CNA License in California

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 Link

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. Annenberg School of Nursing

    19300 Sherman Way, Reseda, CA 91335 (818) 757-4431
  3. California Career Institute

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

    7851 Mission Center Ct #326, San Diego, CA 92108 (858) 357-8800
  5. California Nurses Educational Institute

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

    5885 Haven Ave, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737 (909) 652-6000
  7. Charles A Jones Career & Education Center

    5451 Lemon Hill Ave, Sacramento, CA 95824 (916) 433-2600
  8. Citrus College

    1000 W Foothill Blvd, Glendora, CA 91741 (626) 963-0323
  9. City College of San Francisco

    50 Frida Kahlo Way, San Francisco, CA 94112 (415) 239-3000
  10. College of the Canyons

    26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91355 (661) 259-7800
  11. College of the Sequoias

    915 S Mooney Blvd, Visalia, CA 93277 (559) 343-6315
  12. Contra Costa College

    2600 Mission Bell Dr, San Pablo, CA 94806 (510) 235-7800
  13. Cuesta College

    CA-1, San Luis Obispo, CA (805) 546-3100
  14. Gavilan College

    5055 Santa Teresa Blvd, Gilroy, CA 95020 (408) 848-4800
  15. Imperial Valley College

    380 E Aten Rd, Imperial, CA 92251 (760) 352-8320
  16. Merced College

    3600 M St, Merced, CA 95348 (209) 384-6000
  17. MiraCosta College

    1 Barnard Dr, Oceanside, CA 92056 (760) 757-2121
  18. Mt. San Antonio College

    1100 N Grand Ave, Walnut, CA 91789 (909) 274-7500
  19. Pasadena City College

    1570 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106 (626) 585-7123
  20. Reedley College

    995 N Reed Ave, Reedley, CA 93654 (559) 638-0300
  21. Regan Career Institute

    11350 Valley Blvd, El Monte, CA 91731 (626) 455-0312
  22. San Joaquin Delta College

    5151 Pacific Ave, Stockton, CA 95207 (209) 954-5151
  23. Santa Barbara City College

    721 Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109 (805) 965-0581
  24. Shasta College

    11555 Old Oregon Trail, Redding, CA 96003 (530) 242-7500
  25. Sierra College

    5100 Sierra College Blvd, Loomis, CA 95650 (916) 624-3333
  26. Solano Community College

    3095 Yerba Buena Rd, San Jose, CA 95135 (408) 274-7900
  27. Summit College

    804 E Brier Dr, San Bernardino, CA 92408 (855) 970-4151
  28. University of Southern California

    3551 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA 90089 (213) 740-2311
  29. Ventura College

    4667 Telegraph Rd, Ventura, CA 93003 (805) 289-6000
  30. West Los Angeles College

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

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