CNA Classes & Programs in San Jose, California
12 state-approved CNA programs in San Jose, 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 San Jose
- Programs
- 12
- state-approved
- Median CNA pay
- $54,360
- $26.13 an hour
- CNA jobs
- 5,520
- in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara region
- Healthcare facilities
- 47
- 19 nursing homes, 5 hospitals and 23 home health agencies
- Population
- 1,001,176
- 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.
Aspiring CNAs in San Jose can choose from 12 approved CNA programs located throughout this high-tech city at the heart of Silicon Valley. With its thriving population and advanced medical community, San Jose offers a strong foundation for those seeking reputable CNA classes close to home or work.
The city's CNA training landscape features online course options along with several accelerated pathways designed to help students complete requirements quickly—some in just four weeks—and pursue state certification efficiently. Select programs may also provide free tuition opportunities to further broaden access for motivated candidates interested in entering healthcare careers without significant upfront costs.
In the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metro area, CNAs earn around $54,360 annually—a figure that stands out above statewide benchmarks—for those completing their education through local CNA courses.
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Browse CNA Classes in San Jose
San Jose’s 12 CNA programs prepare candidates for California certification through classroom-based instruction as well as online classes and accelerated formats such as 4-week programs. Students benefit from flexible scheduling options designed to support readiness for registry placement while meeting regional healthcare demand, where trained CNAs remain vital across local facilities.
Program Types in San Jose
| Type | In San Jose | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Free or employer-paid | 2 programs | See them ↓ |
| 4-week (accelerated) | 6 programs | See them ↓ |
| Online or hybrid | 2 programs | See them ↓ |
| Evening or weekend | 7 programs | See them ↓ |
A program can appear under more than one type. Counts come from each program's published details.
All 12 CNA programs in San Jose
Empress Care Center
CostFreeHours–Weeks–
- Address
- 1299 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose, CA 95128
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (408) 287-0616
Empress Care Center is a state-approved CNA training provider. Contact them directly for program details and enrollment information.
Visit websitePlum Tree Care Center
CostFreeHours–Weeks–
- Address
- 2580 Samaritan Dr., San Jose, CA 95124
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (408) 356-8181
Plum Tree Care Center is a state-approved CNA training provider. Contact them directly for program details and enrollment information.
Visit websiteEvergreen Valley College
Cost$344Hours160Weeks14
- Address
- 3095 Yerba Buena Road, San Jose, CA 95135
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (408) 274-7900
EVC’s Nurse Assistant course provides 60 hours of lecture and 100 hours of clinical training, building core care skills with clinicals in a skilled nursing facility. The nurse assistant component is completed within the first 14 weeks of the term.
Visit websiteSilver Peak Accelerated Learning Program of California
Cost$1,700Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 2971 Kentridge Drive, San Jose, CA 95133
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (669) 208-5139
Silver Peak offers a Nursing Assistant program with hybrid learning options and career support services. Recent cohorts list San Jose classes with published tuition pricing.
Visit websiteCAL ACE Nursing Academy
Cost$1,798Hours164Weeks7
- Address
- San Jose, CA
- Phone
- (408) 416-6477
- Schedule
- Evening and weekend classes
Hybrid CNA program with live online theory and in-person clinical training; weekday, evening, and weekend cohorts available. Program typically completes in about seven weeks with a total of 164 hours.
Visit websiteReachpoint Nurse Education Center
Cost$1,800Hours160Weeks–
- Address
- 1210 S Bascom Ave Ste. 123, San Jose, CA 95128
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (408) 692-4110
- Schedule
- Evening and weekend classes
State-approved CNA training with 60 classroom hours and 100 clinical hours; multiple day, evening, and weekend cohorts offered in San Jose.
Visit websiteS.J. Institute of Nursing
Cost$1,800Hours160Weeks–
- Address
- 1620 Oakland Road, Suite D201, San Jose, CA 95131
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (408) 705-7648
- Schedule
- Evening and weekend classes
CDPH- and BPPE-approved CNA program with 60 hours of classroom theory and 100 hours of clinical, offered in morning, evening, and weekend cohorts. Tuition includes one set of scrubs and Live Scan.
Visit websiteGolden Heart School of Nursing
Cost$1,900Hours160Weeks–
- Address
- 5671 Santa Teresa Blvd., Suite 212, San Jose, CA 95123
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (408) 677-8443
- Schedule
- Evening and weekend classes
Golden Heart offers a CNA/NATP program with AM, PM, and weekend cohorts that include 60 hours of theory and 100 hours of clinical for a total of 160 hours. The school lists tuition, schedules, and provides assistance with suitable job opportunities.
Visit websiteCaring Hands School of Nursing
Cost$2,000Hours160Weeks4
- Address
- 6155 Almaden Expressway Suite 130, San Jose, CA 95120
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (831) 809-1439
- Schedule
- Evening and weekend classes
Accelerated CNA training with 60 hours of theory and 100 hours of clinicals, offered in day, evening, and weekend schedules; tuition includes books and scrubs. Additional costs include Live Scan and the state exam.
Visit websiteDiamond School of Nursing
Cost$2,000Hours–Weeks4
- Address
- 1762 Technolgy Drive, Suite 115, San Jose, CA 95110
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (408) 850-0040
- Schedule
- Evening and weekend classes
Diamond’s state‑approved CNA program offers morning, evening, and weekend cohorts with hands‑on lab and clinical training plus job‑readiness support. Program tuition includes scrubs, textbooks, and study materials.
Visit websiteAprende Health Careers Institute
Cost–Hours–Weeks5
- Address
- 3286 South White Road, San Jose, CA 95148
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (877) 889-2424
- Schedule
- Evening and weekend classes
CDPH-approved CNA training offering morning, evening, and weekend cohorts including a 5-week accelerated weekday option. Programs emphasize flexible scheduling to help students enter healthcare quickly.
Visit websiteEdward Medical Training Center
Cost–Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 1913 O'Toole Way, San Jose, CA 95131
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (408) 661-8774
The Nursing Assistant program provides classroom and hands-on training to prepare students for entry-level patient care in healthcare settings. The school highlights supportive instruction and practical skills development.
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 12 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
All California cities with CNA programs →CNA Employment Opportunities in San Jose
| Median annual pay | $54,360 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly pay | $26.13 |
| CNA jobs in the region | 5,520 |
| Salary region | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara |
Source: BLS OEWS (May 2023), median wages for nursing assistants.
In the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metro area, approximately 5,520 certified nursing assistants work across local hospitals, skilled nursing centers, and home health organizations. Demand remains steady thanks to an aging population and an array of top-tier medical providers located within Silicon Valley's boundaries. CNA jobs in San Jose are available in a range of healthcare settings.
CNA salary in San Jose reflects one of California's highest regional pay rates: In the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metro area, CNAs earn around $54,360 annually or $26.13 per hour according to BLS OEWS (May 2023). This regional median exceeds California's statewide median of $45,170 by a notable margin—an important consideration when evaluating compensation prospects locally versus elsewhere in the state.
CMS-certified employers range from O'Connor Hospital D/P SNF (24-bed county facility) and Lincoln Glen Skilled Nursing (59 beds) to A Grace Sub Acute & Skilled Care with over 160 beds serving complex patient needs. Local acute care institutions include Kaiser Foundation Hospital-San Jose and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center—both recognized names within northern California's hospital network—as well as psychiatric specialty provider San Jose Behavioral Health. Home health agencies such as Helenium Home Health, National Home Health Services, and Premier Home Health Providers round out key sources of employment opportunities throughout greater San Jose.
Nursing Homes Hiring CNAs in San Jose (19 facilities)
19 nursing homes in San Jose 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 |
|---|---|---|
| O'Connor Hospital D/P Snf2105 Forest Avenue(408) 947-2500Map | 24 | 3.0 |
| Lincoln Glen Skilled Nursing2671 Plummer Avenue(408) 265-3222Map | 59 | 3.0 |
| A Grace Sub Acute & Skilled Care1250 S. Winchester Boulevard(408) 241-3844Map | 166 | 2.9 |
| Mission De La Casa2501 Alvin Avenue(408) 238-9751Map | 163 | 2.8 |
| Skyline Healthcare Center - San Jose2065 Forest Avenue(408) 280-2500Map | 253 | 2.7 |
Hospitals Hiring CNAs in San Jose (5 facilities)
5 hospitals in San Jose offering CNA employment opportunities. Showing top 5 facilities ranked by overall rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS hospitals (July 2025)
| Hospital | Rating |
|---|---|
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital-San JoseAcute Care Hospitals · 250 Hospital Parkway(408) 972-3000Map | 4/5 |
| Regional Medical Center Of San JoseAcute Care Hospitals · 225 N Jackson Avenue(408) 259-5000Map | 3/5 |
| Santa Clara Valley Medical CenterAcute Care Hospitals · 751 South Bascom Avenue(408) 885-5000Map | 3/5 |
| Good Samaritan HospitalAcute Care Hospitals · 2425 Samaritan Drive(408) 559-2011Map | 2/5 |
| San Jose Behavioral HealthPsychiatric · 455 Silicon Valley Boulevard(408) 819-7310Map | – |
Home Health Agencies Hiring CNAs in San Jose (23 facilities)
23 home health agencies in San Jose 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 |
|---|---|
| Helenium Home Health, Inc.1590 Oakland Road, Suite B-113(408) 326-2971Map | 5.0/5 |
| National Home Health Services, Inc2880 Zanker Road, Suite 106(408) 404-4090Map | 5.0/5 |
| Premier Home Health Providers Inc.1095 Bird Avenue, Suite 4(408) 286-1199Map | 5.0/5 |
| Care Must4075 Evergreen Village Square, Suite 230B(408) 755-1215Map | 4.5/5 |
| South Springs Home Health Care1590 Oakland Road, Suite B-213(408) 883-4460Map | 4.5/5 |
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 San Jose? Explore CNA programs and jobs in Fremont, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Oakland, and Hayward, 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 San Jose, CA
To work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in San Jose, 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 San Jose 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 San Jose.
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 San Jose
How long does it take to complete a CNA program in San Jose?
Most CNA programs in San Jose 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 Caring Hands School of Nursing.
How much does CNA training cost in San Jose?
CNA programs in San Jose cost between $344 and $2,000, depending on the school. 2 programs are free or employer-paid. The lowest-priced paid option is Evergreen Valley College at $344. Some schools and healthcare employers may cover the cost or reimburse you after hiring.
Are there free CNA classes in San Jose?
Yes. 2 programs in San Jose are free or employer-paid: Empress Care Center and Plum Tree Care Center. 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 San Jose?
Yes. 2 programs in San Jose offer hybrid options, with online coursework and in-person clinical training at local healthcare facilities.
Are there any 4-week CNA classes in San Jose?
Yes. 6 programs in San Jose 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 San Jose there are several other cities with CNA classes and job opportunities, such as Fremont, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Oakland and Hayward. 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 San Jose?
CNAs in San Jose are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other healthcare facilities. CMS lists 19 nursing homes, 5 hospitals and 23 home health agencies in San Jose. 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.