Questions, answered honestly

CNA Pathways LLC is now enrolling. Our Nurse Assistant Training Program is California state-approved by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), eLearning Review Unit, for both the online (hybrid) program and the in-person program. Contact us to reserve your seat in an upcoming cohort.

Yes. CNA Pathways LLC is a California state-approved Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP), approved by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), eLearning Review Unit, for both our online (hybrid) program and our in-person program. Our instructors are CTE-credentialed, licensed nurses with Director of Staff Development (DSD) certification.

No. We are now enrolling students in upcoming cohorts. Contact us or apply directly to secure your seat. The first 30 students to complete enrollment receive a free clinical starter kit (gait belt, blood pressure cuff, and stopwatch).

Students who enroll early get priority cohort placement. 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 (hybrid) 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. Our schedule is CDPH-approved.

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.

The $500 deposit includes a $250 non-refundable registration fee. The remaining tuition may be refundable depending on when you withdraw and how much of the program you have completed. The complete refund and withdrawal policy is provided in writing at registration and reviewed during your enrollment appointment, and is also detailed in the Student Handbook.

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.