According to the Bureau of Labor, California is the #1 state in the nation for nursing assistant employment.
Education and Training
Local Trade School Programs
- Stockton
- Salinas
- San Francisco
- Long Beach
- Clovis, Modesto, Redding
- Panorama City
- Alhambra, Anaheim, Ontario, Riverside
- Stockton
- Reseda
- Colton, San Diego, Anaheim
Bradford College of Nursing (Rating: 4.8 out 5)
Bradford College of Nursing’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program offers multiple flexible schedules, including a 6-week morning or evening option and an accelerated 21-day daytime format. The 160-hour training combines classroom instruction with clinical experience, preparing students to pass the California State CNA Competency Exam—administered on-site at the college. Tuition is $1,550, with potential for free training or reimbursement, and students receive full support from enrollment through certification.
Central Coast College (Rating: 3.9 out 5)
6 week program with certificate of completion that prepares you to take the state CNA licensing exam.
City College of San Francisco (Rating: 4.2 out 5)
City College of San Francisco’s Certified Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide program is a short-term, intensive training designed to prepare students for entry-level roles in hospitals, convalescent facilities, and home care agencies. Graduates earn a Certificate of Accomplishment and are eligible to take the California State Certification Exam for Nursing Assistants. The program focuses on building essential patient care skills and offers flexible learning options, including some online coursework.
Hellen School (Rating: 4.3 out 5)
Hellen School for CNA in Long Beach, California, offers a 4-week in-person training program to prepare students for Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and Home Health Aide (HHA) licensure. Approved by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the program includes uniforms, CPR-BLS, Live Scan, and study materials, with a separate $120 state exam fee. With tuition of $2,000 for CNA and $500 for HHA, graduates benefit from resume assistance and a high state exam pass rate, enabling quick entry into healthcare employment.
Institute of Technology (Rating: 4.6 out 5)
Accredited Nursing Assistant program that preps students to apply for Certification with the California Department of Public Health.
National Career College (Rating: 4.5 out 5)
Platt College (Rating: 3 out 5)
2 to 3 month CNA certificate program with convenient class schedules and career services.
San Joaquin Delta College (Rating: 4.1 out 5)
San Joaquin Delta College’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program can be completed in just 10 weeks, combining lecture and clinical training to prepare students for California’s state certification exam. Graduates are equipped for entry-level roles in long-term care and healthcare facilities, with strong local employment opportunities. The college also offers a Home Health Aide (HHA) certificate course—available to current or certified CNAs—that meets federal and state training standards, featuring a condensed schedule with theory, clinical rotations, and a final exam.
Southern California Health Institute (Rating: 4 out 5)
Southern California Health Institute (SOCHI) offers a comprehensive Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program designed to prepare students for a successful career in healthcare. The program includes flexible scheduling options, allowing students to complete their training in as little as two months. Experienced instructors provide hands-on training and a robust curriculum covering patient care, medical terminology, and more. Additionally, SOCHI offers career services to help graduates secure employment in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and nursing homes.
Summit College (Rating: 3.6 out 5)
CNA program that readies students for the Nursing Assistant Certification Exam.
CNAs is a great starting point for those interested in advancing their careers in the medical field, with ample job opportunities due to the state’s large and aging population.
What Do You Study?
California’s Board of Public Health has a list of approved training programs that aspiring CNAs can take to meet the state’s educational requirements.
Courses at these schools often include instruction on:
- Monitoring patients’ vital signs
- Performing personal care tasks
- Effective communication techniques for interacting with coworkers, patients, and their families
- Safely transferring patients to and from beds, wheelchairs, etc.
- Assisting patients with bathing, dressing, eating, and other Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
- Infection prevention protocols
- Following patient privacy laws and ethical healthcare practices
Hands-On Training
Many CNA schools in California partner with local clinics and medical facilities to provide student externships.
During these programs, students practice the skills they’ve learned in class while working with actual patients and medical staff. A supervising nurse must document each student’s hours to ensure they meet their program’s requirements.
Additional Instruction and Certification
In addition to the typical classes you take in a CNA program, you may need to obtain a Basic Life Support credential. Both the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association offer classes that teach students how to render life-saving aid using CPR, first aid, and Heimlich maneuver techniques.
Learning Extra Skills
Some schools incorporate these lessons into their existing curriculum, so you might be able to earn these certifications while pursuing your CNA certificate.
You can also browse the Red Cross or American Heart Association websites to find a local class and obtain a BLS credential on your own.
How Long is CNA School?
A CNA certificate or diploma program usually takes between six and 15 weeks to complete. However, there are some accelerated courses that students can finish in about 4 weeks.
You might also find specialized CNA courses that take roughly six months to complete and qualify you to work in unique settings like:
- Intensive care, surgery, or emergency room departments
- Hospice care facilities
- Military hospitals and medical centers for veterans
- Research hospitals and campus nurse offices
How Much Does CNA Training Cost?
Tuition costs to become a CNA in CA vary, depending on where you attend school. For example, CNA training through the American Red Cross costs about $1,795.
Meanwhile, the state-approved course at Central Coast College in Salinas might cost closer to $2,500. Generally speaking, students can expect to pay between $1,000 and $1,500 at most schools.
Salary Range in CA
Below are some average salary numbers for CNAs in the state from major employment sites.
- Talent.com: $39K
- Indeed.com: $40K to $46K
- Bureau of Labor: $47K
- Glassdoor.com: 46K to 58K
Below are some average salaries and hourly wages for each state.
| Area | Hourly Wage | Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $19.66 | $40,890.00 |
| Chico | $20.62 | $42,890.00 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region | $22.08 | $45,920.00 |
| El Centro | $20.05 | $41,710.00 |
| Fresno | $20.16 | $41,930.00 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $19.29 | $40,130.00 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $22.11 | $46,000.00 |
| Madera | $22.47 | $46,740.00 |
| Merced | $20.53 | $42,700.00 |
| Modesto | $21.27 | $44,240.00 |
| Napa | $22.70 | $47,210.00 |
| North Coast Region | $21.46 | $44,630.00 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains | $21.90 | $45,560.00 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $21.35 | $44,410.00 |
| Redding | $19.86 | $41,310.00 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $20.83 | $43,330.00 |
| Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade | $22.82 | $47,460.00 |
| Salinas | $22.96 | $47,750.00 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad | $22.16 | $46,100.00 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward | $27.18 | $56,530.00 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $26.72 | $55,580.00 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande | $21.08 | $43,850.00 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $21.86 | $45,470.00 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $21.26 | $44,230.00 |
| Santa Rosa | $22.40 | $46,590.00 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $21.27 | $44,240.00 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield | $22.21 | $46,200.00 |
| Visalia-Porterville | $20.52 | $42,690.00 |
| Yuba City | $21.27 | $44,240.00 |
Occupation: Nursing Assistants (SOC Code311131)
source: data.bls.gov
Once you have more CNA work experience, your employer may offer performance-based raises and bonuses that boost your annual earnings.
Also, CNAs who work in surgical and specialty hospitals typically make more than those working in nursing homes.
California CNA Requirements
According to the California Board of Public Health, you must complete a state-approved training program or obtain an adequate amount of equivalent experience in order to become a CNA in CA.
Becoming a non-certified nurse’s aide or getting another entry-level healthcare or nursing job is one way to gain the necessary experience to qualify for CNA licensure.
CNA Certificate or Diploma
However, earning a CNA certificate or diploma from an accredited California trade school is usually a faster option.
Job seekers who have completed an approved CNA program might also have an easier time finding work since most employers prioritize applicants who have a formal education.
Do You Need a Degree to be a CNA in California?
Since certified nursing assistant is a non-degree profession, those who lack college degrees can apply for CNA jobs in California.
In fact, many aspiring LPNs, BSNs and RNs in California work as CNAs while pursuing their two-year or four-year nursing degrees.
Completing a certificate or diploma program is adequate for getting a CNA job in a hospital, nursing home, outpatient clinic, or another medical facility.
After completing their training programs, aspiring CNAs in CA must pass a Competency Evaluation Examination through an approved CNA testing vendor.
Once you pass the test, you’ll need to submit the following to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH):
- Proof of identification, certifying that you are at least 16 years of age
- Certificate or diploma from your state-approved CNA training program OR a CNA Equivalent Training form
- Criminal record clearance and a copy of a completed Request for Live Scan Service form
- A completed CNA Licensing Application form
It takes roughly 30 days for the CDPH to receive your test results from your chosen vendor. Once they confirm that you’ve passed your competency exam, you’ll receive your credential and become eligible for CNA jobs in California.
Career Overview
Job Description
CNAs in CA provide direct patient care in nursing homes, hospitals, and home care settings. Duties for these professionals typically include:
- Bathing, grooming, dressing, and feeding patients
- Checking their patients’ blood pressure, heart rate, and other vital signs
- Turning or moving bed-bound patients
- Transferring patients to and from beds and wheelchairs
- Providing companionship and putting patients at ease before and after procedures
Career Outlook
Reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics predict a five-percent growth rate in the demand for CNA jobs in the United States over the next decade. California CNAs may have an easy time finding jobs during this time frame, especially since many CNAs in CA eventually move on to LPN, RN, and BSN careers.