CNA License in California

Are you looking for an exciting career that offers plenty of job opportunities and a comfortable starting salary in California? Can you see yourself working in a medical setting helping patients? If you answered "yes" to both the questions, you should consider becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide (CNA). There is currently a large need for CNAs in California.

Certification Requirements in California

In California, the California Department of Public Health oversees the rules and regulations regarding CNA certifications. For you to obtain certification as a nurse aide here, you must first graduate from an approved CNA training program. Secondly, you are required to pass the state's Certified Nurse Aide competency evaluation examination. During this test, you will be evaluated on both your knowledge and skills related to the field.

How to Get Your CNA Certification in California

To obtain your CNA certification in California, you need to go to the state's Department of Public Health website and click on "CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, PERMITS, AND REGISTRATIONS." Next, click on "Health Care Professionals." Finally, click on "Certified Nurse Assistant." This will take you to a page where you will find an initial application for CNA certification. Note that you will apply upon enrollment in a state-approved training program.

How to Verify Your CNA Certification in California

From time to time, you may find that you need to verify your CNA certification. This is especially true when changing jobs. If this is the case with you, simply visit http://cvl.cdph.ca.gov/SearchPage.aspx and you can verify your certification by certificate number, first name, or last name.

How to Renew Your CNA Certification in California

You will need to renew your CNA certification every two years in California. To be eligible for renewal, you must show completion of forty-eight (48) hours of In-Service Training/Continuing Education Units within your two-year certification period. A minimum of 12 of the 48 hours shall be completed in each year of the two-year certification period. A maximum of 24 of the 48 hours may be obtained only through a CDPH-approved online computer training program. You may submit the application by mail or by faxing it to the Department of Public Health.

How to Reinstate Your CNA Certification in California

If you did not complete the required continuing education before your CNA renewal, you will need to reinstate your certification. To do that, you must re-take the CNA competency exam, fulfill the CE requirements, pay a late fee, and submit a certification renewal application.

How to Transfer Your CNA Certification from California to Another State

If you are moving and need to transfer your CNA certification to a different state, you will need to contact the new state's Nurse Aide Registry, Board of Nursing or Department of Health to find out about their requirements. While most states only require a simple verification of your current CNA status, others may require such things as continuing education, testing and/or transfer fees.

California Nurse Aide Registry

If you have additional questions, contact the California Nurse Aide Registry at:

California Department of Public Health
Licensing & Certification Program

PO Box 997416, MS 3301, Sacramento, CA 95899
Phone: (916) 327-2445
Fax: (916) 552-8785
Registry Search: http://cvl.cdph.ca.gov/SearchPage.aspx

State-Approved CNA Programs in California

If you want to attend a CNA program in California, one of the following schools can provide you with the training you need.

1. Allan Hancock College

   800 S College Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93454 (805) 922-6966

2. American Red Cross

   2215 W Mission Rd, Alhambra, CA 91803 (818) 539-9931

3. American Red Cross

   311 Del Mar Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910 (909) 380-7255

4. American Red Cross

   2227 S Atlantic Blvd, Commerce, CA 90040 (562) 426-8176

5. American Red Cross

   1501 S Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91204 (818) 539-9931

6. American Red Cross

   3901 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611 (916) 993-7063

7. American Red Cross

   1565 Exposition Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95815 (916) 993-7063

8. American Red Cross

   2731 N 1st St, San Jose, CA 95134 (707) 577-7640

9. American Red Cross

   601 N Golden Cir Dr, Santa Ana, CA 92705 (562) 426-8176

10. American Red Cross

    1450 11th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (818) 539-9931

11. American Red Cross

    5297 Aero Dr, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 (707) 577-7640

12. American River College

    4700 College Oak Dr, Sacramento, CA 95841 (916) 484-8011

13. Annenberg School of Nursing

    19300 Sherman Way, Reseda, CA 91335 (818) 757-4431

14. Azusa Adult Education Center

    1040 E Gladstone St, Azusa, CA 91702 (626) 852-8400

15. Bakersfield College

    1801 Panorama Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93305 (661) 395-4011

16. BAMA Institute

    530 Bush St suite 301, San Francisco, CA 94108 (415) 508-5404

17. Barton Health

    2170 South Ave, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 (530) 541-3420

18. Beaumont Adult School

    1575 Cherry Ave, Beaumont, CA 92223 (951) 845-6012

19. Best American Healthcare University

    337 N Vineyard Ave 4th floor, Ontario, CA 91764 (951) 637-8332

20. Best American Healthcare University

    777 E Tahquitz Canyon Way Suite 200, Palm Springs, CA 92262 (951) 637-8332

21. Best American Healthcare University

    6700 Indiana Ave Ste 255, Riverside, CA 92506 (951) 637-8332

22. Bradford College of Nursing

    9 El Dorado St, Stockton, CA 95202 (209) 475-9854

23. Butte College

    3536 Butte Campus Dr, Oroville, CA 95965 (530) 895-2511

24. California Career Institute

    1240 S State College Blvd #135, Anaheim, CA 92806 (714) 539-5959

25. California Medical College

    7851 Mission Center Ct #326, San Diego, CA 92108 (858) 357-8800

26. California Nurses Educational Institute

    5200 Ramon Rd #1, Palm Springs, CA 92264 (760) 416-5955

27. Chaffey College

    5885 Haven Ave, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737 (909) 652-6000

28. Charles A Jones Career & Education Center

    5451 Lemon Hill Ave, Sacramento, CA 95824 (916) 433-2600

29. Citrus College

    1000 W Foothill Blvd, Glendora, CA 91741 (626) 963-0323

30. City College of San Francisco

    50 Frida Kahlo Way, San Francisco, CA 94112 (415) 239-3000

31. College of the Canyons

    26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91355 (661) 259-7800

32. College of the Desert

    43500 Monterey Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260 (760) 346-8041

33. College of the Sequoias

    915 S Mooney Blvd, Visalia, CA 93277 (559) 343-6315

34. College of the Siskiyous

    800 College Ave, Weed, CA 96094 (530) 938-5555

35. Contra Costa College

    2600 Mission Bell Dr, San Pablo, CA 94806 (510) 235-7800

36. Cuesta College

    CA-1, San Luis Obispo, CA (805) 546-3100

37. East San Gabriel Valley Regional Occupational Program

    1501 W Del Norte St, West Covina, CA 91790 (626) 472-5100

38. El Camino College

    16007 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA 90506 (310) 532-3670

39. FUHSD Adult School

    10123 N Wolfe Rd #2175, Cupertino, CA 95014 (408) 522-2700

40. Gavilan College

    5055 Santa Teresa Blvd, Gilroy, CA 95020 (408) 848-4800

41. Goodwill SOLAC

    800 W Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90806 (562) 435-3411

42. Hillendale Home Care

    1777 N California Blvd Ste 210, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (925) 933-8181

43. Imperial Valley College

    380 E Aten Rd, Imperial, CA 92251 (760) 352-8320

44. Inland Empire Job Corps Center

    3173 Kerry St, San Bernardino, CA 92407 (909) 887-6305

45. Lake County Office of Education

    1152 S Main St, Lakeport, CA 95453 (707) 262-4100

46. Long Beach Job Corps Center

    1903 Santa Fe Ave, Long Beach, CA 90810 (562) 983-1777

47. Los Angeles Harbor College

    1111 Figueroa Pl, Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 233-4000

48. Los Angeles Southwest College

    1600 W Imperial Hwy, Los Angeles, CA 90047 (323) 241-5321

49. Merced College

    3600 M St, Merced, CA 95348 (209) 384-6000

50. MiraCosta College

    1 Barnard Dr, Oceanside, CA 92056 (760) 757-2121

51. Mt. Diablo Adult Education

    1266 San Carlos Ave, Concord, CA 94518 (925) 685-7340

52. Mt. San Antonio College

    1100 N Grand Ave, Walnut, CA 91789 (909) 274-7500

53. Pacific Times Healthcare College

    90 W Grand Blvd Ste 107, Corona, CA 92882 (951) 734-1601

54. Pasadena City College

    1570 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106 (626) 585-7123

55. Pierce College

    6201 Winnetka Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91367 (818) 719-6404

56. Professional Career Development Center

    420 Date St, Montebello, CA 90640 (562) 698-8301

57. Reedley College

    995 N Reed Ave, Reedley, CA 93654 (559) 638-0300

58. Regan Career Institute

    11350 Valley Blvd, El Monte, CA 91731 (626) 455-0312

59. Rio Hondo College

    3600 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, CA 90601 (562) 692-0921

60. Sacramento Job Corps Center

    3100 Meadowview Rd, Sacramento, CA 95832 (916) 394-0770

61. San Diego Job Corps Center

    1325 Iris Ave, Imperial Beach, CA 91932 (619) 429-8500

62. San Joaquin Delta College

    5151 Pacific Ave, Stockton, CA 95207 (209) 954-5151

63. Santa Barbara City College

    721 Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109 (805) 965-0581

64. School of Career Education

    2100 E Alessandro Blvd, Riverside, CA 92508 (760) 863-3333

65. Shasta College

    11555 Old Oregon Trail, Redding, CA 96003 (530) 242-7500

66. Sierra College

    5100 Sierra College Blvd, Loomis, CA 95650 (916) 624-3333

67. Solano Community College

    3095 Yerba Buena Rd, San Jose, CA 95135 (408) 274-7900

68. Southwestern College

    900 Otay Lakes Rd, Chula Vista, CA 91910 (619) 421-6700

69. Sri Sai Krish Institute of Nursing

    12362 Beach Blvd, Stanton, CA 90680 (714) 890-7023

70. Summit College

    804 E Brier Dr, San Bernardino, CA 92408 (855) 970-4151

71. Treasure Island Job Corps Center

    351 H Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94130 (415) 277-2400

72. University of Southern California

    3551 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA 90089 (213) 740-2311

73. Ventura College

    4667 Telegraph Rd, Ventura, CA 93003 (805) 289-6000

74. West Hills College

    300 W Cherry Ln, Coalinga, CA 93210 (559) 934-2000

75. West Los Angeles College

    9000 Overland Ave, Culver City, CA 90230 (310) 287-4200

76. Western Medical Training Center

    1161 E Main St UNIT 205, El Cajon, CA 92021 (619) 241-9931

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