How to Become a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) in California

Who can apply

• You must be at least 16 years old.
• You must complete a CDPH-approved training program in California that ends with an exam.
• You must clear a criminal record check (Live Scan fingerprints).

Step by step

1. Enroll in a CDPH-approved nurse assistant training program.
2. When you enroll, submit the CNA Initial Application (CDPH 283B) online or by mail, with a copy of your Live Scan request form (BCIA 8016). This must be in before any direct patient contact.
3. Get fingerprinted at a Live Scan site.
4. Finish the 60 classroom hours and 100 clinical hours. Your RN program director signs off on your application.
5. Take the Competency Evaluation Examination. Your training provider tells you how to schedule it.
6. Wait at least 30 days for CDPH to receive your results from the testing vendor.
7. CDPH issues your CNA certificate once all requirements are met and your criminal record is cleared.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: California requires at least 160 hours: 60 classroom hours plus 100 hours of supervised clinical training in a nursing facility (more than double the 75-hour federal minimum, which includes 16 supervised practical hours). Clinical hours must be done between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Skills-lab time does not count toward the classroom or clinical hours.

Exam: You must pass the Competency Evaluation Examination given by a CDPH-approved testing vendor after training. CDPH lists three vendors: D&S Diversified Technologies (D&SDT)-Headmaster, Credentia Nurse Aide, and the Regional Testing Center at Golden West College (Huntington Beach). CDPH does not publish the exam format, fee, or attempt limit on its certification pages; check with the testing vendor. Federal rules require a written or oral test plus a skills test, and at least three chances to pass.

What it costs in California

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

How long it takes

CDPH says to allow up to 30 business days for a completed application to be reviewed and processed, and to wait at least 30 days after the exam for it to receive your results from the testing vendor.

Staying on the registry

Renewal: Renew every two years (the certificate expires on your birthday). Every CNA renewal requires both: 48 hours of in-service training or CEUs in the two-year period (at least 12 hours each year, no more than 24 hours online), and paid nursing or nursing-related work in a health care facility, supervised by a licensed health professional, during your most recent certification period. You may renew up to two years after expiration. Renewals can be filed fully online through OASYS (including CEU and employment uploads) or by mail.

Online options: Up to 24 of the 48 renewal CEU hours may come from a CDPH-approved online program.

Good to know in California

Transferring from another state: If your out-of-state certificate is active, you can apply by reciprocity (form CDPH 283E) without new training or testing. Send proof of your certificate, fingerprints, and proof of paid nursing-related work in the past two years (skip the work proof if your certificate is less than two years old).

Expired certificate: If your certificate has been expired less than two years and you did not meet renewal rules, you can reactivate it by passing the Competency Evaluation Examination within two years of the expiration date.

Reciprocity paperwork: Reciprocity packages (CDPH 283E) are mailed to CDPH in Sacramento. If you are outside California, send two FD-258 fingerprint cards with a $32 check or money order payable to the Department of Justice instead of Live Scan.

Sources

• CDPH - Certified Nurse Assistant
• CDPH - How to Complete Your Initial CNA Application
• CDPH - How to Complete Your Renewal Application
• CDPH - How to Transfer Your CNA Certificate to California (Reciprocity)
• CDPH 283B - CNA Initial Application
• CDPH 276P - Policies and Procedures for Nurse Assistant Training Programs
• CDPH 283C - CNA Renewal Application
• 42 CFR 483.152 - Requirements for approval of a nurse aide training and competency evaluation program (Cornell LII)
• 42 CFR 483.154 - Nurse aide competency evaluation (Cornell LII)
• CDPH CNA Testing Vendors
• D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) - California Nurse Aide Testing
• Credentia - Northern California Nurse Assistant Candidate Handbook