Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) training & certification requirements vary considerably across the U.S. In some states, the requirements go beyond the federal minimum while in other states requirements are nearly identical to the federal standards.

This page displays South Carolina CNA Requirements as of February 2023.

To see requirements in other states, visit nursinghome411.org/cna-reqs.

South Carolina CNA Requirements

  • Education & Training Requirement
    • Individuals must complete a state approved nurse aide training and competency evaluation program.
  • Testing Requirement
    • Individuals must pass both a written and skills test within 24 months.
  • Renewal & In-Service Requirements
    • In-service requirements are the same as federal.
    • Renewal requires 8 hours of nursing or nursing-related duties every 24 months.
  • Hours
    • All state-approved South Carolina Nurse Aide Training Programs must provide a minimum of 100 training hours. 60 classroom lecture hours that includes documentation of 20 hours dedicated towards skills training. The remaining 40 hours are required for clinical skills training in a hospital or an approved nursing facility.
  • Curriculum
    • Introduction – 16 hours as required
      • Communication and Interpersonal Skills
      • Infection Control
      • Safety/Emergency Procedures
      • Promoting Resident’s Independence
      • Respecting Resident’s Rights
    • Core Curriculum – 16 to 40 hours
      • Role of the Nurse Aide – 1.5 hours
      • Resident’s Rights – 3.0 hours
      • Basic Nursing Skills – 7.0 hours
      • Care of Cognitively Impaired Residents – 5.0 hours
    • Mental Health and Social Service Needs – 2.0 hours
    • Personal Care Skills – 2.5 hours
    • Basic Restorative Services – 3.0 hours