For Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) seeking to practice in California, the state offers an established pathway called Certification by Endorsement, commonly referred to as reciprocity. This process allows CNAs licensed in another U.S. state or territory to gain California certification without repeating their initial training and examination. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), specifically its Aide and Technician Certification Section, manages and approves this transfer.
Understanding Certification by Endorsement
Certification by Endorsement is the formal mechanism allowing a CNA already certified elsewhere to be listed on the California Nurse Aide Registry. This pathway recognizes the validity of the applicant’s existing training and competency exam, provided the training met minimum federal standards. Utilizing this process allows certified aides to avoid the time and expense of completing a new California-approved training program or re-taking the state competency examination.
The fundamental qualification for endorsement requires the applicant’s existing, out-of-state license to be current and in good standing. This means the license must be active, not expired, and free from any history of suspension, revocation, or findings related to patient abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property. The CDPH verifies this status directly with the originating state’s registry as a mandatory step in the application review.
Essential Requirements for Endorsement
Before initiating the application, a CNA must confirm they meet several criteria. Applicants must provide a copy of their active certification from the originating state. A clear criminal background history is also mandatory for all applicants seeking certification in California.
A requirement applies to CNAs who received their initial certification more than two years prior to applying for endorsement. These individuals must submit proof of paid work activity, showing they have worked as a CNA in a healthcare facility within the last two years. If an applicant’s out-of-state license has expired, they will be ineligible for endorsement and may need to pursue a different process.
The Step-by-Step Application Process
Applicants must complete the Certified Nurse Assistant Equivalency/Reciprocity Application, officially designated as form CDPH 283E. This form initiates the transfer and must be filled out precisely according to the instructions for reciprocity applicants.
A mandatory component of the application package is the criminal background check, which is accomplished through fingerprinting. Applicants physically located in California must complete the electronic Live Scan process using the state-specific Request for Live Scan Service form (BCIA 8016). Out-of-state applicants must use the traditional ink-rolled fingerprint card method (FD-258) and mail the two cards along with a $32 check or money order payable to the Department of Justice.
The CDPH requires formal verification of the applicant’s out-of-state certification status, typically using the Verification of Current Nurse Assistant Certification form (CDPH 931). The applicant completes the first section of the CDPH 931 and then sends it to their original state’s licensing agency. That agency completes the second part and sends it directly to the CDPH. All required documents, including the completed application, Live Scan form or fingerprint cards, and proof of work if necessary, are then mailed to the CDPH’s Sacramento office.
The Critical Timeline: Processing and Waiting Periods
The process of transferring a CNA license to California involves multiple stages. The first stage, applicant preparation, depends on the individual’s efficiency in gathering documentation and completing the Live Scan or fingerprint cards, usually taking about one to two weeks. The second stage involves the originating state’s licensing board verifying the CNA’s status and sending the necessary form to the CDPH.
This verification step can introduce a delay of several weeks, as the processing efficiency of other state registries varies considerably. The final stage is the CDPH’s internal review and background check clearance. The CDPH advises that processing times for mailed paper applications, which the endorsement process requires, can take up to 45 days from the date of receipt.
The mandatory background check, which is initiated by the fingerprint submission, must clear the California Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation before certification can be granted. Applicants should check the CDPH website for the most current processing timeframes.
What to Do While Waiting for Approval
While the application is under review, applicants should proactively track their submission to ensure all components have been received by the CDPH. The CDPH provides an online registry where applicants can check for their name to appear once certification is officially granted. If several weeks have passed beyond the posted processing time, a direct inquiry to the CDPH Aide and Technician Certification Section can determine if there are any deficiencies in the application package.
An applicant cannot legally work as a certified CNA in California until their name is officially posted as active on the California Nurse Aide Registry. Attempting to work in a certified role before final approval can result in disciplinary action. Applicants may seek temporary employment in non-certified roles, such as a home health aide or caregiver, while awaiting the final certification endorsement.
Maintaining Your California CNA Certification
Once the endorsement is approved and the California CNA certification is active, CNAs operate on a two-year renewal cycle. To renew the certification, the CNA must complete 48 hours of continuing education units (CEUs) during the two-year period.
These 48 hours must include a minimum of 12 hours of CEUs completed each year of the certification period. The CDPH allows a maximum of 24 of these hours to be completed through approved online computer training programs. The CNA must also submit proof of paid work activity, demonstrating they have provided nursing or nursing-related services for at least one eight-hour day within the two-year renewal period.