Qualified certified nursing assistants are in high demand in California. As such, the state takes training of nursing assistants very seriously. They want to ensure that all CNAs are able to provide the best level of care for their patients. Nursing assistants assist patients with activities of daily living, monitor vital signs and provide other basic care services (primarily non-medical).
Training RequirementsThe state of California requires more than double the federal mandated number of training hours for nursing assistants. Prospective nursing assistants must complete 160 hours of training before they can sit for the nursing assistant certification test. You will find that some training programs offer even more than 160 hours of instruction.
Courses must be approved by the state of California. The nursing assistant training classes are designed to include classroom and clinical studies. Students must complete a training course in its entirety before sitting for the certification exam. Individuals cannot become certified until they pass the competency exam for nursing assistants.
Transfer of CNA Certification via Reciprocity to CaliforniaIf you work or worked as a certified nursing assistant in another state, you might be able to become certified without difficulty in California. You can apply for certification through reciprocity. The application from can be obtained from the California Department of Public Health(CDPH)
Some of the reciprocity form will be completed by an official at the Nursing Aide Registry in the state where you are certified. You will need to prove that you worked some hours for pay as a certified nursing assistant in the past 2 years. A background check will be conducted before your certification can be transferred to California.
The nursing aide registry in California will ensure that your certification has not expired in the other state. They will also make sure that you have had no complaints filed against you in your work as a certified nursing sssistant.
The exact steps for for transferring your license are as follows:
(Note: Any forms referenced below can be downloaded from the California Department of Public Health website over at http://www.cdph.ca.gov/pubsforms/forms/Pages/CNA_HHA_HemoTechForms.aspx)
1) Complete a “CNA license verification form” Form no CPDH931. This form has to be filled by yourself AND the Licensing body for nursing assistants in your current state.(where you have your license).
2) Complete the “Request for Live Scan Services” Form no BCIA 8016. This form is to verify that you have a clean criminal record. You will need to be fingerprinted at a facility designated by the DOJ in your area.
3) Complete the “Certified Nursing Assistant Initial Application Form” Form no CPDH 283B. Make sure you fill out the CNA part of the form and indicate that you are applying for reciprocity.
4) Make a copy of your state issued certificate.
5) Show proof of employment in the last two years. (you can use your pay stubs or an official letter from your employer. This is not necessary if your certificate has been issued less than two years ago.
Once you have completed the above documentation, send it over to:
California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Licensing and Certification Program (L&C)
Aide and Technician Certification Section (ATCS)
MS 3301 P.O. Box 997416 Sacramento, CA
95899-7416 (916) 327-2445
FAX (916) 552-8785 cna@cdph.ca.gov
You will receive paperwork when it is time to renew your nursing assistant certification. The form will be used to ensure that you have worked as a nursing assistant or performing nursing related duties for pay in the last 24 months. Some sections of the renewal form will be completed by your employer.
The renewal form and any necessary papers and fees should be submitted to the address provided before your certification is set to expire. Your license will not be renewed if you have committed any felonies or have any charges against you from patients.
It will be necessary to contact the CDPH(Dept of Public Health) in California if you have allowed your license to expire. They will provide you with instructions on how you can start the process to renew your certification. All requirements must be met before you will receive certification again.
Criteria For Renewal
- You will need to have completed at least 48 hours of continuing education units.
- You will need to have “worked for pay” in a facility under the supervision of a licensed professional within the last two years.
If you fail to meet either of the above, you will still need to fill out the renewal form (form CPDH283C from the CDPH website) as well as re take the certification test. (you will be contacted by the CDPH about where to take your exam)
FAQ
M. Jolly asked “Hello I have a current C.N.A. & H.H.A. license through California. It is due to expire in Feb. 2012. I haven’t actively worked any hours since obtaining my licenses. I Manage a staffing company. I did do a lot of number of hours of clinical work prior to being licensed. Is it required to work a minimum of hours to keep my licenses active? I would like to renew prior to it expiring. I also would like to know how I can transfer and keep it active in other states like Arizona. I’m pending acceptance into the nursing program and some schools require active licensures. Yet, again I have not worked actively since obtaining my C.N.A. and H.H.A. licenses”
Answer:
You will need to have worked within the two years prior to expiry of your license to be able to renew it. You can not have licenses active in more than one state. It is however simple enough to transfer your active license to another state. If you fail to meet the working requirements, you will need to re take the CNA exam.
You will find these helpful: Free CNA classes in California and CNA training in California
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