CNA Classes & Programs in Bakersfield, California
13 state-approved CNA programs in Bakersfield, including free, online, 4-week, evening and weekend options.
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CNA training in Bakersfield
- Programs
- 13
- state-approved
- Median CNA pay
- $38,830
- $18.67 an hour
- CNA jobs
- 1,660
- in the Bakersfield region
- Healthcare facilities
- 36
- 10 nursing homes, 6 hospitals and 20 home health agencies
- Population
- 404,321
- residents
Sources: BLS OEWS (May 2023), CMS (July 2025).
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Free to use. No obligation to enroll. Compare multiple programs. We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.
Bakersfield offers 13 CNA programs, providing a range of options for those interested in entering the healthcare field. This California city, located in Kern County, gives aspiring nursing assistants multiple paths to state certification through traditional, online, and accelerated courses. With both classroom and hands-on learning opportunities, prospective students can choose a program that fits their schedule and career goals.
In addition to standard offerings, Bakersfield includes free CNA classes, online programs, and accelerated courses for those seeking a faster route into the workforce. Local CNA training programs are designed to meet California’s certification requirements and prepare students for employment in various settings. Graduates benefit from connections with area hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies that regularly hire newly certified CNAs.
In the Bakersfield area, CNAs earn around $38,830 per year. This reflects local wage levels for certified nursing assistants as reported in recent data. Those completing CNA classes in Bakersfield are positioned to pursue roles across the city’s diverse healthcare facilities.
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Browse CNA Classes in Bakersfield
Bakersfield offers 13 CNA programs that prepare students for California CNA certification, with pathways such as accelerated classes, free CNA training, and online options. These CNA classes enable candidates to qualify for the state exam while building practical skills needed for entry into healthcare careers. Local demand for CNAs remains steady, providing employment opportunities throughout Bakersfield where certified assistants are needed in patient care.
Program Types in Bakersfield
| Type | In Bakersfield | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Free or employer-paid | 3 programs | See them ↓ |
| 4-week (accelerated) | 3 programs | See them ↓ |
| Online or hybrid | 3 programs | See them ↓ |
| Evening or weekend | 5 programs | See them ↓ |
A program can appear under more than one type. Counts come from each program's published details.
All 13 CNA programs in Bakersfield
Academy of Health Careers
CostFreeHours160Weeks5
- Address
- Bakersfield, CA
- Phone
- (661) 404-5655
- Schedule
- Evening and weekend classes
State-approved CNA training in Bakersfield with 160 total hours delivered over about 5 weeks, offering day and evening cohorts with weekend clinicals. Tuition and fees are fully covered for eligible students through the Healthcare Career Pathway grant.
Visit websiteAcademy of Health Careers
CostFreeHours–Weeks12
- Address
- 1701 Westwind Drive Suite 222, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (510) 798-5094
- Schedule
- Evening and weekend classes
12-week CNA program with weekday classes, small class sizes, and job placement assistance. Tuition and fees totaling 2100 are covered for eligible HCP grant participants, making the program no-cost.
Visit websiteUnitek Training Healthcare
CostFreeHours–Weeks6
- Address
- Bakersfield, CA
- Phone
- (888) 382-8183
- Schedule
- Evening and weekend classes
Employer-sponsored Nursing Assistant Training Program with online synchronous theory plus in-person labs and clinicals. Full-time day or evening option runs 6 weeks, with a 15-week weekend track; partner facilities cover tuition and required fees.
Visit websiteBakersfield College
Cost$278Hours160Weeks–
- Address
- 1801 Panorama Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93305
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (661) 395-4281
Bakersfield College’s Nurse Assistant Training Program combines classroom instruction and supervised clinicals to teach core care skills, vital signs, safety, and patient communication. The program totals at least 160 hours and prepares students for entry-level roles in healthcare settings.
Visit websiteBakersfield College - Mcfarland Learning Center
Cost$278Hours160Weeks–
- Address
- 559 Fifth Street, Bakersfield, CA 93250
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (661) 395-4281
Bakersfield College offers the Nurse Assistant Training Program at the McFarland Learning Center, providing classroom and clinical training in core CNA skills. The program uses the same 160-hour NATP curriculum offered by BC.
Visit websiteBakersfield College - Southwest
Cost$278Hours160Weeks–
- Address
- 9400 Camino Media, Bakersfield, CA 93311
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (661) 395-4281
Bakersfield College’s Nurse Assistant Training Program is offered at the BC Southwest Center and provides classroom and supervised clinical instruction in essential patient care skills. The program follows BC’s 160-hour NATP curriculum.
Visit websiteBakersfield Adult School
Cost$900Hours–Weeks10
- Address
- 2727 F Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (661) 861-1151
BAS Health Careers Center offers a weekday CNA program that prepares students for entry-level patient care through classroom and supervised clinical training. The program runs in multiple sessions during the year and includes required materials and fees in the program charge.
Visit websiteElliott Healthcare Services
Cost$1,900Hours–Weeks6
- Address
- 1601 H Street, Suite 102, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (661) 444-6418
- Schedule
- Evening and weekend classes
Kern Health Care College offers an accelerated 6-week Certified Nursing Assistant program with hands-on clinical training. Day, evening, and weekend schedules are available with job placement assistance.
Visit websiteChristian Central Valley College
Cost$2,595Hours–Weeks4
- Address
- 2901 H Street, Suite 110, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (661) 861-0877
- Schedule
- Evening and weekend classes
The Nursing Assistant Program offers full-time 20-day and part-time evening or weekend options. Tuition is 2595 and includes uniform, CPR, and supplies.
Visit websiteCellan Education Resources
Cost–Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 3210 Stine Road, Bakersfield, CA 93309
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (559) 920-0224
Cellan Education Resources offers a Nursing Assistant program with hands-on training in Bakersfield, with admissions requiring Live Scan and a recent physical/TB test. The school also offers HHA, RNA, CEU, and BLS training.
Visit websiteHigh Desert Medical College
Cost–Hours164Weeks6
- Address
- 2000 24Th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (661) 579-2901
6-week Nursing Assistant certificate totaling 164 hours with hybrid-online theory, campus labs, and a clinical externship. Career Services provides job placement assistance.
Visit websiteKern High School District
Cost–Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 7301 Old River Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (661) 397-7301
CTEC’s one‑year Nursing Assistant course for high school seniors covers patient care skills with a convalescent‑facility internship in second semester. Students complete required health clearances and fingerprinting before clinicals.
Visit websiteKern Valley Career Center
Cost–Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 1401 Commercial Way Suite 220, Bakersfield, CA 93309
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (661) 843-7711
Kern Valley Medical College offers a Nurse Assistant Training Program focused on essential caregiver responsibilities, safety protocols, and adult health care. The site outlines enrollment requirements and uniforms for CNA students.
Visit websiteCost, hours and weeks are each school's published figures, so confirm them with the school. A dash means the school has not published it.
Not sure which of the 13 programs fits you?
Free to use. No obligation to enroll. Compare multiple programs. We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.
Explore CNA Programs in Other Cities
Nearby cities
Major California cities
- Los Angeles41 programs
- San Diego20 programs
- San Jose12 programs
- San Francisco6 programs
- Fresno14 programs
- Sacramento18 programs
CNA Employment Opportunities in Bakersfield
| Median annual pay | $38,830 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly pay | $18.67 |
| CNA jobs in the region | 1,660 |
| Salary region | Bakersfield |
Source: BLS OEWS (May 2023), median wages for nursing assistants.
In the Bakersfield region, approximately 1,660 CNAs are employed according to recent data. The city’s healthcare sector consistently requires new certified nursing assistants to staff hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies across diverse care settings. Job prospects remain steady as facilities continue to recruit qualified individuals for essential patient support roles.
The CNA salary in Bakersfield is in line with regional wage levels. In the Bakersfield area, CNAs earn around $38,830 per year or $18.67 per hour based on BLS OEWS (May 2023) data. This local median is somewhat lower than the statewide California figure of $45,170 annually but provides a useful benchmark for entry-level healthcare professionals in the city.
Bakersfield features a variety of CMS-certified employers offering opportunities for CNAs. Notable examples include Rosewood Health Facility (a 79-bed nonprofit facility), Kern River Transitional Care (with 140 beds), and San Joaquin Nursing Center and Rehabilitation Center (99 beds). Hospitals such as Mercy Hospital and Kern Medical Center also play significant roles as major regional employers. Home health agencies like Mercy-Memorial Home Health further diversify job settings available to new CNAs within Bakersfield.
Nursing Homes Hiring CNAs in Bakersfield (10 facilities)
10 nursing homes in Bakersfield providing CNA employment opportunities. Showing top 5 facilities ranked by CNA hours per resident per day (as provided by official data). Source: CMS nursing homes (July 2025)
| Nursing home | Beds | CNA hrs/day |
|---|---|---|
| Rosewood Health Facility1401 New Stine Road(661) 835-2512Map | 79 | 2.7 |
| Kern River Transitional Care5151 Knudsen Drive(661) 325-9900Map | 140 | 2.7 |
| San Joaquin Nursing Center And Rehabilitation Cent3601 San Dimas(661) 323-2894Map | 99 | 2.6 |
| Brookdale Riverwalk Snf (Ca)350 Calloway Drive, Building C(661) 587-0221Map | 120 | 2.5 |
| Parkview Julian Healthcare Center1801 Julian Avenue(661) 831-9150Map | 99 | 2.5 |
Hospitals Hiring CNAs in Bakersfield (6 facilities)
6 hospitals in Bakersfield offering CNA employment opportunities. Showing top 5 facilities ranked by overall rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS hospitals (July 2025)
| Hospital | Rating |
|---|---|
| Mercy HospitalAcute Care Hospitals · 2215 Truxtun Avenue(661) 632-5000Map | 3/5 |
| Bakersfield Memorial HospitalAcute Care Hospitals · 420 34Th St(661) 327-4647Map | 2/5 |
| Kern Medical CenterAcute Care Hospitals · 1700 Mount Vernon Avenue(661) 326-2000Map | 2/5 |
| Adventist Health BakersfieldAcute Care Hospitals · 2615 Chester Avenue(661) 395-3000Map | 1/5 |
| Bakersfield Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, LlcPsychiatric · 5201 White Lane(661) 398-1800Map | – |
Home Health Agencies Hiring CNAs in Bakersfield (20 facilities)
20 home health agencies in Bakersfield providing CNA career opportunities. Showing top 5 facilities ranked by quality rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS home health agencies (July 2025)
| Agency | Quality |
|---|---|
| Mercy-Memorial Home Health1600 D Street, Suite 202(661) 632-5050Map | 5.0/5 |
| Adventist Health Home Care Services5500 Ming Ave., Ste. 128(661) 863-2700Map | 4.5/5 |
| Friendly Nurses Home Health Care, Inc.1707 Eye St(661) 398-6939Map | 4.5/5 |
| Pro Nursing Home Care, Inc2201 Mount Vernon Avenue, Suite 110(661) 840-8721Map | 4.0/5 |
| Purpose Driven Home Health, Llc11901 Bolthouse Dr. Ste. 100(661) 412-9730Map | 3.5/5 |
Sources
- Salary Data: BLS OEWS (May 2023)
- Healthcare Facilities: CMS (July 2025)
Working in Nearby Cities and Other States
Working in Nearby Cities
Looking beyond Bakersfield? Explore CNA programs and jobs in Porterville, Delano, Wasco, Arvin, and Lake Isabella, or browse the California CNA programs page for more options.
Working in Other States
Planning to move or gain experience working in other states? Use our reciprocity guide to transfer your existing CNA license across states.
Working Through Agencies or as a Travel CNA
If you're already certified and would like to work through an agency or work as a travel CNA, browse here our directory of CNA agencies or simply fill out this short form to get matched with 3 personalized CNA agencies that can help you land your next job.
Requirements to Work as a CNA in Bakersfield, CA
To work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Bakersfield, you must meet the statewide CNA requirements set by California. These include completing a California Department of Public Health (CDPH)–approved Nurse Assistant Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP), passing the state-approved competency examination administered by Credentia or D&SDT-Headmaster, and being listed on the California Nurse Aide Registry.
- At least 160 total hours of training (60 classroom hours and 100 supervised clinical hours in a licensed skilled nursing facility) — the highest requirement in the nation
- Completion of 16 hours of required instruction before any direct resident contact
- Criminal background check through California DOJ and FBI Live Scan
- Passing both the knowledge test (70 questions: 60 multiple-choice + 10 reading comprehension, 120 minutes) and the skills evaluation (five randomly selected skills within 25 minutes)
- Up to three attempts per component within two years of completing training before retraining is required
- Placement on the California Nurse Aide Registry maintained by CDPH
Once certified, you can work in skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, home health agencies, and other licensed healthcare settings throughout Bakersfield and across California. CNAs must complete 48 hours of approved continuing education every 24 months to maintain active certification.
Already certified in another state? California offers certification by equivalency for out-of-state CNAs who hold active certification in good standing and meet federal OBRA training standards. Additional documentation, background checks, or testing may be required. Learn more in our CNA License Reciprocity in California guide.
For complete details on training programs, testing procedures, renewal requirements, and maintaining active registry status, see our comprehensive CNA License & Registration in California guide.
Career Growth & Advancement
Many CNAs use their experience as a stepping stone toward advanced healthcare careers:
- Specialized certifications (e.g., dementia care, medication aide)
- Promotion into shift supervisor or training coordinator roles
- Bridge programs to become an LPN or RN
- Opportunities in healthcare administration or education
Ready to start? Get info from CNA schools in Bakersfield.
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Frequently Asked Questions about CNA Classes in Bakersfield
How long does it take to complete a CNA program in Bakersfield?
Most CNA programs in Bakersfield can be completed in 4–12 weeks, depending on whether you choose a traditional, accelerated, or weekend schedule. The shortest published length here is 4 weeks, at Christian Central Valley College.
How much does CNA training cost in Bakersfield?
CNA programs in Bakersfield cost between $278 and $2,595, depending on the school. 3 programs are free or employer-paid. The lowest-priced paid option is Bakersfield College at $278. Some schools and healthcare employers may cover the cost or reimburse you after hiring.
Are there free CNA classes in Bakersfield?
Yes. 3 programs in Bakersfield are free or employer-paid: Academy of Health Careers, Academy of Health Careers and Unitek Training Healthcare. Some hospitals, nursing homes, and workforce programs may also offer free CNA training in exchange for a work commitment.
Are there online CNA training options available in Bakersfield?
Yes. 3 programs in Bakersfield offer hybrid options, with online coursework and in-person clinical training at local healthcare facilities.
Are there any 4-week CNA classes in Bakersfield?
Yes. 3 programs in Bakersfield are accelerated. Accelerated programs usually take 3 to 5 weeks, depending on class schedules and clinical requirements.
Which nearby cities are there for CNA classes and job opportunities?
Near Bakersfield there are several other cities with CNA classes and job opportunities, such as Porterville, Delano, Wasco, Arvin and Lake Isabella. You can also look at the California state page to find more.
How do I get listed on the California CNA registry?
To work as a CNA in California, you must be added to the official state registry. See our California CNA registry guide for step-by-step instructions.
Where do CNAs work in Bakersfield?
CNAs in Bakersfield are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other healthcare facilities. CMS lists 10 nursing homes, 6 hospitals and 20 home health agencies in Bakersfield. Many also use their CNA experience as a stepping stone to LPN or RN careers.
Information accuracy: requirements, salary data and other information are compiled from official sources but can change. Please confirm with the school or the state before making decisions. If you spot a mistake, let us know.