Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

FALL COHORT NOW FULL , New CNA Cohort coming Winter 2026!

Poway Adult School offers a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course that covers basic nursing skills, medical terminology, and basic anatomy and physiology. Upon completion, students are eligible to sit for the California State Nurse Assistant Certification exam. The course is taught by a licensed nurse or licensed vocational nurse.

Fall Information Sessions Now Enrolling!

Instructional Format

Lectures (Theory) are held on Zoom, while clinical sessions are conducted at a North County Skilled Nursing Facility. The course runs for 17 weeks, with meeting held every Friday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Zoom (60 hours Theory).

Weekend clinical rotations are either Schedule "A" (Saturdays) or Schedule "B" (Sunday) from 7:30am-4:00pm (100 hours Clinical Skills).

Additionally, practice labs and in-person meetings are held at Del Norte High School*.

📍 Del Norte High School, 16601 Nighthawk Ln, San Diego, CA 92127, Room P-116.

Del Norte High School map to classroom parking area on campus

Next Cohort Starting Winter 2026

Winter class dates are TBD. To register, you must attend ONE free information session, where you’ll learn about the program, course requirements, tuition, and enrollment process. Our team will also be available to answer any questions.

For more details, contact Miki Blanchard at [email protected].

Register in advance to our mandatory information session here or call Poway Adult School to reserve your seat at (858) 668-4024. The Zoom link will be emailed to registered students a few days before the session.

Upcoming Information Sessions:

October 27th, 2025 | Monday | 5:30PM-6:30PM | ONLINE

November 10th, 2025 | Monday | 5:30PM-6:30PM | ONLINE

December 17th, 2025 | Monday | 5:30PM-6:30PM| ONLINE

Students who attend the information session can join the CNA preregistration waitlist. These students will receive updated information as it becomes available.

Fall 2025 Class Schedule

Fall 2025 Class Schedule A (Saturday Clinical Rotation) Linked here

Fall 2025 Class Schedule B (Sunday Clinical Rotation) Linked here

📌 All registered CNA students must attend the Mandatory Orientation (In-Person):

on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, from 4:00 – 8:00 PM

📍 Address: Del Norte High School, Room P-116, 16601 Nighthawk Ln, San Diego, CA 92127

During this Orientation students will:

Complete Live Scan Requirement
Complete 283B Forms
Create CDPH Oasys accounts and upload required documents
Receive loaner laptops if needed, technology assistance for the learning management system (Canvas), electronic textbook upload and other digital technology needs for the class
Review and sign student agreement forms
Turn in medical paperwork

Program Costs

Registration Fee: $995 includes:

✔ Electronic Textbook

✔ Workbook

✔ A Set of Ceil Blue Scrubs from New Waves Scrubs store in Rancho Bernardo

Additional Fees of $200+ to include but not limited to:

✔ Medical Examination, vaccinations, TB tests and screenings

✔ CPR/BLS training

✔ Clean, closed toe athletic shoes

✔ State Certification Exam $120 - $130 (subject to change based on testing company)

Students can enroll in the payment plan by registering with a $250 down payment, followed by four additional payments of $186.25. To register with a payment plan, call the Poway Adult School office at (858) 668-4024.

Scholarships are available for qualified students, with more information provided during the informational session.

Student Requirements- A Student Requirement Checklist and any required paperwork will be sent to registered students prior to the start of class. Do NOT get medical exam or TB test until notified!

✔ Live Scan Background Check (conducted during In Person Orientation) – see Criminal Record Review*

✔ Social Security Card

✔ Drivers License (names on all forms of ID need to match)

✔ Physical Examination, current TB test, Paperwork and Vaccine History

✔ California Department of Public Health Form

✔ CPR/BLS certificate

✔ Computer or laptop, Zoom and access to a strong internet connection

✔ Laptops may be checked out for use for the duration of the course

*Criminal Record Review
If you have been convicted, at any time, of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, please contact California Department of Public Heath (CDPH) by phone at 916.327.2445 or email [email protected] to clarify your status. the response time from CDPH varies on a case by case basis. The review may take several months. For frequently asked questions visit the Criminal Record Review page.

Attendance, Participation, and Completion Requirements

Full attendance is mandatory. Students may make up one theory (4 hours) and one clinical (8 hours) session within designated times. To qualify for the State certification exam, students must complete 60 theory hours and 100 clinical hours with a minimum 75% passing grade.

Steps to Complete Before Starting Class

✔ Attend one (1) of the free Information Sessions on Zoom

✔ Once registration opens for the new semester create your account at www.powayadultschool.com and register for the class. Note if you are doing a payment plan you will need to register through the office (858) 668-4024

✔ Begin gathering required items

Drops and Refund Policy

✔ 100% refund before the first class meeting

✔ 75% refund minus cost of books and fingerprinting) If dropped within the first 4 class sessions

✔ No refunds after the 4th session

Overview of Certification and Training Agencies

The School is your training provider. Other agencies have roles in the completion of you receiving your State certification. Please be aware of those agencies and their contact information!

Poway Adult School 2024-2025 CNA Student Handbook
California Department of Public Health
Download a Credentia NATP Candidate Handbook and more here
Association for Certified Nurse Assistants
Job Market Info and more

Your Goals, Our Data

This course is provided by State funds and your fees. In order for the School to comply with State requirements, we need to collect information from students about their goals, job outcomes and starting salaries when hired after our programs. Please help us by answering the data questions when asked during and after your class.

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