CNA Certification in Georgia

You can start a career in which you can provide basic nursing services and care services for patients.  Consider training to become a certified nursing assistant.  There are many nursing assistant training courses in Georgia.

Required Training Hours in Georgia

In the state of Georgia, you will need to attend a certified nursing assistant program that includes at least 85 total hours of training.  Some training program will be more extensive and as such offer even more hours of training.  You will complete classroom training and hands-on clinical training during the course of your course.  It is necessary to attend a program that has been approved by the state or Georgia in order to be eligible to sit for the nursing assistant training program.

Renewal of CNA Certification

CNA certification must be renewed every two years in order for nursing assistants to retain a current and active certification.  You will notice that your CNA certification actually lists an expiration date.  You will need to complete the process of renewal in advance of that date.  Expect to receive your renewal forms in the mail about two months before your license will expire.  Complete all forms in their entirety and do not forget to submit any requested documents.

You will need to have worked as a nursing assistant or for pay providing nursing related services for a minimum of eight hours over a two year period.  If you have not met this requirement, it will be necessary for you to repeat the state approved nursing assistant certification exam.

Transfer CNA License via Reciprocity to Georgia

In the state of Georgia, it is possible to receive certification through reciprocity.  Reciprocity is when one state accepts nursing assistant certification from another state.  You can transfer your CNA certification to Georgia if you have an active certification in another state.  You will need to complete an application for reciprocity.  The state of Georgia will review your application and verify that you attended a state-approved training program, passed the certification exam and were employed as a CNA.

You will need to be listed as a CNA in good standing in the Nursing Aide Registry of your former state.  Your application for reciprocity will not be approved if you have any felony convictions or have been accused of any crimes or misconduct against patients in your previous state.  You cannot apply for reciprocity if you have allowed your certification to lapse.

It is sometimes possible to waive training requirements for nursing assistants if you hold a nursing degree from a foreign country.  The same is often true if you are a nursing student at an accredited college or university.

If you have to enroll in a training program make sure you check out our page of Accredited CNA classes in Georgia

FAQ

Q: I have a certificate from Mississippi which has 80 hours and i needed 85 hours because i live in Georgia now what am i to do im stressed?
A: You might need to retake the certification exam in Georgia but it is very unlikely that they will make you re do the whole training program in Georgia. Your best bet is to contact the nurse Aide registry. Their website is at https://www.mmis.georgia.gov/portal/PubAccess.Nurse%20Aide/tabId/69/Default.aspx

Q: I took my certification test the first week of February, i passed and i saw my name listed on the Georgia registry, how long does it take to receive my certificate in the mail?
A: It normally takes around 14 days to get your certificate in the mail. You can still apply for job vacancies and give them your registry ID. They can then check the online nurse aide registry to verify your credentials. Helpful link: Free CNA classes in Georgia

Q: I’m currently finishing my BSN, but I have to sit out a year before I can repeat my last class. I wanted to find a job in the meantime that will keep me in the hospital environment so I wouldn’t lose some of my skills. I’ve been told by several people that because I have so many clinical hours and nursing courses completed already that it would be possible to just take the CNA test. I wanted to know if this was true, and if so what all I needed to do. Thanks

A: Depending on your state of residence, you will be able to take the CNA exam and skip the classes. For instance, in North Carolina you can simply pay the fee for the exam (both written and skills test) and if you pass you are not required to take the classes. Contact your state board of CNA licensure and they will be able to tell you the exact steps to take. From what it sounds like though, you should have no problem.
Good luck and don’t give up on that BSN!

 

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