StateLicensed

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) License Requirements in California

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
160 hrs
Upfront cost
$130
Exam
Knowledge Exam, Skills Test
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Healthcare Workforce Branch (HWB) — Aide and Technician Certification Section

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 16 years old, pass a criminal background check. Minimum age 16, per Health & Safety Code §1337.2(a)(1). A criminal record clearance is required: applicants must submit Live Scan fingerprint images (or paper FD-258 cards, if outside California) to the California Department of Justice, and no health facility may permit a candidate direct patient contact or clinical-skills practice until that screening is cleared, per HSC §1338.5 and 22 CCR §71828(c). [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 160 hours of training (including 100 clinical hours) at a state-approved program. 160 total hours: 60 hours of classroom theory plus 100 hours of supervised clinical training, at a CDPH-approved Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP). At least 16 of the classroom hours (covering communication, infection control, safety/emergency procedures, resident independence, and resident rights) must be completed before any direct patient contact, per the federal 42 CFR §483.152(b) floor. Substantially exceeds the federal OBRA training-hour minimum of 75 hours. Legal basis: Health & Safety Code §1337.1-1337.3 and California Code of Regulations, Title 22, §71828/§71835. [1]

  3. 3

    Knowledge Exam

    Pass the Knowledge Exam (fee: $35). Multiple-choice, written; an audio version is available for $45 total ($35 base + $10 audio surcharge). Same fee applies to a retake. [2]

  4. 4

    Skills Test

    Pass the Skills Test (fee: $95). Hands-on manual demonstration of nurse assistant skills. Same fee applies to a retake. Combined Knowledge + Skills total is $130. Both components must be passed to be listed on the California Nursing Assistant Registry. [2]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Healthcare Workforce Branch (HWB) — Aide and Technician Certification Section. Typical processing time: At least 30 business days for reciprocity/equivalency applications. [5]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Healthcare Workforce Branch (HWB) — Aide and Technician Certification Section issues your Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) for California.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] None specified
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $0
Knowledge Exam [2] $35
Skills Test [2] $95
Knowledge Exam (D&SDT-Headmaster) [3] $35
Skills Test (D&SDT-Headmaster) [3] $95
DOJ fingerprint card processing (only if using paper FD-258 instead of electronic Live Scan) [3] $32

CDPH's own Initial Application (CDPH 283B) and Renewal Application (CDPH 283C) forms list no separate CDPH application or certificate-issuance fee — the only centrally published fees are the exam fees above and the $32 DOJ processing fee for candidates who submit paper FD-258 fingerprint cards instead of electronic Live Scan (electronic Live Scan roll-in fees vary by county/vendor and are not centrally published by CDPH, so left out rather than guessed). Renewal is free (confirmed $0 — no fee is requested anywhere on the CDPH 283C renewal form or its instructions).

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 48 continuing education hours required per cycle.

The CNA certification period runs birthday-to-birthday (not calendar years) and must be renewed every 2 years. Renewal requires: (a) maintained criminal record clearance; (b) documented paid nursing/nursing-related work in a health facility during the certification period; and (c) 48 hours of In-Service Training/CEUs, with a minimum of 12 of the 48 hours completed in each year of the 2-year period and a maximum of 24 hours obtainable via CDPH-approved online training. CNAs who miss the work or CE requirement can instead reactivate by retaking the Competency Evaluation, if within 2 years of the expiration date.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. California offers a CNA Equivalency/Reciprocity Application (CDPH 283E) for candidates whose CNA certification is active and in good standing on another state's registry — they can qualify for a California CNA certificate without retaking training or the Competency Evaluation. Required documents: the CDPH 283B Initial Application, a copy of the state-issued certificate, proof of paid nursing-related work in the last 2 years (waived if initially certified elsewhere within the last 2 years), Live Scan/FD-258 fingerprinting ($32 fee if using paper cards), and a Verification of Current Nurse Assistant Certification (CDPH 931) completed by the other state's registry. CDPH advises allowing at least 30 business days for processing.

30 state-approved training providers in California — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $35
  • $95
Total$130

Frequently asked questions

How many training hours does California require for CNA certification?

160 total hours: 60 hours of classroom theory plus 100 hours of supervised clinical training, at a CDPH-approved Nurse Assistant Training Program.

What is the minimum age to become a CNA in California?

16 years old, per California Health & Safety Code §1337.2(a)(1).

Does California require a background check for CNAs?

Yes. All CNA applicants must undergo a criminal record clearance through Live Scan fingerprinting submitted to the California Department of Justice before any direct patient contact.

How often do I renew my California CNA certification, and is there a fee?

Every 2 years, on your birthday cycle. Renewal is free, but requires 48 hours of in-service training/CEUs (at least 12 per year) plus documented paid nursing-related work and maintained criminal record clearance.

Sources

  1. [1] cdph.ca.gov/CDPH%20Document%20Library/ControlledForms/cdph276p.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
  2. [2] hdmaster.com/testing/cnatesting/California/forms/CA%20Candidate%20Handbook%2010.2025.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
  3. [3] cdph.ca.gov/CDPH%20Document%20Library/ControlledForms/cdph283b.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
  4. [4] cdph.ca.gov/CDPH%20Document%20Library/ControlledForms/cdph283a.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
  5. [5] cdph.ca.gov/CDPH%20Document%20Library/ControlledForms/cdph283e.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10