Home CNA Requirements CNA Classes Online Classes License Lookup Blog
Find Training Near You
© 2026 FreeCNATraining

CNA Classes in California

80 state-approved Certified Nurse Aide training programs across 13 cities in California. California requires 160 hours of training, with the competency exam administered by D&SDT-Headmaster or Credentia (CDPH-approved testing vendors).

Training Hours

160 hours

Federal minimum: 75h

Exam Vendor

D&SDT-Headmaster or Credentia (CDPH-approved testing vendors)

Varies by vendor; typically around $135–$155 for both portions

Time to Certify

8–14 weeks (training averages 6–10 weeks, then 2–4 weeks for exam and registry)

Minimum Age

16

Cost: $0 (employer-sponsored or ROP) to ~$2,000 (private training)

What makes California different: California requires 160 hours of training — more than double the federal minimum of 75 — and mandates Live Scan fingerprinting through the DOJ and FBI before certification is issued

CNA Classes by City in California

Bakersfield (12)Fresno (12)San Diego (7)Long Beach (6)Modesto (6)Oakland (6)Riverside (6)Sacramento (6)Stockton (6)Anaheim (4)Los Angeles (4)San Francisco (4)Redding (1)

Becoming a CNA in California

If you are planning to become a CNA in California, expect a longer runway than in most states. The 160-hour training requirement means full-time programs typically run 6 to 10 weeks before you can even sit for the competency exam — and you should add another 2 to 4 weeks for Live Scan fingerprinting and exam scheduling. The good news is that many California Regional Occupational Programs (ROPs), adult schools, and community colleges offer the full 160 hours for free or at very low cost to California residents under the California Promise Grant, so the financial investment is often modest even when the time commitment is not.

California's 160-hour curriculum is heavily weighted toward clinical experience: 100 of the 160 hours must be supervised clinical training in a licensed healthcare facility, compared to just 60 hours of classroom theory. Practically, that means the bottleneck for most candidates is not classroom availability but clinical placement slots, which are tied to nursing-facility partnerships. Programs in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Central Valley generally have the most clinical capacity. If you live in a smaller market, expect to commute or wait for an open cohort.

The investment pays off in a strong job market. Nearly 60% of Californians live in a designated nursing shortage area, and California's healthcare workforce is projected to need tens of thousands of additional nurse aides by the mid-2030s. CNAs in California work in skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, hospice programs, and home-health agencies — always under RN or LVN supervision — and many use the CNA credential as a stepping stone into the state's robust LVN and RN programs. The minimum age for certification is 16, and there is no formal high school diploma requirement, though most training programs expect basic English literacy.

Full California Requirements California License Lookup

How to Become a CNA in California

  1. 1

    Confirm you meet basic prerequisites

    You must be at least 16, able to read and write English, and able to pass a Live Scan background check. There is no formal high school diploma requirement from CDPH, though some Regional Occupational Programs (ROPs) and community colleges require enrolled students to be in or have completed high school.

  2. 2

    Find a CDPH-approved Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP)

    Look for a NATP listed by the California Department of Public Health. Approved programs are run by community colleges, ROPs, adult schools, nursing facilities, and the American Red Cross. The program must include the full 160 hours (60 theory + 100 clinical).

  3. 3

    Complete Live Scan fingerprinting

    Submit a Request for Live Scan Service (Form BCIA 8016) before or during training. CDPH must have a DOJ and FBI clearance on file before issuing your certificate. Live Scan vendor fees typically run $50–$75 plus processing charges.

  4. 4

    Complete the full 160-hour training program

    Pass all classroom modules and demonstrate the required clinical competencies. Clinical hours must be supervised in a licensed healthcare facility — usually a skilled nursing facility — and cover personal care, vital signs, infection control, communication, and resident rights.

  5. 5

    Submit Form CDPH 283B and schedule your competency exam

    Your training program submits the CDPH 283B Initial Application packet and places you in the testing database. CDPH then assigns you to one of two approved vendors (D&SDT-Headmaster or Credentia) for the competency exam. You will receive an Authorization to Test when scheduling opens.

  6. 6

    Pass the written and skills evaluation

    The written exam is multiple-choice (or oral by request). The skills exam asks you to perform 5 randomly assigned nurse aide skills in front of a vendor evaluator. You must pass both portions to be added to the California Nurse Aide Registry.

  7. 7

    Get listed on the California Nurse Aide Registry

    After you pass both exam portions and Live Scan clears, CDPH issues your certificate and adds you to the registry. You can verify your status at cvl.cdph.ca.gov. From that point you are authorized to work as a CNA in California facilities.

Free CNA Programs in California

3 programs offer no-cost training (employer-paid, federally funded, or scholarship-based).

Accelerated CNA Programs (≤4 weeks)

17 fast-track options for students who want to start working quickly.

All CNA Programs in California (80)

Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in California

What are the minimum requirements to become a CNA in California?

+

You must be at least 16 years old, complete a CDPH-approved 160-hour Nurse Assistant Training Program (60 classroom + 100 clinical), complete Live Scan fingerprinting for a DOJ and FBI background check, and pass both portions of the state competency exam administered by D&SDT-Headmaster or Credentia. There is no formal high school diploma requirement from CDPH, but most training programs require basic English literacy.

Why does California require 160 hours of training when the federal minimum is 75?

+

California's 160-hour requirement reflects state policy that nurse aides should leave training with substantial supervised clinical experience before working independently. The 100 clinical hours are roughly equal to several states' entire training programs, and California views the extra preparation as critical given that CNAs in the state work with some of the most medically complex skilled-nursing-facility residents in the country.

How long does it take to become a CNA in California?

+

Most students complete training in 6 to 10 weeks if attending full-time, or 12 to 16 weeks part-time. Add 2 to 4 weeks for the exam and registry listing. Total time from program start to working as a CNA is typically 8 to 14 weeks. Accelerated programs at community colleges or career schools can be slightly faster, but the 160-hour total cannot be compressed below a few weeks of full-time study.

Do I need a high school diploma or GED to become a CNA in California?

+

No. The California Department of Public Health does not require a high school diploma or GED to be certified as a CNA. However, many community colleges and Regional Occupational Programs (ROPs) running approved NATPs do require students to be enrolled in or have completed high school. If you are 16 or 17 and still in high school, dual-enrollment options are widely available.

How much does it cost to become a CNA in California?

+

Costs range widely. Many ROPs and adult schools charge little or nothing for the 160-hour training. Community college programs are typically free or low-cost to California residents thanks to the California Promise Grant. Private programs run $1,000–$2,000. Add Live Scan fingerprinting ($50–$75 plus processing) and the competency exam (about $135–$155). Nursing facilities sometimes sponsor training in exchange for a work commitment.

What disqualifies you from becoming a CNA in California?

+

CDPH will deny certification for substantiated findings of resident abuse, neglect, or misappropriation on any state's registry. Certain felony convictions — especially involving violence, theft, fraud, sexual offenses, or elder abuse — are disqualifying under California Health and Safety Code §1337. Recent convictions for non-automatic-disqualifier offenses are reviewed case-by-case by CDPH. The Live Scan clearance must be completed before certification is issued.

← Browse all states