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CNA Classes in South Carolina

South Carolina is home to Myrtle Beach, one of the top tourist destinations on the east coast. Between the tourist and the native population, this means there is a constant need for skilled medical professionals. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) make up an essential part of this and working as a CNA is a great way to take the first step in your South Carolina healthcare journey.

The state of South Carolina requires prospective CNAs to undergo a state-approved nurse aide training program unless they qualify for the exemption. For example, nursing students may take the exam directly. Completion of the training will allow the candidate to sit the exam and begin their career as a CNA.

South Carolina CNA Certification Requirements

Eligibility to take CNA classes and work in South Carolina varies depending on the location and the institution. There is no state requirement for a GED or high school diploma, though they are often advantageous in applying to training and later job searches. Some requirements that exist across all state-approved courses include:

  • Having proof of US citizenship or legal residency
  • Having an eighth-grade reading/writing level in English
  • Providing proof of clear health from a physician.
  • Consenting to a fingerprint-type criminal background check
  • Passing a physical exam
  • Being 18 years or over
  • Providing proof of immunization and a negative TB test

South Carolina CNA Classes & Testing Costs

To sit the examination and become a qualified CNA in South Carolina, you must first complete the training program under the supervision of Registered Nurses, unless you are exempt. The training is a minimum 100 hours, 80 of which must be classroom time and 20 clinical externship hours. This can be completed in as little as four to six weeks. Completion of this course qualifies you for the examination. South Carolina does not accept online CNA credentials.

The cost of the examination is $101. The costs of the prerequisite training can vary greatly depending on the institution and where you are located, usually starting at $300 and going as high as $9000 for tuition, not including the costs of textbooks, uniforms, and other incremental costs. Contacting healthcare providers may allow you to arrange training in exchange for the promise to work at the institution after you pass the exam. An incomplete list of places that may offer training can be found here.

CNA Classes
& Nurse Aide Courses in South Carolina

If you are tempted by the sound of becoming a CNA in South Carolina, the following links will help you get started. These are some institutes that offer either employer sponsored or paid training programs. Please contact the institutions themselves for further information on the program, curriculum, or costs.

Training ProgramCityZip CodePhone
Anderson 5 Career CampusAnderson, SC29624864-260-5160
Forrest Junior CollegeAnderson, SC29624864-225-7653
Lifelong Learning CenterBatesburg, SC29006803-532-2141
From The Heart Home Care, LLCBeaufort, SC29902888-309-5553
Technical College of the LowcountryBeaufort, SC29902843-525-8211
Marlboro County High SchoolBennettsville, SC29512843-479-5900
Home Helpers of the LowcountryBluffton, SC29910843-837-3041
Woolard Technology CenterCamden, SC29020803-425-8982
Commonwise Home Care CharlestonCharleston, SC29403854-222-3539
Wellmore of Daniel IslandCharleston, SC29492843-566-1000
Cheraw Healthcare IncCheraw, SC29520843-320-7500
Northeastern Technical CollegeCheraw, SC29520843-921-6900
Clemson UniversityClemson, SC29634864-656-3311
Carolina Nursing Assistant Program Academy (CNAPA)Columbia, SC29204803-588-9158
Heyward Career & Tech CenterColumbia, SC29204803-735-3343
Life Care Center of Columbia, South CarolinaColumbia, SC29223803-865-1999
University of South CarolinaColumbia, SC29208803-777-0169
South Carolina Hospital AssociationColumbia, SC29210803-796-3080
BrightStar Care ColumbiaColumbia, SC29204803-881-7400
Midlands Technical College - Northeast CampusColumbia, SC29203803-738-8324
Midlands Technical College - Beltline CampusColumbia, SC29205803-738-8324
Carolina Medical Training Institute, LLCColumbia, SC29209803-647-5599
Academy for Technology and AcademicsConway, SC29526843-488-6600
Horry Georgetown Technical College (Official Page)Conway, SC29526843-347-3186
Adult Education CenterConway, SC29526843-488-6200
Professional Medical Training CenterConway, SC29526843-347-1113
Medford Nursing CenterDarlington, SC29532843-398-7000
Dorchester County Career and Technology CenterDorchester, SC29437843-563-2361
Tri- County Technical College - Easley CampusEasley, SC29642864-220-8888
Allendale County Public SchoolsFairfax, SC29827803-584-4603
Allendale Fairfax High SchoolFairfax, SC29827803-584-2311
Florence Career CenterFlorence, SC29505843-664-8465
Poynor Adult Education SchoolFlorence, SC29506843-664-8152
Florence-Darlington Technical CollegeFlorence, SC29501843-661-8324
Professional Medical Training Center - PMTCFlorence, SC29505843-678-9135
Horry Georgetown Technical College- Georgetown CampusGeorgetown, SC29440843-546-8406
Aiken Technical CollegeGraniteville, SC29829803-593-9231
Greenville Technical CollegeGreenville, SC29607864-250-8000
Donaldson Career CenterGreenville, SC29605864-355-4650
Golden Strip Career CenterGreenville, SC29607864-355-1050
Piedmont Technical CollegeGreenwood, SC29646800-868-5528
J Harley Bonds Career CenterGreer, SC29650864-355-8080
Health Services 2000Hilton Head Island, SC29926843-681-5055
Williamsburg Technical CollegeKingstree, SC29556843-355-4110
Florence-Darlington Technical College Lake City (at the Continuum)Lake City, SC29560843-676-8591
Mid-Carolina AHECLancaster, SC29720803-286-4121
Lancaster Career CenterLancaster, SC29720803-285-7404
Lancaster Senior High SchoolLancaster, SC29720803-283-2001
University of SC LancasterLancaster, SC29720803-313-7000
Pickens County Career & Technology CenterLiberty, SC29657864-397-4500
Professional Development & Training Services LLCLugoff, SC29078803-420-1930
Central Carolina Technical College - F. E. Dubose CampusManning, SC29102803-473-2531
R D Anderson Applied Tech CenterMoore, SC29369864-576-5020
Transitioning Your LifeMt Pleasant, SC29464843-225-3224
Myrtle Beach ManorMyrtle Beach, SC29572843-449-5283
Grand Strand Medical CenterMyrtle Beach, SC29572843-692-1000
PATCH Career InstituteNorth Charleston, SC29405843-744-1249
Charleston Southern UniversityNorth Charleston, SC29406843-863-7050
Hospice Care of South CarolinaNorth Charleston, SC29406843-285-3124
Orangeburg-Calhoun TechnicalOrangeburg, SC29118803-536-0311
Central High SchoolPageland, SC29728843-672-6115
Tri-County Technical CollegePendleton, SC29670864-646-8282
York Technical CollegeRock Hill, SC29730803-327-8000
Lake Marion High SchoolSantee, SC29142803-854-9213
Daniel Morgan Technology CenterSpartanburg, SC29307864-579-2810
Spartanburg Methodist CollegeSpartanburg, SC29301864-587-4000
White Oak Management, IncSpartanburg, SC29303864-582-7503
Spartanburg Medical CenterSpartanburg, SC29303864-560-6000
Spartanburg Medical CenterSpartanburg, SC29303864-560-6000
Dorchester County Career & Technology Center Satellite CampusSummerville, SC29485843-504-3250
Allheart Health Services, LLCSumter, SC29150803-773-1800
Central Carolina Technical CollegeSumter, SC29150803-778-1961
Swansea High SchoolSwansea, SC29160803-490-7007
Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement CommunityWest Columbia, SC29169803-796-6490
Woodruff ManorWoodruff, SC29388864-476-7092
White Oak Manor YorkYork, SC29745803-684-0035

CNA Classes
in Charleston, SC

P.A.T.C.H Career Institute This course runs for six weeks and the institute offers both morning and
evening classes as an option. The cost of tuition is $790. Registering for
Nurse Aide training at present qualifies you for med tech classes (usually
$150), as well, though this may change. The CNA course also includes CPR. For
more information, contact the institute on (843) 744-1249.

SC Works Trident The center is focused on rehabilitating people’s careers and helping the
unemployed and disabled gain the skills they need for employment. SC Works
offers a variety of educational programs at various prices in English and
Spanish. Their North Charleston location can be contacted for further
information at 843-574-1800 / 888-226-1606.

Trident Technical College (Continuing Education) This is a part-time course offered three days a week in either mornings or evenings. It lasts around six weeks and teaches all the skills required to undergo the certification exam after graduation. The tuition price for this course is $949.

CNA Classes
in Columbia, SC

Goodwill Industries This
course runs in the day or evening and provides 60 hours of lab and classroom
time, 40 hours of clinical training, and 25 hours of work readiness training.
Textbooks, scrubs, CPR certification, and the cost of the state exam are
included as well as the price of many background checks. They can be contacted
for more information at 864.351.0100.

Carolina Nursing
Assistant Program Academy
The academy is focused
exclusively on CNA training so can be counted on for dedicated programs. Costs
start from $995 for tuition, including a loan textbook but not including CPR
training ($40). Information on scholarships and grants, both external and
internal, are detailed on the website.

Carolina Medical Training Institute This accelerated
program offers day, evening, and Saturday classes, which means it can fit
around a busy schedule. The institute prides itself on equal opportunities for
all. More information can be found on the website or by calling at (803) 647-5599.

CNA Classes
in Mount Pleasant, SC

Sandpiper Premium Senior LivingThis well-rated nursing home offers on-site training for CNAs and allows new nursing assistants to gain experience in real-time with real patients. More information can be found by contacting the institution at (843) 284-7344.

Additional South
Carolina CNA resources

After the above links help you get started, make sure to keep a note of
the following links to help you with your further education and career.

South
Carolina Nurse Aide Registry

To contact the South Carolina Nurse Aide Registry, use the information
below:

General Queries or License Renewal: License Suspension or Revocation Questions:
Pearson Vue
PO Box 13785
Philadelphia PA 19101-3785 Phone: (800) 475-8290
Website  
South Carolina Nurse Aide Abuse Registry South Carolina Department of Health and Environment Control 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201 Phone: (803) 545-4205

Out of State
CNAs

Active out-of-state CNAs can register to work in South Carolina by
applying for reciprocity. The form and instructions can be found here.

CNA Renewal in South Carolina

Once registered, your
license is valid for two years and may be renewed so long as you have worked
eight full hours during this time. You and your employer should fill out and send
the renewal form. If you have not worked during this time, you will have to
re-take the examinations. You will either be mailed the form or be able to
submit/download online, and there is a $28 renewal fee.

How much does a CNA make in South Carolina?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2022 data. in South Carolina, the average wage for a starting CNA is $15.62/hr, or $32,490 per year. Scientific research industries pay the most, while private and family care is generally the lowest paid. Experience and education add to your overall salary, and generally, it sees a rise every few years. CNAs in South Carolina can make up to $38,520 per year.