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.
- CNA Certification Requirements in California
- How to Get Your CNA Certification in California
- How to Verify Your CNA Certification in California
- How to Renew Your CNA Certification in California
- How to Reinstate Your CNA Certification in California
- How to Transfer Your CNA Certification from California to Another State
- California Nurse Aide Registry
- State-Approved CNA Programs 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.
