Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Certified Nursing Assistant FAQ

1. What is a certified nursing assistant (CNA)?
2. What tasks do certified nursing assistant do?
3. What are the requirements to become a certified nursing assistant?
4. How do I become a certified nursing assistant?
5. Do I need a GED or high school diploma to take the certified nursing assistant program?
6. Where can a CNA apply for a job?
7. Will I receive a diploma after completing my nursing assistant program?
8. Can I get certified if I had prior convictions?
9. What should I do if I was convicted in the past?
10. If I had a conviction, how long would take the DPHS to review my case?
11. Whom should I notify if I change your address?
12. May I perform the duties of a nurse assistant before I am certified?
13. I’m moving to or from another State. May I perform nurse assistant duties in that State?
14. How long does this CNA program takes?
15. I am receiving unemployment benefits through EDD. Is St. Jude Nursing School approved by WIA to provide nursing assistant classes?

California Stateboard Exam FAQ

1. What do I need to know about the California Stateboard test?
2. How much are the State fees to test? Who gets the money?
3. How soon can I test?
4. How is St. Jude Nursing School different from other local nursing schools?
5. If I have some other training in nursing, can I challenge the Stateboard test?
6. Is there a time limit in which I must pass both exams?
7. How do I decide which exam to take?
8. Can I register for an exam or check my scores online?
9. How long will it take me to find out if I passed or failed?
10. How long will my name remain on the California Department of Public Health registry?

Continuing Education Units CEU’s FAQ

1. What are continuing education units (CEU’s) or in-service training hours?
2. Where can I take my continuing education units?
3. What classes are counted toward my CEU’s?
4. I am enrolled in the RN / LVN program. Can I get CEU’s from those classes?
5. Does my home health aide training hours count towards my continuing education units?

Certified Nursing Assistant Renewal FAQ

1. How do I know when I have to renew my CNA certification?
2. I have not worked as a certified nursing assistant in the last two (2) years of my certification period but I worked as a caregiver. Can I still renew my certificate?
3. I did not complete my 48 hours in-service in the last two (2) years of my certification period. Can I still renew my certificate?
4. If my certificate has expired, may I renew without retaking the Stateboard test?
5. Under what circumstances must I retake the certified nursing program again?
6. My certification expired. How can I reactivate my certificate?

California Stateboard Exam FAQ

1. What is a certified nursing assistant (CNA)?
   The nurse assistant is an important member of the health care team who provides direct care to patients in healthcare facilities, and home health settings. All Certified Nurse Assistant’s function under the supervision of the Licensed Nurse.

2. What tasks do certified nursing assistant do?
   Your regular responsibilities as a nursing assistant will vary based on where you work or live. Nursing assistants can work in a wide variety of settings; nursing homes, hospitals, adult day care centers, personal homes and assisted living facilities all require nursing assistants to act as a helpful liaison between the RN or LVN and the patient. In many cases, the nursing assistant serves as the RN’s or LVN’s eyes and ears, and relays information between many patients and one or two RNs.
   
   The nursing assistant fulfills basic quality of life needs for patients of any age, ethnicity or gender in healthcare settings. Since nursing assistants have daily contact with patients, they are gatherers of vital information about the patients’ conditions, which they must then transmit to their supervisors. A CNA’s workload can become intense and fast-paced, but the human contact and ability to help those in medical need is a strong motivating factor. A desire to help people and compassion for patients can help a nurse’s assistant get through difficult days.

3. What are the requirements to become a certified nursing assistant? To become a CNA, applicants must be at least 16 years of age, submit fingerprints upon enrollment, must have a physical exam stating that the applicant has no health condition that would create a hazard to him/ herself, or fellow employees, residents or visitors. A conviction screening must be completed before patient contact, along with a minimum of 150 hours of training and successfully complete a state competency exam upon completion of the training. For more info call us at: (818) 892-6141 or visit us at: www.stjudenursingschool.com

4. How do I become a certified nursing assistant?
   Training to become a nursing assistant or CNA is offered by, community colleges, private schools, and through medical facilities. Some clinics will hire untrained and inexperienced workers and provide on-the-job training, but these opportunities may be hard to come by. Many schools offer training within medical facilities as part of their course programs as well. All CNAs must take an examination before they become qualified nursing assistants.

5. Do I need a GED or high school diploma to take the certified nursing assistant program?
   No, you don’t. St. Jude Nursing School does not require you to have high school diploma or GED to start the nursing assistant program at this moment.

6. Where can a CNA apply for a job?
   Certified Nursing assistants can apply for work in hospitals, sub-acute facilities, long term care facilities (nursing homes), clinics, psychiatric units, pediatric centers, rehabilitation units, with private patients, jails, schools, day care facilities, assisting livings units, hospice and home health agencies.

7. Will I receive a diploma after completing my nursing assistant program?
   Yes, you will receive a diploma form St. Jude Nursing School which is a proof of the program completion.

8. Can I get certified if I had prior convictions?
   It depends on the type of convictions that you have. If you have a conviction that may result in the denial of your certificate, you will be notified by mail. All CNA’s /HHA’s applicants with convictions for misdemeanors and felonies are reported to the investigation section (IS), by the California department of justice (DOJ), for review. The fingerprint investigation unit (FIU), of investigation section considers the type of conviction and other factors of good character and rehabilitation. After review, a decision will be made to either deny or issue you a criminal record clearance. However, investigation section is required to deny applicants who have certain misdemeanor and felony convictions.

9. What should I do if I was convicted in the past?
   Before you start any nursing assistant program in any approved training facility, the initial application form (283 B) must be submitted along your fingerprints for review.

10. If I had a conviction, how long would take the DPHS to review my case?
    It varies; it goes by case by case basis. The review may be completed in two (2) months approximately from receipt of your criminal record from Department of justice (DOJ). You will be notified by mail.

11. Whom should I notify if I change my address?
    Certificate holders shall notify CDPH within sixty (60) days of any change of address. If you have had a name change, submit legal verification of the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court documents). Failure to report a name or address change may result in the delay or loss of your certification. To download the forms please go to: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/pubsforms/forms/CtrldForms/cdph0929.pdf

12. May I perform the duties of a nurse assistant before I am certified?
    If you are currently attending an approved training program in a nursing home, you have 120 days in which to complete the training and become certified. During that period, a student may not perform any duty for which they have not been trained and checked by the instructor.
    
    If you are not enrolled in an approved nursing facility training course, you may not perform any nurse aide duties until you become certified.

13. I’m moving to or from another State. May I perform nurse assistant duties in that State?
    If you are moving TO California, please contact the Department of Public Health for State requirements. Contact CDPH at: (916) 327-2445 or visit at: www.cdph.ca.gov
    
    If you are moving FROM California, you should contact the Board of Nursing or Department of Health for that State, to obtain state requirements.

14. How long does this CNA program takes?
    St. Jude Nursing School offers a 5 weeks training program. Once you finish our program you could be comfortably situated in a new, exciting, rewarding career working as a Certified Nursing Assistant. For the student convenience we also offer 2, 3, and 4 months part time classes during the morning and evenings.

15. I am receiving unemployment benefits through EDD. Is St. Jude Nursing School approved by WIA to provide nursing assistant classes?
    Yes, St. Jude Nursing School accepts WIA participants; please contact Admission Director for more information at 818-892-6141.

California Stateboard Exam FAQ

1. What do I need to know about the California Stateboard test?
   Candidates, both first time and re-certifying, must pass the CNA examination which is a two part examination consisting of a written and a performance (skills) section. The written test is a two-hour test with seventy (70) multiple-choice questions written in English. During the clinical (skill) portion of the test, you will be assigned to perform five skills and be observed by a nurse evaluator. Successful completion of each skill is required in order for you to pass. Your training in St. Jude Nursing School will specifically train you to pass the California Stateboard test.

2. How much are the State fees to test? Who gets the money?
   
   

   Both written and skill examination	$ 90.00
   Retake the written examination	$ 35.00
   Retake the skill examination	$ 55.00
   Additional fee for oral examination	$ 15.00
   Reschedule the written examination - notice less than 48 hours	$ 25.00
   Reschedule the skill examination - notice less than 48 hours	$ 25.00

   
   State test fees are payable to Regional Testing Center, not us!!!

3. How soon can I test?
   As soon you finish the CNA course. We will assist you in filling out the application and direct you where to send the money order or cashier check for testing. You will get a test date and time mailed back to you usually within 1-2 weeks from the date of receipt of the application.

4. How is St. Jude Nursing School different from other local nursing schools?
   St. Jude Nursing School has one of the highest passing scores in the California state examination (95%) according to National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP). We offer a CNA exam prep course that helps you pass the State of California nursing assistant examination at the first time.

5. If I have some other training in nursing, can I challenge the Stateboard test?
   You possibly can. You need to contact the California Department of Public Health for requirements. Contact CDPH at: (916) 327-2445 or visit at: www.cdph.ca.gov

6. Is there a time limit in which I must pass both exams?
   You are allowed three (3) attempts within two (2) years after successfully completing a training program to pass both parts of the NNAAP examination (written and skills), to be eligible for placement on the Department of Public Health registry.

7. How do I decide which exam to take?
   Initially, both the written and the skills exams must be scheduled together.

8. How can I register for an exam or check my scores online?
   » Registration must be done by mail.
   » Results cannot be view on line.

9. How long will it take me to find out if I passed or failed?
   After the Nursing Assistant Evaluator evaluates your performance, he or she will fax the answer sheet for scoring. An official Score Report will be faxed to the evaluator. The Score Report will indicate whether you have passed or failed. If the site (St. Jude Nursing School) is experiences technical difficulties with faxing answer sheets, the results will be mailed within 7 to 10 business days after testing. If you do not receive your official scores by mail after ten businesses days please contact Pearson Vue at 1-800-475-8290.

10. How long will my name remain on the California Department of Public Health registry?
    Once on the California Department of Public Health registry, your certification will remain current for twenty four (24) months from the date you passed both parts of the Stateboard exam (written and skills).

Continuing Education Units CEU’s FAQ

1. What are continuing education units (CEU’s) or in-service training hours?
   CEU is any extra training over and above your working hours that enhances your knowledge of nursing skills. The required number of in-service training hours for CNA’s is 48; for HHA, it is 24 hours in the two-year certification period.

2. Where can I take my continuing education units?
   Continuing education classes may be taken at CDPH-approved providers (e.g. St. Jude Nursing School), community / state colleges, adult education or regional occupation programs, general acute care hospitals, or home health agencies, state long-term care ombudsman, or providers approved by the nursing boards.

3. What classes are counted toward my CEU’s?
   A partial (but not limited to) list of acceptable continuing education classes are Anatomy, Physiology, Biology, Microbiology, Psychology, Chemistry, Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, Sociology, Pharmacology, Medical Terminology, Epidemiology, Environment Medicine, Communication, Stress Management, Hygiene/Health, Nutrition, Languages, Diseases, Physiotherapeutic Massage, Therapeutic Physical Training, CPR, Ethics, Child Development, Maternal Health, Pediatrics, Geriatric courses, Mathematical courses, Sign Language, Environmental Medicine, Holistic Medicine, Phlebotomy, or First Aid. You must submit a copy of your school transcript to verify your enrollment.

4. I am enrolled in the RN / LVN program. Can I get CEU’s from those classes?
   Licensed Vocational Nurse / Registered Nurse / Licensed Psychiatric Technician Programs: CNA certificate holders will be given credit for time in these programs by listing the courses taken and converting the units to hours as follows:
   
   Semester Unit = 15 hours
   Quarter Unit = 10 hours
   You must submit a copy of your school transcript to verify your enrollment.

5. Does my home health aide training hours count towards my continuing education units?
   HHA Training Program (40-hour program): Twenty six (26) of the forty (40-hour) training program may count towards CEUs.

Certified Nursing Assistant Renewal FAQ

1. How do I know when I have to renew my CNA certification?
   The California Department of Health will send you a Renewal Notice four (4) months prior to your expiration date.

2. I have not worked as a certified nursing assistant in the last two (2) years of my certification period but I worked as a caregiver. Can I still renew my certificate?
   No, you can’t. You must have worked for pay as a nurse assistant performing nursing related services for at least eight (8) consecutive hours during the twenty four (24 months) prior to your certification expiration date, and you must submit evidence or 48 hours of in-service training or continuing education.

3. I did not complete my 48 hours in-service in the last two (2) years of my certification period. Can I still renew my certificate?
   No, you can’t. You have to successfully complete forty-eight (48) hours of In-Service Training/CEUs during my most recent certification period. Twelve (12) of the forty-eight (48) hours have to be completed in each year of my two (2) year certification period and you have include documentation of the completed hours with your renewal application.

4. If my certificate has expired, may I renew without retaking the Stateboard test?
   If your CNA certification has been expired less than two years and you have met the renewal requirements (obtained 48 hours of in-service training / CE hours and worked at least one day for pay providing nursing services), you may renew your certificate by sending a renewal application to:
   
   
   Department of Public Health Services DPHS
   Aide and Technician Certification Section ATCS
   MS 3301, P.O. Box: 997416
   Sacramento, CA 95899-7416

5. Under what circumstances must I retake the certified nursing program again?
   You must contact the California Department of Public Health and check if you are required to re-take the CNA program. But most cases if your CNA certificate has been expired 2 years after the expiration date you will be asked to re-train.

6. My certification expired. How can I reactivate my certificate?
   If you are unable to meet renewal requirements and your certificate has not been expired for more than two (2) years, you may reactivate the certificate by taking the Competency Evaluation. To reactivate the CNA certificate, please submit this completed Renewal Application (CDPH 283 C), making sure to check the "yes" box for question number six (6) in the "Reactivation" section. If approved, a Competency Evaluation approval letter will be sent to you, along with information needed to schedule the examination. You must complete the examination within two (2) years from your certificates expiration date. Once you have successfully passed the examination, maintained criminal record clearance, and the results from the testing vendor have been received, CDPH will issue a current CNA certificate.