Georgia — The Peach State
Georgia's fastest CNA program takes just 11 days at Atlanta Career Institute. Northside Hospital pays you a wage while you train. A $5,000 state stipend is available for eligible CNA students. 40,980 CNAs employed with 15% job growth projected through 2028.
If you want to jumpstart your healthcare career without spending months in a classroom, Georgia has some of the fastest accelerated CNA programs in the Southeast. You can complete your training and be ready to sit for the Georgia Nurse Aide Competency Exam in as little as 11 days with a full-time accelerated program — or choose a 4-to-6-week hybrid track that lets you complete theory online from home while attending required in-person labs and clinicals near you.
Georgia requires a minimum of 85 training hours including 24 hours of supervised clinical practice in a nursing home. That's one of the lower requirements in the country — meaning Georgia CNAs get to work faster than most states. The state uses Credentia for exam administration, and you have 3 attempts within 1 year of completing training to pass.
Use the verified school locator below to instantly find state-approved programs starting near your zip code. Every school in our system is approved by the Georgia Department of Community Health — no guessing, no wasted time.
Speed comparison
From the 11-day full-time sprint at Atlanta Career Institute to the 7.5-week hybrid option at Savannah Technical College, Georgia gives you real choices about how fast you want to move. Here's every format ranked by speed so you can choose the one that fits your life.
| Program / School | Location | Speed | Cost | What Makes It Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Career Institute (ACI) | Atlanta metro | ⚡ 11 days (fastest in GA) | ~$1,150 (payment plan available) | Day, evening, or Saturday options. WIOA eligible. Online skill review for 22 CNA skills. |
| Northside Hospital CNA School | Atlanta, Cherokee, Duluth, Forsyth, Gwinnett | ⚡ 18 days — PAID employee | FREE + wage during training | You're a paid employee during 18-day training. Leads to PCT internship + full-time employment in Northside system. |
| CMI / Private Accelerated Schools | Atlanta metro (Mableton & others) | 4 weeks | ~$800–$1,200 | Day and evening cohorts. Tuition includes supplies. Employment assistance provided. |
| Lifesaving Hearts (Hybrid) | Buford, GA (North Atlanta area) | 2–4 weeks | Varies | 40 hrs online theory at home + 30 hrs in-person lab + 30 hrs clinical. DCH Program #883001. |
| Covenant CNA School | Atlanta area | 5 weeks (weekends only) | $750 + $130 exam | Saturday/Sunday 9am–5pm. Best for people who work or have family commitments on weekdays. |
| Savannah Technical College (Hybrid) | Savannah | 7.5 weeks accelerated | ~$1,200–$1,500 | Two days on campus + online class. St. Joseph's/Candler apprenticeship = free tuition + paid work. |
| Technical College System of Georgia | Statewide (Gwinnett Tech, Lanier Tech, SRTC, etc.) | 1 semester (accelerated track) | HOPE Career Grant eligible | Public technical colleges — HOPE Career Grant may cover all tuition. Slower but possibly free. |
Georgia has a CNA Workforce Enhancement Stipend Program that pays eligible CNA students $5,000 total in three installments: $1,250 when you start your program, $1,250 when you complete it, and $2,500 after six months of working in a Georgia long-term care facility. This is not a scholarship you repay — it's state money designed to get more CNAs into long-term care. Eligibility is managed through the Georgia DCH. Ask about this stipend when you contact any Georgia-approved CNA program — it can cover your tuition and then some.
Northside Hospital's CNA School is unique in Georgia — and frankly rare in the entire country. You are hired as a paid employee from day one of the 18-day training program. After earning CNA certification, you transition into a Patient Care Technician (PCT) internship, leading to full-time employment within the Northside Health System. The program operates at five metro Atlanta campuses: Atlanta, Cherokee, Duluth, Forsyth, and Gwinnett. Apply directly through Northside's hiring portal — this is not a school enrollment, it's a job application.
2026 salary data
Georgia CNAs earn a median of $34,710/year ($16.69/hr) statewide — with Atlanta significantly above average at $36,610. Mount Berry area pays 32.1% above the state average. Cobb County exceeds the state average by 25.4%. Hospital and travel CNA positions pay $2–$4/hr more than nursing homes.
| City / Area | Avg Hourly | Avg Annual | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta metro | $17–$22/hr | ~$36,610 | 20,000 CNA jobs — Emory, Northside, Piedmont, Grady Memorial hub |
| Cobb County (Marietta/Smyrna) | $18–$23/hr | ~$43,420+ | 25.4% above state average — WellStar Health System hub |
| Mount Berry / Rome area | $19–$24/hr | ~$46,000+ | 32.1% above state avg — Atrium Health Floyd, strong healthcare community |
| Savannah | $15–$19/hr | ~$31,200–$39,520 | St. Joseph's/Candler Health System, Memorial Health |
| Augusta | $14–$18/hr | ~$29,120–$37,440 | Augusta University Medical Center, Doctors Hospital |
| Columbus / Macon | $14–$18/hr | ~$29,120–$37,440 | Piedmont Columbus Regional, Atrium Health Navicent |
| Hospital / Travel CNA (statewide) | +$2–$4/hr above LTC | ~$38,000–$44,800 | Top 10% of GA CNAs earn $44,800 — hospital + travel positions |
Sources: TheCNAGuide.com (2026), CNAClasses.com Georgia, BLS OES May 2023. Salary range entry ($26,580) to experienced ($44,800). Actual pay varies by facility, shift, and experience.
Landing your first job
Financial aid & free options
Your next step
Georgia LPN programs run 12 months through the Technical College System and the median LPN salary is $49,530/year — with Atlanta LPNs averaging $51,200. CNA experience is a significant advantage in Georgia LPN program admissions, and many employers offer tuition reimbursement for CNAs pursuing LPN.
85 hours minimum, 24 clinical. Credentia exam ($130). Georgia Nurse Aide Registry. As fast as 11 days at ACI or 18 days paid at Northside.
Technical College System of Georgia — every region. ~12 months. Median GA LPN salary: $49,530/year. Atlanta: $51,200. HOPE Career Grant may apply.
Georgia State University, Kennesaw State, Georgia Southern, technical college ADN programs. Average GA RN salary: $72,150/year.
For moms in Georgia