Certified Nursing Assistant in California

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for CA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$46,420

trending_up +17.4% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, California.

engineering

102,380

Jobs (CA)

monitoring Stable

+2.3%

10-yr job growth

payments

$140

Licensing fees

schedule

6-16 weeks

Time to complete

route How to become a certified nursing assistant in California

To become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in California, individuals must complete a state-approved training program of at least 160 hours, which includes both classroom instruction and supervised clinical training. After completing the training, applicants must pass the California Nurse Assistant Competency Examination, administered by Credentia, which costs $140. A criminal background check via Live Scan is also a mandatory step in the certification process. California offers reciprocity for CNAs certified in other states, requiring an active out-of-state certification and a background check.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $39,220

25th percentile $44,350

50th (median) $46,420

75th percentile $50,540

90th (experienced) $59,540

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for California. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist California requirements

Licensing body	California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
State license	Required
Education	At least 160 hours (at least 60 hours of classroom instruction and 100 hours of supervised clinical training) in a state-approved training program.
Experience	100.0 hours
Exam	California Nurse Assistant Competency Examination via Credentia ($140)
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	48.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age to begin training is 16 years old. Must be at least 18 years old to take the California State Competency Evaluation Examination. A criminal background check (Live Scan) is required. Renewal requires 48 hours of in-service training/CEUs, with a minimum of 12 hours completed each year of the 2-year cycle, and a maximum of 24 hours online. Must also have worked at least one day for pay providing nursing services under the supervision of a licensed medical professional within the renewal cycle.

Source: California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+2.3%

Average

Annual openings

204,100

Nationwide per year

Total employment

1,441,500

Nationwide

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleCalifornia license required — clearer credential signal to employers

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a certified nursing assistant in California? expand_more

To become a certified nursing assistant in California, you need to complete the required education (At least 160 hours (at least 60 hours of classroom instruction and 100 hours of supervised clinical training) in a state-approved training program.), gain 100.0 hours of supervised experience, and pass the California Nurse Assistant Competency Examination via Credentia.

Does California require certified nursing assistant licensure? expand_more

Yes, California requires a state license to practice as a certified nursing assistant. The licensing body is California Department of Public Health (CDPH). You must pass the California Nurse Assistant Competency Examination via Credentia.

How much do certified nursing assistants make in California? expand_more

In California, the median pay for certified nursing assistants comes to $46,420/year. This exceeds the $39,530 national median by 17%. New certified nursing assistants start around $39,220; seasoned professionals can reach $59,540.

How much does it cost to become a certified nursing assistant in California? expand_more

Between exam fee ($140), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.

How long does it take to become a certified nursing assistant in California? expand_more

The typical timeline in California is 6-16 weeks. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

What's required to renew a certified nursing assistant license in California? expand_more

California requires 48.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your certified nursing assistant license.