CNA Certification in Georgia

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CNA certification is the foremost requirement to work as a CNA in Georgia. In Georgia, there are some specific criteria to earn the CNA credentials. The ‘Department of Community Health’ (DCH) administers the CNA training, competency exam and the Nurse Aide Registry. The DCH of Georgia has contracted with the ‘Alliant GMC’ to oversee the nurse aide training program and with the ‘Pearson Vue’ to monitor the CNA testing. The exam level is as per the ‘National Nurse Aide Assessment Program’ (NNAAP) standards. It is only after passing the exam aspirants become certified and appear on the Georgia CNA Registry.

Eligibility Requirement:

  • Age of the candidate must be 18 or above.
  • Candidate must possess a diploma of High School or proof of GED.
  •  Candidate has undergone the physical examination that covers a drug screening and a tuberculosis skin test.
  • Candidate with no criminal background. It is mandatory for all aspirants to take criminal background check.  The fee associated with the check is borne by either the candidate or the employer if a candidate is employed while taking training.

How to Apply:

CNA aspirants have to take the CNA examination to earn CNA credentials. But, they can write exams only if they successfully complete the state approved CNA training program. However, there are several other ways to sit for the exam without taking training programs in Georgia. They are-

  • LPN or RN can sit for exam without taking the training.
  • CNA training from other state can also directly write the CNA exam of the state, Georgia.
  • Candidates with the CNA certification from other states are allowed to appear for the exam and earn CNA credentials of Georgia.
  • The George’s CNAs with lapsed CNA certification can apply for the exam without taking the training.
  • For candidates with unexpired training verification, the state has reciprocity.

Candidates, who do not meet any of the criteria, have no option. They have to take training in order to fulfil their dreams.

Training programs that are approved by the health department of Georgia is of 85 hours divided between the classroom study and in-hand training. Most of the state approved CNA programs take about 6 weeks to finish.

Fees:

Training fees for the CNA training falls between $ 400 and $ 800 in Georgia. If a candidate is employed at the time of training, then it is the employer who pays all the training related bills of the candidate.

Above mentioned fees does not cover the ‘Pearson Vue Testing’ which is as given below-

  • Skills and Written Test- $ 107
  • Skills and Oral in Spanish- $ 117
  • Skills and Oral in English- $ 117
  • Only Written- $ 25
  • Oral Spanish- $ 35
  • Oral English- $ 35
  • Skills only- $ 82

Certificate Renewal

The CNA license loses its validity after 24 months after the initial issue of certification or the last renewal of the license. The CNA certificate can be renewed in Georgia only when a candidate has worked as a CNA for at least eight hours every 24 months. The certificate renewal is done free of cost but yes, the candidate has to provide the signature of the current employer.

Must Know Facts:

  • After completing the CNA training, aspirants must take and qualify the CNA exam within 24 months; else they have to take the training again.
  • Candidates can write the CNA exam only three times. If they fail to pass the exam (written as well as skill test) in those 3 attempts, they must re-train in state approved training program.
  • Even without earning the CNA certification, candidates can clasp the licensed facility as a CNA, for up to 120 days. In this time duration, if they fail to earn the CNA licensure, they are removed from the nurse aide service.