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In California, the minimum required age for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is 16.
Aspiring nurses in California must complete an official training course, pass the final test, and have their criminal background cleared.
Table of Contents
Training Requirements
There are two ways to become a CNA in California.
The first one is to complete a state-approved program or to prove that you have already passed an equivalent training.
The list of approved programs is available on the official website of the Department of Public Health.
You can find more information about classes, duration, locations, etc.
Each program has a minimum duration of 100 hours of supervised training and at least 60 hours of classroom education.
If the program you attended in the past meets such requirements, you will be allowed to take the final exam.
Military nurse assistants, LPNs, RNs, or those who went on the LPT program can also qualify for the test.
You can contact the Department of Health to find out more about your case.
Final Test
California is one of 25 states in which nurses have to pass the NNAAP – National Nurse Aide Assessment Program to earn the certificate.
The NNAAP test includes a knowledge test and a skills test.
You can take the knowledge test in written or oral form, and the form will determine the test fee.
If you choose oral format, prepare to answer 60 questions, and 10-word recognition/reading comprehension tasks.
You can find more information on the Pearson Vue website, section California Nurse Aide.
The learning materials and self-assessment are also available.
In Northern and Southern California there is plenty of testing sited.
The locations and possible dates are available online.
The test fee for the NNAAP with an oral knowledge test is $105.
If you choose a written knowledge test, you will have to pay $90 for the whole test.
After you finish the training, you have a deadline of two years to pass the test.
Candidates have three attempts to successfully pass the test.
Application
Those who want to become a CNA in California, are required to pass a criminal background check.
You can contact Livescan to get more information and to check a fingerprinting appointment.
The required form to fill out is the BCIA 8016 form.
The application form is available on the Department of Health website, and you have to submit a fingerprint request and application form together.
Candidates who are qualified to take the test based on equivalent training have to submit other documents.
You can check the list of required documents in the application packet available on the website.
For example, military training nurses should submit a copy of the DD-214 form.
Schools
In California, you can find a lot of free CNA training programs.
Check the list to find the best training option for you.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| 29 Palms US Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center | 29 Palms, CA 92278 |
| Covenant Care | Aliso Viejo, California 92656 |
| Arcadia Health Care Center | Arcadia, CA 91006 |
| ManorCare Health Services | Citrus Heights, California 95610 |
| West Los Angeles College | Culver City, CA 90230 |
| SouthCal Educational Institute | El Monte, CA 91731 |
| Park Central Care & Rehabilitation Center | Fremont, CA 94536 |
| Jerold Phelps Comm. Hospital Snf. | Garberville, CA 95542 |
| Eden West Convalescent Hospital | Hayward, CA 94545 |
| Briercrest Inglewood Health Care | Inglewood, CA 90301 |
| Manor Care Health Services | Laguna Hills, CA 92653 |
| Friendship Manor Lakeside | Lakeside, CA 92040 |
| Arbor Convalescent Hospital | Lodi, CA 95240 |
| Vienna Nursing and Rehabilitation Center | Lodi, CA 95242 |
| Edgewater Convalescent Hospital | Long Beach, CA 90814 |
| American Medical Careers | Los Angeles, CA 90010 |
| Country Villa Maple Healthcare | Los Angeles, CA 90011 |
| Los Angeles Trade–Technical College | Los Angeles, CA 90015 |
| Los Angeles City College | Los Angeles, CA 90029 |
| Brierwood Terrace Convalescent | Los Angeles, CA 90035 |
| Country Villa Los Feliz | Los Angeles, CA 90039 |
| Ararat Convalescent Hospital | Los Angeles, CA 90041 |
| Woodlands Healthcare Center | Los Gatos, CA 95032 |
| St. Francis Career College | Lynwood, CA 90262 |
| John C. Fremont Healthcare | Mariposa, CA 95338 |
| Ararat Nursing Facility | Mission Hills, CA 91345 |
| Julia Healthcare Center | Mountain View, CA 94043 |
| Friendship Manor | National City, California 92050 |
| Sherman Village Care Center | North Hollywood, CA 91607 |
| Oakridge Care Center | Oakland, CA 94602 |
| Butte College | Oroville CA 95965 |
| Oroville Hospital | Oroville, CA 95966-6185 |
| Brighton Convalescent Center | Pasadena, CA 91103 |
| Bethany Home | Ripon, CA 95366 |
| Sherwood Healthcare Center | Sacramento, CA 95819 |
| Applewood Care Center | Sacramento, CA 95822 |
| American River College | Sacramento, CA 95841 |
| Country Villa Hacienda Healthcare | San Bernardino, CA 92404 |
| Arriba Juntos | San Francisco, CA 94103 |
| Jewish Home D/P Snf. | San Francisco, CA 94112 |
| Bancroft Convalescent Hospital | San Leandro, CA 94577 |
| Kaiser Permanent Post Acute | San Leandro, CA 94578 |
| Contra Costa College | San Pablo, CA 94806 |
| Oceanview Convalescent Hospital | Santa Monica, CA 90404 |
| Friends House | Santa Rosa, California 95409 |
| Edgemoor Geriatric Hospital | Santee, CA 92071 |
| Los Angeles Mission College | Sylmar, CA 91342 |
| College of the Sequoias | Visalia, CA 93277 |
| Manorcare Health Serv Rossmoor | Walnut Creek, California 94595 |
| Los Angeles Harbor College | Wilmington, CA 90744 |
Salary
The salary of CNA in California is $33656 per year.
It is an average salary because salary depends on factors such as education, experience, city, skills, and certificates.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $35,934 |
| San Diego | $34,321 |
| San Jose | $40,061 |
| San Francisco | $39,997 |
| Long Beach | $35,592 |
| Fresno | $31,985 |
| Sacramento | $34,503 |
| Oakland | $36,293 |
| Santa Ana | $34,180 |
| Anaheim | $34,226 |
Regional Salary in California
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA | 1,340 | $38,770 | $18.64 | $46,100 | $32,230 |
| Chico, CA | 890 | $39,690 | $19.08 | $44,680 | $32,960 |
| El Centro, CA | 200 | $37,310 | $17.94 | $42,850 | $32,380 |
| Fresno, CA | 2,550 | $38,240 | $18.38 | $45,480 | $31,780 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 240 | $37,180 | $17.87 | $42,810 | $31,650 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 39,710 | $42,620 | $20.49 | $51,260 | $36,480 |
| Madera, CA | 470 | $42,440 | $20.4 | $51,930 | $36,160 |
| Merced, CA | 380 | $38,810 | $18.66 | $45,040 | $33,590 |
| Modesto, CA | 1,560 | $41,060 | $19.74 | $48,670 | $35,840 |
| Napa, CA | 530 | $44,180 | $21.24 | $46,650 | $38,260 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 1,720 | $41,230 | $19.82 | $50,550 | $36,120 |
| Redding, CA | 580 | $38,410 | $18.47 | $44,000 | $32,000 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 8,460 | $39,770 | $19.12 | $47,210 | $34,480 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | 5,090 | $44,040 | $21.17 | $59,800 | $36,580 |
| Salinas, CA | 910 | $43,100 | $20.72 | $47,650 | $37,640 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | 9,290 | $42,420 | $20.39 | $51,820 | $36,810 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 10,980 | $52,280 | $25.13 | $68,940 | $40,110 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 5,230 | $51,600 | $24.81 | $70,700 | $40,380 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | 570 | $40,030 | $19.25 | $48,240 | $34,300 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 370 | $44,440 | $21.36 | $62,950 | $37,700 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 1,050 | $42,120 | $20.25 | $48,820 | $34,240 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 1,050 | $43,660 | $20.99 | $51,560 | $38,740 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 2,110 | $40,990 | $19.71 | $46,930 | $34,630 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | 980 | $43,180 | $20.76 | $55,130 | $36,670 |
| Visalia-Porterville, CA | 1,190 | $38,720 | $18.62 | $46,450 | $31,540 |
| Yuba City, CA | 470 | $39,670 | $19.07 | $46,460 | $35,900 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Certified Nurse Assistant
CNA Classes by State