California CNA Certification Requirements
California certifies Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs) through the Department of Public Health’s Licensing and Certification Program — the credential required to provide hands-on nursing care in skilled nursing and other licensed health facilities.
- Quick facts
- Who needs certification
- Steps to get certified
- Renewal
- FAQ
Quick facts
| Regulator | California Dept. of Public Health (CDPH), Aide and Technician Certification Section |
|---|---|
| Required training | 160 total hours at a CDPH-approved Nurse Assistant Training Program (at least 60 classroom/theory hours plus at least 100 supervised clinical hours) |
| Minimum age | Commonly cited as 16 — not independently confirmed against a CDPH page this run, see source note |
| Application fee | None — the initial CDPH application (Form 283B) carries no state fee; training tuition and fingerprinting are separate costs |
| Exam | Two-part competency exam: knowledge/written ($40, or $45 for the audio version) plus skills ($100), effective March 1, 2026, through the state’s contracted vendor |
| Certification cycle | 2 years |
| Continuing education | 48 hours of in-service/CE per 2-year cycle (at least 12 hours each year; up to 24 hours may be completed online through a CDPH-approved provider) |
| Penalty for working uncertified | Misdemeanor under Health & Safety Code §1337.2 — up to 180 days in county jail and/or a $20–$1,000 fine |
Who needs certification
Anyone working as a nurse assistant for compensation — providing hands-on care like bathing, feeding, mobility assistance, and vital-sign checks under a nurse’s supervision in a skilled nursing facility or other licensed health facility — must hold active CDPH certification. This is a distinct, narrower credential from a Home Health Aide certificate (a separate 120-hour program under a different regulation) and from a licensed nurse (LVN/RN); CNA work is often used as a first step into healthcare, and CNA experience is commonly valued by LVN and RN programs, though it doesn’t substitute for their own admission or licensure requirements.
Steps to get certified
- Complete a CDPH-approved Nurse Assistant Training Program. 160 total hours: at least 60 hours of classroom theory and at least 100 hours of supervised clinical training in a skilled nursing or intermediate care facility.
- Submit to a Live Scan background check. Required before patient contact, using the Request for Live Scan Services (BCIA 8016) form.
- Pass the two-part competency exam. A knowledge/written test and a separate skills test, administered through the state’s contracted testing vendor — exam fees are paid directly to the vendor, not to CDPH.
- Submit your initial application to CDPH. Form 283B — there’s no CDPH fee for this step.
- Get added to the California Nurse Assistant Registry. Once CDPH processes your application, you’re certified and may begin working as a CNA.
Renewal
California CNA certification runs on a 2-year cycle. To renew, you need 48 hours of in-service training or continuing education during that period — at least 12 hours each year — and up to 24 of those hours can be completed online through a CDPH-approved provider. CDPH’s own renewal guidance also calls for at least one day of direct patient care under licensed supervision during the certification period. Your employer verifies in-service hours on Form 283A; online CEU certificates are submitted with your renewal package.
Is there a fee to apply for CNA certification in California?
CDPH doesn’t charge a fee for the initial application (Form 283B) itself. Your real costs are the training program’s tuition, the competency exam fees paid to the state’s testing vendor ($40 for the knowledge exam plus $100 for the skills exam, effective March 1, 2026), and Live Scan fingerprinting.
Can I transfer my CNA certification from another state to California?
Yes, through CDPH’s reciprocity process. If your out-of-state CNA certification is active and in good standing, you can generally qualify for California certification without redoing training or the competency exam. You’ll need to show your active certification (or have the issuing state complete CDPH’s verification form), submit California Live Scan fingerprints, and — unless your original certification was issued within the last two years — show proof you’ve worked as a CNA within the last two years. There’s no CDPH fee for the reciprocity application.
Does California CNA certification lead toward becoming an RN?
CNA certification itself doesn’t satisfy LVN or RN licensing requirements — those have their own separate education and exam requirements. But CNA work is a common entry point into healthcare, and the hands-on patient-care experience is widely valued by LVN and RN programs when candidates apply, even where it isn’t a required prerequisite.
Penalty for working as an uncertified CNA
Under Health and Safety Code §1337.2, it’s unlawful for anyone not certified under California’s nurse assistant law to hold themselves out as a Certified Nurse Assistant. A violation is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in county jail, a fine of $20 to $1,000, or both. Separately, CDPH can suspend or revoke an existing certification for reasons including unprofessional conduct, a conviction substantially related to a CNA’s duties, controlled-substance abuse, or impersonating a registered nurse.