Georgia CNA Exam 2026: Your Complete Nurse Aide Certification Guide
The Georgia Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) exam — officially called the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation — is a two-part test required to work as a nursing assistant in Georgia long-term care facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies. Georgia uses the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP®), administered by Credentia under contract with the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) and Alliant Health Solutions / Georgia Medical Care Foundation (GMCF).
Georgia has roughly 30,000+ active CNAs on its registry and is one of the state's highest-demand healthcare entry points. This guide walks you through training hours, exam format, all 23 testable skills, fees, registry listing, renewal, reciprocity, and Georgia salary data — so you pass on the first try and start working.
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Georgia CNA Exam Format at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Testing Vendor | Credentia (NNAAP) |
| Written Exam | 70 multiple-choice questions |
| Written Time Limit | 90 minutes (oral version same) |
| Skills Test | 5 skills randomly selected from 23 |
| Skills Time Limit | 30–40 minutes |
| Passing — Written | ~75% (score report pass/fail) |
| Passing — Skills | Must perform every critical step correctly on all 5 skills |
| Fee (Written + Skills) | $130 (Oral + Skills also $130) |
| Fee (Written only) | $35 |
| Fee (Skills only) | $95 |
| Attempts Allowed | 3 attempts within 12 months of training completion |
| Scheduling Platform | CNA365 (Credentia) |
| Registry Listing | Within 10 business days of passing |
Georgia is one of a shrinking number of states that still offers both in-person Regional Testing Sites (RTS) and online proctored written/oral exams through Credentia (skills must still be taken in person). Written and oral exams can now be taken from home on any private computer with webcam and stable internet — a live proctor monitors you throughout.
Active Georgia Regional Testing Sites
Skills exams are administered in person at Credentia-approved Regional Testing Sites across Georgia, including Milledgeville, Marietta, Norcross, Valdosta, Douglasville, and Midway. New RTS locations are added quarterly — check Credentia's active GA sites list for the current roster.
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Georgia Training Requirements: 85 Hours Minimum
Federal OBRA law sets a 75-hour floor. Georgia exceeds it — you need 85 total hours minimum, broken down as:
- 16 hours pre-clinical instruction (communication, infection control, safety, resident rights, ethics) required BEFORE any hands-on patient contact
- 61+ hours total classroom / laboratory instruction
- 24+ hours hands-on clinical experience in a licensed Georgia nursing facility
Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing homes are required by federal law to reimburse exam and training costs for employees they hire within 12 months of CNA certification. If the facility hires you after training, ask about tuition reimbursement — many Georgia skilled nursing facilities cover the full $130 exam fee and partial training cost.
Who Approves Georgia Training Programs?
Programs are approved by Georgia DCH, with administration handled by Alliant GMCF. Approved training providers include:
- Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) — 22 state technical colleges offer CNA programs (Atlanta Tech, Gwinnett Tech, Chattahoochee Tech, Savannah Tech, etc.)
- Nursing facilities with in-house DCH-approved training
- Private career schools approved by DCH (Red Cross, Georgia CNA Academy, others)
- High school HOSA/healthcare science programs in select districts
- Hospital-based programs at some Georgia health systems
Programs typically cost $500–$1,500 and run 4–12 weeks depending on full-time vs part-time schedule. Some facilities offer free CNA training in exchange for an employment commitment.
Other Georgia Eligibility Rules
- Must be 16 years old minimum (most programs require 18)
- Must pass a criminal background check (felonies involving abuse, neglect, or drug diversion are disqualifying)
- Must be fingerprinted through GAPS (Georgia Applicant Processing Service)
- Must show proof of TB test, immunizations, and physical exam
- Must have a valid government-issued photo ID and Social Security number
Georgia CNA Written Exam: 70 Questions, 9 Content Areas
The NNAAP written exam has 70 multiple-choice questions (10 are unscored pretest items; 60 are scored). You have 90 minutes. If English is your second language, Georgia allows you to take the oral version instead — questions are read aloud through headphones.
NNAAP Written Content Breakdown
| Content Area | % of Exam | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Care Skills | 64% | Activities of daily living, basic nursing, restorative services |
| → Activities of Daily Living | 14% | Hygiene, dressing, nutrition, elimination |
| → Basic Nursing Skills | 39% | Vitals, infection control, safety, data collection |
| → Restorative Services | 11% | Mobility, prevention, self-care support |
| Psychosocial Care Skills | 10% | Emotional, mental health, cultural, spiritual needs |
| Role of the Nurse Aide | 26% | Communication, residents' rights, legal/ethical, member of care team |
High-Yield Topics (Georgia Focus)
- Infection control — standard precautions, PPE donning/doffing order, 20-second hand washing, transmission-based precautions
- Residents' rights under OBRA — privacy, refusal of care, grievance, personal property
- Safety — fall prevention, RACE fire response, PASS extinguisher use, restraint alternatives
- Vital signs normal ranges — BP 90/60–120/80, pulse 60–100, respirations 12–20, temp 97.6–99.6°F
- Dementia care — validation, reality orientation, sundowning, redirection
- Abuse and neglect reporting — mandatory reporting to nurse and DCH
- Body mechanics — lift with legs, keep load close, avoid twisting
- Communication — active listening, therapeutic responses, cultural sensitivity
Free Georgia CNA Practice Questions
Our question bank mirrors the NNAAP blueprint with detailed explanations for every answer. Filter by content area, track weak spots, and use the AI tutor to explain any question you miss.
Georgia CNA Skills Test: All 23 Skills
You'll perform 5 skills randomly selected by the Nurse Aide Evaluator. Skill 1 (Hand Hygiene) is always tested first as a standalone skill. You have 30–40 minutes total and must execute every critical step (bolded on Credentia's checklist) correctly.
The Complete Georgia NNAAP Skills List (2024 revision, current for 2026)
- Hand Hygiene (Hand Washing) — always first, always graded; must use running water
- Applies One Knee-High Elastic Stocking
- Assists to Ambulate Using Transfer Belt
- Assists With Use of Bedpan
- Cleans Upper or Lower Denture
- Counts and Records Radial Pulse
- Counts and Records Respirations
- Donning and Removing PPE (Gown and Gloves)
- Dresses Client with Affected (Weak) Right Arm
- Feeds Client Who Cannot Feed Self
- Gives Modified Bed Bath (Face, One Arm, Hand, Underarm)
- Measures and Records Electronic Blood Pressure
- Measures and Records Urinary Output
- Measures and Records Weight of Ambulatory Client
- Performs Modified PROM for One Knee and One Ankle
- Performs Modified PROM for One Shoulder
- Positions on Side
- Provides Catheter Care for Female
- Provides Foot Care on One Foot
- Provides Mouth Care
- Provides Perineal Care (Peri-Care) for Female
- Transfers from Bed to Wheelchair Using Transfer Belt
- Measures and Records Manual Blood Pressure
Critical Steps Required on EVERY Skill
These are automatic-fail triggers if missed. Memorize them until they are reflex:
- Knock before entering and greet the client by name
- Identify yourself and state your role
- Explain the procedure before starting
- Provide privacy (close door, pull curtain)
- Wash hands before and after the skill
- Raise bed to working height, lower when finished
- Ask about comfort and needs before leaving
- Place call light within reach before leaving the room
- Report completion to the evaluator
Skill Demo Strategy
- Talk your way through every step out loud — evaluators score what they see AND hear
- Don't skip steps even if they feel redundant (e.g., washing hands between contaminated-to-clean tasks)
- Count pulse and respirations for a full 60 seconds — 30-second doubling is a common fail
- Apply BP cuff 1 inch above the antecubital space with the artery marker aligned
- Always lock wheelchair brakes before transfer; unlock bed wheels only when moving the bed
- Discard gloves before touching clean surfaces (door handles, pen, chart)
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Our skills module breaks each skill into numbered steps with critical elements flagged in red and common failure points called out explicitly.
Georgia CNA Exam Fees (Effective April 2023, Current 2026)
| Exam Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Written Exam Only | $35 |
| Oral Exam Only | $35 |
| Skills Exam Only | $95 |
| Competency Evaluation (Written + Skills) | $130 |
| Competency Evaluation (Oral + Skills) | $130 |
| Reciprocity Application | FREE |
| Registry Renewal | FREE |
Fees are paid directly to Credentia when you schedule through CNA365 (the Credentia candidate platform). Accepted payment: credit/debit card, ACH bank transfer, or employer voucher. All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. If your nursing facility employer sponsors you, they often pay the $130 competency fee up front — Medicare/Medicaid-certified facilities are federally required to reimburse exam costs for hires.
Retake Fees
- Failed written only: retake for $35
- Failed skills only: retake for $95
- Failed both: retake both portions for $130
- You have 3 attempts within 12 months of training completion before you must retrain
Georgia-Specific Pitfalls That Fail Candidates
After reviewing years of candidate reports and Credentia directives, these are the most common reasons Georgia candidates fail:
- Skipping hand hygiene between steps — 20-second scrub minimum, every transition
- Not counting vitals for a full minute — Credentia evaluators require 60 seconds
- Forgetting the call light at the end of a skill — automatic critical-step fail
- Transferring without locking wheelchair brakes — safety violation, fails the skill
- Wrong PPE order — gown → mask → goggles → gloves going on; gloves → goggles → gown → mask coming off
- Measuring weight with shoes on — must remove shoes for accurate weight
- Using the strong arm first when dressing — always dress the weak/affected side first, undress the strong side first
- Contaminating clean linen — don't let it touch your uniform, the floor, or the overbed table
- Missing the 12-month testing window after training — you must retake the full 85-hour program if you exceed 12 months with 3 failed attempts
- Arriving late — Credentia requires candidates arrive 30 minutes before start time; late arrival = forfeited fee
Taking the Georgia Written Exam Online (Remote Proctoring)
Georgia is one of the few states where you can take the NNAAP written or oral exam from home via Credentia's online proctoring. Skills must still be in person at a Regional Testing Site.
Online Proctoring Technical Requirements
- Desktop or laptop computer (tablets and phones are NOT allowed)
- Working webcam + microphone (external webcam recommended)
- Stable broadband internet (minimum 2 Mbps up/down)
- Private, well-lit, quiet room — nobody else in the room during the exam
- Cleared desk — no papers, phones, watches, food, or drinks
- Government-issued photo ID with signature
- 360° room scan required before the exam starts
Common Online Exam Fails
- Looking off-camera (reading notes or consulting anyone) = dismissal, fee forfeited
- Background noise or a second person entering the room = exam voided
- Wearing a smartwatch or earbuds = exam voided
- Leaving the seat for any reason (no bathroom breaks) = exam ends
- Running Chrome extensions or screen-share software = check-in fails
If your home setup is unreliable, schedule the in-person written exam at a Regional Testing Site instead — same $35 fee, same 90-minute limit.
Georgia CNA Test-Day Checklist
Bring to the Test
- Two forms of ID (one government-issued photo ID with signature)
- Credentia admission letter / scheduling confirmation
- Watch with a second hand (for counting vitals) — digital watches are NOT allowed
- Flat, closed-toe non-slip shoes (scrubs optional but recommended)
- Pen (black or blue ink)
Do NOT Bring
- Cell phone (must be turned off and stored)
- Smart watch / fitness tracker
- Food, drinks, or gum
- Study notes of any kind
- Long acrylic nails, dangling jewelry, or strong perfume
Morning-Of Tips
- Eat a protein-rich breakfast (you'll be on your feet 30+ minutes for skills)
- Hair pulled back, nails trimmed short
- Wear scrubs or professional attire — no open-toe shoes, shorts, or sleeveless tops
- Arrive 30 minutes early; check-in closes at start time
The Georgia Nurse Aide Registry
Passing the competency evaluation gets you listed on the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry within 10 business days. Employers are required by federal law to verify registry status before hiring any CNA.
Verifying Your Registry Status
- Public verification: careconnect.georgia.gov or nurseaide.allianthealth.org
- Registry phone (Alliant GMCF): (678) 527-3010 or (888) 383-5662
- Credentia candidate support: (888) 204-6249
- Your listing includes: name, certificate number, expiration date, and any findings of abuse/neglect/misappropriation
- Name or address changes must be reported within 10 business days via the Address/Name Change Form at careconnect.georgia.gov — name changes require a signed SSA card or court decree plus a government photo ID
- Neglect-finding removal: CNAs revoked for a single neglect finding may petition for removal from the registry after 1 year if employment history shows no pattern of abuse
Renewal (Every 24 Months, FREE)
Georgia uses employment-based renewal — no classroom hours or continuing education required.
- You must work at least 8 hours of paid nursing-related work every 24 months under a licensed nurse's supervision
- Volunteer hours do NOT count; private-duty work requires a notarized RN/LPN statement
- You'll receive a reminder ~60 days before expiration
- Submit proof of employment through the Nurse Aide Program Self-Service Portal
- No renewal fee
If you don't meet the 8-hour requirement within the 24-month window, you must retake the 85-hour training program and pass the competency evaluation again to relist.
Reciprocity (Out-of-State CNAs Moving to Georgia)
Georgia accepts reciprocity applications from CNAs listed in good standing in other state registries.
Requirements:
- Active status on another state's Nurse Aide Registry (no expired certs)
- No findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation
- Recent employment as a CNA within the past 24 months
- Training that met or exceeded federal OBRA standards (75 hours)
- Georgia background check clearance
Process:
- Submit the Georgia Reciprocity Form via the Self-Service Portal
- Provide proof of current registry listing and employment verification
- Complete a Georgia background check
- Allow 14 business days for processing (longer if mailed)
- Fee: FREE
Georgia CNA Study Timeline (6-Week Plan)
| Week | Focus | Hours | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foundations | 8–10 | Role of the CNA, communication, residents' rights, legal/ethical |
| 2 | Infection & Safety | 8–10 | Standard precautions, PPE, hand hygiene, fire/fall safety |
| 3 | Physical Care Basics | 10–12 | Vital signs, ADLs, hygiene, elimination, nutrition |
| 4 | Advanced Nursing Skills | 10–12 | Transfers, ROM, catheter care, data collection, restorative |
| 5 | Psychosocial & Special Populations | 6–8 | Dementia, end-of-life, mental health, cultural sensitivity |
| 6 | Full Review + Skills Practice | 10–15 | Timed practice tests, demo all 23 skills, identify weak spots |
Total: 60–80 hours of focused study on top of your 85-hour training program.
Georgia CNA Salary and Career Outlook
Georgia CNA Pay in 2026
| Location | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia statewide average | $16.94 | $35,240 |
| Atlanta metro | $16.95–$20.00 | $35,200–$41,600 |
| Atlanta 75th percentile | ~$22.83 | $47,489 |
| Savannah / coastal GA | $15.50–$18.00 | $32,240–$37,440 |
| Augusta | $15.00–$17.50 | $31,200–$36,400 |
| Columbus / Macon | $14.50–$17.00 | $30,160–$35,360 |
| Rural north GA | $13.50–$16.00 | $28,080–$33,280 |
Pay varies by setting: hospitals pay ~15% more than long-term care, and hospice / home health often pay highest with shift differentials. Night and weekend differentials add $2–$4/hour.
Where Georgia CNAs Work
- Skilled nursing facilities (nursing homes) — largest employer
- Hospitals (Emory, Piedmont, Wellstar, Northside, Grady, Augusta Health)
- Assisted living and memory care
- Home health agencies
- Hospice agencies
- Rehabilitation centers
- VA medical centers
Career Advancement Pathways
| Path | Duration | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| CNA → LPN | 12–18 months | Georgia technical college LPN program |
| CNA → ADN (RN) | 2 years | Associate nursing at TCSG or community college |
| CNA → BSN (RN) | 4 years | Georgia State, Kennesaw State, GCSU, Emory |
| CNA → Medication Aide (CMA) | +40–100 hours | Georgia CMA certification |
| CNA → Patient Care Tech | On-the-job | Hospital PCT with phlebotomy/EKG training |
Pass the Georgia CNA Exam with Confidence
Join Georgia candidates who passed their NNAAP competency evaluation with our comprehensive, 100% FREE study tools:
- 200+ Georgia-aligned practice questions mirroring the NNAAP blueprint
- All 23 skills with step-by-step critical element checklists
- AI tutor that explains wrong answers and quizzes you on weak areas
- Mock exams with the exact 70-question, 90-minute format
- Regularly updated for 2026 Credentia directives
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Official Georgia CNA Resources
- Credentia Georgia Test-Taker Portal — schedule exams, access handbook
- Georgia Nurse Aide Handbook (Credentia) — complete candidate information
- Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) — state regulatory body
- Alliant Health Solutions / GMCF — registry administrator
- Georgia MMIS Nurse Aide Registry Portal — forms and verification
- CareConnect Georgia — registry self-service
- Georgia Reciprocity Form — out-of-state transfer
- Alliant Registry Phone: (678) 527-3010 or (888) 383-5662
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