CNA Programs in California

A list of state-approved CNA programs in California, including information on the CNA job outlook in California, average salary, and more.
Amy Harris
Amy Harris, BSN, RNNov 13, 2024
CNA Programs in California
Table of Contents[show]
  1. Requirements to Become a CNA in California
  2. State-Approved CNA Programs in California
  3. CNA Job Outlook and Salary in California
  4. California Nurse Aide Registry

Choosing to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in California makes a great choice today.

Requirements to Become a CNA in California

If you want to work as a CNA in California, you will need to enroll in a training program first. You will need to be at least 16 years of age. Make sure that the program you choose is approved by the California Department of Health and consists of classroom instruction and clinical training.

After you complete your program, you will be required to pass the state's CNA exam to be certified. If you receive a passing score on the CNA exam, your name will be placed on the California Nurse Aide Registry.

In addition to passing the CNA exam, certification requirements include a background check.

State-Approved CNA Programs in California

California is a great place to train for a CNA career, as there are many fine schools in the state. To help you make your decision, we are listing the top CNA schools below:

  1. Bakersfield College

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

  2. West Los Angeles College

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

  3. Southwestern College

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

  4. Summit College

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

  5. Regan Career Institute

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

  6. California Career Institute

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

  7. Gavilan College

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

  8. Citrus College

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

  9. Imperial Valley College

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

  10. San Diego Job Corps Center

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

  11. Long Beach Job Corps Center

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

  12. Los Angeles Southwest College

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

  13. University of Southern California

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

  14. Merced College

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

  15. MiraCosta College

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

  16. Butte College

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

  17. College of the Desert

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

  18. California Nurses Educational Institute

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

  19. Pasadena City College

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

  20. Chaffey College

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

  21. Shasta College

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

  22. Reedley College

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

  23. Annenberg School of Nursing

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

  24. Sierra College

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

  25. American River College

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

  26. Charles A Jones Career & Education Center

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

  27. Sacramento Job Corps Center

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

  28. Inland Empire Job Corps Center

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

  29. California Medical College

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

  30. City College of San Francisco

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

  31. Treasure Island Job Corps Center

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

  32. Solano Community College

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

  33. Cuesta College

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

  34. Contra Costa College

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

  35. Santa Barbara City College

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

  36. College of the Canyons

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

  37. Allan Hancock College

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

  38. San Joaquin Delta College

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

  39. El Camino College

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

  40. Ventura College

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

  41. College of the Sequoias

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

  42. Mt. San Antonio College

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

  43. College of the Siskiyous

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

  44. Rio Hondo College

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

  45. Los Angeles Harbor College

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

  46. Pierce College

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

CNA Job Outlook and Salary in California

In California, CNAs are in high demand today. Overall employment of CNAs in this state is projected to grow 14.3% from 2018 to 2028. The median salary for these professionals working in California is $47,070 per year.

Take a look at the CNA employment and salary situation in different metro areas in California below to get a detailed picture.

AreaTotal EmploymentAvg Hourly WageAvg Annual Salary
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA10,690$27.18$50,380
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA5,520$26.72$54,360
Sacramento-Roseville-Arden-Arcade, CA5,750$22.82$45,190
Napa, CA390$22.70$45,670
Salinas, CA1,000$22.96$46,160
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA41,860$22.11$44,690
Santa Rosa, CA1,220$22.40$46,210
Vallejo-Fairfield, CA760$22.21$45,260
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA9,820$22.16$44,250
Madera, CA480$22.47$42,660
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA420$21.86$44,540
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA1,080$21.26$44,360
Stockton-Lodi, CA2,170$21.27$44,040
Yuba City, CA460$21.27$44,320
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA1,870$21.35$43,960
Modesto, CA1,340$21.27$43,670
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA8,930$20.83$43,410
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA480$21.08$44,230
Visalia-Porterville, CA1,200$20.52$42,080
Merced, CA390$20.53$41,010
Chico, CA1,110$20.62$43,700
Redding, CA720$19.86$38,570
Fresno, CA2,900$20.16$39,570
El Centro, CA260$20.05$44,640
Hanford-Corcoran, CA310$19.29$39,410
Bakersfield, CA1,660$19.66$38,830

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2023

California Nurse Aide Registry

If you have any questions about CNA programs or certification in California, you can contact the California Department of Public Health, Licensing & Certification Program 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
Email: [email protected]
Registry Search Link

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