CNA Classes & Programs in Oakland, California
6 state-approved CNA programs in Oakland, including free, online, 4-week, evening and weekend options.
Free to use. No obligation to enroll. Compare multiple programs. We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.
CNA training in Oakland
- Programs
- 6
- state-approved
- Median CNA pay
- $50,380
- $24.22 an hour
- CNA jobs
- 10,690
- in the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward region
- Healthcare facilities
- 29
- 18 nursing homes, 5 hospitals and 6 home health agencies
- Population
- 437,825
- residents
Sources: BLS OEWS (May 2023), CMS (July 2025).
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What brings you here?
Free to use. No obligation to enroll. Compare multiple programs. We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.
Oakland offers six CNA programs serving individuals eager to join Northern California’s diverse healthcare workforce. As part of the greater Bay Area metropolitan region—with its renowned hospital systems—students have access to varied educational resources that support their pathway toward becoming certified nurse assistants.
CNA training programs in Oakland enable candidates to pursue state certification through classroom study combined with hands-on experience at local medical centers or skilled nursing facilities. Program choices include flexible schedules such as online, accelerated tracks when available—and even free CNA classes. These features make it possible to match each student’s needs with their career ambitions.
In the San Francisco–Oakland–Hayward metro area—which includes Oakland—CNAs earn around $50,380 annually based on BLS OEWS (May 2023) data—well above many other regions statewide.
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Browse CNA Classes in Oakland
Students in Oakland can choose from six CNA training programs designed to prepare them for state registry placement or California certification exams. Options include online learning formats as well as free program availability at select locations; some schools may also offer accelerated paths toward completion. These CNA classes equip graduates with practical skills needed by Bay Area employers seeking qualified nurse assistants across multiple care environments.
Program Types in Oakland
| Type | In Oakland | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Free or employer-paid | 1 program | All In One School of Nursing - Oakland ↓ |
| 4-week (accelerated) | 2 programs | See them ↓ |
| Online or hybrid | 4 programs | See them ↓ |
| Evening or weekend | 3 programs | See them ↓ |
A program can appear under more than one type. Counts come from each program's published details.
All 6 CNA programs in Oakland
Lowest published cost first.
All In One School of Nursing - Oakland
CostFreeHours164Weeks–
- Address
- 3030 Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94609
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (323) 810-4436
CNA training offered across multiple California locations with instruction that meets state requirements. A tuition-free option is available with a 1 year employment commitment at an affiliated facility.
Visit websiteNorthern California Nursing Academy
Cost$2,170Hours160Weeks6
- Address
- Oakland, CA
- Phone
- (650) 992 -6262
- Schedule
- Evening and weekend classes
Online/hybrid Nurse Assistant program with weekday, evening, and weekend options; cohorts run about 6–15 weeks. Total cost 2170 includes registration, tuition, CPR/BLS, materials, uniforms, technology fee, and NNAAP exam fee; job assistance provided.
Visit websiteQuest Nursing Education Center
Cost$2,500Hours160Weeks4
- Address
- 917 Harrison Street, Oakland, CA 94607
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (510) 452-1444
- Schedule
- Evening and weekend classes
Quest’s Nurse Assistant Program is a hybrid 160-hour course (60 classroom, 100 clinical) offered in day, evening, and weekend formats over 4–6 weeks. Tuition is 2500 and includes books, uniforms, background check, fingerprinting, immunizations, and exam fees.
Visit websiteDestiny School of Nursing And Education
Cost–Hours–Weeks6
- Address
- 7901 Oakport Street, Suite 1100, Oakland, CA 94621
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (925) 267-2888
- Schedule
- Evening classes
Destiny School of Nursing & Education offers a CNA program at its Oakland site with day and evening options and an approximate 6‑week completion time. The school highlights flexible tuition payment plans.
Visit websiteGolden Hearts Nursing School
Cost–Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 3322 International Blvd #B, Oakland, CA 94601
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (510) 302-9830
Golden Hearts offers an accelerated, hybrid CNA program that can be completed in about one month, combining online coursework with hands-on training at healthcare facilities. The school advertises scholarships and job placement assistance.
Visit websiteH&R Healthcare School
Cost–Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- Oakland, CA
- Phone
- (310) 997-3114
H&R Healthcare School is a state-approved CNA training provider. Contact them directly for program details and enrollment information.
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 6 programs fits you?
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Explore CNA Programs in Other Cities
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All California cities with CNA programs →CNA Employment Opportunities in Oakland
| Median annual pay | $50,380 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly pay | $24.22 |
| CNA jobs in the region | 10,690 |
| Salary region | San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward |
Source: BLS OEWS (May 2023), median wages for nursing assistants.
In the San Francisco–Oakland–Hayward metropolitan region, approximately 10,690 certified nursing assistants work within hospitals, residential care centers, rehabilitation facilities, and private homes throughout this vibrant Bay Area community. The need for skilled CNAs continues due to regional population growth and expanding eldercare services offered by local providers.
The CNA salary in Oakland stands out compared with much of California: In this metro area, CNAs earn around $50,380 per year (or $24.22 per hour), according to BLS OEWS (May 2023). This figure significantly exceeds the statewide median pay rate of $45,170 annually—a reflection of higher living costs but also greater wage potential within Bay Area healthcare markets than elsewhere in California.
A broad range of CMS-certified employers operate across Oakland: Notable examples include Bay Area Healthcare Center—a partnership-operated skilled facility with nearly 100 beds; Piedmont Gardens Health Facility; Mcclure Post Acute; Bellaken Skilled Nursing Center; Alta Bates Summit Medical Center—a leading nonprofit hospital system; Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Oakland/Richmond; Highland Hospital; UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland; plus reputable home health agencies like Asian Network Pacific Home Care Inc., Healthflex Home Health Services—and others—all providing meaningful roles suited for newly trained CNAs seeking career advancement locally.
Nursing Homes Hiring CNAs in Oakland (18 facilities)
18 nursing homes in Oakland 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bay Area Healthcare Center1833 10Th Avenue(510) 536-6512Map | 99 | 3.3 |
| Piedmont Gardens Health Facility110 41St Street(510) 597-6700Map | 94 | 3.0 |
| Mcclure Post Acute2910 Mcclure Street(510) 836-3677Map | 60 | 3.0 |
| Garfield Neurobehavioral Center1451 28Th Avenue(510) 261-9191Map | 96 | 3.0 |
| Bellaken Skilled Nursing Center2780 26Th Avenue(510) 536-1838Map | 61 | 2.7 |
Hospitals Hiring CNAs in Oakland (5 facilities)
5 hospitals in Oakland offering CNA employment opportunities. Showing top 5 facilities ranked by overall rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS hospitals (July 2025)
| Hospital | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alta Bates Summit Medical CenterAcute Care Hospitals · 350 Hawthorne Avenue(510) 655-4000Map | 5/5 |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Oakland/RichmondAcute Care Hospitals · 275 West Macarthur Boulevard(510) 752-1000Map | 2/5 |
| Highland HospitalAcute Care Hospitals · 1411 East 31St Street(510) 437-4800Map | 1/5 |
| Telecare Heritage Psychiatric Health FacilityPsychiatric · 2633 E 27Th Street, Building B(510) 535-5115Map | – |
| Ucsf Benioff Children'S Hospital OaklandChildrens · 747 52Nd Street(510) 428-3000Map | – |
Home Health Agencies Hiring CNAs in Oakland (6 facilities)
6 home health agencies in Oakland 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 |
|---|---|
| Asian Network Pacific Home Care, Inc212 9Th Street, Suite 205(510) 268-1118Map | 4.5/5 |
| Healthflex Home Health Services7677 Oakport Street, Suite 930(510) 553-1900Map | 4.5/5 |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital Home Health - Oakland4501 Broadway(510) 752-1000Map | 3.0/5 |
| Astra Health Care Home Health Agency55 Santa Clara Avenue, Suite 255(510) 272-0777Map | – |
| Aveanna Healthcare333 Hegenberger Rd(510) 568-2201Map | – |
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 Oakland? Explore CNA programs and jobs in Concord, Berkeley, San Leandro, Alameda, and San Francisco, 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 Oakland, CA
To work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Oakland, 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 Oakland 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 Oakland.
Free to use. No obligation to enroll. Compare multiple programs. We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.
Frequently Asked Questions about CNA Classes in Oakland
How long does it take to complete a CNA program in Oakland?
Most CNA programs in Oakland 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 Quest Nursing Education Center.
How much does CNA training cost in Oakland?
CNA programs in Oakland cost between $2,170 and $2,500, depending on the school. One program is free or employer-paid. The lowest-priced paid option is Northern California Nursing Academy at $2,170. Some schools and healthcare employers may cover the cost or reimburse you after hiring.
Are there free CNA classes in Oakland?
Yes. All In One School of Nursing - Oakland offers free or employer-paid CNA training. 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 Oakland?
Yes. 4 programs in Oakland offer hybrid options, with online coursework and in-person clinical training at local healthcare facilities.
Are there any 4-week CNA classes in Oakland?
Yes. 2 programs in Oakland 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 Oakland there are several other cities with CNA classes and job opportunities, such as Concord, Berkeley, San Leandro, Alameda and San Francisco. 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 Oakland?
CNAs in Oakland are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other healthcare facilities. CMS lists 18 nursing homes, 5 hospitals and 6 home health agencies in Oakland. 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.