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 Program | City | Zip Code | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson 5 Career Campus | Anderson, SC | 29624 | 864-260-5160 |
| Forrest Junior College | Anderson, SC | 29624 | 864-225-7653 |
| Lifelong Learning Center | Batesburg, SC | 29006 | 803-532-2141 |
| From The Heart Home Care, LLC | Beaufort, SC | 29902 | 888-309-5553 |
| Technical College of the Lowcountry | Beaufort, SC | 29902 | 843-525-8211 |
| Marlboro County High School | Bennettsville, SC | 29512 | 843-479-5900 |
| Home Helpers of the Lowcountry | Bluffton, SC | 29910 | 843-837-3041 |
| Woolard Technology Center | Camden, SC | 29020 | 803-425-8982 |
| Commonwise Home Care Charleston | Charleston, SC | 29403 | 854-222-3539 |
| Wellmore of Daniel Island | Charleston, SC | 29492 | 843-566-1000 |
| Cheraw Healthcare Inc | Cheraw, SC | 29520 | 843-320-7500 |
| Northeastern Technical College | Cheraw, SC | 29520 | 843-921-6900 |
| Clemson University | Clemson, SC | 29634 | 864-656-3311 |
| Carolina Nursing Assistant Program Academy (CNAPA) | Columbia, SC | 29204 | 803-588-9158 |
| Heyward Career & Tech Center | Columbia, SC | 29204 | 803-735-3343 |
| Life Care Center of Columbia, South Carolina | Columbia, SC | 29223 | 803-865-1999 |
| University of South Carolina | Columbia, SC | 29208 | 803-777-0169 |
| South Carolina Hospital Association | Columbia, SC | 29210 | 803-796-3080 |
| BrightStar Care Columbia | Columbia, SC | 29204 | 803-881-7400 |
| Midlands Technical College - Northeast Campus | Columbia, SC | 29203 | 803-738-8324 |
| Midlands Technical College - Beltline Campus | Columbia, SC | 29205 | 803-738-8324 |
| Carolina Medical Training Institute, LLC | Columbia, SC | 29209 | 803-647-5599 |
| Academy for Technology and Academics | Conway, SC | 29526 | 843-488-6600 |
| Horry Georgetown Technical College (Official Page) | Conway, SC | 29526 | 843-347-3186 |
| Adult Education Center | Conway, SC | 29526 | 843-488-6200 |
| Professional Medical Training Center | Conway, SC | 29526 | 843-347-1113 |
| Medford Nursing Center | Darlington, SC | 29532 | 843-398-7000 |
| Dorchester County Career and Technology Center | Dorchester, SC | 29437 | 843-563-2361 |
| Tri- County Technical College - Easley Campus | Easley, SC | 29642 | 864-220-8888 |
| Allendale County Public Schools | Fairfax, SC | 29827 | 803-584-4603 |
| Allendale Fairfax High School | Fairfax, SC | 29827 | 803-584-2311 |
| Florence Career Center | Florence, SC | 29505 | 843-664-8465 |
| Poynor Adult Education School | Florence, SC | 29506 | 843-664-8152 |
| Florence-Darlington Technical College | Florence, SC | 29501 | 843-661-8324 |
| Professional Medical Training Center - PMTC | Florence, SC | 29505 | 843-678-9135 |
| Horry Georgetown Technical College- Georgetown Campus | Georgetown, SC | 29440 | 843-546-8406 |
| Aiken Technical College | Graniteville, SC | 29829 | 803-593-9231 |
| Greenville Technical College | Greenville, SC | 29607 | 864-250-8000 |
| Donaldson Career Center | Greenville, SC | 29605 | 864-355-4650 |
| Golden Strip Career Center | Greenville, SC | 29607 | 864-355-1050 |
| Piedmont Technical College | Greenwood, SC | 29646 | 800-868-5528 |
| J Harley Bonds Career Center | Greer, SC | 29650 | 864-355-8080 |
| Health Services 2000 | Hilton Head Island, SC | 29926 | 843-681-5055 |
| Williamsburg Technical College | Kingstree, SC | 29556 | 843-355-4110 |
| Florence-Darlington Technical College Lake City (at the Continuum) | Lake City, SC | 29560 | 843-676-8591 |
| Mid-Carolina AHEC | Lancaster, SC | 29720 | 803-286-4121 |
| Lancaster Career Center | Lancaster, SC | 29720 | 803-285-7404 |
| Lancaster Senior High School | Lancaster, SC | 29720 | 803-283-2001 |
| University of SC Lancaster | Lancaster, SC | 29720 | 803-313-7000 |
| Pickens County Career & Technology Center | Liberty, SC | 29657 | 864-397-4500 |
| Professional Development & Training Services LLC | Lugoff, SC | 29078 | 803-420-1930 |
| Central Carolina Technical College - F. E. Dubose Campus | Manning, SC | 29102 | 803-473-2531 |
| R D Anderson Applied Tech Center | Moore, SC | 29369 | 864-576-5020 |
| Transitioning Your Life | Mt Pleasant, SC | 29464 | 843-225-3224 |
| Myrtle Beach Manor | Myrtle Beach, SC | 29572 | 843-449-5283 |
| Grand Strand Medical Center | Myrtle Beach, SC | 29572 | 843-692-1000 |
| PATCH Career Institute | North Charleston, SC | 29405 | 843-744-1249 |
| Charleston Southern University | North Charleston, SC | 29406 | 843-863-7050 |
| Hospice Care of South Carolina | North Charleston, SC | 29406 | 843-285-3124 |
| Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical | Orangeburg, SC | 29118 | 803-536-0311 |
| Central High School | Pageland, SC | 29728 | 843-672-6115 |
| Tri-County Technical College | Pendleton, SC | 29670 | 864-646-8282 |
| York Technical College | Rock Hill, SC | 29730 | 803-327-8000 |
| Lake Marion High School | Santee, SC | 29142 | 803-854-9213 |
| Daniel Morgan Technology Center | Spartanburg, SC | 29307 | 864-579-2810 |
| Spartanburg Methodist College | Spartanburg, SC | 29301 | 864-587-4000 |
| White Oak Management, Inc | Spartanburg, SC | 29303 | 864-582-7503 |
| Spartanburg Medical Center | Spartanburg, SC | 29303 | 864-560-6000 |
| Spartanburg Medical Center | Spartanburg, SC | 29303 | 864-560-6000 |
| Dorchester County Career & Technology Center Satellite Campus | Summerville, SC | 29485 | 843-504-3250 |
| Allheart Health Services, LLC | Sumter, SC | 29150 | 803-773-1800 |
| Central Carolina Technical College | Sumter, SC | 29150 | 803-778-1961 |
| Swansea High School | Swansea, SC | 29160 | 803-490-7007 |
| Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community | West Columbia, SC | 29169 | 803-796-6490 |
| Woodruff Manor | Woodruff, SC | 29388 | 864-476-7092 |
| White Oak Manor York | York, SC | 29745 | 803-684-0035 |
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.
