In the State of California, they follow a set of guidelines or ‘rules’, as set out in the OBRA 1987 mandate. The guidelines are there to try and ensure that CNA (Certified Nursing Assistants) employees administer a certain quality of care whilst doing their jobs in long term care facilities. Laws have been put in place by the state to help benefit not only the residents and patients of care facilities, but for the CNA’s themselves. The Department Of Health Services Office is responsible for maintaining, monitoring and approving all suitably qualified CNA’s.

In California, several LTC Facilities (Long Term Care Facilities) offer a large range of job opportunities for CNA’s who wish to experience life and a career in the medical industry.

Here’s a list of requirements you’ll need, to work as a CNA in the State of California:

• You’ll need to have passed both the written and skills sections of the state CNA Exam
• You will need to be mentally and physically fit.
• You must have a good record of employment.
• Your CNA Certification must be ‘active’

Average Salary for a CNA in California:

• Average salaries are between $19,000 to $36,000 per annum
• Average hourly rate is typically $8 to $10 dollars per hour. (depending on experience)

Already an approved CNA? Apply for Reciprocity:

If you are already an approved CNA, and you move to California from another State, you must have an active CNA certificate and a good record of employment. If you have these, then you may qualify for CNA certification in California without having to re-take the CNA training evaluation. To be fully qualified to work as a CNA, you’ll need to submit the required documents.

California State Contact Information for CNA Certifications:

For more detailed information, you may contact the CA Nurse Aide Registry at:

CA Nurse Aide Registry
CNA/HHA/CHT Certification Unit
Licensing and Certification Division
1615 Capitol Avenue, MS 3301
P.O. Box 997416
Sacramento, CA 95899-7416
Phone #: 916-327-2445
Fax #: 916-552-8785

Looking for a State Approved CNA training class in California?

One of the essential pre-requisites of a CNA is to be trained in a state-approved training program. You’ll find a few listed below:

Allan Hancock College

800 South College Drive
Santa Maria, CA 93454-6399
Phone #: (805) 922-6966 ext. 3384 and 3541 (Nursing-CNA Program)
Fax #: (805) 922-1403

Cost is $312 ($26/unit) other fees are not included
12 units in one semester

American River College

4700 College Oak Drive
Sacramento, CA 95841-4217
Phone #: (916) 484-8011

• Tuition for:
• Resident is $156 ($26/unit)
• Non-resident is $1296 ($216/unit)
• International is $1404 ($234/unit)
• Other fees are not included
• Six (6) unit per semester, 63 hours for theory and 135 hours for clinical instructions

Antelope Valley College

Main Campus
3041 West Avenue K
Lancaster CA 93536

Palmdale Campus
1529 E. Palmdale Blvd
Palmdale CA
Phone #: 661-722-6300 ext. 6402

• Tuition for:
• CA Resident is $130 ($26/unit)
• Non-resident is $305 (additional $175)
• Other fees are not included
• Five (5) units per semester and 50 hours for classroom instruction and 112 hours for clinical training

Los Angeles Harbor College

1111 Figueroa Place
Wilmington, CA 90744
CNA Program Coordinator: (310) 233-4360
Application/Information: (310) 233-4447
Admission: (310) 233 – 4090
Fax #: (310) 233 – 4662

• Estimated cost is $556 these includes:
• Course fee
• Student Health Fee
• Associated Student Organization Fee
• Student Representative Fee
• Uniform
• White Nursing Shoes
• CPR course
• Malpractice Insurance
• Fingerprint Processing
• Application Fees to state
• State Exam
• CNA Textbook
• CNA Module
• Five (5) units per semester

Preferred College of Nursing

Preferred College of Nursing, Bakersfield
1415 18th Street #205
Bakersfield, CA 93301

Preferred College of Nursing, W. Covina
421 S. Glendora Ave., Suite 101
West Covina, CA 91790
Bakersfield: (661) 324 – 2509; (661) 324 – 2677
West Covina: (626) 917 – 0111

One semester class only

Palo Verde College

One College Drive
Blyth, California 92225
Phone #: 760-921-5500
Phone #: 760-921-5504 (Nursing and faculty secretary)

One semester class

Board members include 1 in all 50 states, Washington DC and all US territories. The NCSBN was founded in 1978, as organisers realised the need for regulation within nursing, excluding organisations representing professional nurses.

The main goal and responsibilities of the NCSBN is to inform about, and enforce a set of nursing standards, while keeping the Nursing Assistive Personnel Registry up to date. Licensees in this database include Certified Nursing Assistant I (CNA), Certified Nursing Assistant II (CNA II) and Medication Assistant Certified (MA-C). The NCSBN operates as a national ‘watchdog’, which co-ordinates issues that arise relating to discipline, education, and certification. Certain info, such as warnings and disciplinary actions taken against a CNA or nurse by a state board is shared with the NCSBN, which then compiles and stores the info, providing background resources for disciplinary issues and other actions taken.

When a complaint is made against a Certified Nursing Assistant, they may then become the subject of an investigation, which can then lead to an informal conference, and then when necessary a formal hearing. Actions addressing the issue of complaint might simply be resolved by re-educating the nurse, or restricting their practise in some way, however each action will carry certain specific probationary conditions. Where necessary, and in extreme cases where a CNA is found liable, a nursing assistant can have their license revoked. In this instances, all disciplinary actions will then become public record. In addition to this, any nurse or CNA holding a criminal conviction related to the functions of their work is obligated to report this to the board. The board will then proceed to determine if the offenders license should be revoked. In most cases, applicants convicted of a criminal offense will not be eligable for certification.

Federal regulations are also put in place, in order to help combat abuse and fraud, both in the health insurance industry and the health care delivery system.

In accordance to the NCSBN Standards for Assistive Personnel, CNA I  (certified nursing assistants) are bound by law to conform and practise to the following standards and regulations:

• Performs nursing tasks and functions within the range of functions authorized in the Nurse Practice Act and rules governing nursing.
• Demonstrates honesty and integrity in performing nursing tasks/functions/activities
• Bases nursing tasks/functions/activities on education, training and the direction of the supervising nurse.
• Accepts accountability for one’s behavior and actions while assisting the nurse and providing services to patients.
• Performs delegated aspects patient’s nursing care.
• Assists in observing patients and identifying patient needs.
• Communicates progress toward completing delegated nursing tasks/functions/abilities, as well as any problems or changes in a patient’s status.
• Seeks clarification if unsure of expectations.
• Uses educational and training opportunities as available.
• Takes preventive measures to protect client, others and self.
• Respects client’s rights, concerns, decisions and dignity.
• Functions as a member of the health care team, contributing to the implementation of an integrated health care plan.
• Respects client property and the property of others.
• Protects confidential information unless obligated by law to disclose the information.

In addition to this, employers that are found to deliberately or irresponsibly ignore board protocol and standards, eg: expanding the functions of a CNA, will be subject to disciplinary action. Institutions violations are recorded into the various public health databases, such as the HIPDB, just the same as an individual nurse found to be in violation would be.