Are you looking to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA)? Let us be your compass with an easy-to-follow guide that outlines the necessary steps to bring your career dreams to life.

Summary

• The average CNA class in California costs $1700, with a range of $1200 to $2565
• Programs are 6 weeks to 6 months long, with most being around 12 weeks long
• You need to be able to pass a background check, complete a CNA class, and pass the certification exam. A high school diploma is not required for some programs

Steps to Become a CNA in California

1. Find a CNA class

You can use Dreambound to find a CNA class. CNA programs in California have at least 50 hours of classroom teaching and 100 hours of hands-on clinical training under the supervision of a nurse. Training can be done in a nursing facility as long as it satisfies the state's requirements.

You can find a list of approved CNA training programs on Dreambound, which allows you to search by distance, length of program, payment options available, and more. You can also find the list published by the California Department of Public Health.

2. Meet CNA class requirements

• California requires CNAs to be at least 16 years old.
• You are not required to have a high school diploma to be a CNA in California, although many training providers may require that separately. Colleges especially require high school diplomas, whereas vocational schools may ask for only 8th-grade equivalency (either a transcript or an exam).
• You must be able to pass a background check to become a CNA in California. The background check checks for any felonies and certain misdemeanors involving theft or assault in the last 5 years.
• You must get a tuberculosis (TB) test. If you test positive, you will then need to get a chest x-ray.
• You must get a physical exam from a doctor that says you will be able to be a CNA, including being able to lift up to 50 pounds.

The requirements above are the ones required by law, but your specific school may have additional requirements. For example, they may require you to have certain immunizations or may require a SSN or ITIN to prove US work authorization.

3. Complete your class

In California, CNA classes cannot be done completely online. While the first 50 hours of classroom instruction can be done online, California requires at least 100 hours of in-person clinical training in a nursing facility. In clinicals, you will be supervised by a nurse to make sure you are doing procedures correctly.

4. Take the California CNA exam

You are allowed 2 years from your training program completion date to pass the nursing assistant examination. If 2 years have passed or if you have failed the exam 3 times, you will need to retake a CNA class. You are also allowed to work as a CNA for up to 120 days without having passed the CNA exam.

The California CNA exam is administered by Credentia and D&S Diversified Technologies LLP - Headmaster LLP. Depending on where you live, Credentia released handbooks and portals for candidates residing in Northern and Southern California. The Credentia exam costs $120 and is structured in the same way as the D&S one. There is an audio version as well for an extra $10.

As for D&S, they also have their portal and handbook for their test takers. The D&S exam costs $130 and consists of a multiple-choice knowledge portion and skills-based assessment. You can also take an audio version instead of the written multiple-choice for an extra $10.

Your school may also help you schedule your first exam, but retakes are generally on you to schedule. If you successfully pass the Competency Examination, it may take up to 60 days for the California Department of Public Health to receive your exam results to award you your certification.

5. Work as a CNA

Congratulations, you are now a certified CNA! CNAs workplaces are usually in a nursing facility, hospital, or any other place that hires CNAs. We recommend using sites like Indeed to find jobs. You can also work at the place you did your clinicals if you liked it, or ask your school what facilities they recommend working at.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Can I Find CNA Classes in California? 

Dreambound has a list of schools for you already in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Ana, Sacramento, San Jose, and San Francisco. You can also view upcoming CNA class schedules via those links by clicking on the nearby metro areas.

What's the fastest I can become a CNA in California?

The fastest CNA classes in California take 5 weeks long. California requires 150 hours of training, so these accelerated programs are full-time. Most CNA classes in California are 2-4 months long.

How long is CNA training in California?

California requires 150 hours of training (50 hours of classroom instruction, 100 hours of clinicals). Most CNA classes in California are 2-4 months long, with the shortest programs being 4 weeks long.

How much is the CNA exam in California?

There are two CNA exam providers in California: D&S is $130 and Credential is $120. Both exams consist of a multiple-choice written portion ($80 for Credentia, $95 for D&S) and a skills portion ($40 for Credentia, $35 for D&S). You can also take an audio version instead of multiple-choice written for an additional $10.

How much is CNA school in California?

The average CNA class in California costs $1700, with a range of $1200 to $2565. Almost all schools offer payment plans where you pay about a third of tuition to start and pay the rest over the length of class. There may also be some free options offered by nursing homes who require you work at the employer for a period of time after your schooling.

How much do CNAs make in California?

In California, CNAs make on average $47,070 per year ($ 22.63 per hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You may make more if you work in a hospital or travel staffing agency. You may also make more if you work in a high cost of living area such as San Francisco or Los Angeles.

What are the requirements to be a CNA in California?

You must be at least 16 years old. You also must be able to pass a background check, tuberculosis (TB) test, and physical exam. You are not required to have a high school diploma, although some schools may require it anyway. Most schools will also ask for US work authorization via SSN or ITIN.

What Do I Need to Buy for My CNA Classes? 

Before attending your classes, you must prepare the things you need for your CNA class. One must remember the correct dress code when enrolling in a CNA class. Make sure to come dressed to impress with the right color of scrubs, comfy socks, and closed-toed shoes to guarantee you are ready for success!

Books and supplies used in class depend on the training providers. Ask your school if they will provide textbooks, workbooks, and equipment during the program. Some sell complete kits for candidates, like gait belts, blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, and more. Ask your school if they will provide the necessary equipment during class and clinicals.

Many training providers offer other certification courses that combine a CNA certificate with certification in other exciting fields, such as Medication Tech. Ask your school if they offer such programs to advance your career further.

How Do I Register for a CNA Exam? 

To register for a CNA exam in California, you must be at least 16 years of age, have completed a training program approved by the Department of California, and have obtained a criminal record clearance.

Once you have everything you need and pass the test, you can submit your application with a copy of the Request for Live Scan Service to the California Department of Public Health. Allow at least 60 days for CDPH to receive the test results from Credentia or D&S.

The CNA exam is the most important part of becoming certified. Because we want you to ace your exam, we have prepared a brief manual on how you can prepare for your CNA examination! You might feel a sudden burst of pressure and stress before taking the exam, but always stay calm and confident with your skills and learning.

What Can I Do After Becoming a CNA? 

One of the best things about being a CNA is that there are several possible career paths. Some CNAs go to a hospital or staffing agency after working in a nursing home for 6 months. You may also complete extra training to become a medication aide, medical assistant, phlebotomy technician, or patient care technician. A reference letter from your CNA instructor will help you get into nursing school. CNAs can also enroll in programs to become licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) or registered nurses (RNs).

The US BLS reports that California has the highest CNA employment, with over 100,000 working right now. A CNA can make $17 an hour or more, and good job opportunities are waiting for you once you get that certification, so you don’t need to worry about how to get a job as a CNA. Some Dreambound graduates are even working on starting their own CNA schools already—who knows, you might be the next one in line!

What are programs similar to CNA?

• How to Become a Patient Care Technician in California - a PCT is a CNA, Phlebotomist, and EKG Technician all in one. Plus, this class can be done all online, although it is longer than CNA classes.
• How to Become a Medical Assistant in California - a Medical Assistant has more clinical skills than a CNA and also is paid higher. However, the class is longer and more expensive.
• How to Become a Phlebotomist in California - Phlebomists draw blood. Dreambound students who are considering becoming a CNA also consider phlebotomy the most of any other type of program. Phlebotomy programs are about the same length and cost, and also can be done online.
• How to Become an LPN in California - LPNs are much more clinically skilled, so the classes take 1-2 years. However, LPNs are paid much higher and have immediate pathways to become a Registered Nurse.