How to Become a CNA in South Carolina

To become a CNA in South Carolina, you need to complete a state-approved 100-hour training program, pass the NNAAP exam administered by Credentia, and get added to the SC Nurse Aide Registry. Most people finish the process in 6 to 12 weeks. This article walks you through each step: training requirements, exam registration, financial aid, reciprocity, and renewal, with the specific details that SC requires.

What Is a CNA and What Do They Do in South Carolina?

A certified nursing assistant in South Carolina provides direct hands-on patient care under the supervision of registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. Day-to-day duties include bathing, dressing, and feeding patients, taking vital signs, repositioning residents to prevent pressure injuries, assisting with mobility, and documenting care delivered.

CNA classes are available across the state in hospitals, long-term care facilities, assisted living communities, rehabilitation centers, and home health agencies. South Carolina CNA programs reflect that breadth. Over 21,000 CNAs are employed in the state, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024.

The average CNA salary in South Carolina is $36,370 per year (BLS 2024). For a full breakdown by metro area and facility type, see our CNA salary guide for South Carolina.

South Carolina CNA Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Details
Minimum Age	17 years old
Training	100 hours minimum (60 classroom + 40 clinical)
Exam	NNAAP via Credentia (written + skills portions)
Background Check	SLED check (~$25) required before clinical rotations. Request through catch.sled.sc.gov
Health Screening	Two-step TB skin test + physical exam
ID Requirements	Two forms: driver’s license, state ID, Social Security card, school ID, or passport
Online Training	Theory hours may be online; clinical hours must be in-person
Cost Range	$800–$2,000 (community college); $0 (employer-sponsored)
Timeline	4–12 weeks depending on program format

The process has three steps: complete state-approved training, pass the NNAAP exam through Credentia, then get added to the SC Nurse Aide Registry automatically. Each section below covers one of those steps in detail, along with reciprocity and renewal for CNAs who are transferring or recertifying.

Complete a State-Approved Training Program

South Carolina requires a minimum of 100 hours of state-approved training before you can sit for the CNA exam. That’s not optional. You cannot challenge the exam without completing an approved program first.

Training Hour Breakdown

The 100 hours divide into two parts. The first 60 hours are classroom instruction, which includes 20 hours of hands-on skills practice. Classroom content covers medical terminology, infection control protocols, patient rights under federal law, HIPAA basics, vital sign measurement, and basic nursing care theory.

Those 20 hours of skills practice within the classroom block are where you learn the specific procedures you’ll be tested on during the exam: handwashing technique, measuring blood pressure and pulse, assisting patients with ambulation, feeding patients safely, and repositioning residents using proper body mechanics.

The remaining 40 hours are supervised clinical experience in an actual healthcare setting. You’ll work with real patients at an approved hospital or nursing facility under direct supervision. These hours must be completed in person. There is no remote alternative for clinical training.

Background Check Requirements

South Carolina requires a criminal background check through SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) before you can begin clinical rotations. Most programs require a “SLED Catchall” or statewide search.

You can request the report yourself through the SLED CATCH portal for $25. Processing typically takes 3–5 business days. Start this early. If your program requires it before day one of clinicals and you wait, you’ll delay your start date.

Per SCDHHS policy, certain convictions permanently disqualify you from the SC Nurse Aide Registry, including felony crimes against a person (assault, battery), neglect, and specific theft charges. If you have a record, consult with your program coordinator and review the SCDHHS Barred Crimes List before paying tuition.

Health Screening Requirements

Most SC programs require a two-step TB skin test and a physical exam before you begin clinical rotations. The two-step TB test involves four total office visits over a minimum of 10–14 days:

1. First placement (injection)
2. First reading (48–72 hours later)
3. Second placement (7–21 days after first reading)
4. Second reading (48–72 hours after second placement)

Start your TB testing at least 3 weeks before your program’s clinical start date. If you miss a reading window, you typically have to restart the process. Walk-in clinics, urgent care offices, and county health departments all offer TB testing for $20–$40 per step.

If you test positive, you are not disqualified. You’ll need a chest X-ray to confirm you don’t have active TB, plus a signed clearance from a physician. A positive skin test with a clear X-ray is common and does not prevent CNA training or employment.

Program Formats and Timeline

South Carolina’s approved training programs come in three main formats, each with different costs, timelines, and trade-offs.

Community college programs run 6–12 weeks and are the most affordable classroom option at $800–$2,000 in tuition. Community colleges like Midlands Technical College, Horry-Georgetown Technical College, and Central Carolina Technical College have historically offered CNA programs. Check the approved programs list on Credentia’s SC page for current availability and contact programs directly for tuition, schedule, and enrollment dates, since pricing and program status change frequently. Several SC technical colleges offer evening and weekend sections designed for working adults.

Vocational and private school programs move faster, typically finishing in 4–8 weeks, but cost more at $1,000–$3,000. The accelerated pace usually means full-day schedules, which may not work if you’re currently employed.

Employer-sponsored programs are free. Nursing homes and long-term care facilities will train you on-site at no cost if you commit to working for them for 6–12 months after certification. Some facilities also reimburse training costs after one year of employment. If you can make the work commitment, this is the best financial deal available.

You cannot complete CNA training fully online in South Carolina. Some programs offer a hybrid format where you study the theory portion online, but all 40 clinical hours must be completed in person at an approved facility. If a program advertises “100% online CNA certification for South Carolina,” it is not state-approved, and completing it will not make you eligible to sit for the exam.

How to Verify a Program Is State-Approved

Before you pay a deposit, open the Credentia South Carolina page at credentia.com/test-takers/sc and download the “SC Approved Training Programs” list in the Resources section. If a school is not on that list, ask the program to show you its current state approval before enrolling. You can also email [email protected] with the program name to confirm approval.

Knowing how to choose a CNA program goes beyond verifying state approval. Look at class schedules, clinical site locations, and program completion rates.

That said, cost is often the first question. And it’s a fair one.

If that cost range makes you pause, you’re thinking about this the right way.

“Is CNA program worth it for $2000 before nursing school?”

(116 upvotes, Reddit user)

That question has real answers. SC has several ways to reduce or eliminate training costs entirely.

How to Pay for CNA Training in South Carolina

Training Type	Cost	Timeline	Best For
Community college	$800–$2,000	6–12 weeks	Most affordable formal classroom option
Vocational/private school	$1,000–$3,000	4–8 weeks	Fastest completion if schedule allows
Employer-sponsored	$0	Varies	Pay nothing upfront; commit to 6–12 months at that employer

If you qualify for financial aid, that cost table changes significantly. South Carolina has more funding options for CNA training than most states. Here’s the full list with eligibility details.

Pell Grant: Federal grant, no repayment required. Apply through fafsa.gov. Covers tuition, books, uniforms, and fees at eligible programs. Most community college CNA programs qualify.

WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act): Administered through local workforce development boards. This is the most generous option for qualifying applicants. WIOA can cover up to 100% of program costs, including supplies and exam fees, not just tuition. Contact your county’s workforce development board to check eligibility. Income, employment status, and barriers to employment are the primary criteria.

SC Lottery Tuition Assistance: State-level funding for students enrolled in 6 or more credits at an SC two-year institution. Requires completing FAFSA or the FAFSA waiver. Administered by the SC Commission on Higher Education.

Employer-sponsored programs: Nursing homes and long-term care facilities that participate in Medicaid or Medicare frequently offer free training programs. You train at their facility and commit to working there after certification. Some employers also offer paid training hours during orientation periods.

Right at Home Rock Hill Apprenticeship: A registered apprenticeship through Right at Home that partners with York Technical College. Covers class costs and required materials. You earn income during the apprenticeship itself, not just after.

Local assistance programs:
– Columbia Housing Authority: training assistance for Columbia, SC residents
– Wateree Community Action: residents of Kershaw, Lee, and Sumter Counties
– Pathways Scholarship (SC DSS): available to SC Department of Social Services clients
– Project HOPE (SC DSS): training funding through SC DSS eligibility
– SC Vocational Rehabilitation: training and support services for applicants with disabilities or qualifying barriers to employment (scvrd.net)

Find CNA scholarship opportunities that may stack with state and federal funding sources.

One more funding rule worth knowing: if you work at a nursing facility that participates in Medicaid or Medicare, your employer is required by federal law to cover your CNA exam fees. You are not permitted to pay those fees yourself in that situation.

If you’re coming to CNA training later in life, you’re not starting from scratch. You’re starting from experience.

“Starting a CNA program in middle age.”

(223 upvotes, Reddit user)

Programs like WIOA and employer-sponsored training exist specifically for career changers. Age is not a barrier to any of these funding options.

Pass the South Carolina CNA Exam

South Carolina uses the NNAAP (Nurse Aide Assessment Program) exam, administered by Credentia. Not Prometric. Not Pearson VUE. Credentia is the only testing vendor for CNA certification in SC, and all exam registration happens through the CNA365 platform.

Written Exam Structure

The written exam has 70 multiple-choice questions and a 2-hour time limit. Of those 70, 10 are pretest questions that do not count toward your score. You won’t know which ones they are. Questions cover basic nursing skills, patient care procedures, safety and emergency situations, infection control, patient rights, communication, and mental health principles.

If you prefer not to take the written exam, an oral version is available in both English and Spanish. The oral exam includes 60 multiple-choice questions plus 10 reading-comprehension questions, all read aloud with answer options. You request the oral format when you schedule through CNA365.

For a broader overview of what the exam covers, see the CNA exam overview.

Skills Evaluation Breakdown

During the skills evaluation, you’ll perform 5 randomly selected nursing assistant skills in front of an evaluator. You have 25 to 30 minutes total.

Two skills are always tested: hand hygiene and a measurement task (blood pressure or pulse). The other 3 are drawn randomly from the full skills list used in SC. You must pass all 5 to pass the skills portion. Fail even one skill and you fail the entire skills section.

The evaluation happens in a simulated clinical setting with a mannequin or standardized patient. The evaluator watches every step: whether you explain the procedure to the patient, whether you wash your hands before and after each skill, and whether you use proper body mechanics throughout. Talk through what you’re doing as you work, even if it feels awkward with a mannequin.

The certification process is genuinely stressful. Nearly 500 CNA students and workers said so directly:

“I wonder how many CNAs quit after this”

(494 upvotes, Reddit user)

The pass rate for first-time test-takers is strong. The candidates who practice on real people during training, not just mannequins, consistently report feeling more prepared on test day. If your program offers open lab hours, use every one of them.

Build your study routine with a CNA practice exam and a structured plan using how to study for the CNA exam.

How to Register Through the CNA365 Platform

This is where most applicants get stuck, and no competitor walks through the process. Here’s exactly what to do:

1. Go to credentia.com/test-takers/sc
2. Create a CNA365 account using your full legal name, date of birth, and email address
3. Log in and select “Schedule Exam” or “Exam Registration” from your dashboard
4. Choose your preferred testing date and location (use the Credentia site locator for the nearest SC testing site)
5. Pay the exam fee online ($140 total, or your employer pays if you work at a Medicaid/Medicare facility)
6. You’ll receive a confirmation email with your test date, time, and testing location

One critical note: your training program must submit your completion documents to Credentia before you can access the exam registration option. If you log in and can’t find it, contact your training program to confirm they’ve submitted your paperwork. This is the most common reason applicants can’t register.

Practice the content with CNA skills help resources before your scheduled date. In the final days before your exam, CNA exam flash cards help reinforce the written portion content.

Exam Costs and Retest Fees

Exam Portion	First Attempt	Retest
Written/Oral	$45	$31
Skills (Clinical)	$95	$71
Total	$140	Varies by portion

If you only need to retest one portion, you pay the retest fee for that portion only. You don’t repeat the full exam if you passed one part.

If you’re employed at a Medicaid or Medicare participating nursing home, your employer covers the $140 initial fee. Federal law prohibits you from paying those fees yourself in that situation.

What Happens If You Fail

This section matters. Read it before your exam, not after.

You get 3 attempts to pass each portion of the exam. Written and skills are tracked separately. Failing skills doesn’t reset your written attempt count.

If you fail all 3 attempts on either the written or skills portion, you must complete an entirely new state-approved training program before you can test again. This is not a waiting period. You are starting over from the beginning.

You must also complete all exam attempts within 24 months of finishing your training. Wait longer than 24 months and your training expires. You must retrain before you can test again.

These two facts, the 3-attempt cap and the 24-month window, are the most important warnings in this entire article. If you’re in training right now, mark your 24-month deadline the day you finish.

For what to do after a failed attempt, see retaking the CNA exam.

The exam is hard. And then it’s done.

“just wanted to say i’ve officially passed all the tests and i am a registered cna”

(671 upvotes, Reddit user)

That feeling of relief is real. And once you pass both portions, your name goes on the SC Nurse Aide Registry automatically.

Get Added to the SC Nurse Aide Registry

Once you pass both portions of the CNA exam, Credentia adds your name to the South Carolina Nurse Aide Registry. You don’t need to submit a separate application. There’s no additional form, no waiting period, and no fee.

The SC Nurse Aide Registry is a statewide database maintained by the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) through Credentia. Every CNA working in a long-term care facility in South Carolina must appear on it as active and in good standing. Employers use it to verify certification before you start working. If your status isn’t showing as active within a few business days of passing, contact SCDHHS at [email protected].

For a complete guide to searching the registry, understanding your certification status, and resolving common issues, see our SC Nurse Aide Registry guide.

Transferring Your CNA License to South Carolina

South Carolina does not charge a fee for CNA reciprocity. If you’re certified in another state and moving to SC, you can transfer your certification at no cost.

That’s not the standard. Many states charge $50–$100 or more for reciprocity transfers. SC’s free transfer is worth knowing upfront, because most CNAs relocating to SC expect a fee.

Reciprocity Eligibility

Check whether you qualify before starting the application:

• Active CNA certification in good standing from any U.S. state
• Completed a state-approved training program of at least 100 hours including supervised clinical hours
• No findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation on any state nurse aide registry
• If your certification is expired: it must have been active within the last 24 months
• If you haven’t been on a nurse aide registry in the past 2 years: documented proof of at least 8 hours of paid CNA work (pay stub, W-2, or employer verification letter)

If you’re transferring from North Carolina CNA certification or Georgia CNA certification, the process is the same. SC reciprocity applies from any U.S. state.

How to Apply Through CNA365

The application is entirely online. Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Go to credentia.com/test-takers/sc and create a CNA365 account, or log in if you already have one from prior SC testing
2. Select “Reciprocity Application” from your account dashboard
3. Upload your current CNA license or certification from the other state
4. Upload proof of training completion from your original program (certificate or official transcript)
5. If applicable, upload documentation of your 8 hours of paid CNA work
6. Submit the application. No payment is required
7. Allow 2–4 weeks for processing. SC must verify your status with your prior state’s registry, and the timeline depends partly on that state’s response speed

Questions about your application or need to follow up on status? Contact the SCDHHS Nurse Aide Registry at [email protected].

Renewing Your CNA Certification in South Carolina

Your SC CNA certification lasts 2 years. Renewal costs $35 and is completed online through your CNA365 account.

Unlike many states, South Carolina does not require continuing education hours for CNA renewal. You won’t need to complete CE credits or take additional courses. Just meet the work requirement and pay the fee.

Renewal Requirements

• $35 renewal fee, paid online through CNA365
• At least 8 consecutive hours of paid nurse aide work during the 24-month certification period, supervised by an RN or LPN
• No continuing education credits required
• Watch for Credentia’s email reminder approximately 90 days before your expiration date

The 8-hour work requirement is met if you’ve worked at least one full shift as a paid CNA at any point during your 2-year certification cycle.

What Happens If Your Certification Lapses

If you miss your renewal date and let your certification expire, what happens next depends on how long it’s been expired.

Expired less than 24 months: If you originally completed a state-approved 100-hour training program, you may only need to retest. You don’t have to retrain. Schedule a new exam through CNA365 and pay the standard exam fees.

Expired more than 24 months: If you cannot document that you previously completed a qualifying 100-hour training program, you must complete a new training program and pass both exam portions again.

You cannot work as a CNA in South Carolina while your certification is expired, regardless of circumstances.

If you’re unsure about your current certification status, check the SC Nurse Aide Registry to confirm whether you appear as active, expired, or revoked.

CNA Career Path in South Carolina

CNA certification is the fastest entry into healthcare in South Carolina. Training takes weeks, not years. From there, the career ladder is clear: CNA to LPN to RN to BSN. Each step requires additional education and time, but CNA experience gives you a clinical foundation that matters at every level.

Many CNAs in SC are pre-nursing students using certification to build patient care hours and strengthen nursing school applications. Nursing programs notice candidates with clinical experience. CNA work teaches realities that classroom prerequisites don’t, and it shows.

This question comes up constantly in CNA communities:

“How many of you actually worked as a CNA BEFORE nursing school?”

(287 upvotes, Reddit user)

The consensus is clear: CNA experience before nursing school makes clinical rotations significantly less intimidating. You’ve already worked with patients. The procedures feel familiar. The emotional weight is something you’ve already learned to carry.

Working as a CNA while taking nursing prerequisites is demanding. You’re managing patient loads during shifts and studying on your days off. It’s common and doable, but plan your schedule carefully before committing to both simultaneously.

CNAs can also specialize into higher-demand areas. Hospice care, dialysis centers, and rehabilitation facilities all work with CNAs regularly. Experience in these settings builds specific skills that expand both your options and your earning potential.

Being honest about pay is part of making an informed decision. As one Reddit user shared:

“I was offered a pay cut to be a CNA.”

(Reddit user)

SC CNA pay averages $36,370 per year, about 8% below the national average of $39,530 (BLS 2024). That gap is real and worth knowing before you commit. For a full breakdown by metro area and facility type, including what CNAs earn in Charleston, Columbia, and Hilton Head, see our CNA salary guide for South Carolina.

For broader context on CNA working life and career options, see CNA career and life.