Many baby boomers are choosing to retire in warmer states, with Georgia being one of the most sought-after places to retire. As a result, there is an increase in demand for those in the medical field to hire trained and highly qualified Certified Nursing Aides.
In the State of Georgia, there are certain requirements that have been set in place by the Georgia Medical Care Foundation (GMCF). Georgia offers the flexibility of being able to work in a nursing home that offers employment to those who are student nurse aides for a four-month period prior to receiving their certification. Students must be of 16 years of age, have the ability to read and write English and pass a criminal background check. Students are allowed to provide care that is in accordance with the tasks that they have already been trained on. Other potential students must pass the state-accredited program and testing in order to qualify for placement on the state registry.
Georgia CNA Certification Requirements
Georgia has a few requirements that must be met prior to taking a CNA class. These include:
- Be a minimum of 16 years of age
- Passing a background check
- Demonstrated basic reading and writing comprehension skills
Georgia CNA Programs & Testing Costs
The nurse aide program course must consist of 85 hours of combined clinical, classroom, and hands-on classes. Twenty-four of the hours must be at a nursing home. Prior to taking the clinical portion of the required program, students must pass the lab with a 100 percent score.
Georgia offers the flexibility of receiving classes in less than four weeks. The average costs for state-approved programs range from $500-$1500. These costs do not include exam fees, textbooks, supplies, and uniforms. To find programs that may be employer-sponsored please click on this link.
CNA Classes & Nurse Aide Program Courses in Georgia
There are a number of CNA classes in Georgia, in population centers like Atlanta and Savannah as well as classes in more rural parts of the state. While there are no fully online CNA classes in Georgia, some programs offer a hybrid structure of in-person and online classes. Contact the schools directly if you have questions.
Programs | City | Zip Code | Phone |
---|---|---|---|
Dignity School of Nursing | Acworth, GA | 30101 | 770-529-6801 ext. 106 |
Chattahoochee Technical College - North Metro Campus | Acworth, GA | 30102 | 770-528-4545 |
Albany Technical College | Albany, GA | 31701 | 229-430-3500 |
New Beginnings Health and Career Training Center | Albany, GA | 31707 | 229-343-0106 |
Turner Job Corps Center | Albany, GA | 31705 | 229-883-8500 |
South Georgia Technical College | Americus, GA | 31709 | 229-931-2394 |
Athens Technical College | Athens, GA | 30601 | 706-355-5000 |
Innovative Healthcare Institute, LLC | Athens, GA | 30605 | 706-705-2033 |
Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center | Atlanta, GA | 30314 | 404-794-2477 |
Westminster Commons | Atlanta, GA | 30308 | 404-874-2233 |
Atlanta Technical College | Atlanta, GA | 30310 | 404-225-4461 |
Covenant CNA School | Atlanta, GA | 30314 | 770-573-0370 |
Technical College System of Georgia | Atlanta, GA | 30345 | 404-679-1600 |
Metropolitan Career School | Atlanta, GA | 30349 | 800-836-9318 |
Phlebotomy Training Specialists | Atlanta, GA | 30329 | 888-531-8378 |
Faks Allied Health Education Center | Atlanta, GA | 30349 | 404-763-0055 |
Faks Allied Health Education Center | Atlanta, GA | 30314 | 770-573-0370 |
Warren Technical School | Atlanta, GA | 30341 | 678-676-6502 |
Tender Care Training Center | Augusta, GA | 30904 | 706-736-9225 |
Training For Life Center | Augusta, GA | 30906 | 706-814-6941 |
Helms College | Augusta, GA | 30907 | 706-651-9707 |
Augusta University | Augusta, GA | 30912 | 706-721-0211 |
Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home | Augusta, GA | 30901 | 706-721-2824 |
Augusta Technical College | Augusta, GA | 30906 | 706-771-4000 |
Heritage Inn Barnesville | Barnesville, GA | 30204 | 770-358-2485 |
North Georgia Technical College | Blairsville, GA | 30512 | 706-439-6300 |
One Breath CNA | Bogart, GA | 30622 | 706-850-4017 |
Medical Institute Of Northeast GA | Braselton, GA | 30517 | 678-425-6464 |
ADL Training & Testing Services | Brunswick, GA | 31520 | 912-265-9355 |
Sears Coastal Nursing & Rehab | Brunswick, GA | 31520 | 912-264-1857 |
Golden Isles Career Academy | Brunswick, GA | 31525 | 912-280-4000 |
Next Step Healthcare Training LLC. | Cairo, GA | 39828 | 888-447-6012 |
CNA Nursing School-Calhoun | Calhoun, GA | 30701 | 706-629-2651 |
CNA Nursing School-Calhoun | Calhoun, GA | 30701 | 706-629-2651 |
West Georgia Technical College - Carroll Campus | Carrollton, GA | 30116 | 770-836-6800 |
Angels Touch CNA School | Cartersville, GA | 30120 | 678-353-3225 |
The Training Center of NW Georgia, Inc | Cartersville, GA | 30120 | 770-606-9697 |
North Georgia Technical College | Clarkesville, GA | 30523 | 706-754-7700 |
Georgia Piedmont Technical College | Clarkston, GA | 30021 | 404-297-9522 |
The Sorce Training & Consulting | College Park, GA | 30349 | 404-758-1181 |
Aveanna Healthcare | Columbus, GA | 31909 | 706-322-3693 |
Columbus Technical College | Columbus, GA | 31904 | 706-649-1800 |
Stat Medical Service Inc | Columbus, GA | 31904 | 706-322-7776 |
Premier Medical Careers | Conyers, GA | 30012 | 678-413-1663 |
Premier Medical Careers | Conyers, GA | 30012 | 678-413-1663 |
South Georgia Technical Clg | Cordele, GA | 31015 | 229-271-4040 |
Gold City Convalescent | Dahlonega, GA | 30533 | 706-864-3045 |
CPR With Mickey, Inc | Dallas, GA | 30157 | 770-573-2448 |
Wellstar Paulding Nursing Center | Dallas, GA | 30132 | 770-445-4411 |
Life Solutions for Health | Decatur, GA | 30034 | 770-808-7788 |
Dekalb High School-Technology | Decatur, GA | 30034 | 678-874-4502 |
Southwest DeKalb High School | Decatur, GA | 30034 | 678-874-1902 |
Ycarte Health Career Center | Douglas, GA | 31533 | 912-384-8680 |
West Georgia Technical College | Douglasville, GA | 30135 | 770-947-7300 |
J & SP Training Institute, LLC | Douglasville, GA | 30134 | 678-401-8053 |
Oconee Fall Line Technical College | Dublin, GA | 31021 | 800-200-4484 |
Alliance Care Medical Academy | Duluth, GA | 30096 | 678-417-1604 |
Alliance Care | Duluth, GA | 30096 | 678-417-1600 |
Central Georgia Technical College - Putnam County Center | Eatonton, GA | 31024 | 706-923-5000 |
Sanzie Healthcare Services, Inc. | Fayetteville, GA | 30215 | 770-716-2233 |
North Georgia Nursing Academy | Flowery Branch, GA | 30542 | 770-534-1373 |
Lanier Technical College | Gainesville, GA | 30507 | 770-533-7000 |
Woodville-Tompkins Institute | Garden City, GA | 31408 | 912-395-6750 |
Gibson Health & Rehabilitation | Gibson, GA | 30810 | 706-598-3201 |
Spalding High School | Griffin, GA | 30224 | 770-229-3775 |
Southern Crescent Technical College - Griffin Campus | Griffin, GA | 30223 | 770-228-7348 |
Hart County High School | Hartwell, GA | 30643 | 706-376-5461 |
Pinewood Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation | Hawkinsville, GA | 31036 | 478-892-9171 |
Infinite Health Care Academy | Hinesville, GA | 31313 | 404-913-1948 |
Pathways Health Career Training Center | Hinesville, GA | 31313 | 912-432-7079 |
Savannah Technical College-Liberty Campus | Hinesville, GA | 31313 | 912-408-3024 |
Southern Crescent Technical College - Butts County Center | Jackson, GA | 30233 | 770-228-7348 |
Ross Memorial Health Care Center | Kennesaw, GA | 30152 | 770-427-7256 |
West Georgia Technical College | LaGrange, GA | 30240 | 706-845-4323 |
Gwinnett Technical College | Lawrenceville, GA | 30043 | 770-962-7580 |
Maxwell High School of Technology | Lawrenceville, GA | 30044 | 770-963-6838 |
Heritage Healthcare-West Atlnt | Lawrenceville, GA | 30044 | 770-963-6838 |
Hillendell Medical Training | Lawrenceville, GA | 30044 | 470-268-3591 |
Mentee Career And Training | Lawrenceville, GA | 30044 | 770-931-5020 |
Education & Career Resources | Lilburn, GA | 30047 | 770-717-0310 |
Lincoln Co High School | Lincolnton, GA | 30817 | 706-359-3121 |
Cobb CNA School | Mableton, GA | 30126 | 678-398-1234 |
Central Georgia Technical College | Macon, GA | 31206 | 478-757-3400 |
Mercer University | Macon, GA | 31207 | 800-637-2378 |
Aveanna Healthcare | Macon, GA | 31210 | 478-841-2772 |
Middle Georgia State University - Macon Campus | Macon, GA | 31206 | 478-471-2700 |
Interim HealthCare of Macon GA | Macon, GA | 31210 | 478-394-4672 |
AABACUS Certified Nursing Assistant Program | Marietta, GA | 30008 | 404-997-9791 |
Chattahoochee Technical College - Marietta Campus | Marietta, GA | 30060 | 770-528-4545 |
Admissions Office - Chattahoochee Technical College | Marietta, GA | 30060 | 770-528-4545 |
Metro Medical Training Center | Marietta, GA | 30060 | 770-437-1250 |
Cumberland Medical Institute | Marietta, GA | 30008 | 770-435-2555 |
Breath of Life Training LLC | Martinez, GA | 30907 | 706-305-9000 |
Augusta Christian Schools | Martinez, GA | 30907 | 706-863-2905 |
NV Enterprises Training Academy | McDonough, GA | 30253 | 770-957-1558 |
Southern Crescent Technical College - Henry County Center | McDonough, GA | 30253 | 770-914-4411 |
Azalea Health & Rehabilitation | Metter, GA | 30439 | 912-685-5703 |
Central Georgia Tech College | Milledgeville, GA | 31061 | 478-445-2300 |
Collaborative Health Care CNA Training | Milledgeville, GA | 31061 | 478-295-2626 |
Collaborative Health Care | Milledgeville, GA | 31061 | 478-295-2626 |
Peach State Nursing Agency Ltd | Milledgeville, GA | 31061 | 478-453-3369 |
Southern Crescent Technical College - Jasper County Center | Monticello, GA | 31064 | 706-468-9930 |
Moultrie Technical College | Moultrie, GA | 31788 | 229-891-7000 |
Southern Regional Technical College | Moultrie, GA | 31788 | 888-205-3449 |
Berrien County High School | Nashville, GA | 31639 | 229-686-7428 |
Villlage Samaritan Training | Newnan, GA | 30265 | 770-304-3306 |
West Georgia Technical College - Coweta Campus | Newnan, GA | 30263 | 770-755-7800 |
Atlanta General Education | Norcross, GA | 30071 | 770-497-9997 |
Good Nursing & Medical Training | Norcross, GA | 30093 | 770-680-2720 |
New Horizons Medical Institute, Inc | Norcross, GA | 30071 | 770-447-0722 |
Atlanta Career Institute | Norcross, GA | 30071 | 770-807-0170 |
CNU Medical Institute | Norcross, GA | 30071 | 678-879-0721 |
Summerhill Senior Living Community | Perry, GA | 31069 | 478-987-3100 |
Effingham College & Career Academy | Rincon, GA | 31326 | 912-754-5610 |
Shadow Nursing, LLC | Riverdale, GA | 30274 | 678-586-3737 |
Center for Progressive Training | Riverdale, GA | 30296 | 770-996-0637 |
Georgia Northwestern Technical College | Rock Spring, GA | 30739 | 866-983-4682 |
Georgia Northwestern Technical College | Rome, GA | 30161 | 866-983-4682 |
Georgia Highlands College | Rome, GA | 30161 | 706-802-5000 |
What a Blessing Training Center | Savannah, GA | 31405 | 912-335-7383 |
Savannah Technical College | Savannah, GA | 31405 | 912-443-5700 |
Dominion Healthcare Solution | Savannah, GA | 31406 | 912-303-0445 |
Fortis College | Smyrna, GA | 30080 | 770-980-0002 |
Fortis College | Smyrna, GA | 30080 | 770-980-0002 |
Sparta Health Care Center | Sparta, GA | 31087 | 706-444-6057 |
Ogeechee Technical College | Statesboro, GA | 30458 | 912-681-5500 |
Georgia Health Care Association | Stockbridge, GA | 30281 | 678-289-6555 |
New Beginning CNA Training | Stone Mountain, GA | 30083 | 404-856-0679 |
Arabia Mountain High School | Stonecrest, GA | 30038 | 678-875-3602 |
Chattooga High School | Summerville, GA | 30747 | 706-857-2402 |
Oakview Nursing & Rehab Center | Summerville, GA | 30747 | 706-857-4761 |
Riverside Nursing Center | Thomaston, GA | 30286 | 706-647-8161 |
Southern Crescent Technical College - Flint River Campus | Thomaston, GA | 30286 | 706-646-6148 |
Thomas County Central High School | Thomasville, GA | 31792 | 229-225-5050 |
South Georgia Career Center | Thomasville, GA | 31792 | 229-236-5020 |
Southern Regional Technical College | Thomasville, GA | 31792 | 888-205-3449 |
Southern Regional Technical College | Tifton, GA | 31794 | 229-391-2600 |
Woodruff Medical Assistant Training School | Tucker, GA | 30084 | 404-499-1777 |
Sanzie Healthcare Services, Inc. | Union City, GA | 30291 | 770-629-1686 |
New Hope Learning Center L.L.C | Union City, GA | 30291 | 770-629-1686 |
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College | Valdosta, GA | 31602 | 229-333-2100 |
Central Georgia Technical College | Warner Robins, GA | 31088 | 478-988-6800 |
Houston County Career Academy | Warner Robins, GA | 31088 | 478-322-3280 |
Health Tech of Georgia | Warner Robins, GA | 31093 | 478-923-7007 |
Athens Tech | Washington, GA | 30673 | 706-678-4875 |
Oak View Nursing Home | Waverly Hall, GA | 31831 | 706-582-2117 |
Golden Age Healthcare Training SW. LLC. | Whitesburg, GA | 30185 | 404-783-6650 |
CNA Classes in Atlanta
Follow this link for more specifics on Atlanta CNA classes.
Covenant CNA School This school offers a four-week program and qualifies candidates for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The WIOA offers financial assistance for those who may have been laid off or on unemployment. For those who may not qualify for assistance, Covenant offers a flexible tuition payment option.
Red Cross CNA Training. The Red Cross offers several CNA programs. A program for CNA classes to meet the state requirements. Also, a CNA course that helps in preparing you for the state exam. There are Red Cross centers located in Atlanta, Albany, & Savannah to name a few. More information is available on their website if you have any further questions.
CNA Classes in Alma
Coastal Pines Technical School Coastal has over six locations with CNA programs Waycross, Alma, and Kingsland Access Careers offering a program with use of the HOPE CAREER GRANT.
Additional Georgia CNA resources
The information provided will help you get started in your becoming a CNA in Georgia. Below you will find the contact information for the state registry should you have any questions during the process or after you receive your licensure.
Georgia state registry
Georgia Health Partnership
Nurse Aide Registry
P.O. Box 7000
McRae, GA 31055-7000
PH: (800) 414-4358
FAX: (404) 657-5731
Out of State CNAs
In order to qualify for your Georgia CNA licensure you will need to:
- Be active with another state, showing you are listed on the registry.
- Your licensure must not have a disciplinary action record.
- Must have a valid social security card and have practiced for at least 8 hours paid within the past two years with proof of employment.
CNA Renewal in Georgia
The renewal process is very similar to reciprocity in that you must prove you have worked at least 8 hours of paid time. You have up to two years to renew your license. If you don’t qualify or renew in a timely manner, then you must take another state-approved program and exam. You will receive notice 60 days prior to your certification expiring so that you should have time to fulfill the requirements for renewal.
How much does a CNA make in Georgia?
The rate for CNAs can vary based on location and amount of work or type of work provided. In some cases, nursing homes may offer a higher level of pay while at-home care may offer a lower rate. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average rate is $14.88 an hour or $30,950 a year.
State of Georgia / Public domain