CNA Frequently Asked Questions
CNA Frequently Asked Questions
Certified Nursing Assistant Program
Q. Is Procareer Academy's CNA Program approved by the State of Calfornia?
A. Absolutely! Our CNA Program is approved by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Please click here to confirm.
Q. What is a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)?
A. The nurse assistant is an important member of the health care team who provides direct care to patients in healthcare facilities, and home health settings. All Certified Nurse Assistant’s function under the supervision of the Licensed Nurse.
Q. What tasks do Certified Nursing Assistants perform?
Nursing Assistants work in a wide variety of settings; nursing homes, hospitals, adult day care centers, personal homes and assisted living facilities. A Certified Nursing Assistant performs many basic care tasks for patients, like grooming, dressing, bathing, feeding and exercising. They also assist the nursing staff with medical tasks like monitoring vitals with medical equipment and reporting patient behavior and well being.
Q. What are the additional responsibilities of a CNA?
A. The nursing assistant fulfills basic quality of life needs for patients of any age, ethnicity or gender in healthcare settings. Since nursing assistants have daily contact with patients, they are gatherers of vital information about the patients’ conditions, which they must then transmit to their supervisors. A CNA’s workload can become intense and fast-paced, but the human contact and ability to help those in medical need is a strong motivating factor. A desire to help people and compassion for patients can help a nurse’s assistant get through difficult days.
Q. What are the requirements to become a Certified Nursing Assistant?
A. To become a CNA in California, applicants must be at least 16 years of age, submit fingerprints upon enrollment, must have a physical exam stating that the applicant has no health condition that would create a hazard to him/ herself, or fellow employees, residents or visitors. A conviction screening must be completed before patient contact, along with a minimum of 160 hours of training and successfully complete a state competency exam upon completion of the training. Additionally, you will need to produce your Social Security Card and a Valid Government-issued Picture ID (Drivers License, State ID card or a US Passport).
Q. Do I need a GED or high school diploma to take the certified nursing assistant program?
A. No, you don’t. Procareer Academy does not require you to have high school diploma or GED to start the nursing assistant program.
Q. Where can a CNA apply for a job?
A. Certified Nursing Assistants can apply for work in hospitals, sub-acute facilities, skilled nursing facilities, long term care facilities, clinics, psychiatric units, pediatric centers, day care facilities, assisting living units, hospice and home health agencies.
Q. Will I receive a diploma after completing my nursing assistant program?
A. Yes, you will receive a Certificate of Completion form the school which is a proof of the program completion.
Q. Can I get certified if I have prior convictions?
A. Since each case is different, we recommend that you get in touch with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), which oversees the CNA Program, to find out the answer for your specific situation. The school can assist you with this process.
Q. What should I do if I was convicted in the past?
A. After you have contacted CDPH and reassured yourself that you will receive a CNA certification in spite of your past conviction, you may proceed to the next step. Before you start any nursing assistant program in any approved training facility, the initial application form (283 B) must be submitted along your fingerprints for review.
Q. Whom should I notify if I change my address?
A. Please visit the CDPH website (cdph.ca.gov) for the most up to date information on how to inform CDPH of your new address.
Q. May I perform the duties of a nurse assistant before I am certified?
A. If you are currently attending an approved training program in a nursing home, you have 120 days in which to complete the training and become certified. During that period, a student may not perform any duty for which they have not been trained and checked by the instructor. If you are not enrolled in an approved nursing facility training course, you may not perform any nurse aide duties until you become certified.
Q. I’m already a CNA in another state and moving to California. May I perform nurse assistant duties in California?
A. Please contact the Department of Public Health for State requirements. Contact at: (916) 327-2445 or visit at: www.cdph.ca.gov
Q. How long does your CNA program take?
A. Our fast track CNA class prepares you to pass the State CNA Exam in as little as six weeks. View https://procareer.org/certified-nursing-assistant-cna/ to see the scheduled upcoming classes.
Q. What is your pass rate and placement rate?
A. As can be seen in the disclosures on our website, we have a 97% pass rate on the State CNA Exam. All our graduates who passed the state certification exam have landed full time jobs as CNAs.
Q. What is the best way to reach Procareer Academy?
A. Due to the popularity of the free CNA program, we are unable to answer all incoming calls. Please use extension numbers if you are already dealing with an admissions representative. If we do not immediately answer, please leave a voicemail. Another option is for you to send an email to info@procareer.org. We read ALL incoming emails and respond within 24-48 hours. Please clearly state in the Subject Line of the email what help you need from us. Create a brand new email with a new subject line if you need help with a new matter. Please do not recycle old, unrelated emails. Please help us serve you better.
Online CNA Classes
Q. Since the class is online, can I do it whenever I want to?
A. No. Our CNA Class is a Live, In-person, Online class. You are required to log in during class hours, turn on your camera and actively participate in the class, just like an in-person class.
Q. What do I need to attend the class online?
A. You need an Internet connection and a computer/laptop with a webcam, microphone and speakers to attend class. You will also need a GMail ID.
Q. Can I attend using my phone, since I do not have a computer?
A. While it is possible to attend class using your phone, for best experience, we highly recommend that you use a computer or a tablet.
Q. How does the Online CNA Class work?
A. Under the COVID-19 waiver, we conduct the Theory instruction online and the Clinical instruction using a combination of virtual online simulation, in-person labs as well as in-person return demonstrations to your instructor.
California CNA Certification Exam
Q. What do I need to know about the California State CNA Exam?
A. After completing the Nursing Assistant program, you must pass the California CNA examination, which is a two part examination consisting of a Written and a Clinical Skills section. The written test is a two-hour test with sixty multiple-choice questions in English. During the Clinical Skills portion of the test, you will be asked to perform live skills and be observed by a nurse evaluator. Successful completion of each skill is required in order for you to pass.We train you to specifically pass the California State CNA Exam.
Q. How much is the State CNA Exam Fee?
A. Please visit http://regionaltestingcenter.org for more details.
Q. How soon can I test?
A. You can appear for the State CNA Exam as soon you finish the CNA course. We will assist you with submitting the application to take the test.
Q. Is there a time limit in which I must pass both exams?
A. You are allowed three (3) attempts within two (2) years after successfully completing a training program to pass both parts (written and skills) of the California State CNA Examination, to be eligible for placement on the CA Department of Public Health CNA Registry.
Q. How do I decide when to take the certification exam?
A. We strongly suggest you take it soon after completing your CNA course for the highest chance of passing it in the first attempt.
Q. How long will it take me to find out if I passed or failed?
A. Typically, Regional Testing Center notifies you within 24-48 hours.
Q. How long will my name remain on the California Department of Public Health registry?
A. Once you are on the California Department of Public Health CNA Registry, your certification will remain current for twenty four (24) months from the date you passed both parts of the State CNA exam (written and skills).
Q. Does your school offer CEUs to allow current CNAs to maintain their certification?
A. No we do not.
Q. Under what circumstances must I retake the Certified Nursing Assistant program again?
A. If your CNA certificate has expired for two years or more, you will need to retake the course.
Financial Assistance / Scholarships
Q. Do you have any source of tuition assistance for CNA students?
A. Yes, the school has access to State Grants that allow qualified students to receive tuition-free CNA education, in return for working as a CNA for one year with a single employer. These grants are very popular and are given on a first-comefirst-served basis. We recommend that you apply as early as possible.
Q. What documents do I need to provide for enrollment and to obtain grant funding?
A. Please be ready to submit the following documents at the start of the enrollment process: Valid California Drivers License/ID Card, Social Security Card, COVID Vaccination card (Clinical facility requirement)
These documents are required to become a CNA in the State of California and to enroll as a CNA student. Do not submit these till you attend your online enrollment assessment. You will be asked to upload these after your online enrollment meeting. These documents are needed to confirm your eligibility for enrollment into the CNA program and to refer you to the funding agency. If you are seeking grant funding for your CNA education, your actual enrollment in the class can occur only after the funding is approved.
Q. If I get my tuition funded under the State grant, will I have to pay it back from my salary after I get a job as a CNA?
A. No. Grant-funded students do not have to pay back the tuition. However, in return for the free tuition, you are required to work full time, for one year, with the same employer where you are placed. The school is not hiring you as a CNA – we are only referring you to local employers for placement.
Your salary is yours to keep.
Q. Why is the State of California funding the tuition fee for CNAs?
A. The State of California wants to produce more CNAs and put people into secure long-term jobs in a growing field. That is the reason the State is paying for your CNA Tuition fee.
Q. What are the educational qualifications required to apply for the scholarship?
A. While a High School Diploma or a GED is highly preferred, students who have the ability to pass a High School Ability test will also be considered to apply for the CNA scholarship. Per the rules, if you have a BS or MS degree, you will not get funded. CNA wages do not justify the cost of education for degree holders. Be sure to disclose if you have an advanced degree to avoid any future problems with the funding agency.
Q. Who is going to be my employer? Will the school place me in a job as a CNA?
A. While the school cannot guarantee job placement, we work hard to find employment for our students. We have successfully placed 100% of our CNAs in Full time jobs. While we facilitate your employment, you ultimately decide who you want to work for, the pay rate you will accept, and the shift timings. Besides our efforts to place you, we also encouraged you to apply to facilities of your choice to speed up the process.
Q. How long does it take to receive grant-funded tuition assistance?
The school works with multiple grant agencies who take one month (on average) to process the paperwork. We assist you throughout the process. Further, the funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, we recommend you to apply as early as possible. Additionally, you need to be persistent and diligent with the funding agency. You need to be prompt in responding to their requests to fill out paperwork and answer any follow-up questions. They deal with hundreds of applicants and if you are unavailable, they will immediately move on to the next serious student.
Q. Will obtaining this grant-funded tuition for the CNA class affect my college Financial Aid in any way?
A. No. The grant funding agencies are different from the Title IV/Pell Grant Federal Financial Aid agency. Therefore, there is no impact on any of your Federal Financial Aid.
Q. What documentation will I have to provide after I start working as a CNA if I am a recipient of this grant-funded tuition?
A. Since the grant’s main objective is to create a trained workforce, the grant agency uses your employment as the measure of its success. You will need to provide your Offer of Employment and submit paystubs for the first six months as proof of continued employment.
Q. What if I cannot commit to the one year work requirement?
A. This program’s main goal is to create jobs for individuals who want to become CNAs and need to work full time. If you cannot commit to the one year work requirement, this program is not for you. Continue with your enrollment process and we can discuss other options at the Online Pre-Enrollment Meeting. Lastly, if you knowingly take advantage of the free tuition and do not comply with the one year work requirement, the State of California funding agency will initiate collection proceedings to recover the tuition fee from you. You also run the risk of getting the CNA license revoked.
Q. I am a student and I cannot work full time for a year. Can I still get free CNA training?
A. We get this question often from Nursing students. This program’s main goal is to create jobs for individuals who want to become CNAs and need to work full time. If you cannot commit to the one year work requirement, this program is not for you. Continue with your enrollment process and we can discuss other options at the Online Pre-Enrollment Meeting. Lastly, if you knowingly take advantage of the free tuition and do not comply with the one year work requirement, the State of California funding agency will initiate collection proceedings to recover the tuition fee from you. You also run the risk of getting the CNA license revoked.
Q. I am already working a full time job. Can I still get free CNA training?
A. This program’s main goal is to create jobs for individuals who want to become CNAs and need to work full time. Since you are already working, you may not qualify under this program. However, if you still need the CNA License to further your career, we have other options for you. Continue with your enrollment process and we can discuss your options at the Online Pre-Enrollment Meeting. Lastly, if you knowingly take advantage of the free tuition and do not comply with the one year work requirement, the State of California funding agency will initiate collection proceedings to recover the tuition fee from you. You also run the risk of getting the CNA license revoked.
Q. Does your school accept WIOA and Workman's Compensation Retraining Vouchers?
A. Yes, Procareer Academy is listed on the State of California’s Eligible Training Providers List (ETPL). We will be glad to help WIOA and GAIN program participants become successful CNAs.