Certified Nurse Assistant
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) provide essential, hands-on patient care.
What does a Certified Nurse Assistant do?
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) provide essential, hands-on patient care under the supervision of licensed nurses. It’s one of the most direct entry points into healthcare, especially if you want patient contact, a path into the healthcare workforce, and a foundation for future roles like Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) or registered nurse (RN). CNAs can also work as Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) in hospital settings and often work as a nursing assistant prior to certification depending on the situation.
CNAs support patients with daily care needs and help the care team identify any patient condition changes. Duties vary by setting and employer, but commonly include:
- Assisting with activities of daily living: bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, eating
- Turning, repositioning, and transferring patients (bed ↔ wheelchair, etc.)
- Taking and reporting vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, etc.)
- Observing and reporting patient concerns or condition changes to nurses
- Supporting patient comfort, safety, mobility, and dignity
- Documenting care per facility processes
Typical work settings include:
- Skilled nursing facilities and long-term care centers
- Hospitals and acute care settings
- Assisted living facilities and residential care homes
- Home health agencies (providing care in patients’ homes)
- Rehabilitation centers and subacute facilities
- Hospice and palliative care programs
For more information on what to expect as a CNA, you can visit the resources provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the California Employment Development Department (EDD).
Timeline and Training: To work as a CNA in California, candidates must complete a state-approved training program, pass a competency exam, and be listed on the California Nurse Aide Registry maintained by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Certification requires renewal every two years and typically takes 6-12 weeks to complete the training and 4-6 weeks for state testing and processing.
Visit the CDPH site to learn about programs: Certified Nurse Assistant Training Programs
| Step | Description | Typical Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Meet basic entry requirements. | Candidates must be 16 or older (many employers require age 18) have a valid Social Security or tax ID, pass health screening, and complete a criminal background check (California DOJ and FBI Live Scan). | Varies |
| Complete a CDPH-approved training program. | Enroll in and complete a CDPH-approved Nurse Assistant Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP), requiring at least 160 hours of classroom and clinical training through community colleges, adult schools, ROPs, or healthcare facilities. Fully online CNA programs are not allowed. | 6-12 weeks |
| Pass the competency examination | After training, candidates must pass a two-part state exam, including a 70-question written test and a hands-on skills evaluation, administered by a CDPH-approved vendor (Credential or D&SDT-Headmaster). | Varies |
| Apply for certification and join the California Nurse Aide Registry | Submit an initial application (CDPH 283B) to CDPH. Once approved, the CNA's name is added to the California Nurse Aide Registry, which employers use to verify eligibility. CNAs may then work in licensed healthcare settings throughout California. | 2-4 weeks (processing) |
| Renew certification every two years. | California CNA certification must be renewed every 24 months. CNAs must complete 48 hours of CDPH-approved training or CEUs during each two-year period, with at least 12 hours annually. Up to 24 hours can be completed online. | 48 CEU hours per 2-year cycle |
What Does Training Entail?
- Basic nursing skills and patient care techniques (bathing, grooming, dressing, feeding, and mobility assistance)
- Vital signs measurement and documentation (temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation)
- Infection control and safety procedures, including standard precautions and proper handwashing
- Patient rights, dignity, and person-centered care principles
- Anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology
- Communication and interpersonal skills, including working with patients with dementia or cognitive impairment
- Nutrition, hydration, and assisting with meals
- Emergency procedures, including recognizing and responding to changes in patient condition
- Legal, ethical, and professional standards, including HIPAA and resident rights in long-term care
Career Advancement: CNAs can grow professionally in many ways. CNA experience is a strong foundation for nursing school applications:
- Pursue additional training to become an LVN or RN.
- Earn specialty certifications in areas such as dementia care, medication assistance (Certified Medication Aide), wound care, phlebotomy, or EKG technician skills.
- Advance to Lead CNA, CNA Mentor, Unit Coordinator, or Charge Aide roles within a facility.
- Transition to adjacent roles such as Medical Assistant, PCT, or Home Health Aide.
- Working in home health, hospice and palliative care often requires an additional 40 hours of instruction.
- Move into care coordination, case management, or healthcare administration with additional education.
Outlook: Nationally, employment of Certified Nurse Assistants is projected to grow 2% from 2024 to 2034. In California, Certified Nurse Assistant jobs are expected to increase by 8.4% between 2023 and 2033. The median annual wage for a CNA was $39,430 nationwide in 2024, and in California, the median annual salary was $47,740.
