{"application_form_url":null,"application_portal_url":null,"board_contact_url":null,"board_email":"cna@cdph.ca.gov","board_fax":null,"board_mailing_address":null,"board_name":"California Dept of Public Health","board_parent_org":null,"board_phone":"(916) 327-2445","board_physical_address":null,"board_source_url":null,"board_url":null,"canonical_url":null,"ce_requirements_url":null,"common_delays":[{"description":"Out-of-state prints can add 2-4 weeks to your timeline.","title":"Fingerprinting delays"},{"description":"Have all your documents ready before starting the application to avoid processing delays.","title":"Missing or incomplete documents"},{"description":"Double-check that your name matches across all documents exactly. Mismatches are a common reason for delays.","title":"Application errors"}],"compact_member":null,"compact_name":null,"compact_privilege_fee":null,"created_at":"2026-04-11T20:10:33.711308+00:00","credential_type":null,"description":null,"endorsement_application_url":null,"endorsement_fees":null,"endorsement_steps":[{"description":"Apply through the California Dept of Public Health.","title":"Submit Your Application","url":null},{"description":"California requires official verification of your active out-of-state license. This must be sent directly to the board from your current state board or its official online verification system before your file can be considered complete.","title":"Provide License Verification","url":null},{"description":"Certificate of completion from your approved CNA training program.","title":"Provide Proof of Training","url":null},{"description":"Official verification of passing your state's nurse aide competency evaluation.","title":"Submit Your State Competency Exam Results","url":null},{"description":"California requires a criminal background check for all applicants. Out-of-state applicants can use IdentoGO Out-of-State Live Scan OR FD-258 hard card via mail. Completing prints outside California can add 2-4 weeks to your processing time.","title":"Complete Fingerprinting and Background Screening","url":null},{"description":"Plan for a processing timeline of about 4 to 6 Weeks once your file is complete. If you need to start working immediately, most states do not offer temporary practice authorization for CNAs during the endorsement process. Contact the state nurse aide registry directly for current policies on practice authorization while your application is pending.","title":"Await Board Processing","url":null}],"exam_registration_url":null,"faqs":[{"answer":"California requires more training than the federal minimum: a total of 150 hours, consisting of 50 hours of theory and 100 hours of clinical training.","question":"How many hours of training do I need to be a CNA in California?"},{"answer":"There is no application fee for CNA endorsement in California. However, background check fees may apply.","question":"How much does California CNA endorsement cost?"},{"answer":"Yes, a fingerprint-based background check is required in California.","question":"Is a background check required?"},{"answer":"Most endorsement applications take 2 to 4 Weeks.","question":"How long does it take to transfer my CNA certification to California?"},{"answer":"Check with the state board about temporary practice permits while your endorsement is being processed.","question":"Can I start working in California while waiting?"}],"fee_payment_url":null,"fingerprint_delay_weeks":null,"fingerprint_fee":null,"fingerprint_method_in_state":null,"fingerprint_method_out_of_state":null,"fingerprint_required":true,"fingerprint_url":null,"fingerprint_vendor":null,"fingerprint_vendor_url":null,"initial_fee_amount":0.0,"initial_fee_breakdown":null,"last_updated":null,"last_verified":null,"license_duration":null,"licensing_pathway":null,"payload_url":null,"processing_time":"4 to 6 Weeks","profession":"Certified Nursing Assistant","provisional_info":null,"reciprocity_info":null,"renewal_cycle":"Every 2 years","renewal_fee_amount":null,"renewal_portal_url":null,"required_documents":[{"description":"Certificate of completion from your approved CNA training program.","name":"Proof of Training","url":null},{"description":"Official verification of passing your state's nurse aide competency evaluation.","name":"State Competency Exam Results","url":null},{"description":"through IdentoGO (IDEMIA)","name":"Fingerprint background check","url":null},{"description":"$0","name":"Application fee","url":null}],"slug":"california-cna","state_name":"California","state_slug":"california","statutes_url":null,"steps":[{"description":"Complete a minimum of 160 hours of training in a program approved by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), including at least 60 hours of classroom instruction and 100 hours of supervised clinical training.","title":"Complete an Approved CNA Training Program","url":null},{"description":"Register for a new user account on the BreEZe Online Services portal at breeze.ca.gov, if you do not already have one.","title":"Create a BreEZe Account","url":null},{"description":"Log in to your BreEZe account and select the appropriate application for 'Certified Nursing Assistant Certification by Examination'. Complete all required sections and upload necessary documents, such as proof of training completion and the 'Request for Live Scan Service' form (CDPH 283B).","title":"Submit Your Application Online","url":null},{"description":"Submit your fingerprints electronically via Live Scan for a criminal background check. You must use the 'Request for Live Scan Service' form (CDPH 283B) provided by your training program or available from the CDPH website.","title":"Complete Live Scan Fingerprinting","url":null},{"description":"Once your application is reviewed and approved, you will be notified of your eligibility to take the competency evaluation examination. Schedule and pass both the written (or oral) and skills portions of the exam through an approved vendor like Pearson VUE.","title":"Pass the Competency Evaluation Examination","url":null},{"description":"Upon successful completion of all requirements and passing the competency evaluation examination, the CDPH will issue your CNA certificate. You can view and print your certificate directly from your BreEZe account.","title":"Receive Your CNA Certificate","url":null}],"temp_license_available":false,"temp_license_duration":null,"temp_license_fee":null,"temp_license_processing_time":null,"updated_at":"2026-04-11T20:10:33.711308+00:00","verify_license_url":null}