Key Points
- The Sacramento area employed 5,410 CNAs in 2024, median pay $46,260.
- California requires 160 training hours and a CDPH-approved program.
- Check CDPH pass rates and approval before enrolling in any program.
Compare approved CNA programs in Roseville, CA, understand costs, and start your nursing career.

Sacramento metro healthcare employers added over 800 CNA positions in the past year, and Roseville facilities are actively recruiting to keep pace with regional demand. With a median salary of $46,260 and multiple CDPH-approved training programs, including CNA classes in Elk Grove CA within commuting distance, Roseville residents have a clear path into nursing assistant work.
This page breaks down local program options, current tuition costs, state certification steps, and what exam pass rates reveal about training quality.
Roseville sits at the center of one of California's fastest-growing healthcare markets, driven by an aging population and expanding medical infrastructure that creates steady demand for Certified Nursing Assistants.
The Sacramento metropolitan area, which includes Roseville, has seen its 65-and-older population grow by more than 25 percent over the past decade, driving demand for CNA training programs in Sacramento. This demographic shift translates directly into increased need for long-term care, rehabilitation services, and assisted living support. CNAs form the frontline workforce in these settings, providing daily personal care and health monitoring that allows older adults to maintain quality of life. As baby boomers continue to age, healthcare workforce analysts project consistent growth in nursing assistant positions through at least 2030.
Roseville hosts several large healthcare systems that regularly hire CNAs:
CNA positions offer reliable employment in an industry resistant to economic downturns. Healthcare continues regardless of market conditions, making nursing assistant roles among the most stable entry-level positions available, and our guide to landing your first CNA job can help you get started. Many CNAs use the role as a stepping stone: after gaining bedside experience, you can pursue LVN or RN licensure, move into specialized units, or transition to related fields like medical assisting or phlebotomy.
Certified nursing assistants in Roseville find employment across diverse healthcare environments:
This variety lets you choose a work environment that matches your preferences and schedule needs.
Roseville students considering CNA Classes in California must weigh traditional in-person training against hybrid and online formats, each offering a distinct path into certified nursing assistant work. While fully online CNA programs do not currently exist in California1 due to state-mandated hands-on clinical requirements, several CDPH-approved schools now blend online theory instruction with in-person skills labs and clinical rotations, making training more accessible for working adults and students with family obligations.
KASH Career College operates a Morning Hybrid CNA Program that allows students to complete theory coursework online while attending hands-on clinical sessions in Roseville or Sacramento. The hybrid format reduces commute time and lets you study lecture material on your own schedule, then apply those skills in supervised clinical settings close to home.
CAL ACE CNA Program offers online theory paired with in-person clinical training at partner facilities including Cedarwood Post Acute Sacramento and Windsor Elk Grove Sacramento. This structure works well for students who prefer independent study but still need local access to clinical sites.
For students farther from Roseville, Central Coast Nursing Institute runs a weekend hybrid program with Saturday and Sunday in-person clinical sessions in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, and Oxnard. Theory content is delivered virtually, making it easier to fit training around weekday work commitments.
If you prefer face-to-face instruction from start to finish, CALRegional Roseville Campus and The Art of Care Academy both offer day, evening, and weekend schedules for their in-person CNA programs. These flexible formats let you choose class times that align with your job or childcare responsibilities.
California Providers Training Center runs a 12-week weekend program on Saturdays and Sundays, ideal for students who cannot take time off during the workweek.
Even when theory is online, California law requires all CNA students to complete supervised clinical hours in a licensed healthcare facility.1 Hybrid programs coordinate clinical placements at nursing homes, hospitals, or rehabilitation centers near your location. Before enrolling, confirm that your program's clinical sites are conveniently located and that the facility maintains current state approval. As of July 2026, some local facilities such as Fountain View Subacute & Nursing Center are not yet cleared to host clinical students1, so always verify clinical site availability directly with your training provider.
Ask prospective programs for a list of current clinical partners, and check whether those sites offer modern equipment, adequate supervision ratios, and patient populations that will prepare you for state exam scenarios. Quality clinical placements directly influence your readiness for certification and your confidence on the job.
A CDPH-approved CNA program is a training course that has met the standards set by the California Department of Public Health, meaning graduates are eligible to take the state certification exam and work legally as nursing assistants. Only programs with current CDPH approval allow you to pursue certification in California, so verifying this status is the essential first step when choosing where to train.
The most reliable way to locate CDPH-approved CNA training near Roseville is to check the California Department of Public Health website directly. The agency maintains a searchable database of all approved programs statewide. You can filter results by city or county, searching for Roseville, Placer County, Sacramento, and neighboring areas like Elk Grove to see every option within commuting distance. This list is updated regularly, so you will see current approval status rather than outdated information.
Once you have a list of potential programs, visit each school's website to confirm details. Regional community colleges, vocational schools, and healthcare training centers in the Sacramento area often offer CNA courses. Look for information on class schedules, enrollment periods, and tuition costs. Schools typically post their CDPH approval status prominently, but if you cannot find it, call the admissions office and ask directly.
If you want help navigating your options, consider reaching out to the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians or your local community college nursing department. Staff members can answer questions about which programs are currently accepting students, how long approval has been active, and whether any new programs have recently opened nearby. This is especially useful if you have scheduling constraints or need a program that fits around work or family obligations.
Professional organizations can also point you toward approved training providers. The California Association of Health Facilities maintains resources for those entering the healthcare workforce, and the American Red Cross operates training programs in various regions. These associations may offer referral services or directories that include CDPH-approved CNA courses in the Roseville and greater Sacramento area.
Taking the time to confirm CDPH approval before enrolling protects your investment and ensures you are on the right path to becoming a certified nursing assistant in California.
Nursing assistants in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom metropolitan area earn a median annual salary of $46,260, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data (2024). The region employed 5,410 CNAs, with wages ranging from $44,960 at the 25th percentile to $48,800 at the 75th percentile. Below is how the Roseville area compares to other major California metro areas.
| Location | Total Employment | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 5,410 | $46,260 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 39,910 | $46,140 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 10,750 | $53,990 |
Nursing assistants in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom metro area earn a median annual salary of $46,260.
Becoming a CNA in California involves two key phases: the initial certification process after you finish your training, and the ongoing renewal cycle to keep your license active.
California requires at least 160 hours of CNA training: 60 hours in the classroom and 100 hours of supervised clinical practice. The program must be approved by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and you cannot sit for the state exam without proof of completion from a CDPH-approved provider.
After your training, you'll submit an application to take the CNA competency evaluation. The exam has two parts: a written (or oral) knowledge test and a skills demonstration. You'll also need to complete a criminal background check, typically through Live Scan fingerprinting, before your exam results are finalized.
If you do not pass one or both parts on your first attempt, you can retake the failed portion. California allows candidates to retest up to three times within two years of completing their training program. After three failures, you must retrain before applying again. Keep in mind that retake fees apply each time, so thorough preparation is essential.
Once you're certified, your CNA license is valid for two years. To renew, you must have worked for pay as a CNA for at least one day under the supervision of a licensed nurse during the two-year renewal period. If you did not meet the work requirement, you must complete 48 hours of CDPH-approved continuing education. The state also requires you to have no disqualifying criminal convictions during the renewal cycle.
The true cost of CNA training is rarely a single, posted price. Variables like program location, scheduling, and included supplies can shift the final bill. Getting an accurate picture requires looking beyond tuition to the full range of expenses.
The most reliable source is always the program itself. Visit the official website of any school you are considering and find the program page for the nursing assistant course. Look for a detailed breakdown that includes:
If the website is unclear or out of date, call the admissions office directly. Ask for a printed fee schedule or an email summary of all required charges.
Expenses outside the classroom are just as important. Every CDPH-approved program mandates a background check and drug screening before clinical rotations. Fees for these vary by vendor, and you may need to pay for Livescan fingerprinting separately. Additionally, you must show proof of immunizations and a current TB test. If you need to catch up on shots or get a physical exam, those costs add up quickly. Check with your intended school to learn which specific checks and health clearances they require.
A training investment makes more sense when you compare the expense to what CNAs earn in the Roseville area. The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes regional wage estimates for nursing assistants that can help you gauge the return on your education spending. You can search for the latest data on the BLS website, filtered for the Sacramento metro area, to see hourly and annual wage figures. Remember that starting pay often rises with experience, shift differentials, and specialty certifications.
Cost figures you find on one school's website or a forum post may not tell the whole story. Validate what you learn by checking multiple sources. Professional associations like the California Association of Health Facilities sometimes publish guidance on training costs and pathways. Student reviews and discussion threads can reveal hidden expenses that official literature overlooks, such as the price of extra practice tests or renewal fees. When in doubt, contact the California Department of Public Health directly for the most current certification exam fees and eligibility rules. This way, you can build a realistic budget that covers everything from the first day of class to your name on the state registry.
The California Department of Public Health publishes program-level performance data for certified nursing assistant schools, giving prospective students a transparent view of which programs consistently produce graduates who pass their state exams on the first try. For example, Allan Hancock College reported a 100 percent first-time pass rate in Fall 20241. Bakersfield College's Nurse Assistant Training Program achieved an 86.1 percent first-time pass rate in 2023 and a 96.6 percent course completion rate in 20242. Ventura College posted a perfect 100 percent written exam pass rate for the 2023-2024 cycle, but its skill exam pass rate was 79 percent3. LMCC Pomona reported an 87 percent first-time pass rate, an 87 percent job placement rate, and a 95 percent completion rate in 20244. These figures demonstrate that strong programs not only prepare students to pass exams but also help them finish coursework and secure employment.
Visit the CDPH website to search the Nurse Assistant Certification Branch database, which tracks approved training programs and often includes outcome metrics. Schools themselves may publish additional details on their official websites, including year-over-year trends, cohort sizes, and time-to-credential averages. Many programs voluntarily share job placement statistics to attract students, so check the nursing or health sciences department pages for graduate outcomes reports. If a school does not list these figures publicly, call the admissions office directly and ask for the most recent exam pass rate and placement data. Programs that decline to share outcomes may warrant additional scrutiny.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks regional employment projections and median wages for nursing assistants, offering a proxy for the health of the local job pipeline. Roseville sits in the Sacramento metropolitan area, where demand for nursing assistants remains strong due to an aging population and expanding healthcare infrastructure. Compare the BLS regional figures to the job placement rates individual programs report. If a school claims 90 percent placement but regional employment growth is flat, dig deeper to understand where graduates actually find work.
Contact the California Association of Health Facilities or reach out to nursing home administrators and hospital HR departments in the Roseville area for informal reputation assessments. Hiring managers often know which programs produce graduates who arrive clinically confident and ready to handle the pace of patient care. Ask which schools they actively recruit from and whether any programs consistently send unprepared candidates. Anecdotal insights complement hard data and can reveal strengths or weaknesses that official statistics do not capture, such as professionalism, communication skills, and adaptability in high-stress environments.
Below are the top CNA programs serving Roseville students. Net price figures are institution-wide averages, so your own cost may differ based on aid, residency, and enrollment status. Contact each campus directly for current session dates and clinical placement details.
Sacramento, CA · ~$17,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Sacramento-area students seeking quicker certification
Located in Sacramento, this career and education center offers a five-week nursing assistant program that is one of the more accessible options for Roseville-area students seeking quick entry into healthcare. It combines classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experience and includes CPR certification. The institution reports an institution-wide average net price of about $16,605, though that figure varies by aid and personal expenses.
Pasadena, CA · under $5,000/yr (est.)
Pasadena City College is a public community college with a CDPH-approved CNA track that prepares students for long-term care roles. Institution-wide, it shows a graduation rate near 48% and an average net price of about $3,864 for the most recent year, though students should treat that as a campus-wide estimate. The program is campus-based and requires CPR certification plus transportation to clinical sites.
Glendora, CA · $4,000/yr (est. net price)
Citrus College offers a campus-based nurse assistant program with a low program cost estimate around $341 plus supplies. The college reports an institution-wide average net price of about $4,135 and a graduation rate near 41%, though individual costs vary. Enrollment is first come, first served and includes health and background requirements.
Imperial, CA · under $5,000/yr (est.)
Imperial Valley College is a public campus in the Imperial Valley with a one-semester CNA/HHA program. The institution reports an average net price around $1,115 and a graduation rate near 45%, but it is located several hours from Roseville. Clinical training and state certification eligibility are included.
Redding, CA · $1,000 – $9,000/yr (est.)
Shasta College offers a CNA/home health aide program approved by the California Department of Public Health. The college shows an average net price around $2,878 and a graduation rate near 23%, though outcomes and costs vary by student. It is a campus-based option in Redding, about two hours north of Roseville.
Gilroy, CA · ~$7,000/yr (est.)
Gavilan College is a public community college in Gilroy with a campus-based CNA program that includes hands-on clinical training. The school reports an institution-wide average net price of about $6,542 and a graduation rate near 43%. Its location is farther from Roseville, but it offers a direct path to California certification.
Visalia, CA
College of the Sequoias offers a compact six-unit CNA skill certificate with supervised clinical training. Institution-wide net price is roughly $480 and the graduation rate is near 39%, reflecting a broad student body. The campus is in Visalia, which may appeal to Roseville students able to relocate or study in the Central Valley.
Long Beach, CA · $2,000 – $13,000/yr (est.)
Long Beach City College houses its nursing assistant certificate within a vocational nursing program and uses a hospital-style skills lab. The college reports an average net price near $6,202 and a graduation rate around 30%. It may be a fit for Roseville students considering a larger Southern California nursing pathway.
Oroville, CA · $1,000 – $9,000/yr (est.)
Butte College in Oroville offers a seven-unit CNA certificate with 204 theory hours and 153 clinical hours. The institution reports an average net price around $5,520 and a graduation rate near 45%. Its Northern California location is among the closest options to Roseville after the Sacramento area.
Santa Barbara, CA · ~$11,000/yr (est.)
Santa Barbara City College offers a 13-week CNA program through its School of Extended Learning with weekend scheduling. The institution-wide average net price is about $11,315 and the graduation rate is near 34%, though costs vary widely. Students should confirm whether clinical placements are accessible from Roseville.
Below you will find answers to the most common questions prospective students ask about CNA training, certification, and careers in Roseville. These answers draw on current California requirements and local program details to help you make an informed decision.
CNAs in the Roseville area earn competitive wages, with hourly pay typically between $18 and $23 depending on experience, facility type, and shift differentials. Annual salaries generally range from $37,000 to $48,000. Visit our salary section for a detailed breakdown.
Most CNA training programs in Roseville can be completed in 4 to 12 weeks: full-time accelerated courses can finish in as little as 4 weeks, while part-time evening or weekend classes often run 8 to 12 weeks.
You must complete a CDPH-approved training program of at least 60 theory hours and 100 clinical hours, pass a criminal background check, provide immunization records, and pass the state competency exam. See our certification section for full details.
Fully online CNA training is not possible due to required hands-on clinical hours. However, several Roseville-area schools offer hybrid programs where theory coursework is completed online, and clinical training takes place at local healthcare facilities.
Only CDPH-approved programs qualify you for state certification. The approved programs near Roseville include those at Sierra College, American River College, and various private training centers. Check our CDPH-approved programs section for an updated list.
Yes, many programs accept federal financial aid (FAFSA), workforce development grants, and veteran benefits. Additionally, some employers offer tuition reimbursement or sponsor training. Contact individual schools for scholarship and payment plan options.
Job prospects for CNAs in Roseville are strong. With a growing senior population and expanding healthcare facilities, the demand for nursing assistants is projected to remain high, offering plentiful employment opportunities in hospitals, nursing homes, and home care.