In the state of California, the American Red Cross offers free training to prospective nursing assistant students throughout the state. This is a great opportunity for students wishing to make a career in the health care industry or for adults interested in a career change. Certification after completing the American Red Cross training program is through the state of California and only at authorized test-taking sites. Additional fees for certification and nurse assistant certification renewal are to be expected. To learn which American Red Cross locations offer nursing assistant training in California, visit their website or a local American Red Cross facility. You can also find Work force investment approved colleges and low-cost institutions, Here are a few WIA Approved Programs for free CNA Training in CA:
Contra costa college – 2600 mission bell drive | san pablo ca 94806 | 510-235-7800
Allan hancock college – 800 south college ave | santa maria ca 93454-6399 | 805-922-6966
American river college – 4700 college oak drive | sacramento ca 95841 | 916-484-8011
Butte college – 3536 butte campus drive | oroville ca 95965 | 530-895-2511
College of the sequoias -915 South Mooney Blvd. Visalia, CA 93277/559-7307-6266
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CNA Certification Information
In the state of California, all individuals seeking to become certified nursing assistants must meet all course requirements prior to sitting for the state certification exam. Prior to working as a certified nursing assistant, there are requirements all potential certified nursing assistants must adhere to:
All student nurse assistant candidates applying to take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) Examination in California must have successfully completed a Department of Public Health-approved nurse assistant training program. You are allowed two (2) years from your training program completion date to pass the nursing assistant examination. If you do not pass the NNAAP Examination within a two-year period, you will be required to re-train before you will be allowed to take the examination again. If you have not completed a CNA training program but you have had other training, please contact the California Department of Public Health at (916) 327-2445 to determine your eligibility.
Training programs are a minimum of 150 hours in length and are comprised of lecture, laboratory, and at minimum 100 hours of supervised clinical experience in an approved clinical setting.
A newly trained nurse aide candidate taking the examination for the first time must successfully pass both parts of the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) examination within one (1) year of successfully completing a training program in order to be placed on the California Nurse Aide Registry.
A person transferring from another state must not provide hands-on care in a facility until he or she has been placed on the California Nurse Aide Registry. A nurse aide’s Registry employment eligibility status will be determined by the training provided by that state’s instructional program and must complete the Nurse Aide Registry Out-of-State Application.
CNA TRAINING FAQs
How long does it take to become a CNA in California?
Certified Nursing Assistant Training programs in California are about 6 to 12 weeks long depending on your pace. The training program comprises of classroom and clinical work.
How long does CNA certification last?
Your CNA certification typically lasts 2 years and can be renewed using a renewal form and fee as long as you have maintained working as a CNA during this time.
Is CNA a good career path?
Being a Certified Nursing Assistant is a very rewarding healthcare position and can serve as a stepping stone towards other opportunities in healthcare depending on your goals.
Can I transfer my CNA license to California?
Yes, you can transfer your CNA certification via reciprocity. A background check will be conducted before your certification can be transferred to California. The nursing aide registry will ensure that your certification has not expired in your former state.
What is the average pay for a CNA in California?
The typical salary for a CNA in California ranges between $31,000 and $39,000.
How long does it take to get CNA certified?
Most CNA programs take between 4 to 12 weeks. This is divided into classroom and clinical practices.
CNA Training in California
Individuals can become a certified nursing assistant in the state of California upon successful completion of state-approved course work and certification exam at an approved testing site. Approved training programs adequately prepare students to sit for this exam. All programs require a minimum of 150 hours which includes a minimum of 100 clinical hours. Programs range from 4 weeks to a full semester in length. The cost of these programs is between $400 and $1000, though some long-term care facilities offer free training programs. Payment plans are also available in colleges and technical schools. In some locations that offer free training, students may receive payment during the clinical portion of the program with an established commitment to that facility. Below is a list of approved CNA programs in the state of California:
Franklin Career College – 1274 Slater Circle, Ontario, California 91761
The CNA program at Franklin Career College is a 8.3 credit program that meets for 6 weeks, totaling 166 hours for classroom and clinical requirements. Classes meet Monday and Tuesday from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm. The schedule for clinical hours vary, but a typical schedule is Wednesday through Friday, 6:45 am – 3:15 pm. The program is offered at the Ontario and Norwalk campus. For more information on the CNA program including tuition and fee structure, call (909) 937-9007
Reedley College – 995 North Reed Avenue, Reedley, California 93654 | (559) 638-3641
This course is available at the Palm Village, this is a 6 months course after which students can be eligible to take the red cross NAT exam and successful passing of this exam leads to becoming a certified nurse assistant. The six month program currently begins in October and ends in April. Program costs include tuition, books, and supplies. Tuition is $36 per credit unit.
Shasta Tehama-Trinity College – 11555 North Old Oregon Trail, Redding, CA 96049 | 530-242-7500
The Shasta Tehama-Trinity College CNA program is a one-semester course consisting of eight 8 hours lecture and sixteen 16 hours laboratory/clinical per week and is worth thirteen 13 units of college credit. Students are required to have a physical examination and immunizations prior to entering the NA/Home Health Aide program. The approximate cost of the program is $600 and covers tuition, textbooks, supplies and certification.
College of the Redwoods – 883 West Washington Blvd., Crescent City, CA 95531
The College of the Redwoods Nurse Assistant program is a one-semester program consisting of a 6-unit course one semester in length, is offered Fall and Spring Semesters on the main campus in Eureka and on a rotational basis at the Del Norte campus in Crescent City. The program consists of basic nursing skills such as bed making, skin care, and familiarization with simple treatments and procedures.“Hands-on” practice is provided through local community hospitals. The total estimated cost for the program is $1288 of which $400 covers physical exam, supplies and certification costs. For information on the program, you can reach them at this number: (916) 484-8643.
Professional Medical Careers Institute of California – 299 Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, California 91362
The Professional Medical Careers Institute CNA program is offered in an 8-week day structure or a 9-week evening structure and requires a minimum of 75 clock hours of training. Professional Medical Careers Institute provides approximately 104 hours of clinical training and 79 hours of theory for a total of about 185 hours. Lecture hours are 4 pm until 8:30 pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday for the PM class. 8 am until 1:30 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for the AM class. For further information on tuition and other fees, call 805-497-4064.
Lake Tahoe Community College – One College Drive South, Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 | (530) 541-4660.
The Nursing Assistant Training Program at Lake Tahoe Community College is offered once a year during the fall quarter. It is a 168-hour, 12-week course that meets twice a week for lectures and once a week for clinical studies. The estimated cost of the Nursing Assistant Training Program at LTCC is $900. This includes registration fees, textbook, one uniform, shoes, a stethoscope, a watch, certification testing, fingerprinting, and the Department of Health Services application fee. The estimated cost does not include medical exams and immunizations.
Other CNA Programs in CA:
Mission vallet – 5019 stevenson blvd. | fremont 94538 | 510-657-612
Lifeline healthcare consultants inc – 5709 market st. | oakland 94608 | 510-923-1139
Genova health institute & services – 1300 w. olympic blvd | suite 401 los angeles 90015 | 213-383-7487
ManorCare Health Services – Citrus Heights, California 95610 | (916) 967-2929
Friendship Manor Lakeside – Lakeside, CA 92040 | (619) 561-1222
COLLEGE REVIEWS:
Reedley College has beautiful small town feel and they offer a variety of programs from nursing to dental care to aviation! There are a lot of resources available to students including free tutoring.
College of the Redwoods: Supportive and friendly staff, beautiful scenery and incredible teachers.
LICENSE TRANSFER TO ANOTHER STATE.
- Complete an application for a new CNA license for the state you’re moving to.
- Submit an official and active copy of your CNA license from your current state.
- Provide proof of continuous employment from your employer in your current state.
- Submit a form for a criminal background check.