The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program at Saddleback College is designed to provide students with the essential skills and knowledge required to deliver basic patient care as a vital member of the healthcare team. The program prepares students for certification as a CNA and for employment in various healthcare settings, including Acute Care Hospitals and Skilled Nursing Facilities. It is approved by the Department of Public Health, State of California (CDPH).

This semester-based program is offered in multiple formats, including 16-week, 9-week, and 8-week options, and provides the essential nursing skills and knowledge needed to pass the state exam for Nurse Aide Certification.

The CNA program is offered multiple times each year in the following formats:

  • Traditional CNA 16-week program
  • Traditional CNA 9-week program
  • Traditional CNA 8-week program
  • Acute Nursing Assistant (ACNA) 8-week program
  • CNA + English Language Learner 16-week program


English Language Learner Students: Visit the ELL Healthcare Programs Page
Learn more about the Acute Nursing Assistant (ACNA) program

Degrees and Certificates

View Classes in the Class Schedule


The Saddleback Certified Nursing Assistant program does not currently offer virtual classes. All classes are held in person. You may be assigned to a clinical day on a weekend. All skills labs and most lectures are held on campus and are held on weekdays evening.

Admission and Applications: CNA Program

Pre-Acceptance Requirements

  1. Must be 16 years of age or older
  2. Must be a Saddleback Student
    1. Apply to Saddleback College
  3. Must watch the Information Session Video.
  4. Must complete an application form.
  5. Must answer correctly all quiz questions about the Information session.

Post-Acceptance Requirements

  1. Sign the Provisional or Alternate Acceptance letter by the provided deadline.
  2. Complete all the Health requirements by the provided deadline.
  3. Complete all the Information Packet requirements by the provided deadline.
  4. Attend the Mandatory Orientation at Saddleback College (date, time, and details will be provided).

Notes

  • All communications with the college must be conducted through your college email account. Emails sent through your personal accounts will not be accepted. Please make sure your student email account is activated and ready for use.
  • Once accepted into the program, make sure to check your student email daily for any upcoming announcements.
  • Please be aware that the program is in high demand with limited seat availability. If, for any reason, you are unable to continue in the program, kindly notify us immediately so we can offer the seat to someone else on the alternate list.
  • Step 1: Apply to Saddleback College
  • Step 2: Academic Counseling
    • When you receive your Saddleback ID#, it is recommended, but not required, to speak with a counselor to ensure that your prior coursework will satisfy our prerequisites and meet the graduation requirements.
  • Step 3: Submit your CNA application
    • Find the the Nursing Assistant Program Application link in the “Application Information" section below.
    • The application must be filled out completely to be considered for admission.
    • Applications and application related communications (such as your acceptance letter) are done through the Submittable website. It is important that you know your username and password.
  • Step 4: Once provisionally accepted, the following must be met:
    • Complete Health Requirements/Program Clearance
    • Clear drug screening
    • Clear background check
    • Obtain professional liability insurance (NSO), AHA BLS card, and proof of health insurance
  • Step 5: Attend Orientation 
    • Applicants who complete all requirements will participate in an orientation which will discuss the designation of clinical locations and CNA class registration among other important topics.

Applications for the CNA Program are only accepted through Submittable for online submission, (we do not accept applications via email, mail, or in-person).

The CNA program typically receives between 50-130 applications each period, and we accept between 30-45 students, depending on the availability of clinical spots.

The program is offered five times a year:

  • Fall (16 weeks)
  • Fall (8 weeks)
  • Spring (16 weeks)
  • Spring (8 weeks)
  • Summer (8 weeks)


To apply, you will be directed to Submittable, where you will need to create an account to submit your application. Please remember to keep track of your username and password, as all communication will take place through Submittable.

NOTE: An application link for each program will be made available here as the application period opens.

Upcoming Application Dates:

Viewing this mandatory information session is a key requirement for applying to the CNA program. You must watch the entire video, as it contains important details that will be tested in a short quiz within the application form. Applicants who do not answer all quiz questions correctly will be automatically disqualified and must wait until the next application period to reapply. The video covers all necessary information and will answer any questions you may have about the program. Please be sure to watch it in full.

View the CNA Information Session

Clinical Compliance Deadlines:

  • Spring 2025 (9weeks) Program: 02/20/2025
  • Summer 2025 Program: 05/20/2025


NOTE: These dates are subject to change.

Download the CNA Mandatory Health Requirements

Students will also be required to complete a background check, drug screening, obtain Professional Liability insurance, and possess a valid BLS/CPR card through the American Heart Association (no other providers) prior to registering for classes. These courses are reserved only for students accepted into the Nursing Assistant Program and students will not be cleared to register until all of the requirements have been completed. Failure to complete any of the programs requirements/deadlines (which are provided to students upon acceptance), will result in students signing a Non-Compliance Form. Depending on the situation, students may or may not be eligible to continue in the program after signing a Non-Compliance Form.

Accepted students into the CNA program are required to register at Castle Branch website. The Castle Branch compliance tracker will be used to complete your registration for the background check and drug test, as well as to upload all the following required documents:

  1. CPR/BLS Certificate
  2. Physical Examination Form
  3. Health Insurance Card
  4. Professional Liability Insurance
  5. Professional Behavior Form
  6. Program Clearance Form (Received from Saddleback Health Center)
  7. FERPA Release Form
  8. Photo Release Form
  9. Handbook Acknowledgment Form
  10. Lab Manual Receipt

Please do not email us any of these documents, as we can access your results on Castle Branch and will review them there. Feel free to email us if you have any questions or concerns.
 

Dates:

  • Spring 2025 (9 weeks) Program: 02/27/2025
  • Summer 2025 Program: 05/29/2025


Location:

  • Room HS 105
    School of Health & Wellness
    Health Science and Human Services Building

    Saddleback college
    28000 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, CA 92692


View Maps and Directions
 

Items to bring to Orientation for Finger-Printing:

  1. Bring money order or cashier's check for $120 for test fees. Make the check payable to "The Regional Testing Center" and make sure to add your name in the memo line.
  2. Bring a non-expired state ID, DL or Passport and Original, NON-Laminated SS card or ITIN paperwork with the same name as ID.


NOTE: Please arrive 15 minutes early. Late entry will NOT be permitted for anyone arriving more than 10 minutes after the start of the mandatory orientation session.

How much does the Nursing Assistant Program Cost?

NOTE: CNA courses are tuition free.

ItemCost
Nursing Program Tuition$0
Fees (Health)$26
Uniforms$50 - 100
Books$30 - 90 (new vs. used)
Supplies (blood pressure cuff/stethoscope/gait belt)$35 (as low as)
Health Requirementsvaries
CPR "BLS" issued by AHA$55 - 110
NSO Liability Insurance$35
Background/Drug Test/CastleBranch$132.75
NNAAP State Test$120
Total Estimated Cost$400+

NOTE: This is just an estimate. Costs may vary for each student and are subject to change.

2024-2025 Estimated Cost of Attendance

The estimated cost of attendance at Saddleback College includes an estimate for tuition and fees, books
and supplies as well as basic living expenses like food and housing, and personal and miscellaneous
expenses. Your actual expenses may be higher or lower than the amounts listed below.

ExpensesLiving With Parents (2 Semesters)Living Away from Parents (2 semesters)
Tuition & Fees$1,432$1,432
Books & Supplies$1,062$1,062
Living Expenses: Food & Housing$14,480 $25,916
Personal & Misc.$4,059 $4,968
Transportation$1,791 $1,962
Total Resident$22,824$35,340
Total Non-Resident$35,124$47,640
ExpensesLiving with ParentsLiving Away from Parents
Tuition & Fees$712$712
Books & Supplies$354$354
Living Expenses: Food & Housing$4,827$9,276
Personal & Misc.$1,353$1,656
Transportation$597$654
Total Resident$7,843 $12,652
Total Non-Resident$13,993$18,802
ExpensesLiving With ParentsLiving Away from Parents
 Fall & SpringSummerFall & SpringSummer
Tuition & Fees$1,432$712$1,432$712
Books & Supplies$1,062$354 $1,062$354 
Transportation$1,791 $597 $1,962 $654
Total Resident$4,291 $1,666 $4,462 $1,723
Total Non-Resident$16,591 $7,816 $16,762 $7,873
  • Enrollment Fee: $46 per unit
    • Based on 15-units for Fall, Spring and Summer
  • Health Fee $26 for Fall and Spring, $22 for Summer
  • Non-Resident Tuition (in addition to the $46 per unit enrollment fee): $446 per unit ($376 non-resident tuition fee + $70 capital outlay fee)
  • Estimated cost of attendance may be adjusted for documented circumstances such as dependent care expenses, purchase of a computer, and other special circumstances (except for students enrolled less than half-time)

Optional fees

  • ASG Sticker - $10
  • Student Representation Fee - $2.00 (per semester)
  • Parking Permit Fee
  • Instructional Material Fees - as listed in the Schedule of Classes

Contact the Certified Nursing Assistant Program

Please use this contact information to email our department to avoid duplicate emails being sent to individuals.