CNA Classes In California

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:

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

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.

LocationCityPhone
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

The CNA schools displayed in this section offer tuition-based programs.

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 LocationsCityPhone
29 Palms US Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center
29 Palms, CA 92278312-230-6685
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 90230310-287-4200
SouthCal Educational InstituteEl Monte, CA 91731626-575-8580
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 HospitalHayward, CA 94545(510) 783-4811
Briercrest Inglewood Health Care
Inglewood, CA 90301310-677-9114
Manor Care Health ServicesLaguna Hills, CA 92653(949) 586-3393
Friendship Manor LakesideLakeside, CA 92040(619) 561-1222
Edgewater Convalescent HospitalLong Beach, CA 90814(562) 434-0974
American Medical Careers
Los Angeles, CA 90010213-387-8900
Country Villa Maple HealthcareLos Angeles, CA 90011(213) 747-6371
Los Angeles Trade–Technical College
Los Angeles, CA 90015213-763-7000
Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles, CA 90029323-953-4000
Brierwood Terrace ConvalescentLos Angeles, CA 90035323-655-8390
Country Villa Los FelizLos Angeles, CA 90039(323) 666-1544
Ararat Convalescent Hospital
Los Angeles, CA 90041323-256-8012
Woodlands Healthcare Center
Los Gatos, CA 95032(408) 356-8136
St. Francis Career CollegeLynwood, CA 90262888-219-5781
John C. Fremont HealthcareMariposa, CA 95338(209) 966-3631
Ararat Nursing Facility
Mission Hills, CA 91345 818-837-1800
Julia Healthcare CenterMountain View, CA 94043(650) 967-5714
Friendship ManorNational City, California 92050619-791-7700
Sherman Village Care CenterNorth Hollywood, CA 91607(818) 766-6105
Oakridge Care CenterOakland, 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 91103626-798-9124
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 HospitalSanta Monica, CA 90404(310) 451-9706
Edgemoor Geriatric HospitalSantee, CA 92071(619) 258-3001
Los Angeles Mission College
Sylmar, CA 91342818-364-7600
College of the Sequoias
Visalia, CA 93277(559) 730-3700
Los Angeles Harbor College
Wilmington, CA 90744310-233-4000