CNAs, or Certified Nursing Assistants, are responsible for a patient’s care and well-being. They have similar duties and responsibilities as nurses or medical assistants, but they do not perform complicated tasks like medication administration and wound care.
If you are located in California and looking to gain your certification, read on as we have listings for the following locations and many more:
- CNA classes in San Diego
- CNA programs in San Francisco
- CNA classes in San Jose
- CNA programs in Sacramento
- CNA classes in Orange County
- CNA programs in Fresno
- CNA classes in Los Angeles
Who is the Regulatory Body for CNAs in California
CNA Certification in the state of California is administered by the California Department of Public Health Center for Health Care Quality.
Who Administers the CNA Exam in California?
The CNA certification exam in California is administered by Credentia. You can take a free CNA practice test on this site to help prepare yourself for the exam. Take additional practice tests using the following links. The Credentia CNA Handbook for the Northern California region is available here, and the Southern California region is available here.
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California State Requirements for CNAs
If you are interested in this type of career, you can undergo the CNA program through the Red Cross or any other eligible institution in the state. Red Cross offers 164 hours of CNA classes and fieldwork. However, if you’d rather not take courses with the Red Cross, there are plenty of other options for in-person or online CNA classes in California.
The curriculum of CNA programs is normally divided into segments covering topics on charting, physical assessments, nutrition, measurements, resident care, vital signs, medical and surgical nursing, body mechanics, patient’s rights, patient care, rehabilitation, and emergency procedures. All these topics are important because they will be asked during your certification examination and you will obviously need this knowledge in your future work.
The state of California requires all candidates to be at least 16 years old and have undergone a minimum program of 150 classroom hours.
California CNA Exam Details
Passing the certification exam as well as completing the criminal background and customary fingerprinting is important because healthcare facilities will not accept applicants without all of these documents. As of now, four testing centers are available to applicants who want to take the examination for Certified Nursing Assistants. Three of them are available nationwide and the last one is state approved.
The Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission is one of the three testing centers that provide examinations for CNAs. You have to book early because they serve those who come first and do not entertain examinees if the area is full already. On the other hand, the National Nephrology Certification Organization also offers examination, practice courses, as well as recertification guidelines if the registration has lapsed and re-take, is required. Lastly, the California Dialysis Council offers certification examination but requires all students to become a registered member first.
For you to take the exam, you have to be a high school graduate or an employee who has gone through four years of full-time work experience. You also have to pass the program which includes clinical and classroom coursework. Once you successfully pass the exam, you will obtain a nursing assistant certification stating that you are eligible to work as a CNA in any healthcare field.
CNA exams in California consist of either a 70 question exam on the written test or 60 questions on the oral test. The skills section of the exam is the clinical performance of five selected nurse assistant skills.
How Much Does the California CNA Exam Cost?
Exam costs in California are:
- Written and Skills Evaluation – $100
- Oral and Skills Evaluation – $115
Where Can I Take the CNA Exam in California?
There are Northern and Southern regional test sites throughout the state of California that are administered by Credentia.
How Much Does a CNA Get Paid in California?
The average salary of a Certified Nursing Assistant in the state of California is $47,070 according to data from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics from May of 2024.
California Nurse Aide Registry
Click the link for information on how to contact the California Nurse Aide Registry or follow this link to review the status of a current CNA on the California registry.
Paid CNA Classes in California
Our listings above on this page for programs that offer CNA classes in California may not work for everyone. If you’re looking for more options, the listings below include options for paid classes throughout California. Additionally, there is another list of CNA classes in California available here. You can also view our listings of dedicated CNA classes in Los Angeles.
| Location | City | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Skills Academy | Multiple Locations | (866) 901-9729 |
| Kindred Transitional Care and Rehabilitation Bay View | Alameda, California 945016132 | (510) 521- 5600 |
| Atherton Baptist Homes | Alhambra, California 91801 | (626) 863-1224 |
| Covenant Care | Aliso Viejo, California 92656 | (800) 861-0086 |
| The Covington | Aliso Viejo, California 92656 | (949) 389- 8500 |
| Modoc Medical Center | Alturas, California 96101 | (530) 233- 7050 |
| Coventry Court Health Center | Anaheim, California 92802 | (714) 636-2800 |
| Walnut Village | Anaheim, California 92802 | (714) 507-7000 |
| Sun Mar Nursing Center | Anaheim, California 92804 | (714) 776- 1720 |
| Anaheim Healthcare Center | Anaheim, California 92804 | (714) 816-0540 |
| Arcadia Health Care Center | Arcadia, California 91007 | (626) 445-2170 |
| Methodist Hospital | Arcadia, California 91007 | (626) 898-8000 |
| Evergreen Arvin Healthcare | Arvin, California 93203 | (661) 854-4475 |
| Anberry Rehabilitation Hospital | Atwater, California95301 | (209) 357-3420 |
| Auburn Oaks Care Center | Auburn, California 95603 | (530) 888-6257 |
| Auburn Ravine Terrace | Auburn, California 95603 | (530) 823-6131 |
| Rock Creek Care Center | Auburn, California 95603 | (530) 885-7051 |
| Evergreen Bakersfield Post Acute Care | Bakersfield, California 93306 | (661) 871-3133 |
| Glenwood Gardens | Bakersfield, California 93312 | (661) 587-0221 |
| Garden View Rehabilitation Center | Baldwin Park, California 91706 | (626) 962-7095 |
| Sierra View Care Center | Baldwin Park, California 91706 | (626) 960-1971 |
| Victoria Care Center | Baldwin Park, California 91706 | (626) 962-1043 |
| Cherry Valley Healthcare | Banning, California 92220 | (951) 845-1606 |
| San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital | Banning, California 92220 | (951) 845-1121 |
| Banning Healthcare | Banning, California 92220 | (951) 849-4723 |
| Palm Groove Healthcare | Beaumont, California 92223 | (951) 845-3125 |
| Del Rio Convalescent Center & Del Rio Gardens Care Center | Bell Gardens, California 90201 | (562) 927-6586 |
| Rose Villa Healthcare Center | Bellflower, California 90706 | (562) 925-4252 |
| Chaparral House | Berkeley, California 94702 | (510) 848-8774 |
| Blythe Nursing Care Center | Blythe, California 92225 | (760) 922-816 |
| Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital | Boulevard, Whittier, California 90602 | (562) 698-0811 |
| Emeritus at Camarillo | Camarillo, California 93012 | (805) 388-8086 |
| Topanga Terrace | Canoga Park, California 91304 | (818) 992-0266 |
| GlenView Assisted Living and GleenBrook Skilled Nursing | Carlsbad, California 92009 | (800) 682-6107 |
| Carmel Valley Manor | Carmel, California 93923 | (800) 544-5546 |
| Baywood Court | Castro Valley, California 94546 | (510) 733-2012 |
| Valley Pointe Nursing & Rehabilitation | Castro Valley, California 94546 | (510) 538-8464 |
| Chatsworth Park Health Care Center | Chatsworth, California | (818) 882-3200 |
| Miravilla Care Center | Cherry Valley, California 92223 | (951) 845-3194 |
| California Park Rehabilitation Hospital | Chico, California 9592 | (530) 894-1010 |
| Windsor Chico Care Center | Chico, California 95926 | (530) 343-6084 |
| Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center | Chula Vista, California 91911 | (619) 502-5800 |
| Pilgrim Place | Claremont, California 91711 | (909) 399-5500 |
| Colusa Regional Medical Center | Colusa, California 95932 | (530) 458-5821 |
| San Miguel Villa | Concord, California 94518 | (925) 825-4280 |
| Marycrest Manor | Culver City, California 90230 | (310) 838-2778 |
| The Forum at Rancho San Antonio | Cupertino, California 95014 | (650) 944-0100 |
| Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living | Danville, California 94506 | (925) 648-2800 |
| Danville Nursing & Rehab Center | Danville, California 94526 | (925) 837-4566 |
| University Retirement Community | Davis, California 95616 | (888) 238-2058 |
| Courtyard Healthcare Center | Davis, California 95616 | (530) 756-1800 |
| Casa Palmera Treatment Center | Del Mar, California | (858) 481-4411 |
| Delano Regional Medical Center | Delano, California 93215 | (661) 725-4800 |
| Downey Community Health Center | Downey, California 90241 | (562) 862-6506 |
| Villa Las Palmas Healthcare Center | El Cajon, California 92020 | (619) 442-0544 |
| Shields Nursing Center | El Cerrito, California 94530 | (510) 525-3212 |
| Ramona Nursing & Rehabilitation Center | El Monte, California 91732 | (626) 442-5721 |
| Sunset Manor Convalescent Hospital | El Monte, California 91733 | (626) 443-9425 |
| Eskaton Care Center | Fair Oaks, California 95628 | (916) 965-4663 |
| Paradise Valley Estates | Fairfield, California 94533 | (877) 817-3280 |
| Fairfield Post-Acute Rehab | Fairfield, California 94533 | (707) 425-0623 |
| Citrus Nursing Center | Fontana, California 92335 | (909) 823-3481 |
| Park Central Care & Rehabilitation Center | Fremont, California 94536 | (510) 797-5300 |
| Crestwood Treatment Center | Fremont, California 94538 | (510) 793-8383 |
| Sierra Vista Healthcare Center | Fresno, California 93702 | (559) 237-8377 |
| Manning Gardens Nursing and Rehab | Fresno, California 93725 | (559) 834-2586 |
| Oakwood Gardens Care Center | Fresno, California 93726 | (559) 222-4807 |
| Pacific Gardens Nursing & Rehabilitation Center | Fresno, California 93727 | (559) 251-8463 |
| Terrace View Care Center | Fullerton, California 92835 | (714) 870-0060 |
| St. Jude Medical Center | Fullerton, California 92835 | (714) 871-3280 |
| Gardena Convalescent Center | Gardena, California 90247 | (310) 532-9460 |
| Dreier’s Nursing Care Center | Glendale, California 91201 | (818) 242-1183 |
| Chandler Convalescent Hospital | Glendale, California 91204 | (818) 240-1610 |
| Glendale Adventist Medical Center | Glendale, California 91206 | (818) 409-8000 |
| Verdugo Hills Hospital | Glendale, California 91208 | (818) 790-7100 |
| Arbor Glen Care Center | Glendora, California 91740 | (626) 963-7531 |
| Grand Terrace Care Center | Grand Terrace, California 92313 | (909) 825-5221 |
| Crystal Ridge Care Center | Grass Valley, California 95945 | (530) 272-2273 |
| Hacienda Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center | Hanford, California 93230 | (559) 582-9221 |
| Windsor Post Acute Care Center of Hayward | Hayward, California 94544 | (510) 782-8424 |
| Windsor Post Acute Care Center | Hayward, California 94544 | (510) 782-8424 |
| St. Rose Hospital | Hayward, California 945454383 | (510) 264-4000 |
| The Village Retirement Community | Hemet, California 92545 | (951) 658-3369 |
| Beachside Nursing Center | Huntington Beach, California 92648 | (714) 847-9671 |
| Centinela Hospital Medical Center | Inglewood, California 90301 | (310) 673-4660 |
| Park Regency Care Center | La Habra, California 90631 | (714) 773-0750 |
| Community Convalescent Hospital | La Mesa, California 91942 | (619) 465-0702 |
| Mountains Community Hospital | Lake Arrowhead, California 92352 | (909) 336-3651 |
| Kern Valley Healthcare District | Lake Isabella, California 93240 | (760) 379-2681 |
| Antelope Valley Healthcare | Lancaster, California 93534 | (661) 948-7501 |
| Monte Vista Village | Lemon Grove, California 91945 | (619) 465-1331 |
| River Valley Care Center | Live Oak, California 95953 | (530) 695-8020 |
| Wine Country Care Center | Lodi, California 95240 | (209) 334-3760 |
| Delta Rehabilitation & Care Center | Lodi, California 95242 | (209) 334-3825 |
| Lomita Care Center | Lomita, California 90717 | (310) 325-1970 |
| Lompoc Valley Medical Center | Lompoc, California 93436 | (805) 737-3300 |
| Southern Inyo Healthcare District | Lone Pine, California 93545 | (760) 876-5501 |
| Bel Vista Health Care Center | Long Beach, California 90804 | (562) 494-5001 |
| Marlora Post Acute Rehabilitation Hospital | Long Beach, California 908044084 | (562) 494-3311 |
| Pacific Palms Healthcare | Long Beach, California 908044198 | (562) 433-6794 |
| Royal Care Skilled Nursing Center | Long Beach, California 90806 | (562) 427-7493 |
| Catered Manor Nursing Center | Long Beach, California 90807 | (562) 426-0394 |
| Alamitos Belmont Rehabilitation Hospital | Long Beach, California 90814 | (562) 434-8421 |
| Edgewater Skilled Nursing Center | Long Beach, California 90814 | (562) 434-0974 |
| Retirement Housing Foundation | Long Beach, California 90815 | (562) 257-5100 |
| Temple Community Hospital | Los Angeles, California 90004 | (213) 382-7252 |
| Westlake Convalescent Hospital | Los Angeles, California 900572906 | (213) 484-0510 |
| Woodlands Health Care Center | Los Gatos, California 95032 | (408) 356-8136 |
| The Terraces of Los Gatos | Los Gatos, California 95032 | (408) 356-1006 |
| Professional Career Development Center | Montebello, California 90640 | (562) 698-8301 |
| The Terraces At Los Altos | Mountain View, California 94040 | (650) 917-9661 |
| Generations Healthcare | Newport Beach, California 92660 | (714) 241-5600 |
| Episcopal Communities & Services | Pasadena, California 91105 | (866) 928-6182 |
| ActivCare Living | San Diego, California 92123 | (858) 565-4424 |
| Mission de la Casa | San Jose, California 95121 | (408) 238-9751 |
| French Park Care Center | Santa Ana, California 92701 | (714) 973-1656 |
| Buena Vista Care Center | Santa Barbara, California 93111 | (805) 964-4871 |
| Sunnyvale Health Care Center | Sunnyvale, California 94087 | (408) 245-8070 |
| Heritage Rehabilitation Center | Torrance, California 90502 | (310) 320-8714 |
| Covenant Village of Turlock | Turlock, California 95382 | (209) 216-5696 |
| Ukiah Health Care | Ukiah, California 95482 | (707) 462-8864 |
| Lake Balboa Care Center | Van Nuys, California 91406 | (818) 343-0700 |
| Linwood Meadows Care Center | Visalia, California 93277 | (559) 627-1241 |
| Westgate Gardens Care Center | Visalia, California 93277 | (559) 733-0901 |
| Delta Nursing & Rehabilitation Center | Visalia, California 93291 | (559) 732-8614 |
| ManorCare Health Services | Walnut Creek, California 94595 | (925) 975-5000 |
| Mountain Communities Healthcare District | Weaverville, California 96093 | (530) 623-5541 |
| Clara Baldwin Stocker Home | West Covina, California 91790 | (626) 962-7151 |
| River Bend Nursing Center | West Sacramento, California 95691 | (916) 371-1890 |
| Mission Palms Healthcare Center | Westminster, California 92683 | (714) 892-6686 |
| Whittier Hospital Medical Center | Whittier, California 90605 | (562) 945-3561 |
| Chancellor Health Care, LLC | Windsor, California 95492 | (707) 687-1919 |
| Cottonwood Healthcare Center | Woodland, California 95695 | (530) 662-9193 |
| St. John’s Retirement Village | Woodland, California 95695 | (530) 662-1290 |
| Braswell Family Senior Care | Yucaipa, California 92399 | (909) 795-2476 |
| Alhambra Healthcare & Wellness Center | Alhambra, CA 91801 | (626) 282-3151 |
| Riverside Convalescent Hospital | Chico, CA 95926 | (530) 343-5595 |
| Twilight Haven | Fresno, CA 93727 | (559) 251-8417 |
| York Healthcare and Wellness Center | Highland Park, CA 90042 | (323) 254-3407 |
| Intercommunity Care Center | Long Beach CA 90815 | (562) 427-8915 |
| Kaiser Permanent Post Acute | San Leandro, CA 94578 | (510) 481-8575 |
Programs Offering Free CNA Classes in California
If you live in California looking for free CNA courses near you, we’ve assembled an extensive list of accredited locations throughout the state where you can earn your CNA certification for free. The listings below are sorted alphabetically by city, and you can find listings for free CNA classes across California including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento and San Diego. For additional information, we would recommend referring to CNA Classes in Los Angeles’ list of free CNA classes in Los Angeles and CNA Classes in San Diego’s directory of free CNA classes in San Diego for those seeking work sponsorship or who may be experiencing financial hardship.
Please note that some of the medical centers and nursing homes that provide free classes in California may offer it with the contingency of a work contract where you are required to work for their organization for a period of time after earning your CNA certification. We urge you to contact the facilities directly to learn more about the specifics of their free CNA programs.
| CNA Free Class Locations | City | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Palms US Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center | 29 Palms, CA 92278 | 312-230-6685 |
| Covenant Care | Aliso Viejo, California 92656 | (800) 861- 0086 |
| Arcadia Health Care Center | Arcadia, CA 91006 | (626) 445-2170 |
| ManorCare Health Services | Citrus Heights, California 95610 | (916) 967-2929 |
| West Los Angeles College | Culver City, CA 90230 | 310-287-4200 |
| SouthCal Educational Institute | El Monte, CA 91731 | 626-575-8580 |
| Park Central Care & Rehabilitation Center | Fremont, CA 94536 | (510) 797-5300 |
| Jerold Phelps Comm. Hospital Snf. | Garberville, CA 95542 | (707) 923-3921 |
| Eden West Convalescent Hospital | Hayward, CA 94545 | (510) 783-4811 |
| Briercrest Inglewood Health Care | Inglewood, CA 90301 | 310-677-9114 |
| Manor Care Health Services | Laguna Hills, CA 92653 | (949) 586-3393 |
| Friendship Manor Lakeside | Lakeside, CA 92040 | (619) 561-1222 |
| Edgewater Convalescent Hospital | Long Beach, CA 90814 | (562) 434-0974 |
| American Medical Careers | Los Angeles, CA 90010 | 213-387-8900 |
| Country Villa Maple Healthcare | Los Angeles, CA 90011 | (213) 747-6371 |
| Los Angeles Trade–Technical College | Los Angeles, CA 90015 | 213-763-7000 |
| Los Angeles City College | Los Angeles, CA 90029 | 323-953-4000 |
| Brierwood Terrace Convalescent | Los Angeles, CA 90035 | 323-655-8390 |
| Country Villa Los Feliz | Los Angeles, CA 90039 | (323) 666-1544 |
| Ararat Convalescent Hospital | Los Angeles, CA 90041 | 323-256-8012 |
| Woodlands Healthcare Center | Los Gatos, CA 95032 | (408) 356-8136 |
| St. Francis Career College | Lynwood, CA 90262 | 888-219-5781 |
| John C. Fremont Healthcare | Mariposa, CA 95338 | (209) 966-3631 |
| Ararat Nursing Facility | Mission Hills, CA 91345 | 818-837-1800 |
| Julia Healthcare Center | Mountain View, CA 94043 | (650) 967-5714 |
| Friendship Manor | National City, California 92050 | 619-791-7700 |
| Sherman Village Care Center | North Hollywood, CA 91607 | (818) 766-6105 |
| Oakridge Care Center | Oakland, CA 94602 | (510) 261-8564 |
| Butte College | Oroville CA 95965 | (530) 895-2511 |
| Oroville Hospital | Oroville, CA 95966-6185 | (530) 533-8500 |
| Brighton Convalescent Center | Pasadena, CA 91103 | 626-798-9124 |
| Bethany Home | Ripon, CA 95366 | (209) 599-4221 |
| Sherwood Healthcare Center | Sacramento, CA 95819 | (916)454-4700 |
| Applewood Care Center | Sacramento, CA 95822 | (916) 446-2506 |
| American River College | Sacramento, CA 95841 | (916) 484-8011 |
| Arriba Juntos | San Francisco, CA 94103 | (415) 487-3240 |
| Jewish Home D/P Snf. | San Francisco, CA 94112 | (415) 334-2500 |
| Bancroft Convalescent Hospital | San Leandro, CA 94577 | (510) 483-1680 |
| Contra Costa College | San Pablo, CA 94806 | (510) 235-7800 |
| Oceanview Convalescent Hospital | Santa Monica, CA 90404 | (310) 451-9706 |
| Edgemoor Geriatric Hospital | Santee, CA 92071 | (619) 258-3001 |
| Los Angeles Mission College | Sylmar, CA 91342 | 818-364-7600 |
| College of the Sequoias | Visalia, CA 93277 | (559) 730-3700 |
| Los Angeles Harbor College | Wilmington, CA 90744 | 310-233-4000 |