Free CNA Classes in California
The most reliable way to get CNA training for free in California is to be hired by a nursing home first. Federal law says a nursing home cannot charge a nurse aide it employs, or has offered a job, for any part of the training. 87 of the 592 state-approved programs on the official California list are run by nursing homes; they are grouped by county below.
Updated October 2026 · Sources: California Department of Public Health, September 2026; 42 CFR 483.152 and 483.154, BLS May 2025
- Nursing-home programs
- 8732 counties
- All approved programs
- 592official list, September 2026
- Training required
- 160 hr100 clinical
- California median pay
- $47,630$22.90/hr · BLS May 2025
How free CNA training works
- Get hired before the class starts. Under 42 CFR 483.152(c)(1), a nurse aide who is employed by a nursing home, or has a job offer from one, on the date training begins cannot be charged for any portion of it, including textbooks and other required materials. The same goes for the state competency exam (42 CFR 483.154(c)(2)). Nursing homes often post these openings as "nurse aide trainee" or "CNA in training" jobs.
- Or get reimbursed later. If you pay for a state-approved program yourself and a nursing home employs you, or offers you a job, within 12 months of finishing, the state must reimburse your costs on a pro-rata basis while you work as a nurse aide (42 CFR 483.152(c)(2)). Keep every receipt.
- Ask the local workforce board. Your American Job Center can tell you whether federal workforce (WIOA) funds will pay for CNA training if you qualify.
The rule covers nursing homes certified by Medicare or Medicaid. It does not promise that every program below takes outside students: a facility-run program usually trains the people that facility hires. Call the nursing home and ask about trainee openings.
87 nursing-home CNA programs in California
Source: California Department of Public Health, Approved Nurse Assistant Training Programs (community and facility-based), list dated September 2026. These are the programs the state lists as run by a nursing home (long-term care facility). For colleges, high schools and private schools, see all 592 approved CNA programs in California.
Los Angeles County 7 programs
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Los Angeles area.
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Brier Oak on Sunset
5154 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90027 · (323) 663-3951 -
New Vista Post-Acute Care Center
1516 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90025 · (310) 477-5501 -
Monrovia Gardens Healthcare Center
615 West Duarte Road, Monrovia CA 91016 · (626) 358-4547 -
Montrose Springs Skilled Nursing & Wellness Center
2635 Honolulu Ave., Montrose CA 91020 · (818) 248-6856 -
Norwalk Skilled Nursing & Wellness Centre
11510 E. Imperial Hwy., Norwalk CA 90650 · (562) 868-6791 -
Pasadena Park Healthcare and Wellness Center
2585 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena CA 91107 · (626) 463-4105 -
Motion Picture & Television Hospital D/P SNF
23388 Mulholland Drive, Woodland Hills CA 91364 · (818) 876-1888
San Diego County 7 programs
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the San Diego area.
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Bradley Court
675 East Bradley Avenue, El Cajon CA 92021 · (619) 448-6633 -
Fallbrook Skilled Nursing
325 Potter St., Fallbrook CA 92028 · (760) 728-2330 -
Country Manor La Mesa Healthcare Center
5696 Lake Murray Blvd, La Mesa CA 91942 · (619) 460-7871 -
La Mesa Healthcare Center
3780 Massachusetts Ave, La Mesa CA 91941 · (619) 465-1313 -
Lakeside Special Care Center
11962 Woodside Ave, Lakeside CA 92040 · (619) 561-1222 -
The Shores Post-Acute
2828 Meadowlark Drive, San Diego CA 92123 · (858) 277-6460 -
University Care Center
5602 University Ave., San Diego CA 92105 · (619) 583-1993
San Luis Obispo County 6 programs
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the San Luis Obispo area.
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Arroyo Grande Care Center
1212 Farroll Ave., Arroyo Grande CA 93420 · (805) 489-8137 -
Danish Care Center
10805 El Camino Real, Atascadero CA 93422 · (805) 466-9254 -
Bayside Care Center
1405 Teresa Dr., Morro Bay CA 93442 · (805) 772-2237 -
Mission View Health Center
1425 Woodside Drive, San Luis Obispo CA 93401 · (805) 543-0210 -
San Luis Post Acute Center
3033 Augusta St., San Luis Obispo CA 93401 · (805) 544-5100 -
Vineyard Hills Health Center
290 Heather Ct., Templeton CA 93465 · (805) 434-3035
Santa Clara County 5 programs
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the San Jose area.
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Los Altos Post-Acute
809 Fremont Ave., Los Altos CA 94024 · (650) 941-5255 -
Empress Care Center, LLC
1299 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose CA 95128 · (408) 287-0616 -
Plum Tree Care Center
2580 Samaritan Dr., San Jose CA 95124 · (408) 356-8181 -
Cedar Crest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
797 East Fremont Avenue, Sunnyvale CA 94087 · (408) 738-4880 -
Idylwood Care Center
1002 West Fremont Avenue, Sunnyvale CA 94087 · (408) 739-2383
Alameda County 4 programs
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the San Francisco area.
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Marina Garden Nursing Center
3201 Fernside Blvd., Alameda CA 94501 · (510) 523-2363 -
Crestwood Manor - Fremont
4303 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont CA 94538 · (510) 651-1244 -
Bellaken Skilled Nursing Center
2780 26Th Ave., Oakland CA 94601 · (510) 536-1838 -
Bancroft Healthcare Center
1475 Bancroft Ave., San Leandro CA 94577 · (510) 483-1680
Butte County 4 programs
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Chico area.
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Autumn Creek Post Acute
587 Rio Lindo Ave., Chico CA 95926 · (530) 345-1306 -
California Park Rehabilitation Hospital
2850 Sierra Sunrise Terrace, Chico CA 95928 · (530) 894-1010 -
Chico Terrace Care Center
188 Cohasset Ln., Chico CA 95926 · (530) 343-6084 -
Oroville Hospital Post Acute Center
1000 Executive Parkway, Oroville CA 95966 · (530) 533-7335
Orange County 4 programs
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Los Angeles area.
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Greenfield Care Center of Fullerton
330 West Bastanchury Road, Fullerton CA 92835 · (714) 879-4511 -
Laguna Hills Health and Rehabilitation Center
24452 Health Center Drive, Laguna Hills CA 92653 · (949) 837-8000 -
Plaza Healthcare Center
1209 West Hemlock Way, Santa Ana CA 92707 · (714) 546-1966 -
Seal Beach Health and Rehabilitation Center
3000 North Gate Road, Seal Beach CA 90740 · (562) 598-2477
San Bernardino County 4 programs
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Riverside area.
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Bear Valley Community Hospital Dp/SNF
41870 Garstin Dr.\Po Box 1649, Big Bear Lake CA 92315 · (909) 866-6501 -
Heritage Gardens Health Care Center
25271 Barton Road, Loma Linda CA 92354 · (909) 796-0216 -
Montclair Manor Care Center
5119 Bandera St., Montclair CA 91763 · (909) 626-1294 -
Waterman Canyon Post Acute
1850 North Waterman Avenue, San Bernardino CA 92404 · (909) 882-1215
Santa Barbara County 4 programs
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Santa Maria area.
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Lompoc Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
1428 West North Avenue, Lompoc CA 93436 · (805) 735-4010 -
Lompoc Valley Medical Center Comprehensive Care Center D/P SNF
216 North Third Street, Lompoc CA 93436 · (805) 736-3466 -
Buena Vista Care Center
160 S. Patterson Ave, Santa Barbara CA 93111 · (805) 964-4871 -
Samarkand Skilled Nursing Facility
2566 Treasure Drive, Santa Barbara CA 93105 · (805) 687-0701
Shasta County 4 programs
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Redding area.
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Oak River Rehab
3300 Franklin Street, Anderson CA 96007 · (530) 365-0025 -
Copper Ridge Care Center
201 Hartnell Avenue, Redding CA 96002 · (530) 222-2273 -
Crestwood Wellness & Recovery Center
3062 Churn Creek Road, Redding CA 96002 · (530) 221-0976 -
Marquis Care At Shasta
3550 Churn Creek Rd., Redding CA 96002 · (530) 222-3630
Contra Costa County 3 programs
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the San Francisco area.
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Diablo Valley Post Acute
3806 Clayton Road, Concord CA 94521 · (925) 689-2266 -
Rossmoor Post Acute
1226 Rossmoor Pkwy., Walnut Creek CA 94595 · (925) 975-5000 -
Tice Valley Post Acute
1975 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek CA 94595 · (925) 906-0200
Kern County 3 programs
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Bakersfield area.
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Delano District Skilled Nursing Facility
1509 Tokay St, Delano CA 93215 · (661) 720-2100 -
Kern Valley Healthcare District D/P SNF
6412 Laurel Ave, Lake Isabella CA 93240 · (760) 379-2681 -
Bella Sera
1131 North China Lake Blvd, Ridgecrest CA 93555 · (760) 466-3591
Mendocino County 3 programs
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Redwood Cove Healthcare Center
1162 South Dora Avenue, Ukiah CA 95482 · (707) 462-1436 -
Ukiah Post Acute
1349 S. Dora St., Ukiah CA 95482 · (707) 462-8864 -
Northbrook Healthcare Center
64 Northbrook Way, Willits CA 95490 · (707) 459-5592
Nevada County 3 programs
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Crystal Ridge Care Center
396 Dorsey Dr., Grass Valley CA 95945 · (530) 272-2273 -
Golden Empire Nursing & Rehab Center
121 Dorsey Dr., Grass Valley CA 95945 · (530) 273-1316 -
Spring Hill Manor Convalescent Hospital
355 Joerschke Dr, Grass Valley CA 95945 · (530) 273-7247
San Joaquin County 3 programs
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Stockton area.
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Fulton Gardens Post Acute, LLC
537 East Fulton Street, Stockton CA 95204 · (209) 466-2066 -
Good Samaritan Rehabilitation and Care Center
1630 North Edison Street, Stockton CA 95204 · (209) 948-8762 -
Meadowood A Health and Rehabilitation Center
3110 Wagner Heights Road, Stockton CA 95209 · (209) 956-3444
Stanislaus County 3 programs
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Modesto area.
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Crestwood Manor
1400 Celeste Drive, Modesto CA 95355 · (209) 526-8050 -
English Oaks Convalescent & Rehabilitation Hospital
2633 West Rumble Rd., Modesto CA 95350 · (209) 577-1001 -
Modesto Post Acute Center
159 E. Orangeburg Ave., Modesto CA 95350 · (209) 526-2811
El Dorado County 2 programs
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Sacramento area.
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The Pines At Placerville Healthcare Center
1040 Marshall Way, Placerville CA 95667 · (530) 622-3400 -
Western Slope Health Center
3280 Washington Street, Placerville CA 95667 · (530) 622-6842
Inyo County 2 programs
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Bishop Care Center
151 Pioneer Lane, Bishop CA 93514 · (760) 872-1000 -
Southern Inyo Hospital
501 East Locust Street, Lone Pine CA 93545 · (760) 876-5501
Modoc County 2 programs
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Modoc Medical Center/Last Frontier HC District DP/SNF Warnerview
225 West Mcdowell Avenue, Alturas CA 96101 · (530) 233-5131 -
Surprise Valley Community Hospital D/P SNF
741 North Main Street, Cedarville CA 96104 · (530) 279-6111
Ventura County 2 programs
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Oxnard area.
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Greenfield Care Center of Fillmore
118 B Street, Fillmore CA 93015 · (805) 524-0083 -
Ventura Post Acute LLC
4020 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura CA 93003 · (805) 642-4196
Amador County 1 program
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Kit Carson Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
811 Court St., Jackson CA 95642 · (209) 223-2231
Colusa County 1 program
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Almond View Care Center
1224 E Street, Williams CA 95987 · (530) 473-5321
Fresno County 1 program
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Fresno area.
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North Point Healthcare & Wellness Centre Lp
668 E. Bullard Ave., Fresno CA 93710 · (559) 320-2200
Lake County 1 program
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Meadowood Nursing Center
3805 Dexter Lane, Clearlake CA 95422 · (707) 994-7738
Lassen County 1 program
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Lassen Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
2005 River Street, Susanville CA 96130 · (530) 257-5341
Merced County 1 program
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Merced area.
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Anberry Transitional Care
1000 W Yosemite Avenue, Merced CA 95341 · (209) 783-9200
Napa County 1 program
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Department of State Hospitals - Napa
2100 Napa Vallejo Highway, Napa CA 94558 · (707) 253-5383
Plumas County 1 program
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Seneca Healthcare District D/P SNF
130 Brentwood Drive, Chester CA 96020 · (530) 258-2158
San Mateo County 1 program
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the San Francisco area.
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Golden Heights Healthcare
35 Escuela Dr, Daly City CA 94015 · (650) 755-9515
Sutter County 1 program
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Yuba City area.
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River Valley Care Center
9000 Larkin Road, Live Oak CA 95953 · (530) 695-8020
Trinity County 1 program
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Trinity Hospital Skilled Nursing Facility
60 Easter Avenue, Weaverville CA 96093 · (530) 623-5541
Tuolumne County 1 program
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Golden Sonora Care Center
19929 Greenley Road, Sonora CA 95370 · (209) 533-2500
Free CNA classes in other states
- Free CNA classes in New York156
- Free CNA classes in Pennsylvania106
- Free CNA classes in Georgia58
- Free CNA classes in New Jersey45
- Free CNA classes in Virginia31
- Free CNA classes in Washington19
Free CNA training in California: FAQ
Are there free CNA classes in California?
Yes, if a nursing home hires you. Federal rules (42 CFR 483.152(c)) say a nursing home cannot charge a nurse aide it employs, or has offered a job, on the day training starts: not for the course, textbooks or required materials, and (under 42 CFR 483.154) not for the competency exam. 87 of the 592 programs on the official California list (California Department of Public Health, September 2026) are run by nursing homes; apply for a nurse aide trainee job at one of them, or at any Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing home that sends new hires to training.
I already paid for CNA classes in California. Can I get the money back?
Possibly. If a nursing home employs you, or offers you a job, within 12 months after you finish a state-approved program, the same federal rule requires the state to reimburse your training costs on a pro-rata basis while you work there as a nurse aide. Keep your receipts and ask the hiring facility or the California nurse aide program how the reimbursement is paid out.
Does free CNA training mean I have to work at the nursing home?
The federal rule does not set a minimum period you must stay. A facility may still ask you to sign its own agreement, so read any contract before training starts and ask what happens if you leave early.
Do hospitals and home health agencies have to train CNAs for free?
No. The no-charge rule in 42 CFR 483.152(c) covers nursing homes certified by Medicare or Medicaid. Hospitals, home health agencies and assisted living employers may still pay for training, but federal law does not require it.
How long is CNA training in California?
California requires 160 hours, 100 of them clinical (22 CCR 71835). Nursing-home programs must meet the same hours as any other approved program, and you take the same D&SDT-Headmaster, Credentia, or the Regional Testing Center exam.