CNA Classes in San Jose, California

Updated January 2, 2025

CNAs are in great demand in California, and you can become one in a few short weeks. With just 160 hours of training in San Jose, you can get certified and turn your life around for the better. The California Department of Public Health governs training and certification and requires all prospective nurse aides to obtain certification and placement on the registry before providing services at licensed nursing homes and long term care facilities. Apart from completing the training requirements, you’ll need to have a clean criminal record, pass a physical exam, and pass the state’s certification exam comprising of a written and skills test. Check out the list of state-accredited nurse aide training providers below and contact them to learn about specific requirements for entry.

Evergreen Valley College

The Nurse Assistant/Home Health Aide class offered by Evergreen Valley College is approved by the California Department of Public Health. The training seeks to help students in the development of nursing assistant and home health aide skills and concepts that they will practice under the supervision of a registered nurse. Theoretical sessions in the classroom will focus on vital signs, freed techniques, personal hygiene, safety, bed making, effective communication, and cultural awareness sensitivity. Some of the sessions will be delivered online. A clinical aspect of the program will emphasize the application of the skills learned in a nursing facility in San Jose. The curriculum comprises of 60 hours of lecture and 100 hours of clinical practice to meet the nurse aide requirements. An additional 20 hours of lecture and 20 hours of clinical will be conducted to fulfill the home health aide requirements. Students who achieve a 70 percent or better grade will graduate from the program and be eligible to take the state nurse aide exam.

Admission criteria:

  • A high school diploma or GED
  • Social security number or Tax ID number
  • Must be able to pass a background check
  • Have current Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers
  • Obtain health clearance including a physical exam and TB skin test
  • Background clearance is conducted in-house after admission to the program
  • Must be able to communicate clearly in English

Tuition and fees for $891 for resident students and $1743 for non-resident students. The cost includes textbooks, uniforms, state exam fees, TB skin test, physical exam, registration fee, and miscellaneous supplies.

  • Website: https://www.evc.edu/
  • Address: 3095 Yerba Buena Road, San Jose, CA 95135
  • Phone: (408) 274-7900

Almaden Health & Rehab Center

SisuCare and Almaden Health & Rehab Center offer a CNA program to prepare adults for a career as a nursing assistant. The curriculum covers 72.5 hours of online theory self-paced or 60 hours of instructor lead classroom sessions and 103 hours of clinical training. The online class is designed to provide hands-on training in a professional environment to prepare students for work in the fast-paced healthcare sector. Hands-on clinical will be conducted at healthcare facilities within the San Jose area. Graduates will be eligible to sit the state exam to become a certified nursing assistant.

Admission criteria:

  • Must be 16 years of age or older
  • Must pass an admissions test
  • Must pass a criminal background check and drug
  • Must submit a completed application online
  • Must have a computer and internet access to complete the online classes
  • Must provide proof of age and social security card
  • Must pass a health screen

A flexible payment plan is available for all students.

  • Website: https://sisucare.com/
  • Address: 2065 Los Gatos Almaden Rd, San Jose, CA 95124
  • Phone: (213) 537-8360

CAL ACE Nursing Academy

CAL ACE Nursing Academy provides a 100 percent online theory nurse aide class.  The program includes classroom theory and hands-on training to prepare students for entry-level employment as a nurse aide. The curriculum will cover 164 hours of theory and practical instruction. Course topics include introduction to CNA, patient/resident rights, vital signs, nutrition, emergency procedures, communication, body mechanics, weights and measures, patient care skills, care procedures, resident abuse, basic leadership, death and dying, and much more. Students will learn from expert instructors who are committed to their success. The online option includes 100 percent delivery of the theoretical content online. Students will attend the clinical rotations in person at a long-term care facility. Graduates will be prepared for success on the state nurse aide exam delivered by Credentia. Classes meet Monday to Friday for 7 weeks.

Admission criteria:

  • Must be at least 16 years old
  • Must be based in California
  • Must provide a valid Tax ID or Social Security Number
  • Must have a valid photo ID – driver’s license or passport
  • Must have current COVID-19 immunization
  • Must complete a satisfactory physical exam including a TB test

Tuition for the program is $1,748. The registration fee is $200.

  • Website: https://cna.school/
  • Address: 1535 Landess Ave Main Campus, Unit 103 Milpitas, CA 95035
  • Phone: (408) 256-0763

Aprende Health Careers Institute

Aprende Health Careers Institute offers flexible programs designed to help students prepare for a career as a nurse aide quickly and efficiently. The program is approved by the state and includes theory and practical instruction to prepare students for success in healthcare. Course topics include nutrition, vital signs, resident rights and independence, infection control, emergency procedures, body mechanics, personal care, body mechanics, and death and dying. Graduates will receive a certificate of completion and will have the confidence to succeed on the state nurse aide exam. The school offers three training options – a five-week morning program, a 7-week evening program, and an 11-week weekend program.

Admission criteria:

  • Must be at least 16 years old
  • Must provide immunization cards
  • Must pass a criminal background check
  • Must have a valid photo ID and social security card

Tuition for the program is $1,600. A flexible payment plan is available for all students.

Golden Heart School of Nursing

Golden Heart School of Nursing provides a nursing assistant program designed to train, refine, and guide compassionate nurse assistants. The curriculum covers 160 hours of on-campus classroom, hands-on skills, and clinical instruction. Students will complete 60 hours of theory and 100 hours of clinical rotations. Course topics include personal care, communication and interpersonal relationship, weights and measures, infection control, vital signs, body mechanics, nutrition and feeding, positioning and turning, basic nursing care, emergency procedures, death and dying, and much more. Graduates will be eligible to apply to sit for the nurse aide exam administered by Credentia. The duration of the program is 21 days for daytime students, 40 days for evening classes, and 21 days for the weekend class.

Admission criteria:

  • Must complete a CDPH form
  • Must have current COVID-19 vaccination
  • Must have a valid California driver’s license or state ID
  • Must provide a copy of social security card
  • Must obtain a negative TB test or skin test
  • Must complete the Live Scan form

The program cost of $1,900 includes the student ID and two free uniforms.

Mission College

Mission College offers an accredited Certified Nursing Assistant program that prepares adults to fill the high demand for healthcare professionals. The program includes 160 hours of theory and practical instruction according to state requirements for nurse aide training. Course topics include vital signs, basic nursing skills, infection control, feeding and nutrition, patient transfers, communication skills, patients’ rights and independence, and Alzheimer’s care. Students must complete the class with a minimum grade of 75 percent to graduate.

Admission criteria:

  • Must complete a physical exam
  • Must have current immunizations – MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, COVID
  • Must pass a criminal background check and drug screen
  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Must provide a valid ID and social security card
  • Must apply to Mission College to obtain a student ID number

The program cost of $720 includes tuition, textbook, workbook, uniform, and state exam.

Bay Area CNA School

The state-approved nurse aide program at Bay Area CNA School prepares students for a career in healthcare. The program covers 160 hours of theory and hands-on instruction. Course modules include introduction to nurse assisting, communication and interpersonal skills, body mechanics, medical and surgical asepsis, patient care skills, vital signs, patient care procedures, emergency procedures, long-term care patient, death and dying, observation and charting, nutrition, and rehabilitative nursing. Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible to apply to take the nurse aide exam to become a certified nursing assistant. Day, evening, and weekend schedules are available. The day class runs Monday through Friday for four weeks. The evening program runs Monday through Friday from 4 PM to 10 PM for 7 weeks. The weekend-only program runs on Saturdays and Sundays from 7 AM to 3 PM for 10 weeks.

Admission criteria:

  • Must be at least 16 years old
  • Must have a valid government-issued photo ID – driver’s license, state ID, or passport
  • Must obtain TB clearance – test report showing negative TB test
  • Covid vaccination is optional. Students without vaccination will be required to do weekly COVID testing
  • Must complete ‘California Live Scan’ (Criminal Background Screening)
  • Pay the initial $400 deposit to reserve a spot

The program cost of $1800 includes tuition, books, scrubs, and supplies. Students must cover the cost for the Live Scan Fee and the state examination fee. An installment plan is available for all students.

  • Website: https://bayareacna.com/
  • Address: 7567 Amador Valley Blvd, STE 108, Dublin, CA 94568
  • Phone: (925) 744-5006

Nurse Builders Academy

The nursing assistant program at Nurse Builders Academy includes theory and practical instruction to prepares students for state certification. Areas of study include the Role and Responsibilities of Nursing Assistant, Patient Care Skills, Observation and Charting, Patient Care Procedures, Body Mechanics, Communication and Interpersonal Skills, Death and Dying, Residents Rights, Patient Care Procedures, Nutrition, Patient Care Procedures, Vital Signs, Emergency Procedures, and Rehabilitative Nursing.

Admission criteria:

  • Be 16 years or older
  • Submit a completed application for admission
  • Pass the entrance exam with a score of 70% or better
  • Demonstrate English and Math skills at the 5th-grade level or higher
  • Sign the Enrollment and Financial Agreement
  • Have a valid state ID and social security card
  • Pass a TB screen performed by a licensed physician
  • Complete a satisfactory live scan/fingerprinting criminal background screening

A flexible payment plan is available for all students.

CNA Classes in San Jose, CA FAQs

How Long Does It Take to Become A CNA in San Jose?

The California Department of Public Health requires 160 hours of nurse aide training to prepare for the role of a CNA. State-approved programs cover the requirements in 4 to 7 weeks of full-time attendance. Part-time and weekend classes may be completed in 10 to 14 weeks. Bay Area CNA School offers the shortest program in San Jose with a completion time of 4.5 weeks.

How Do I Become A CNA in San Jose?

Approval from the California Department of Public Health and a listing on the Nurse Aide Registry are required to practice as a nurse aide in California. Credentia is responsible for administering the nurse aide exam in the state.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. However, some schools will admit persons 16 years or older with parental consent. A clean criminal background and good physical health are some other requirements for certification as a nurse aide.

If you meet the basic requirements, you must apply for admission to an approved nurse aide class and complete the requirements for graduation to take the nurse aide exam. Credentia has the responsibility for administering the nurse aide exam and management of the nurse aide requirement. The nurse aide exam includes a theory and skills component to assess candidates’ ability to function as competent nurse aides.

More details on the CNA Exam in California.

What are the Requirements to Work as a CNA in San Jose, CA?

You must be certified by the California Department of Public Health to work as a nurse aide in Medicaid-supported nursing facilities in San Jose. After completing a state-approved program and the nurse aide competency evaluation, you will be added to the nurse aide registry.

The following is a basic outline of the CDPH requirements:

  • Be at least sixteen (16) years of age.
  • Have successfully completed a nurse aide training program approved by the Department – it must include an exam to test the applicant’s knowledge of basic nursing care
  • Obtain a criminal record clearance
  • Submit a completed initial application after enrolling in the training program
  • Submit a completed copy of the Request for Live Scan Service
  • Pass the Competency Evaluation Examination – allow at least 30 days for the Department to receive the results from Credentia

Online CNA Classes in San Jose, CA

The CDPH maintains a listing of training providers who are approved to offer the theoretical portion of the nurse aide training online. CAL ACE Nursing Academy and Evergreen Valley College are just two of many providers approved to deliver the nurse aide training online. Students must complete the clinical portion of the program in-person to apply the skills under the supervision of the nurse instructor.

Free CNA Classes in San Jose, CA

While there are no free CNA training in San Jose, CA, schools such as Almaden Health & Rehab Center offer tuition waivers to eligible students. You might also consider the training offered by rehab facilities for free or low-cost classes.

How Much Does a CNA Make in San Jose?

CNAs in San Jose earn a starting salary of $36,900 annually. The majority of the established workforce earns $$37,350 annually. CNAs working in private facilities and those years of accumulated experience can earn up to $40,074 annually.

 

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