Certified Nursing Assistant Training

What this program covers

Our Certified Nursing Assistant program combines in-class instruction with hands-on practice in a clinical skills lab, covering the core competencies CNAs use every day: vital signs, infection control, safe patient handling and transfers, personal care, nutrition support, and documentation. You will practice each skill repeatedly under instructor supervision before moving on to supervised clinical hours.

Who this is for

This program is built for people starting a healthcare career, including career changers with no prior medical background. If you are comfortable with physical, hands-on work and want a fast, practical way into a hospital, skilled nursing facility, or home care setting, this is the right starting point.

Prerequisites

Enrollment generally requires a background check, a TB test or other health screening, and proof of identity, consistent with California requirements for working in patient care settings. Our admissions team will confirm the exact paperwork you need before your first day.

How certification works

After completing classroom and clinical hours, students sit for the state CNA competency exam, which includes a written portion and a skills demonstration. Passing the exam adds you to the California Nurse Assistant registry as a Certified Nursing Assistant.

What's included

• Classroom instruction and a hands-on clinical skills lab
• Supervised clinical practice hours
• Exam preparation for the state competency exam
• Small class sizes with direct instructor access

Serving the greater Sacramento area

Our Certified Nursing Assistant classes are held in person at our Orangevale campus at 9198 Greenback Lane, Suite 108, an easy drive from Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks, Carmichael, Folsom, Roseville, Antelope, and the greater Sacramento area. If you are searching for CNA classes near Sacramento, our small-group, RN-led training is close to home for most of the metro.

Certified Nursing Assistant program overview

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program at Nura Care Institute is a focused, entry-level pathway into paid healthcare work. It is built for people who want to start caring for patients quickly, without spending years in school first. You learn the same core skills that hospitals and skilled nursing facilities expect of every nurse assistant, then you practice them until they feel natural.

Because Nura Care Institute is RN-owned and RN-led, your training is shaped by real bedside experience. Lead instructor Tynesha Zacarias is a Registered Nurse, so the theory you learn in the classroom is tied directly to how care actually happens on a busy floor. Class sizes are kept small on purpose, which means you get hands-on coaching and honest feedback rather than a lecture hall.

The program combines classroom theory with supervised clinical hours, the two pieces California requires before you can test for certification. You start with the "why" behind safe patient care, move into a hands-on skills lab where you rehearse each task, and finish with supervised clinical practice in a real care setting. By the end you are prepared to sit for the state competency exam and step into your first CNA role with confidence.

This page walks through exactly what a CNA does, what California requires, what you will practice, and where the certification can take you. If you would rather talk it through with a person, you can start your enrollment or call us any time during business hours.

What a CNA does day to day

A Certified Nursing Assistant provides hands-on, everyday care to patients and residents under the supervision of a licensed nurse. CNAs are the team members who spend the most time at the bedside, which makes them the eyes and ears of the nursing staff. When something changes with a patient, the CNA is often the first to notice and report it.

Your scope of practice as a CNA is defined by California and carried out under nurse supervision. You assist people with the activities of daily living, keep them safe and comfortable, and document what you observe. You do not diagnose, prescribe, or perform tasks reserved for licensed nurses, but the care you give is essential to a patient's recovery, dignity, and quality of life.

Common daily responsibilities

• Taking and recording vital signs such as temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure
• Helping patients with bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, and other personal care
• Safe patient handling: turning, positioning, transferring, and assisting with mobility to prevent falls and pressure injuries
• Supporting nutrition and hydration, including feeding assistance and recording intake and output
• Following infection control practices, including hand hygiene and proper use of personal protective equipment
• Making beds, keeping the care environment clean, and answering call lights promptly
• Observing changes in a patient's condition, mood, or behavior and reporting them to the nurse
• Accurate documentation and clear communication with the care team and with patients and families

Good CNAs pair these technical skills with patience, compassion, and steady attention to detail. The physical work is real, and so is the reward of helping someone through a hard day. If you are comfortable being on your feet and close to patients, this work can be deeply meaningful.

California CNA certification requirements

In California, nurse assistant certification is administered by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Aide and Technician Certification Section. CDPH sets the training standards, approves programs, and maintains the state registry of certified nurse assistants. You can review the official requirements on the CDPH Certified Nurse Assistant page.

The 160 hours of state-approved training

California requires a minimum of 160 hours of state-approved training to become a CNA. That total breaks down into at least 60 hours of classroom theory and at least 100 hours of supervised clinical practice. Our program is structured to meet these requirements by combining in-class instruction with hands-on clinical hours in a real care setting.

The state competency exam

After you finish approved training, you take the state competency exam. The exam has two parts: a written (or oral) knowledge portion and a skills demonstration, where you perform a set of nursing assistant tasks for an evaluator. Passing both parts shows the state that you can perform safely and competently. Our program includes exam preparation so you walk in knowing what to expect.

Live Scan background check

Everyone seeking CNA certification in California must complete a Live Scan fingerprint background check. Live Scan is handled by outside vendors, and the fee is paid separately from your tuition. Because these vendor fees can change, always confirm the current cost before you go. Our admissions team will point you to the paperwork and next steps so nothing slows you down.

The California Nurse Assistant Registry

Once you pass the competency exam and clear the background check, CDPH places you on the California Nurse Assistant Registry. Being on the registry is what makes you a Certified Nursing Assistant and allows you to work legally in California facilities. Employers verify your status through the registry before they hire.

Keeping your certification active

CNA certification is not one and done. In California it renews every 2 years and requires 48 hours of continuing education (in-service), along with paid nurse-assistant work during the renewal period. We make it easy to stay current with our CNA continuing education (in-service) sessions, and you can read more about the process in our guide on how to become a CNA in California.

Hands-on skills lab and supervised clinical experience

Reading about patient care is not the same as doing it. That is why the heart of this program is practice. In our hands-on skills lab you rehearse each nursing assistant skill step by step, with an instructor watching and correcting in real time. You repeat the skills until the sequence is automatic, so that on exam day and on the job your hands already know what to do.

What you practice in the skills lab

• Measuring and recording vital signs accurately
• Handwashing, glove use, and infection control routines
• Safe transfers with gait belts, wheelchairs, and mechanical lifts
• Turning and positioning to protect skin and prevent pressure injuries
• Assisting with bathing, oral care, dressing, and toileting while protecting dignity
• Range-of-motion exercises and mobility support
• Feeding assistance and measuring intake and output

These are the same skills the state evaluates during the competency exam, so every lab session doubles as exam preparation. You will not be surprised by the format because you will have performed each task many times before test day.

Supervised clinical practice

Classroom skills come to life during supervised clinical hours. In a real care setting, under the supervision of licensed staff, you apply what you learned with actual patients or residents. You learn to manage your time, communicate with a care team, and adapt when a real person needs something a textbook did not predict. This bridge from lab to bedside is what gives new CNAs the confidence to start strong on their first job.

Program outcomes and what you can do after certification

The goal of this program is simple: prepare you to pass the state exam and start working as a Certified Nursing Assistant. By the time you finish, you will have completed the classroom theory and supervised clinical hours California requires, practiced every core skill under supervision, and prepared specifically for the competency exam.

Once you are on the California Nurse Assistant Registry, you can apply for CNA positions across many settings. Certification also opens the door to add-on credentials that make you more employable and can raise your pay.

• Work as a CNA in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, home care, and rehabilitation
• Add a Home Health Aide (HHA) credential to work in patients' homes
• Train as a Restorative Nursing Assistant (RNA) to support therapy and rehabilitation programs
• Earn or renew an AHA BLS provider CPR certification, which many employers require
• Use CNA experience as a stepping stone toward LVN and RN programs

Career opportunities and pay for CNAs in California

The demand for nursing assistants is strong and growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare support occupations, which include nursing assistants, are projected to grow about 15 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than any other occupational group. You can review the national outlook on the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for nursing assistants.

Pay is competitive for an entry-level healthcare role, and California sits near the top. Per BLS (May 2024 data), the national median for nursing assistants is about $39,530 per year, roughly $19.84 per hour. California is among the highest-paying states, with a mean of about $44,700 per year, close to $21 per hour. Actual pay varies by employer, shift, experience, and setting.

Where CNAs work

• Hospitals and acute care units
• Skilled nursing facilities and long-term care
• Assisted living and memory care communities
• Home care and hospice
• Rehabilitation centers

Because Nura Care Institute trains students from across the region, graduates find work throughout the greater Sacramento area and beyond. See the communities we serve on our service areas page, and read a local breakdown in our post on CNA salary and job outlook in Sacramento.

The CNA career ladder

For many people, becoming a CNA is the first rung on a longer ladder in healthcare. The certification gives you paid experience, patient contact, and a clear sense of whether nursing is right for you, all while you keep your options open. Here is how the path typically builds.

• CNA: your foundation, giving you registry status and the ability to work in patient care right away.
• Home Health Aide (HHA): an add-on that lets you care for clients in their homes. Explore our Home Health Aide course.
• Restorative Nursing Assistant (RNA): a specialty that supports rehabilitation and helps residents regain function. Learn about the Restorative Nursing Assistant course.
• Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN): a licensed role with a wider scope, often pursued after gaining CNA experience.
• Registered Nurse (RN): the next major step, opening advanced clinical roles and higher pay.

A CNA is a common first step toward LVN and RN careers, and the habits you build now, such as clean documentation, safe patient handling, and strong communication, carry through every step that follows. Many nurses started exactly where you are today.

Who should enroll

This program is a strong fit if you want a practical, relatively fast entry into healthcare and you are ready for hands-on work. You do not need prior medical experience. What matters most is your willingness to learn, your reliability, and your genuine care for people.

You may be a great candidate if you:

• Are changing careers and want a meaningful job that is in demand
• Are exploring nursing and want real patient experience before committing to LVN or RN school
• Enjoy helping people and can stay calm and kind under pressure
• Are comfortable with physical, on-your-feet work and standard patient-care requirements

Enrollment generally requires a background check, a TB test or other health screening, and proof of identity, consistent with California rules for working in patient care. Our admissions team confirms the exact paperwork before your first day, so you are never guessing.

Tuition and what is included

The Certified Nursing Assistant program fee is $1,500. That covers your classroom instruction, the hands-on clinical skills lab, supervised clinical practice hours, and preparation for the state competency exam, all in small groups with direct access to an RN instructor.

Two required costs are paid separately, directly to outside vendors, and are not part of tuition:

• Live Scan fingerprint background check: paid to a Live Scan vendor.
• State competency exam: paid to the state's testing vendor.

Because these vendor fees are set outside the school and can change, we recommend confirming current amounts when you register for each. For a fuller look at what CNA training costs across the state and how to budget for it, see our guide on CNA training cost in California.

How to enroll and what to expect next

Getting started is straightforward. The sooner you begin, the sooner you can be on the registry and working.

1. Reach out. Complete our enrollment form or call (916) 544-1256 to speak with our team.
2. Confirm your requirements. We will review the background check, health screening, and identity documents you need, and answer any questions.
3. Complete your training. Attend classroom theory, practice in the skills lab, and finish your supervised clinical hours.
4. Take the state exam. Sit for the written or oral portion and the skills demonstration, using the preparation built into your program.
5. Join the registry. After you pass and clear Live Scan, CDPH adds you to the California Nurse Assistant Registry, and you can start applying for jobs.

Our Orangevale campus is easy to reach from across the greater Sacramento area, and our team is happy to walk you through every step. When you are ready, enroll now and take the first step toward a career in patient care.

Sources and official references

• California Department of Public HealthThe state agency that certifies nurse assistants in California and administers the CNA registry

Certification requirements are set by the State of California through the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the relevant certifying bodies, and can change. Prices and prerequisites are current as of 2026; please confirm current details with the California Department of Public Health and the American Heart Association before enrolling.