Georgia CNA Exam 2026: Your Complete Nurse Aide Certification Guide
The Georgia Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) exam — officially the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation — is the two-part test you must pass to work as a nursing assistant in Georgia nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and home health agencies. Georgia administers the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP®) through Credentia, under contract with the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH). The Georgia Nurse Aide Registry itself is maintained by Alliant Health Solutions (formerly the Georgia Medical Care Foundation, or GMCF), DCH's Medicaid fiscal agent.
This guide verifies every fact against the current Credentia Georgia Candidate Handbook, Alliant Health Solutions, the University of Georgia Virtual Skills Evaluation program, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — and covers both skills-testing pathways, the 22 skills Georgia actually tests, fees, eligibility routes, registry listing, renewal, reciprocity, and realistic 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 |
|---|---|
| State regulator | Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) |
| Registry administrator | Alliant Health Solutions (formerly GMCF) |
| Exam vendor | Credentia — NNAAP® |
| Written exam | 70 multiple-choice questions (60 scored + 10 pretest) |
| Written time limit | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Oral exam option | 60 multiple-choice + 10 reading-comprehension items, same 2-hour limit |
| Spanish oral option | Available — request when registering |
| Skills test | 5 skills (Hand Hygiene always first + 4 randomly selected) |
| Skills time limit | About 30 minutes |
| Skills tested in Georgia | 22 of the 23 NNAAP skills (skill 12, electronic BP, is not tested) |
| Passing — written/oral | Pass/fail reported on your Credentia score report |
| Passing — skills | Every critical step on all 5 skills must be correct |
| Combined fee (written + skills) | $130 (oral + skills also $130) |
| Attempts | 3 within 12 months of training completion |
| Scheduling platform | CNA365 / Credentia Platform (cna365.examroom.ai) |
| Registry listing | Added once both exam records reach Alliant and your identity matches |
Two things make Georgia unusual and worth understanding before you schedule: the state offers two different skills-evaluation pathways (Credentia in-person, and a free Zoom-based Virtual Skills Evaluation run by the University of Georgia), and Georgia does not test electronic blood pressure — it tests manual blood pressure instead.
Two Skills-Testing Pathways in Georgia
Georgia candidates must pass a written/oral exam and a skills evaluation. The written/oral portion is always administered by Credentia (online from home or at a Regional Testing Site). The skills portion has two state-endorsed pathways:
Pathway 1 — Credentia In-Person Skills Evaluation
The traditional route. You perform the 5 skills in person at a Credentia Regional Testing Site (RTS) in front of a Nurse Aide Evaluator. Skills exams are administered at Credentia-approved sites across Georgia (including sites in the Atlanta metro area, Watkinsville, and other central, south, and coastal Georgia locations — the roster changes, so check Credentia's Georgia page for the current list). The skills fee ($95 standalone, or part of the $130 combined package) is paid to Credentia through CNA365.
Pathway 2 — UGA CNA Virtual Skills Evaluation (FREE)
The CNA Virtual Skills Evaluation Program is run by the University of Georgia's Institute for Disaster Management (IDM) and supported by Georgia DCH. A Registered Nurse Evaluator observes you perform the same 5 skills live over Zoom using your own equipment and a client actor. The process matches the in-person exam exactly — same 5 skills, same critical steps, same roughly 30-minute time limit. There is no cost to candidates for the UGA Virtual Skills Evaluation. Results are transmitted to Alliant the next business day, and you appear on the registry once your Credentia (written) and UGA (skills) records match.
Most candidates still use Credentia for both parts in a single visit, but the UGA pathway is a real, free alternative when RTS seats are full or you cannot travel — and almost no competitor page mentions it.
Georgia CNA Written Exam: 70 Questions, 2 Hours
The NNAAP written exam has 70 multiple-choice questions — 60 scored plus 10 unscored pretest items used for statistical analysis. You have 2 hours (120 minutes) to complete it, and the proctor announces when 15 minutes remain. If English is your second language, you can take the oral examination instead: 60 multiple-choice questions plus 10 reading-comprehension/word-recognition items, delivered through headphones in the same 2-hour window. A Spanish oral version is also available for $35 — request it when you register.
2024 NNAAP Content Outline (Current for 2026)
The revised outline (effective April 2024, based on the 2019-2020 NCSBN Job Analysis) is what Georgia tests today:
| Domain | Weight | Scored questions | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| I. Physical Care Skills | 61% | ~37 | ADLs, basic nursing, restorative |
| -> Activities of Daily Living | 14% | ~9 | Hygiene, dressing, nutrition, elimination, rest |
| -> Basic Nursing Skills | 39% | ~23 | Infection control, safety, vitals, data collection |
| -> Restorative Skills | 8% | ~5 | Mobility, prevention, self-care independence |
| II. Psychosocial Care Skills | 13% | ~8 | Emotional, mental health, spiritual, cultural |
| -> Emotional and Mental Health Needs | 11% | ~6 | Mental illness, dementia, emotional support |
| -> Spiritual and Cultural Needs | 2% | ~2 | Cultural sensitivity, religious and spiritual support |
| III. Role of the Nurse Aide | 26% | ~15 | Communication, rights, legal, team |
| -> Communication | 8% | ~4 | Therapeutic communication, active listening |
| -> Client Rights | 7% | ~4 | Privacy, refusal, grievances, OBRA rights |
| -> Legal and Ethical Behavior | 7% | ~4 | Mandatory reporting, scope, ethical conduct |
| -> Member of the Health Care Team | 4% | ~3 | Care team roles, delegation, reporting |
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 process, 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 the charge nurse and DCH
- Body mechanics — lift with legs, keep the load close, avoid twisting
- Communication — active listening, therapeutic responses, cultural sensitivity
Free Georgia CNA Practice Questions
The question bank mirrors the NNAAP content outline above, with detailed explanations for every answer. Filter by content area, track weak spots, and use the AI tutor (10 free questions daily) to explain anything you miss.
Georgia CNA Skills Test: The 22 Skills Georgia Actually Tests
You perform 5 skills: Hand Hygiene is always skill #1, and the remaining 4 are randomly chosen from the other testable skills. You have about 30 minutes, and every critical step (bolded in the Credentia handbook) on all 5 skills must be correct — missing one critical element on one skill fails the entire skills portion. At least one of the five will be a measurement skill (blood pressure, radial pulse, respirations, urinary output, or weight).
Important: Georgia Does NOT Test Electronic Blood Pressure
The NNAAP skills list contains 23 skills, but the Credentia Georgia Handbook marks Skill 12 — Measures and Records Electronic Blood Pressure as Not Tested in Georgia. Georgia instead tests Skill 23 — Measures and Records Manual Blood Pressure as its state-specific measurement skill. So the practical pool for Georgia candidates is 22 skills, not 23.
The Georgia Testable Skills List
- Hand Hygiene (Hand Washing) — always first; must use running water (sanitizer is an automatic fail)
- 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 — NOT TESTED IN GEORGIA
- 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 — Georgia's state-specific measurement skill
Critical Steps Required on EVERY Skill
These are automatic-fail triggers if missed. Drill 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 the door, pull the curtain)
- Wash hands before and after the skill
- Raise the bed to working height, lower it when finished
- Ask about comfort and needs before leaving
- Place the call light within reach before leaving the room
- Report completion to the evaluator
Skill Demo Strategy
- Talk through every step out loud — evaluators score what they see and hear
- Do not skip steps even when they feel redundant (e.g., hand washing between contaminated-to-clean tasks)
- Count pulse and respirations for a full 60 seconds — 30-second doubling is a common fail
- Apply the BP cuff 1 inch above the antecubital space with the artery marker aligned
- Always lock wheelchair brakes before transfer
- Discard gloves before touching clean surfaces (door handles, pens, charts)
Georgia CNA Exam Fees (Verified for 2026)
Fees are paid to Credentia through CNA365 when you schedule. Accepted payment: credit/debit card, single-use card, or electronic voucher (training programs can purchase vouchers). All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
| Exam type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Written Examination Only | $35 |
| Oral Examination Only | $35 |
| Spanish Examination Only | $35 |
| Skills Examination Only | $95 |
| Competency Evaluation (Written + Skills) | $130 |
| Competency Evaluation (Oral + Skills) | $130 |
| Reciprocity application | FREE |
| Registry renewal | FREE |
Under federal and Georgia law, Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing homes must pay NNAAP fees for nurse aides they employ or hire within 12 months of certification — including re-testing. If a facility sponsors you, it typically covers the $130 up front; if you paid yourself and get hired within 12 months, ask about reimbursement.
Retake Fees
- Failed written only: retake for $35
- Failed oral only: retake for $35
- Failed skills only: retake for $95
- Failed both: retake both for $130
- You have 3 attempts within 12 months of training completion; fail all 3 (or let the 12-month window close) and you must repeat the full 85-hour training program before testing again
Georgia CNA Eligibility Routes
You must qualify under one of the Credentia/Alliant eligibility routes to register:
- E1 — New Nurse Aide: Completed a Georgia state-approved Nurse Aide training program. You have 1 year and 3 attempts to pass both portions of the NNAAP.
- E2 — LPN/RN Candidate: Currently licensed, active, and in good standing in Georgia or another U.S. state. Contact Alliant for authorization; once approved, you get 3 attempts within 1 year of the approval date.
- Other routes: The Credentia Candidate Handbook lists additional routes for out-of-state-trained nurse aides, reciprocity candidates, and approved challenge candidates. For any route other than E1, contact Alliant Health Solutions at (888) 383-5662 or (678) 527-3010 for authorization before scheduling.
Georgia Training Requirements: 85 Hours Minimum
Federal OBRA law sets a 75-hour floor. Georgia exceeds it — you need 85 total hours minimum:
- 16 hours of pre-clinical instruction in six areas (communication, infection control, safety/emergency, resident rights, residents' independence, basic nursing skills) required before any hands-on patient contact
- 61+ hours of classroom and lab instruction
- 24+ hours of hands-on clinical experience in a licensed Georgia nursing facility
Programs are approved by Georgia DCH with administration by Alliant Health Solutions. Approved training providers include the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) — Atlanta Tech, Gwinnett Tech, Chattahoochee Tech, Savannah Tech, and other state technical colleges — plus DCH-approved nursing facility programs, private career schools (e.g., Red Cross, Georgia CNA Academy), select high-school HOSA/healthcare science programs, and some hospital-based programs. Programs typically cost $500-$1,500 and run 4-12 weeks. Some facilities offer free CNA training in exchange for an employment commitment.
Other Georgia Eligibility Rules
- Minimum 16 years old (most programs and employers require 18)
- Pass a criminal background check — felonies involving abuse, neglect, or drug diversion are disqualifying
- Fingerprinting through GAPS (Georgia Applicant Processing Service)
- Proof of TB test, immunizations, and physical exam
- Valid government-issued photo ID and Social Security number
Taking the Georgia Written Exam Online (Credentia Remote Proctoring)
Georgia lets you take the NNAAP written or oral exam from home via Credentia's online proctoring. Skills must still be in person (Credentia RTS) or via the UGA Virtual Skills Evaluation.
Online Proctoring Technical Requirements
- Desktop or laptop computer (tablets and phones are NOT allowed)
- Working webcam and microphone (external webcam recommended)
- Stable broadband internet (minimum 2 Mbps up/down)
- Private, well-lit, quiet room — nobody else present during the exam
- Cleared desk — no papers, phones, watches, food, or drinks
- Government-issued photo ID with signature
- 360-degree 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, take the in-person written exam at a Regional Testing Site instead — same $35 fee, same 2-hour limit.
Georgia CNA Test-Day Checklist (Skills)
Bring to the Test
- Two forms of current, legible, signature-bearing ID (one must be a government-issued photo ID)
- Credentia scheduling confirmation / admission letter
- Watch with a second hand (for counting vitals) — smartwatches are NOT allowed
- Three No. 2 pencils with eraser (if taking a paper-based written exam at a test center)
- Flat, closed-toe non-slip shoes; scrubs recommended
Do NOT Bring
- Cell phone (must be turned off and stored)
- Smart watch or 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 will be on your feet roughly 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 — late arrivals forfeit the fee
Georgia-Specific Pitfalls That Fail Candidates
Based on Credentia directives and candidate reports, these are the most common Georgia fail reasons:
- Skipping hand hygiene between steps — 20-second scrub minimum, every transition
- Not counting vitals for a full 60 seconds — Credentia evaluators require a full minute
- 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 — shoes must be removed for an accurate weight
- Dressing the strong arm first — always dress the weak/affected side first, undress the strong side first
- Contaminating clean linen — do not let it touch your uniform, the floor, or the overbed table
- Missing the 12-month testing window — exceeding it (with 3 failed attempts) forces a full 85-hour retake
- Arriving late — Credentia requires you 30 minutes early; late arrival forfeits the fee
The Georgia Nurse Aide Registry
Passing both portions gets you listed on the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry, maintained by Alliant Health Solutions under DCH contract. Federal law requires every employer to verify registry status before hiring a CNA.
Verifying Your Registry Status
- Public verification: careconnect.georgia.gov or the Alliant Nurse Aide search
- Registry phone (Alliant): (888) 383-5662 or (678) 527-3010
- Credentia candidate support: (888) 204-6249
- Your listing shows name, certificate number, expiration date, and any abuse/neglect/misappropriation findings
- Report name or address changes within 10 business days through the Alliant portal — name changes require official legal documents (SSA card or court decree plus government photo ID)
- Neglect-finding removal: CNAs revoked for a single neglect finding may petition DCH for removal after 1 year if their employment history shows no pattern of abuse
Your listing appears once both your Credentia written and your skills records (Credentia or UGA) reach Alliant and your first name, last name, date of birth, and full 9-digit SSN all match exactly. Mismatched punctuation (hyphens, apostrophes) is the most common cause of a missing listing — verify your name spelling on both accounts before testing.
Renewal (Every 24 Months — FREE)
Georgia uses employment-based renewal — no continuing-education hours required.
- Work at least 8 paid hours of nursing-related work every 24 consecutive months under a licensed nurse's supervision
- Volunteer hours do NOT count; private-duty work requires a notarized RN/LPN statement
- The listing expiration date is 24 months from your last exam or recertification, whichever is more recent
- Submit proof of employment through the Alliant renewal portal before each expiration
- No renewal fee
If you miss the 8-hour requirement within the 24-month window, you must retake an approved training program and pass the competency evaluation again to relist.
Reciprocity (Out-of-State CNAs Moving to Georgia)
Georgia accepts reciprocity from CNAs listed in good standing on another state's registry.
Requirements:
- Active status on another state's Nurse Aide Registry (no expired certs)
- No findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation
- Training that met or exceeded federal OBRA standards (75 hours)
- Recent employment as a CNA within the past 24 months (8 paid hours minimum)
- Georgia background-check clearance
Process: Submit the reciprocity form through the Alliant Self-Service Portal with proof of current registry listing and employment, complete a Georgia background check, and allow roughly 14 business days for processing. The reciprocity application is 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 and 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 and Special Populations | 6-8 | Dementia, end-of-life, mental health, cultural sensitivity |
| 6 | Full Review + Skills Practice | 10-15 | Timed practice tests, demo all 22 Georgia skills, weak-spot drills |
Georgia CNA Salary and Career Outlook
Pay (Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
The median annual wage for U.S. nursing assistants was $39,530 in May 2024 ($19.00/hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. The lowest 10% earned less than $31,390 and the highest 10% earned more than $50,140. Georgia CNA pay runs below the national median — typical Georgia postings cluster in the $13-$17/hour range, with the Atlanta metro paying toward the higher end and rural south and north Georgia toward the lower end. Hospitals and home-health/hospice agencies generally pay more than nursing homes, and night and weekend shift differentials commonly add $2-$4/hour.
Avoid any source quoting a single precise Georgia CNA average without citing BLS — most are scraped job-board aggregates, not official wage data. The BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics state release is the authoritative source for state-level figures.
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 and hospice agencies
- Rehabilitation centers
- VA medical centers
Career Advancement Pathways
| Path | Duration | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| CNA to LPN | 12-18 months | Georgia technical college LPN program |
| CNA to ADN (RN) | 2 years | Associate nursing at TCSG or community college |
| CNA to BSN (RN) | 4 years | Georgia State, Kennesaw State, GCSU, Emory |
| CNA to Medication Aide (CMA) | +40-100 hours | Georgia CMA certification |
| CNA to Patient Care Tech | On-the-job | Hospital PCT with phlebotomy/EKG training |
Pass the Georgia CNA Exam with Confidence
Everything you need to pass the NNAAP in Georgia, 100% FREE:
- Practice questions mirroring the 2024 NNAAP content outline
- All 22 Georgia testable skills with step-by-step critical-element checklists
- AI tutor (10 free questions daily) that explains wrong answers and quizzes your weak areas
- Mock exams in the exact 70-question, 2-hour format
- Regularly updated for 2026 Credentia and UGA Virtual Skills directives
No credit card. No trial. No catch.
Official Georgia CNA Resources
- Credentia Georgia Test-Taker Portal — schedule exams, access the handbook
- Georgia Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook (Credentia) — complete candidate information
- Credentia Georgia Skills List — the 23-skill list with Georgia-specific notes
- Credentia Georgia Exam Fees — current fee schedule
- Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) — state regulatory body
- Alliant Health Solutions — Nurse Aide Program — registry administrator
- UGA CNA Virtual Skills Evaluation — free Zoom-based skills pathway
- CareConnect Georgia — registry self-service and verification
- Alliant Registry Phone: (888) 383-5662 or (678) 527-3010
- Credentia Candidate Support: (888) 204-6249
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