Maria Delgado, RN
June 23, 2025
CNA training programs supply essential education to people who want to assist nurses alongside healthcare staff. The duties of CNAs include assisting nurses with patient care by bathing patients, feeding them, moving them between places and measuring vital signs. CNAs serve as essential support personnel for healthcare staff in all Georgia facilities including hospitals, nursing homes, home health services and rehabilitation centers.
Thomasville, GA - Public 2-Year - southernregional.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Southern Regional Technical College's Nurse Aide Accelerated Technical Certificate of Credit is a 5-week intensive program designed for quick entry into healthcare. It covers essential clinical skills, medical terminology, and patient interaction, preparing graduates for the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program and Georgia State registry. With a total cost of $1,428, no high school transcript is required, and applicants must be at least 17 years old. The program includes clinical experience and requires Healthcare Provider CPR certification, offering an accessible path for motivated individuals.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Nurse Aide Technical Certificate of Credit at Southern Regional Technical College is a two-semester program that combines classroom, lab, and clinical training for comprehensive patient care skills. Graduates are eligible for the NNAAP exam and Georgia State registry, with a total cost of approximately $2,980.83. No high school transcript is needed, but applicants must be at least 17, with CPR certification, a drug test, and a background check required. The curriculum includes vital signs, infection control, and elderly care, providing a solid foundation for healthcare careers.
Waycross, GA - Public 2-Year - coastalpines.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Coastal Pines Technical College offers a Nurse Aide Technical Certificate program that provides hands-on training for aspiring healthcare professionals. Students learn essential patient care skills through classroom instruction and clinical experiences in various settings like hospitals and nursing homes. The program requires only 13 credit hours, has no high school diploma requirement, and accepts students as young as 16, preparing them for the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program certification and state registry entry. Multiple campus locations enhance accessibility, making it an efficient path to start a career in healthcare.
Warner Robins, GA - Public 2-Year - centralgatech.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Central Georgia Technical College's Patient Care Assisting program is a technical certificate open to students aged 16 and up, offering a direct route into healthcare. It emphasizes hands-on training in essential patient care skills, preparing graduates for immediate employment and certification as nursing assistants. With no concentration specified, the curriculum covers foundational competencies, and it's military-friendly, making it accessible for various learners without entrance exam requirements.
Clarkston, GA - Public 2-Year - gptc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Georgia Piedmont Technical College offers a Nurse Aide Technical Certificate of Credit program, focusing on essential healthcare skills for roles in patient care. Students gain hands-on experience in vital sign monitoring, patient transfers, and daily living assistance through combined classroom and clinical training. This military-friendly program includes dual enrollment options, certification exam preparation, and multiple campus locations, leading to NNAAP certification for employment in nursing homes, hospitals, and home health agencies.
The state of Georgia does not permit fully online CNA programs but several educational institutions provide blended learning programs that blend online classroom instruction with clinical practice requirements. Students who take the classroom portion of their training through online learning can set their own learning schedule. Students need to complete their clinical hours in person to gain practical experience. Learning essential patient care skills along with vital sign measurement requires students to participate in clinicals.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Regional Technical College |
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| Coastal Pines Technical College |
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| Central Georgia Technical College |
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| Eligibility Prerequisites | Complete a state-approved CNA program, be at least 16 with a high school diploma/GED, clear background checks and immunizations |
|---|---|
| Certifying Board | Georgia Nurse Aide Registry, Department of Community Health |
| Training Program | Minimum of 85 hours, including at least 24 supervised clinical hours |
| Fees | No registry fee, competency exam costs $130 |
| Certification Exam | Pass a 70-question written/oral test and a five-skill practical evaluation within one year |
| Registry Activation | Name appears on the registry within ten business days of exam completion |
| Renewal Requirements | Complete eight hours of paid CNA work under RN/LPN supervision every 24 months, renew online without a fee |
| Endorsement | Out-of-state CNAs apply via reciprocity through CNA365, no additional training required |
The annual salary for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) working in Georgia falls between $30,000 and $33,000 while pay rates differ slightly between urban and rural areas. Healthcare workers in metropolitan Atlanta receive higher pay than those working in rural areas because of the higher cost of living and increased demand for healthcare professionals. The rising number of older residents combined with healthcare facility development in Georgia creates robust employment opportunities for CNAs. The healthcare industry maintains a promising outlook because CNAs can find employment opportunities across hospitals, nursing homes, home health care agencies, and rehabilitation centers. CNAs working in long-term care facilities or home health care settings typically find flexible scheduling opportunities as well as possibilities for career progression.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Georgia | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual CNA Salary | $33,450 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $16.07 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$38,600 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $33,450 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$27,800 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~4% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~7,900 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Regional Technical College |
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| Central Georgia Technical College |
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| Coastal Pines Technical College |
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Healthcare certification begins at the CNA level before leading to advanced nursing positions. CNAs use their professional experience to start their education and earn new certifications. After finishing their LPN program which lasts between 12 to 18 months students can advance their careers to Licensed Practical Nurses. The path to RN status for CNAs includes completing either LPN-to-RN bridge programs or direct entry into nursing programs. More education enables CNAs to achieve better pay rates while they gain leadership positions within healthcare facilities for patient care administration. The acquisition of specialized certifications in phlebotomy or medical assisting by CNAs leads to enhanced skills and expanded career possibilities.
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