Questions, answered honestly

CNA Pathways LLC has submitted its Nurse Assistant Training Program applications to the California Department of Public Health, eLearning Review Unit. Both the online program and the in-person program are pending state approval. Cohort dates will be announced to waitlist members first once approval is received.

Not yet. CNA Pathways LLC has submitted its application to the California Department of Public Health, eLearning Review Unit. The program is currently pending state approval. We'll update waitlist members as our application progresses.

No. The waitlist is completely free, with zero commitment. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Waitlist members are the first to know when enrollment opens. The first 30 students to complete enrollment receive a free clinical starter kit (gait belt, blood pressure cuff, and stopwatch) — the same tools used in clinicals and the state skills exam.

The CNA Pathways training program is 5 weeks total — 25 instructional days, Monday through Friday. The schedule is the same for both the online and the in-person class.

Theory is scheduled from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM with a lunch break from 12:00 to 12:30. Clinical days run 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM with a lunch break from 11:00 to 11:30. The schedule is pending state approval.

Both formats are planned. The online class delivers theory via live remote instruction, with clinicals completed in person in Visalia. The in-person class holds both theory and clinicals on-site in Visalia. Both follow the same 5-week schedule.

Tuition is $1,400 with a $500 deposit due at registration. The remaining $900 balance is on a payment plan. See the tuition page for the full fee breakdown.

Online students need a desktop or laptop (Windows 10+ or macOS 10.15+), a reliable broadband internet connection, a webcam, a microphone, and a current web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge).

Per the CNA Pathways Student Handbook, students must score a minimum of 70% on each of the 17 module exams, receive a Satisfactory rating on clinical performance, and meet attendance requirements.

Maximum of two (2) attempts per module exam. The retake is only available if the first attempt scored below 70%. The retake is capped at 70% (no extra credit for scoring higher on the retake). Before retesting, students must complete instructor-assigned remediation. The second-attempt deadline is 11:59 PM on the 10th day of classroom instruction. All 17 module exams must be passed at 70% or above by the last theory class day.

Per the Student Handbook: the $500 deposit is non-refundable in most circumstances. Students who pay the deposit but never start the program receive a $250 refund. Students who exit before 20% completion receive a $250 refund. After 20% completion, no tuition refund is issued and any remaining tuition is still owed. Students who do not pass the background check receive no refund.

Clinical training is conducted in Visalia, California. Students come from across the Central Valley — Fresno, Bakersfield, Hanford, Tulare, Porterville, and surrounding communities.

No. The program is designed for complete beginners. You'll learn everything from the ground up — patient care, vital signs, infection control, communication, mobility assistance, and more.

The California state CNA certification exam has a written portion and a hands-on skills portion. It's administered by California's testing partner, not by training programs. Our curriculum prepares students for both portions.

The program is a full Monday–Friday schedule. Students should plan their work commitments accordingly.

Several options exist that many people don't know about: County Workforce Development Board funding (WIOA), employer tuition reimbursement, veteran's benefits, and local healthcare workforce scholarships. Our guide on how to pay for CNA training walks through each.

CNA → LVN/LPN → RN → BSN → NP and beyond. Each step earns more and opens more doors. See our full career path guide for what each step looks like in California.

Direct patient care: bathing, mobility help, vital signs, communication, feeding assistance, and supporting the nurses and doctors above them. Read a deeper look at the role.