CNA Programs in South Carolina

South Carolina CNA Training

Currently, thousands of people are out of work and finding it difficult to get interviews for positions that are appropriate for their knowledge and expertise. Anyone who's interesting in starting over and finding a new career that will allow them to help people live healthier lives should consider South Carolina CNA classes.

Designed to prepare students for the fast-paced career of a certified nursing assistant, these classes train students to work in the highly rewarding field of healthcare. Although every industry from clothing to car manufacturing is experiencing a downturn thanks to the sluggish economy, the health care industry is continuing to grow.

Experts at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predict that the demand for qualified nursing assistants will increase by over 18 percent in the next decade. This means that thousands of new positions will be available for certified nursing assistants.

The South Carolina CNA Exam

In South Carolina, an individual wishing to become a CNA must pass both the written and skills examinations within two years of completing his or her CNA training from an approved 100-hour state-approved CNA course (including 40 hours of clinical training). If the individual does not pass the evaluations after 3 attempts, he or she will have to retake an approved 100-hour CNA training course before being eligible to retest.

The written exam consists of 70 multiple choice questions. Testers also have the option to receive an oral exam in place of a written exam. This oral exam is made up of 60 multiple choice questions and 10 multiple-choice reading comprehension questions that are played on a cassette tape. During the skills examination, each applicant will be asked to perform 5 randomly selected skills. His or her performance is graded by a Nurse Aide Evaluator. All five skills must be performed correctly in order to pass the skills evaluation.

Military Eligibility

If an individual is an LPN, RN, or in the military, he or she must contact the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to determine their eligibility to test. If an individual wishing to work as a CNA is from out of state but has completed a 100-hour state-approved CNA program that includes clinical hours within the past 24 months, he or she must submit an Application for Registration by Examination along with a copy of his or her diploma/certification verifying completion of CNA training.

The diploma or certificate must include the number of classroom and clinical hours that were required by the course. The individual must be considered to be in good standing by the CNA registry of in his or her home state.

An individual whose CNA license has been expired for less than 24 months is required to retake and pass the written and skills examinations renew his or her certification.

Additional Resources:

• South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

On-Campus & Online CNA Schools

South Carolina CNA Resources on NurseGroups.com

• South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control