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How to get a Certified Nurse Aide license in Georgia

Georgia licenses nursing assistants statewide through the Georgia Department of Community Health.1 For the Certified Nurse Aide license you need at least 85 clock hours1 of education, a passing score on the Georgia nurse aide written/oral and skills competency examination1 and a criminal background check1. You renew every 2 years1.

Last checked · 8 official sources

Who issues it

Georgia Department of Community Health

Training and experience

Training: at least 85 clock hours1

Exam

Georgia nurse aide written/oral and skills competency examination1

Renewal

Every 2 years1

From another state

License by endorsement2 Details

On this page
  1. Georgia nursing assistant licenses
  2. Applies to every license level
  3. Who needs a Certified Nurse Aide license
  4. Requirements for a Certified Nurse Aide license
  5. How to apply
  6. Renewal and continuing education
  7. Moving to Georgia with a license from another state
  8. Certified Medication Aide
  9. City and county rules
  10. Check a license or report a problem
  11. Laws and rules
  12. Rule changes since January 2024
  13. Common questions
  14. Certified nursing assistant (CNA) licenses in other states

Georgia nursing assistant licenses

Georgia issues 2 nursing assistant credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

LicenseWhat it coversTraining or experienceExamApplication or license fee
Certified Medication AideTechnical aspects of administering certain medications (no Schedule II narcotics in nursing homes) in assisted living communities, nursing homes and penal institutions only.3–Yes3$253
Certified Nurse AideProvides direct care and routine patient-care duties under the supervision of an RN or LPN; tasks follow the Federal/State core curriculum (basic nursing skills, personal care, mental-health and social needs, care of cognitively impaired residents, restorative care, residents' rights).1Training 85 clock hours1Yes4–

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for every Georgia nursing assistant license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

Renewal

How often
Every 2 years13

Who needs a Certified Nurse Aide license

Provides direct care and routine patient-care duties under the supervision of an RN or LPN; tasks follow the Federal/State core curriculum (basic nursing skills, personal care, mental-health and social needs, care of cognitively impaired residents, restorative care, residents' rights).1

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • Nursing homes have 4 months from hire to get a new aide trained and tested; until then the aide may only do tasks they have been trained and checked off on.4

Requirements for a Certified Nurse Aide license

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

High school diploma or GED
Not required4
Education or training
At least 85 clock hours1
Complete a Georgia state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program (classroom/lab plus clinical), taught in English only; the first 16 hours cover core topics before any resident contact.1
Who may teach it: State-approved NATP (nursing-home or non-nursing-home based) taught by approved LPN/RN instructors; theory may be by LMS but lab and clinical must be face to face; clinicals in approved facility types (not personal care homes or home health agencies); programs must keep an 80% annual exam pass rate.1
Alternative: LPN/RN exam applicants: first 16 hours of training plus passing the competency exam.1
Exam
Georgia nurse aide written/oral and skills competency examination1
Given by: Credentia1
When you can take it: After the program issues a notarized completion certificate and confirms your training in the Credentia CNA365 system.5
Written or oral exam (online, remotely proctored)5
Skills exam (in person at a test site)5
Retakes: Three attempts within one year of finishing the program; after the third failure the training program must be retaken.1
Time limit: Within 12 months of completing the training program.1
Exam waived: Reciprocity applicants from other state registries are listed without the Georgia exam (Contractor may still require it).2
Background check
Background check required1
Fingerprints required1
Employers (licensed facilities) run the fingerprint background check under O.C.G.A. 31-7-350 et seq.; the Registry itself does not do or keep criminal checks. Findings of abuse, neglect or misappropriation bar enrollment and stay on the registry.4
Social Security number
Social Security card and government photo ID are required for reciprocity and LPN/RN placement requests.1
Other requirements and options
LPN/RN candidates awaiting their licensing exam can be listed after the first 16 hours of training plus the competency exam.4

How to apply

  1. Enrol in and complete a Georgia state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program (at least 85 hours, including 24 clinical); get the notarized completion certificate.1
  2. Create a Credentia CNA365 account, apply and pay the exam fee; your program confirms your training completion in CNA365.1 credentia.com1
  3. Pass the online written/oral exam and the in-person skills exam (3 attempts within 1 year of training).1
  4. Credentia reports your pass to the Registry, which lists you within 10 business days. Georgia issues no card; print your verification from the portal.1
Apply online
credentia.com1
Temporary or provisional license
No temporary certificate; nursing homes have 4 months from hire to get an aide trained and tested.4
Processing time
Registry places a new CNA within 10 business days of the vendor reporting a pass; reciprocity reviewed in about 14 business days when the other state verifies online; renewals up to 10-14 business days.1

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires
Renew every two years from the original certification date by submitting the online renewal form with proof of paid CNA work; renewal forms are no longer mailed (since Nov. 2025).1
Required topics
Work requirement: at least 8 hours of paid nurse aide work under nurse supervision within each 24 consecutive months (pay stub or W-2; private duty needs a notarized LPN/RN statement).6
If it expires
Without the work requirement, retake and pass the written/oral and skills exam.1
Expired one year or more past the registry expiration date: complete a new state-approved training program and pass both exam parts.4

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Georgia Certified Nurse Aide license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moving to Georgia with a license from another state

These are the routes the Georgia Department of Community Health publishes for the Certified Nurse Aide license. The other nursing assistant licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
Reciprocity (transfer): active, unencumbered listing on another state's nurse aide registry, no abuse/neglect/misappropriation findings, SSN card and photo ID, and at least 8 paid hours as a CNA under RN supervision in the past two years. Listed without the Georgia exam; no fee.2
Condition for Maryland
Maryland applicants must be Geriatric Nursing Assistants (GNA); active Maryland CNAs must take the Georgia written and skills exam.2
Conditions
If you did not pass your exam within one year of finishing training in the other state, Georgia will not extend reciprocity.1
The State Contractor may require transferring aides to take the exam.1
Reciprocity form cannot be faxed; the Registry verifies your status with the other state.2

Certified Medication Aide

Technical aspects of administering certain medications (no Schedule II narcotics in nursing homes) in assisted living communities, nursing homes and penal institutions only.3

Requirements

Education or training
Complete the standardized Georgia Medication Aide Training Program taught by a registered Georgia RN or pharmacist, including the Department skills checklist observed on actual residents.3
Experience
Must already be an active Georgia CNA with no findings of abuse, neglect or misappropriation.3
License you must hold first: Active Georgia Certified Nurse Aide3
Exam
Georgia standardized written medication aide competency examination (computer-based)3
Passing score: 80%3
Retakes: Up to three attempts within 90 days, then the whole training program must be retaken.3

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$253Georgia Department of Community HealthInitial written exam/listing; card payment via DCH form site, one payment per applicant

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.

How to apply

  1. Be an active Georgia CNA in good standing and complete the Georgia Medication Aide Training Program with a registered RN or pharmacist instructor.3
  2. Have the instructor observe and attest your skills checklist on residents, then pass the proctored online written exam (80%).3
  3. Pay the $25 fee by card on the DCH payment site using your CNA number; you are listed once payment is verified.3 forms.dch.georgia.gov3
Processing time
Allow 30 business days for a renewal after all documents are uploaded.3

Renewal

When it expires
Initial listing expires 24 months after passing the exam.3
Renewal fee
$253
Required topics
Skills competency checklist completed by a Georgia RN or pharmacist within 18 months before expiration, plus proof of work in an assisted living community in the past 24 months.3
If it expires
Any 24-month gap without a completed skills checklist means starting over: new training, checklist, exam and fee.3

From another state

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
No reciprocity: only Georgia CNAs who complete the Georgia Medication Aide Training Program may be listed.3

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Certified Medication AideNo local license: DCH keeps the statewide Medication Aide Registry.3

Certified Nurse AideNo local license: the Georgia Department of Community Health keeps the statewide Nurse Aide Registry.1

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a nursing assistant in Georgia, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Georgia is on the Georgia license lookup page.

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

  • November 1, 2025: Renewal forms no longer mailed; renewals must be filed online on the portal.4
  • August 12, 2025: Manual revised: certification lapsed one year or more past the registry expiration date requires a new training program and both exams.1

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Certified Nurse Aide license in Georgia?

The rules set at least 85 clock hours1 before you can be licensed. On processing, the board says: Registry places a new CNA within 10 business days of the vendor reporting a pass; reciprocity reviewed in about 14 business days when the other state verifies online; renewals up to 10-14 business days.1

Can I transfer my nursing assistant license to Georgia?

The Georgia Department of Community Health publishes this route for the Certified Nurse Aide license: license by endorsement2. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Certified Nurse Aide license in Georgia?

Every 2 years1.

Certified nursing assistant (CNA) licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. Georgia Nurse Aide Program Manual (Nurse Aide Training Program Q3 2026)Georgia Department of Community Health Nurse Aide Program (portal operated for DCH by Alliant Health Solutions)Dated October 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  2. Reciprocity Form (Transfer Form) 10-2025Georgia Department of Community Health Nurse Aide Program (portal operated for DCH by Alliant Health Solutions)Checked November 7, 2026
  3. CMA FAQ Revised Sept 2025Georgia Department of Community Health Nurse Aide Program (portal operated for DCH by Alliant Health Solutions)Dated September 29, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  4. Certified Nurse Aide FAQsGeorgia Department of Community Health Nurse Aide Program (portal operated for DCH by Alliant Health Solutions)Dated May 13, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  5. Credentia Important Phone numbers and Links - Revised March 2024Georgia Department of Community Health Nurse Aide Program (portal operated for DCH by Alliant Health Solutions)Dated May 13, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  6. Certified Nurse Aide Renewal FormGeorgia Department of Community Health Nurse Aide Program (portal operated for DCH by Alliant Health Solutions)Dated May 13, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  7. Nurse Aide Program Portal - FormsGeorgia Department of Community Health Nurse Aide Program (portal operated for DCH by Alliant Health Solutions)Checked November 7, 2026
  8. Healthcare Facility Regulation Division - Georgia DCHGeorgia Department of Community HealthChecked November 7, 2026