In Georgia, CNAs must renew their certification every two years from the date of original certification in order to stay active on the nurse aide registry. The registry mails the renewal forms 60 days prior to their expiration date but it is the responsibility of every nurse aide to renew their certification and to make sure the registry has the correct mailing address. You should return the renewal form and required documents as soon as possible since it takes about two weeks from the date of receipt for processing by the nurse aide registry. You may not get your renewal application if you have changed your address in the last two years and forgot to notify the registry. In this case you should contact the registry at 678-527-3010 or 800-414-4358 with your new address.
To keep your certification active, you must send a completed renewal form to the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry and meet the work requirements. You need to go through this process every two years. The application for renewal as a certified nurse aide may be printed or you may request it via the Interactive Voice Response System available at 800-766-4456 if you don't receive it in the mail. Your name will be removed from the registry and you will not be eligible to be hired as a nurse aide by a licensed facility if you don't return the application for renewal as a CNA to the registry. The state does not charge a renewal fee.
A certified nurse aide must meet the requirements for re-certification in order to remain on the registry and be eligible to work in a licensed facility. Federal regulations require that a nurse aide seeking license renewal must work a minimum of eight hours under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) within the last twenty-four (24) consecutive months since their last re-certification date and receive monetary compensation as a CNA for that work.
If you are currently working as a CNA, you need to complete Section A of the renewal application form, have your employer sign the form and submit a copy of a check stub, W-2 or 1099 form or a letter from your employer on employer’s letterhead as verification of work. Acceptable private duty services must be under the general supervision of an LPN or RN. If you are currently working or have worked private duty, you must include a notarized statement with detailed job duties, signature of employer, signature of the supervising LPN or RN and license number, time frame worked and a copy of a check stub or W-2 form as verification of employment.
If you are not currently working as a nurse aide, but meet the employment requirements of 8 hours of work within the last 24 consecutive months, you have to complete Section B of the application form for your most recent job as a CNA. Failure to submit everything that is required will delay your re-certification. If you meet all the requirements, you will be issued a new certification card identifying the new two-year expiration date.
If you are unable to meet the work requirement and lapsed under three years without employment verification, then you must take and pass the written/oral and skills competency examination again in order to update your certification. In this case, you need to contact the nurse aide program via the telephone Interactive Voice Response System at 800-766-4456 to obtain a testing application and a list of state-approved regional test sites. Once you successfully pass the written/oral and skills examinations, you name will again be placed on the nurse aide registry. You must renew your certification every two years thereafter. If your CNA certification has expired for three or more years from the date of the last re-certification, then you must complete a new state-approved nurse aide training program and pass the state written/oral and skills competency examination.