Certified Nursing Assistant in South Carolina

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for SC. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary
$36,370
trending_down -8.0% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, South Carolina.

engineering
21,000

Jobs (SC)

monitoring Stable
+2.3%

10-yr job growth

payments
$140

Licensing fees

schedule
4-8 weeks

Time to complete

route How to become a certified nursing assistant in South Carolina

To become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in South Carolina, individuals must complete a state-approved training program of at least 100 hours, including 40 hours of clinical experience. After training, candidates must pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam administered by Credentia. The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) oversees the certification process and maintains the South Carolina Nurse Aide Registry. Reciprocity is available for CNAs certified in other states who meet South Carolina's training requirements and are in good standing.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $28,980
25th percentile $33,300
50th (median) $36,370
75th percentile $38,640
90th (experienced) $42,730

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for South Carolina. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist South Carolina requirements

Licensing bodySouth Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) manages the certification process through the South Carolina Nurse Aide Registry, with testing administered by Credentia.
State license Required
Education100-hour state-approved training program
ExamNational Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) via Credentia ($140)
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
NotesMinimum age requirement is 17 years old. Renewal requires having worked for pay as a CNA for at least 8 hours in the past 24 months. A background check and 2-step TB skin test are also required.

Source: South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) manages the certification process through the South Carolina Nurse Aide Registry, with testing administered by Credentia.

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth
+2.3%
Average
Annual openings
204,100
Nationwide per year
Total employment
1,441,500
Nationwide

balance Is it worth it?

  • check_circleSouth Carolina license required — clearer credential signal to employers
psychology
Wondering if a certified nursing assistant career is the right fit?
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Frequently asked questions

How do I become a certified nursing assistant in South Carolina? expand_more
South Carolina requires certified nursing assistants to complete the required education (100-hour state-approved training program), and pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) via Credentia.
Is a certified nursing assistant license required in South Carolina? expand_more
A state license is required in South Carolina. South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) manages the certification process through the South Carolina Nurse Aide Registry, with testing administered by Credentia. handles certified nursing assistant licensing — the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) via Credentia is part of the process.
How much do certified nursing assistants make in South Carolina? expand_more
South Carolina certified nursing assistants bring home a median salary of $36,370. — 8% under the $39,530 national average. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $28,980, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $42,730.
What's the total cost to get certified nursing assistant certified in South Carolina? expand_more
The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($140) and required training.
How many months or years does certified nursing assistant certification take in South Carolina? expand_more
In South Carolina, becoming a certified nursing assistant generally takes 4-8 weeks, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

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