CNA Certification in South Carolina

How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in South Carolina

To become a CNA in South Carolina means using certified nursing assistant certification courses and meeting state standards. Currently, it is the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services that is in charge of reviewing and approving training programs. They have contracted Pearson Vue to conduct the exams that meet the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program standards, and which require some preliminary requirements.

Like many other states, South Carolina does not simply approve applications for CNA certification. Instead, if someone is to be allowed into a certified nursing assistant certification program, and the subsequent examinations, they have to pass the established assessments. These are not discretionary but simply meet state laws around felony records and basic health.

Eligibility Requirements

Before a candidate can even enroll in an approved training program for CNA certification in South Carolina they must meet a specific list of criteria that includes:

They must have a full criminal background check that includes fingerprint checking at the state and federal levels;The candidate has to be 18 or older;Any candidate must have a high school diploma or proof of a GED;Each candidate has to have a negative TB test, proof of immunizations, and a drug screening; andThe candidate needs to understand the appropriate CNA certification method to use.

Applying for CNA Certification in South Carolina

Because the state allows for alternative approaches to licensing, it may be possible for a candidate to avoid many of the requirements and simply schedule the exam. The new nurse aides do have to take the approved training, but there are options for those who have military experience, those who are RNs or LPNs, and those with previous training from an out of state provider. The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will determine eligibility to test and advise the candidate about the method to use.

If an approved program is required, the candidate can use the list of approved programs by using this link, or visiting the South Carolina NNAAP State Approved Nurse Aide Training Programs by City page at Pearson Vue.

Programs approved in South Carolina will require 80 hours of training that tends to last around eight to thirteen weeks. The candidate also needs roughly 100 hours of clinical rotation before they can apply for the exam.

Costs

Training programs in South Carolina can cost from $1000 to $1300 for those who are not trained by their employers. A free sample exam is available from Pearson Vue.

That program tuition fee does not include the Pearson Vue testing costs for CNA certification in South Carolina, which are:

Written and Skills: $101
Skills and Oral in English: $101
Skills and Oral in Spanish: $101
Written Only: $30
Oral English: $30
Oral Spanish: $30
Skills Only: $71

FAQ

Some extremely valuable facts to know about CNA certification in South Carolina include:

In South Carolina, those employed as CNA candidates in nursing homes are prohibited from paying their exam fees;All candidates must complete the skills and written exam within 24 months of the completion of your nurse aide training or you will have to retrain for a minimum of 40 hours before being allowed to test;Re-testing is allowed, but the candidate has to make a special application and can only take three attempts before re-training is required;If the licensing has lapsed and it has been more than 24 months since the expiration date the CNA has to demonstrate evidence of a 40 hour refresher course; andStudents enrolled in a CNA certification program in South Carolina are permitted to work in a clinical setting as long as they have at least 40 of their hours, but must also complete the training and become licensed within 120 days. If this is not completed they will have to be removed from active service or terminated.

Helpful Resources around the Web

NACES Plus Foundation, Inc.
South Carolina NNAAP
7600 Burnet Road, Suite 440
Austin, TX 78757-1292
Phone: (800) 273-3517

South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Division of Community and Facility Services
PO Box 8206
1801 Main Street
Columbia, SC 29202

Pearson VUE
South Carolina NNAAP
PO Box 13785
Philadelphia, PA 19101-3785
Phone: (800) 475-8290