CNA Classes in Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, CA has 4 state-approved CNA training programs in our directory. Published tuition ranges from Free to $1,900, averaging about $1,850. 1 program offers no-cost training. Every program below meets California's 160 hours training requirement and prepares you for the D&SDT-Headmaster or Credentia (CDPH-approved testing vendors) competency exam. California requires 160 hours of training — more than double the federal minimum of 75 — and mandates Live Scan fingerprinting through the DOJ and FBI before certification is issued
Last updated June 2026 · 4 programs listed
Programs in Los Angeles
4
Tuition Range
Free to $1,900
State Required Hours
160 hours
Exam Vendor
D&SDT-Headmaster or Credentia (CDPH-approved testing vendors)
Compare CNA Programs in Los Angeles
All 4 programs side by side. Tuition and duration are as published by each school; call to confirm current cohort dates.
| Program | Tuition | Duration | Phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Red Cross - Los Angeles Region Nurse Assistant Training (NAT) 11355 Ohio Ave | $1,800 | 4-6 weeks | (310) 445-9900 | Details → |
| Los Angeles City College Certified Nurse Assistant Program 855 North Vermont Avenue | Varies | 1 semester | (323) 953-4000 | Details → |
| H&R Healthcare School CNA Training Program 6060 West Manchester Avenue, Suite 320 | $1,900 | 4-6 weeks | (424) 227-9110 | Details → |
| Los Angeles Technology Center Certified Nursing Assistant Program 3721 West Washington Boulevard | Free | 170 hours | (323) 373-2300 | Details → |
- American Red Cross - Los Angeles Region
Nurse Assistant Training (NAT) · 11355 Ohio Ave
- Tuition
- $1,800
- Duration
- 4-6 weeks
- Los Angeles City College
Certified Nurse Assistant Program · 855 North Vermont Avenue
- Tuition
- Varies
- Duration
- 1 semester
- H&R Healthcare School
CNA Training Program · 6060 West Manchester Avenue, Suite 320
- Tuition
- $1,900
- Duration
- 4-6 weeks
- Los Angeles Technology Center
Certified Nursing Assistant Program · 3721 West Washington Boulevard
- Tuition
- Free
- Duration
- 170 hours
How Much Does CNA Training Cost in Los Angeles?
Tuition at Los Angeles programs runs Free to $1,900 (about $1,850 on average). Beyond tuition, plan for the state exam fee (Varies by vendor; typically around $135–$155 for both portions), the application/registry fee ($0 for the standard CNA initial application (Form CDPH 283B); Live Scan fees roughly $50–$75 plus DOJ/FBI processing), a background check, and uniforms or supplies. All in, total CNA training cost in California typically falls around $0 (employer-sponsored or ROP) to ~$2,000 (private training). Note that 1 Los Angeles program offers free training — see the highlighted options above.
How to Become a CNA in Los Angeles, CA
- 1
Confirm you meet basic prerequisites
You must be at least 16, able to read and write English, and able to pass a Live Scan background check. There is no formal high school diploma requirement from CDPH, though some Regional Occupational Programs (ROPs) and community colleges require enrolled students to be in or have completed high school.
- 2
Find a CDPH-approved Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP)
Look for a NATP listed by the California Department of Public Health. Approved programs are run by community colleges, ROPs, adult schools, nursing facilities, and the American Red Cross. The program must include the full 160 hours (60 theory + 100 clinical).
- 3
Complete Live Scan fingerprinting
Submit a Request for Live Scan Service (Form BCIA 8016) before or during training. CDPH must have a DOJ and FBI clearance on file before issuing your certificate. Live Scan vendor fees typically run $50–$75 plus processing charges.
- 4
Complete the full 160-hour training program
Pass all classroom modules and demonstrate the required clinical competencies. Clinical hours must be supervised in a licensed healthcare facility — usually a skilled nursing facility — and cover personal care, vital signs, infection control, communication, and resident rights.
- 5
Submit Form CDPH 283B and schedule your competency exam
Your training program submits the CDPH 283B Initial Application packet and places you in the testing database. CDPH then assigns you to one of two approved vendors (D&SDT-Headmaster or Credentia) for the competency exam. You will receive an Authorization to Test when scheduling opens.
- 6
Pass the written and skills evaluation
The written exam is multiple-choice (or oral by request). The skills exam asks you to perform 5 randomly assigned nurse aide skills in front of a vendor evaluator. You must pass both portions to be added to the California Nurse Aide Registry.
- 7
Get listed on the California Nurse Aide Registry
After you pass both exam portions and Live Scan clears, CDPH issues your certificate and adds you to the registry. You can verify your status at cvl.cdph.ca.gov. From that point you are authorized to work as a CNA in California facilities.
Becoming a CNA in California
If you are planning to become a CNA in California, expect a longer runway than in most states. The 160-hour training requirement means full-time programs typically run 6 to 10 weeks before you can even sit for the competency exam — and you should add another 2 to 4 weeks for Live Scan fingerprinting and exam scheduling. The good news is that many California Regional Occupational Programs (ROPs), adult schools, and community colleges offer the full 160 hours for free or at very low cost to California residents under the California Promise Grant, so the financial investment is often modest even when the time commitment is not.
Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Los Angeles
How many CNA training programs are available in Los Angeles, CA?
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Our directory lists 4 state-approved Certified Nurse Aide training programs in Los Angeles, CA. All programs must meet California's minimum of 160 hours and prepare graduates to sit for the D&SDT-Headmaster or Credentia (CDPH-approved testing vendors) competency exam.
How much does CNA training cost in Los Angeles?
+
Published tuition for CNA programs in Los Angeles ranges from Free to $1,900. Los Angeles Technology Center lists the lowest tuition at Free. 1 program in Los Angeles offers no-cost training (employer-paid, federally funded, or scholarship-based). Total out-of-pocket cost also includes the state exam fee (Varies by vendor; typically around $135–$155 for both portions), background check, and uniforms.
What is the fastest CNA program in Los Angeles?
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American Red Cross - Los Angeles Region offers the shortest published program in Los Angeles at 4-6 weeks. California requires 160 hours of state-approved training, so any accelerated program must compress the required hours into a shorter calendar window through full-time scheduling. Call (310) 445-9900 for current cohort start dates.
How do I become a CNA in Los Angeles, CA?
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To work as a CNA in Los Angeles, you must meet a California-approved training program of at least 160 hours, pass the D&SDT-Headmaster or Credentia (CDPH-approved testing vendors) competency exam (Two-part exam: written (or oral) knowledge test plus a hands-on skills evaluation, based on the California Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook), and clear a Live Scan fingerprinting (Request for Live Scan Service, BCIA 8016) submitted to the California DOJ and FBI before certification is issued. Most candidates complete the full process in 8–14 weeks (training averages 6–10 weeks, then 2–4 weeks for exam and registry).
Are there free CNA classes in Los Angeles?
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Yes. 1 Los Angeles program on this directory offers no-cost CNA training: Los Angeles Technology Center. Free training is typically employer-paid (nursing facilities sponsoring trainees in exchange for a work commitment), federally funded (Job Corps), or scholarship-based.