CNA Classes in Charleston, SC

How Much Does CNA Training Cost in Charleston?

Tuition at Charleston programs runs Free to $949 (about $949 on average). Beyond tuition, plan for the state exam fee ($140 total ($45 written + $95 skills)), the application/registry fee ($0 separate state application fee - registration with SCDHHS is automatic upon passing the Credentia exam), a background check, and uniforms or supplies. All in, total CNA training cost in South Carolina typically falls around $500-$1,300 including tuition, Credentia exam fees, scrubs, stethoscope, watch, and SLED background check. Note that 1 Charleston program offers free training — see the highlighted options above.

How to Become a CNA in Charleston, SC

1. 1

   Confirm SCDHHS eligibility

   Candidates must be at least 18 years old (most programs), able to read, write, and communicate in English, and pass a SLED criminal background check plus a Nurse Aide Registry abuse and neglect screening. The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) maintains the disqualifying offenses list at scdhhs.gov/nurse-aide.

2. 2

   Enroll in an SCDHHS-approved 100-hour program

   Choose a program approved by SCDHHS. Common options include technical colleges (Midlands Tech, Trident Tech, Greenville Tech), Red Cross chapters, high school health science programs, and nursing-home employer-sponsored classes. The curriculum must include 60 classroom hours (with 20 hours of documented skills practice) plus 40 hours of supervised clinical experience.

3. 3

   Complete the 60 classroom + 40 clinical curriculum

   Topics covered include resident rights, infection control, vital signs, personal care, range of motion, communication, mental health, and the specific NNAAP skills you will be tested on. As of January 1, 2021, SCDHHS allows the 40 clinical hours to be completed in either a licensed long-term care facility or an approved hospital.

4. 4

   Create a CNA365 account and apply with Credentia

   Create a CNA365 account at cna365.examroom.ai, complete the Application for Registration by Competency Examination, and upload your training completion certificate or a signed letter verifying your hours, clinical instruction, and completion date. Pay the $140 NNAAP fee ($45 written + $95 skills).

5. 5

   Pass the NNAAP knowledge and skills exam

   Schedule both portions through CNA365. The knowledge test can be taken at a Pearson VUE test center or online with live remote proctoring, while the skills evaluation must be completed in person at a Credentia testing site. You must pass both within two years of training completion and within three attempts.

6. 6

   Get added to the South Carolina Nurse Aide Registry

   Once both portions are passed, Credentia automatically reports results to SCDHHS and your name is added to the South Carolina Nurse Aide Registry within a few business days - no separate state application, fee, or waiting period is required. Employers verify your active status through CNA365.

7. 7

   Renew every two years through CNA365

   South Carolina certification lasts 24 months. To renew, you submit your renewal through CNA365, pay the $35 renewal fee, and document at least 8 hours of paid, supervised nursing-related work in the prior 24 months. Lapsed CNAs may have to retake the NNAAP exam if they exceed the work-hour gap.

Becoming a CNA in South Carolina

South Carolina's CNA pathway is administered by the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS), which maintains the official South Carolina Nurse Aide Registry. SCDHHS contracts with Credentia (via the CNA365 platform) to handle exam registration, NNAAP testing, registry placement, renewal, and reciprocity. The state requires 100 training hours - more than the federal OBRA 75-hour minimum but less than nearby states like North Carolina (75) and Georgia (85).

Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Charleston