State terminology: Certified nursing assistant (CNA). Georgia DCH licensing fees ↗ · terminology checked November 5, 2026.
Georgia at a glance
| Agency and any testing or registry providers | Georgia Department of Community Health; Alliant Health Solutions Nurse Aide Program |
|---|---|
| Official state hub | Open the official state page ↗ |
| Training guidance | Standard route reviewed · checked November 4, 2026 |
| Transfer guidance | Agency confirmation needed · checked November 4, 2026 |
| Renewal guidance | See Georgia CNA renewal requirements |
Training sources checked November 4, 2026. Standard route reviewed.
How do you become a CNA in Georgia?
Georgia training programs must include at least 85 hours, with at least 24 hours of clinical rotation in a facility supervised by an approved RN or LPN. Facility orientation doesn't count toward the 24 clinical hours.[2] Completing training alone does not give you a state credential. Before enrolling, check the state’s testing requirements and what it takes to get the credential or be listed on the registry.
What else should you know about training?
- Credentia gives Georgia's written (or oral) and skills competency exams and sends results electronically for your registry listing.[2]
- After finishing training, you get three attempts to pass the written or oral exam and the skills exam within one year. If you don't pass by the third attempt, you must take a training program again.[2]
Where can you find training programs?
GA approved training-program directory ↗[3] [1] Before you enroll, confirm with the state that the exact program and training site are currently approved. Check the total hours, clinical placement and costs as well.
What are the steps?
Find active training
Use the Alliant public Active Training Programs by Region report.[3]
Complete training and testing
Follow the program and Credentia Georgia candidate instructions.[2]
Confirm listing
Verify the registry result after successful testing.[2]
What should you confirm with the state?
- Georgia's training manual says most CNA students don't need a fingerprint check for short clinical rotations. Employers must run fingerprint checks for workers with direct access to residents, and a facility can require one at any time. Ask your program and employer what they require.
- Confirm program costs, admissions, seats and exam prices directly with the school and testing provider.
Where did this information come from?
- Georgia Active Training Programs by Region ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · 19-page public directory, last updated October 25, 2026.
- Georgia DCH Nurse Aide Training Program Manual, October 1, 2026 ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · PDF pp.7/30 (printed 6/29), sections 601/801 training; pp.40-41 (printed 39-40), sections 805.5/805.8 testing and registry.
- Georgia Nurse Aide Program Lists / Bulletins ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · Active Training Programs by Region public report link; report URL obtained from the page form/href.
See reviewed CNA training programs →
How do you transfer an out-of-state nurse aide credential to Georgia?
Agency and any providers named in the sources: Georgia Department of Community Health; Alliant Health Solutions Nurse Aide Program. Sources checked November 4, 2026. This summary does not decide individual eligibility.
Which pathway applies to you?
Registry listing by reciprocity — Active, good-standing out-of-state CNA with qualifying paid work, or an active CNA who must retest in Georgia
Key requirement: Current active certification in good standing on another state registry, with no pending or substantiated abuse, neglect or property findings.
What are the first steps for Registry listing by reciprocity?
Prepare the current application
Use the current Alliant reciprocity form and provide the registry card or printout, Social Security card, photo ID and paid-work evidence requested by the form.
Submit through the public online forms
Select reciprocity through the public online forms; do not use the training-program login. Attach records as directed.
If you must retest
Follow the test instructions the Georgia registry emails you after it reviews your reciprocity form.
What exceptions apply?
- No qualifying CNA work in two years — Current form says active CNA must retest; await emailed test instructions after review.
- Private-duty work — Requires LPN/RN supervision, notarized duties/dates statement with nurse license and payment proof.
- Maryland origin — The form says Maryland CNAs must be a GNA. Ask the Georgia registry how it treats your current Maryland credential.
What else should you know?
- Portal stops certification cards; form still describes mailing cards. Omit card promises.
- Manual says ten business days for transfer review; the form says allow fourteen when web-verifiable, and longer for mailed verification. These are not guaranteed turnaround times.
What should you confirm?
- Confirm the exact registry card or printout and current review time with Alliant.
- Confirm the full digital form and the route for applicants who previously held Georgia certification.
What will the Georgia planner ask?
- Which pathway applies to you? (Registry listing by reciprocity)
- Have you previously held CNA certification in Georgia? (Yes, No, I’m not sure)
How do you renew or maintain your nurse aide credential in Georgia?
The state sets the renewal cycle and any requirements for work hours and continuing education. This section summarizes the sources we reviewed. Follow the official instructions if they differ.
| Renewal cycle | Every two years, counted from your most recent recertification date. |
|---|---|
| Paid work requirement | At least 8 hours of paid nurse aide work under a licensed nurse's supervision within each 24 consecutive months. Send a paystub, W-2 or 1099, or an employer letter as proof. |
| CE or in-service | Georgia's renewal form asks for proof of paid work, not continuing education. The state's training manual says nursing facilities must give nurse aides at least 12 hours of in-service training each year. |
| Renewal window | Send the Application for Renewal with your proof of work before your certification expires. There's no renewal fee. |
| If the credential lapses | If you can't show the required work, you must retest to stay on the registry. Georgia's sources give different limits for when you must also retrain: the October 2026 training manual says one year or more after your registry expiration date, while the renewal form says three or more years from your last recertification date. Ask the registry which applies to you. |
Georgia CNA certification renews every two years. You need at least 8 hours of paid nurse aide work under a licensed nurse's supervision in each 24 consecutive months, and there's no renewal fee. The renewal form asks for proof of work, not continuing education, though nursing facilities must give at least 12 hours of in-service training a year. If you can't show the work, you must retest. Georgia's manual and renewal form give different limits for when you must also retrain (one year after expiration versus three years after your last recertification), so ask the registry which applies.
Source: Georgia Nurse Aide Registry renewal form and instructions ↗ Georgia DCH Nurse Aide Training Program Manual, October 1, 2026 ↗
Open the official Georgia registry or agency page ↗ · Compare CNA renewal requirements by state