How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in California (2026)
California employs about 110,060 certified nursing assistants earning a median $47,630 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Certified Nursing Assistant here means completing state-approved CNA training of typically several weeks, the state competency exam, and listing on the nurse aide registry, then applying through California Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section.
Compare Certified Nursing Assistant Schools in California
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health | 83.2 | Contact school for pricing | $108,804 | Not reported | — | In-state |
| 2 | Clovis Adult Education | 74.2 | Contact school for pricing | $43,882 | 68% | — | In-state |
| 3 | Butte College | 67.2 | $1,356 in-state / $9,276 out-of-state | $51,432 | 45% | Yes* | In-state |
| 4 | College of the Canyons | 60.9 | $1,166 in-state / $10,958 out-of-state | $64,248 | 45% | — | In-state |
| 5 | Chaffey College | 60.5 | $1,184 in-state / $11,120 out-of-state | $46,799 | 36% | Yes* | In-state |
| 6 | Allan Hancock College | 55.3 | $1,156 in-state / $9,892 out-of-state | $55,202 | 26% | Yes* | In-state |
| 7 | Cuesta College | 55.2 | $1,350 in-state / $11,010 out-of-state | $57,231 | 48% | Yes* | In-state |
| 8 | American River College | 51.4 | $1,288 in-state / $12,616 out-of-state | $74,069 | 37% | Yes* | In-state |
| 9 | Los Angeles Harbor College | 45.0 | $1,238 in-state / $10,568 out-of-state | $63,483 | 36% | Yes* | In-state |
| 10 | City College of San Francisco | 44.5 | $1,696 in-state / $14,656 out-of-state | $60,859 | 40% | — | In-state |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
California employs approximately 110,060 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $47,630 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Certified Nursing Assistant in California, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: state-approved CNA / nurse aide training (find programs)
- Typical timeline: state-approved CNA training of typically several weeks, the state competency exam, and listing on the nurse aide registry
- Licensing authority: California Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section
- Exam: state nurse aide competency exam (written or oral plus skills)
- Median wage (California): $47,630 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in California
How to become a Certified Nursing Assistant in California? Complete state-approved CNA training of typically several weeks, the state competency exam, and listing on the nurse aide registry. Apply through California Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section.
How long does it take? Most people finish state-approved CNA training of typically several weeks, the state competency exam, and listing on the nurse aide registry. Confirm current hour totals with the training program and California Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section.
Do I need a license in California? Yes. California lists certified nursing assistants on the nurse aide registry through California Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section 3. See the licensing section below.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in California? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in California is $47,630 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $40,110 and experienced professionals can earn $61,100 or more 1.
How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in California
- Meet program entry rules. Most California CNA programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm current age, immunization, TB, and background-check rules with the training program.
- Complete state-approved CNA training. Finish a state-approved nurse aide training program in California. Training is typically several weeks of classroom work plus supervised clinical practice at a community college, vocational school, or nursing facility. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
- Pass the competency exam. Pass the California nurse aide competency exam: a written or oral knowledge test and a skills demonstration. The exam vendor is chosen by the state; confirm current scheduling with California Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section.
- Get listed on the California Nurse Aide Registry. Apply through California Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section. You cannot work as a CNA in a nursing home until that listing is current. Renewal and in-service rules are state-specific; confirm them with the registry.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in California
The California Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section maintains the nurse aide registry in California 3. Certified nursing assistants complete a state-approved training program, pass a competency exam, and get listed on that registry.
Typical CNA path
- Meet the training program’s entry rules.
- Complete state-approved CNA training (typically several weeks).
- Pass the written or oral exam and the skills demonstration.
- Get listed on the California Nurse Aide Registry before working as a CNA in a nursing home.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change and vary by state. Confirm current requirements with the California nurse aide registry before you enroll. Do not apply to the board of nursing for a CNA listing unless that board also runs the nurse aide registry.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in California
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), nursing assistants wages in California vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 43,090 | $47,380 | $49,700 | $40,050 | $61,100 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 11,790 | $56,080 | $56,700 | $46,700 | $70,540 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 9,940 | $46,430 | $46,940 | $38,950 | $55,840 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 9,670 | $48,070 | $49,780 | $40,420 | $60,510 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 5,650 | $47,510 | $49,090 | $39,470 | $61,240 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 5,350 | $56,840 | $59,370 | $47,340 | $77,040 |
| Fresno | 3,880 | $44,710 | $44,530 | $37,770 | $49,230 |
| Stockton-Lodi | 2,560 | $46,530 | $47,850 | $39,250 | $56,380 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | 2,070 | $46,800 | $47,660 | $39,540 | $58,560 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | 1,720 | $46,130 | $46,500 | $37,710 | $56,380 |
| Visalia | 1,530 | $46,810 | $46,630 | $38,740 | $55,120 |
| Modesto | 1,500 | $46,550 | $47,320 | $38,390 | $58,150 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | 1,250 | $49,240 | $50,260 | $42,610 | $58,550 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | 1,090 | $47,130 | $47,510 | $40,120 | $55,890 |
| Salinas | 1,070 | $48,870 | $49,390 | $39,900 | $57,040 |
| Vallejo | 940 | $48,900 | $50,690 | $40,320 | $62,550 |
| Chico | 790 | $46,380 | $47,040 | $38,860 | $56,620 |
| Redding | 760 | $44,880 | $46,110 | $37,010 | $60,180 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | 610 | $46,840 | $47,620 | $39,730 | $55,650 |
| Yuba City | 520 | $46,130 | $47,630 | $40,260 | $52,990 |
| Merced | 500 | $44,730 | $45,300 | $39,040 | $50,880 |
| Napa | 460 | $50,370 | $51,930 | $42,020 | $63,080 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | 440 | $47,940 | $49,290 | $39,110 | $57,720 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | 290 | $45,980 | $47,570 | $39,420 | $58,590 |
| El Centro | 240 | $44,670 | $43,670 | $37,280 | $47,190 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in California? California currently employs approximately 110,060 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in California? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in California.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in California compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in California is $47,630, which is $8,100 above the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
California Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section - Nurse Aide Registry: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHCQ/LCP/pages/CNA.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |