CNA Classes in Columbus, GA

How Much Does CNA Training Cost in Columbus?

Tuition at Columbus programs runs Free to $795 (about $795 on average). Beyond tuition, plan for the state exam fee (Approximately $105 total for both portions), the application/registry fee (Included in the Prometric application packet; no separate state application fee), a background check, and uniforms or supplies. All in, total CNA training cost in Georgia typically falls around $0 (employer-sponsored) to $1,200 (private program). Note that 1 Columbus program offers free training — see the highlighted options above.

How to Become a CNA in Columbus, GA

1. 1

   Confirm you meet the prerequisites

   You must be at least 16, free of disqualifying convictions under Georgia healthcare worker background check rules, and able to read and write English. There is no formal high school diploma requirement from the state, though most training programs require basic English literacy and may have their own age cutoffs (often 18).

2. 2

   Find a Georgia-approved Nurse Aide Training Program

   Look for an 85-hour state-approved program. Approved programs are run by Georgia's Technical College System, community colleges, the American Red Cross, nursing facilities, and private career schools. Many high schools offer CNA training as a healthcare pathway elective for students 16+. Find the approved program list through the Georgia Department of Community Health.

3. 3

   Complete the 85-hour training program

   Pass all 85 hours of training, including a minimum of 16 hours of supervised clinical experience in a long-term care facility. Your program issues a program completion certificate that registers you with Prometric for the competency exam.

4. 4

   Complete GBI and FBI fingerprint background screening

   Submit fingerprints for both Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and federal FBI background checks. Processing usually takes 1 to 3 weeks. Disqualifying offenses include violent felonies, theft, fraud, sexual offenses, and vulnerable-adult abuse.

5. 5

   Apply through Prometric and schedule the exam

   Submit your Prometric application packet for the Georgia Nurse Aide Competency Examination. The total exam fee is approximately $105 for both portions. Schedule the written and skills tests at a Prometric-approved Georgia test center, typically within 2 to 4 weeks of program completion.

6. 6

   Get listed on the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry

   Once you pass both portions of the exam, Prometric transmits your results to the Georgia Department of Community Health and you are added to the state Nurse Aide Registry. You can verify your status at garegistry.com by name, SSN (last 4 digits), or certificate number. From that point you can work as a CNA in any Georgia licensed healthcare facility.

Becoming a CNA in Georgia

Becoming a CNA in Georgia is one of the more accessible pathways in the Southeast. The state requires 85 hours of training — just 10 hours above the federal floor — which means most full-time programs can be completed in 4 to 6 weeks. Georgia's Technical College System runs the largest network of approved training programs, typically at modest tuition rates and often with HOPE Career Grant funding available for state residents in healthcare pathways. Several long-term care facility chains in metro Atlanta, Savannah, Columbus, and Augusta also sponsor CNA training in exchange for a 6 to 12 month work commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Columbus