Loading...
Loading...
Certified Nursing Assistant
Total cost: $156
Governing Authority
California Department of Public Health (CDPH) – Licensing and Certification Program
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
150 hrs
Training Hours
Credentia only (statewide as of 2024)
Exam Provider
156
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
48 hrs
CE Hours
Must have performed at least 8 hours of paid CNA work under RN/LVN supervision within the two-year certification period
Work Hours Req
Regulatory Information
VerifiedGoverning Authority
California Department of Public Health (CDPH) – Licensing and Certification Program
(916) 327-2445
Program Approval Body
California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
State-Approved Training Program Required
Regulated by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) – Licensing and Certification Program
State-Approved Training Program
Training Hours Breakdown
150
Total Hours
50
Classroom
100
Clinical
Program Approval Body
California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Topics Covered
Browse CNA study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Written Exam
Available
Oral Exam Option
Required
Skills Evaluation
Exam Provider
Credentia only (statewide as of 2024)
Written Exam Details
60
Questions
120 min
Time Limit
70%
Passing Score
Skills Evaluation Details
5
Skills Tasks
30 min
Time Limit
Attempts Allowed
3
Retest Waiting Period
Must pass within 3 attempts within 2 years of program completion; after 3 failures, must retake training program
Overall licensing difficulty: 1/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
CNA Certification Exam
Browse study guides
CNA Exam Prep Books
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Prepare with realistic CNA Certification Exam practice tests from Exam Edge →(affiliate link)See our discount
CNA Competency Exam
Questions
60 questions
Time Limit
120 minutes
Passing Score
70%
Administered By
Credentia only (statewide as of 2024)
Cost of failing
Retake fee: 126Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the CNA Competency Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — CNA Certification Exam
Prepare for your CNA Certification Exam with Mometrix study guides, flashcards, online courses, and practice tests.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Study guides and practice tests for the certified nursing assistant exam.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Fingerprinting
Immunizations Required
TB Test Required
Abuse Registry Check
Physical Exam Required
CPR Certification
Not sure if you need a cna license? Check whether your state requires one.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Training Program Fee Varies widely: community colleges $500–$1,500; private schools $1,500–$3,500+; facility-based programs may be free; employers of nurse aides in Medicare/Medicaid facilities must cover training costs | $500–$3,500+ |
Competency Exam Fee Written + skills: ~$90–$120 depending on vendor; oral + skills: ~$105; retake fees: $35–$40 (written), $55–$80 (skills) | 126 |
State Registration Fee No application fee charged by CDPH for initial certification | $0 |
Background Check Fee Live Scan fingerprinting fee varies by provider; includes DOJ and FBI checks | $25–$60 |
Total Initial Fees Total of exam and Live Scan background check fees (excludes training program tuition) | 156 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Scope of Practice
VerifiedAllowed Duties
Restricted Duties
Supervision Requirements
Must work under the supervision of a licensed nurse (RN or LVN)
Approved Work Settings
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
Must have performed at least 8 hours of paid CNA work under RN/LVN supervision within the two-year certification period
Work Requirement
48
In-Service/CE Hours
Renewal Fee
$0
No renewal fee charged by CDPH; submit form CDPH 283C
Late Renewal Fee
N/A
No renewal fee; if lapsed, must apply for reinstatement
Inactive Reinstatement
Must complete a new training program and pass the competency exam if certification has lapsed for more than 2 years without qualifying employment
Regulatory Board
CNAs must maintain active certification by meeting work hour requirements and completing in-service training within each renewal cycle. Failure to renew may require retaking the competency exam.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State CNA Certification
Transfer Process
Submit CDPH Form 283B (Initial Application/Application for CNA by Endorsement), verification of active out-of-state certification, proof of training hours, and California Live Scan fingerprinting. If approved, no exam retake required.
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Out-of-state CNAs typically need to apply for reciprocity through the state's nurse aide registry. Verification of active, good-standing status on the originating state's registry is usually required.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare California with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
California has one of the highest CNA training requirements in the nation at 160 hours (over double the federal minimum). The state uses two different exam vendors split by geography: Credentia for Northern California and Headmaster for Southern California. California charges no state application, certification, or renewal fees. The state also requires 48 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle (4x the federal minimum), with no more than 24 hours allowed online.
California requires 160 training hours (60 classroom + 100 clinical), more than double the federal OBRA minimum of 75 hours
California uses the title 'Certified Nurse Assistant' (not 'Certified Nursing Assistant')
Two exam vendors serve California: Credentia (Northern CA) and D&S Headmaster (Southern CA)
Live Scan fingerprinting is required for DOJ and FBI background checks
48 hours of in-service/CE training required per 2-year cycle (minimum 12 hours per year), with max 24 hours online
No state application, certification, or renewal fees are charged by CDPH
Minimum age is 16 years old
Written exam has 70 questions with a 75% passing score and 2-hour time limit
There is no interstate compact for CNAs. Transfer between states requires reciprocity application to the new state's Nurse Aide Registry.
CNA requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in California
See how California compares: CNA License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Transferring Your License?
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in California.
CNA Schools in California
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to California? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your CNA license to California →
California requires 150 hours of training and passage of the Credentia only (statewide as of 2024) competency exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. All certification is managed through the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) – Licensing and Certification Program.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Nursing.