.

Georgia CNA certification renews on a 24-month cycle. To renew, you must have worked at least one eight-hour paid shift as a nurse aide providing nursing-related services during the renewal period. If your certification lapses, you'll need to retrain or retest depending on how long it's been — don't let it lapse if you're still working as a CNA.

You can verify your active status on the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry at any time through the Credentia portal.

Common pitfalls specific to Georgia

• Online proctoring is for Written/Oral only. Candidates sometimes assume CNA365 covers the whole exam. Skills still require an in-person regional test site visit — don't skip scheduling it.
• Federal employer-paid testing is real, and many candidates miss it. If you work for (or are hired by) a Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing home in Georgia, your employer is required to pay your exam and re-test fees. Ask before you pay out of pocket.
• Registry verification happens through Credentia, not a separate state website. Some candidates waste time hunting for a "Georgia CNA lookup" page that's separate from Credentia — Credentia is the official route for the registry in GA.
• Skills re-test fees apply per attempt. If you fail Skills, you re-take the full 5-skill round, not just the ones you missed. Practice all skills, even the ones you "know."
• Don't let your certification lapse past 24 months without work. Georgia requires documented paid nurse aide work within the cycle to renew. If you stop working as a CNA, plan your renewal carefully.

FAQ

How long does it take to become a CNA in Georgia? Most candidates complete a state-approved 85-hour program in about 6 to 12 weeks, then schedule and pass the NNAAP exam through Credentia. From start to registry listing, plan on roughly 2 to 4 months.

How much does the Georgia CNA test cost? Testing fees are set by Credentia and vary slightly by format (written vs. oral). Contact Credentia for the most current combined testing fee. If you work for a Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing home, federal law requires your employer to cover your exam and re-test fees.

Can I challenge the Georgia CNA exam without training? Generally no. Georgia requires completion of a state-approved 85-hour training program before you're eligible to sit for the NNAAP. Some reciprocity candidates from other states may qualify without retraining — check the Credentia GA portal for reciprocity rules.

Where can I take the Georgia CNA skills exam? At any Credentia regional test site in Georgia — Atlanta metro (including Winder), Augusta, Macon, Savannah, and additional sites. The Written/Oral portion can also be taken online from anywhere in the state through Credentia CNA365.

How do I check if I'm on the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry? Use the Credentia Georgia test-taker portal — your active status is visible there once you've passed both exam components.

Practice questions for the Georgia CNA exam are at /exam and clinical-skills walkthroughs are at /skills.