Employer-paid CNA training ยท Sacramento, CA

Free CNA Classes in Sacramento, CA

Free CNA classes in Sacramento include a federally funded youth program, employer-covered tuition in Carmichael and college fee waivers for eligible students. Compare the eligibility rules, expenses still due and any published work commitment before choosing a route.

Compare programs How to pay for training
Job Corps costNo cost for eligible students, generally ages 16-24
Carmichael employer routeRiver City advertises six weeks with a 12-month work commitment
College fee waiverARC's California College Promise Grant covers enrollment fees, not books or other expenses
Certification after trainingCDPH-approved training, criminal record clearance and a competency exam

Free CNA training and tuition assistance near Sacramento

These routes cover tuition for eligible students; the college rows require a separate fee-waiver award and still have other expenses. The check line under each sponsor links to the California Department of Public Health list covering its nurse assistant training.

4 options listed

Employer or sponsorTrainingTypeLengthWork commitmentCost to you
Sacramento Job Corps CenterSacramento, CACalifornia Department of Public Health approved nurse assistant training program; undated roster checked October 27, 2026
Generally serves eligible low-income students ages 16-24, including adults ages 18-24. Open enrollment; admissions assigns your arrival date after acceptance. The CNA course requires academic preparation and compliance with state requirements.
Apply page 		Certified Nurse AssistantGrant-fundedAsk employerAsk employerFree for eligible students (Job Corps FAQ, checked October 27, 2026)
American River CollegeSacramento, CACalifornia Department of Public Health approved nurse assistant training program; undated roster checked October 27, 2026
Conditional enrollment-fee waiver. Spring course: January 20-April 30, 2027. Campus classes meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday; offsite clinicals meet Monday and Wednesday. AH 311 medical terminology may be taken before or alongside NURSE 100. Apply separately for the course and fee waiver.
Apply page 		Certified Nurse Assistant (NURSE 100)Grant-funded15 weeksAsk employer$322 tuition before aid (Spring 2027 program page); enrollment fees waived for California College Promise Grant recipients; books and other expenses remain
River City Post AcuteCarmichael, CACalifornia Department of Public Health approved online Alternative Type II NATP, listed as Windsor El Camino Care Center; undated roster checked October 27, 2026
The facility advertises paid learning and invites training inquiries, but publishes no cohort date or hourly training wage. CDPH lists its online Alternative Type II NATP as Windsor El Camino Care Center in Carmichael, using the same phone number. Confirm the hybrid schedule, next start and written terms.
Apply page 		CNA AcademyTuition-free with work agreement6 weeks12-month employment commitment, as advertised by the facilityTuition-free with the published employment commitment (CNA Academy page, checked October 27, 2026)
Sierra CollegeRocklin, CACalifornia Department of Public Health approved nurse assistant training program, listed as Sierra Community College; undated roster checked October 27, 2026
Conditional fee-waiver route. Spring applications run October 1-31, or the last business day before October 31; mandatory orientation follows in November. Admission uses random selection. Confirm the waiver award and remaining health, equipment and testing costs.
Apply page 		Precertification Nursing Assistant TrainingGrant-fundedOne semester (16 weeks)Ask employer$299 tuition for 6.5 units before aid (program page, checked October 27, 2026); California College Promise Grant waives tuition for eligible students; other expenses remain

Employers change these offers often. Confirm pay, hours, the work commitment and any repayment terms on the employer's own page before you apply.

CNA sponsors and college funding: campus details

Sacramento Job Corps Center Sacramento, CA

Sacramento Job Corps combines nurse assistant instruction with academic support and residential services for students who meet its eligibility rules.

California Department of Public Health approved nurse assistant training program; undated roster checked October 27, 2026
Program
Certified Nurse Assistant
Credential
Grant-funded
Published cost
Free for eligible students (Job Corps FAQ, checked October 27, 2026)
Address
3100 Meadowview Rd, Sacramento, CA 95832
Phone
(800) 733-5627
Program page

American River College Sacramento, CA

American River College teaches nurse assistant skills through classroom study, campus practice and clinical care at a local nursing facility.

California Department of Public Health approved nurse assistant training program; undated roster checked October 27, 2026
Program
Certified Nurse Assistant (NURSE 100)
Credential
Grant-funded
Length
15 weeks
Published cost
$322 tuition before aid (Spring 2027 program page); enrollment fees waived for California College Promise Grant recipients; books and other expenses remain
Address
4700 College Oak Drive, Sacramento, CA 95841
Phone
(916) 484-8254
Program page

River City Post Acute Carmichael, CA

River City Post Acute offers a nurse assistant academy at its Carmichael facility and advertises tuition coverage tied to employment.

California Department of Public Health approved online Alternative Type II NATP, listed as Windsor El Camino Care Center; undated roster checked October 27, 2026
Program
CNA Academy
Credential
Tuition-free with work agreement
Length
6 weeks
Schedule
12-month employment commitment, as advertised by the facility
Published cost
Tuition-free with the published employment commitment (CNA Academy page, checked October 27, 2026)
Address
2540 Carmichael Way, Carmichael, CA 95608
Phone
(916) 482-0465
Program page

Sierra College Rocklin, CA

Sierra College accepts applications for its Rocklin nursing assistant course and selects eligible students after a required orientation.

California Department of Public Health approved nurse assistant training program, listed as Sierra Community College; undated roster checked October 27, 2026
Program
Precertification Nursing Assistant Training
Credential
Grant-funded
Length
One semester (16 weeks)
Published cost
$299 tuition for 6.5 units before aid (program page, checked October 27, 2026); California College Promise Grant waives tuition for eligible students; other expenses remain
Address
5100 Sierra College Blvd., Bldg. RN-1, Room 100, Rocklin, CA 95677
Phone
(916) 660-8300
Program page

How to arrange funded CNA training

  1. 1

    Choose an eligible funding route

    Sacramento Job Corps offers free training for eligible young people. For a college route, review ARC's fee-waiver criteria before assuming your enrollment fees will be covered.

  2. 2

    Match the program's state listing

    Check the CDPH school roster or online-provider roster. River City's academy corresponds to the Windsor El Camino entry in Carmichael; confirm the name used on your training paperwork.

  3. 3

    Get the offer in writing

    River City advertises tuition coverage with a 12-month employment commitment. Request the next cohort date, paid hours, remaining charges and the full agreement before accepting.

  4. 4

    Check facility payment protections

    Under 42 CFR 483.152(c), a covered nursing facility cannot charge an aide employed by it, or holding its job offer, when training begins for any part of the program, including required materials. Keep your offer and receipts.

  5. 5

    Complete the certification steps

    Follow CDPH's initial-application instructions for approved training, the application, Live Scan and competency testing. Your provider should explain scheduling through the appropriate CDPH-listed testing vendor.

Sacramento nursing assistant wages after certification

For May 2025, BLS OEWS reported 5,650 nursing assistant jobs in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area. The median wage was $22.84 an hour, or $47,510 a year, for occupation 31-1131. BLS lists May 2025 as its latest release.

Use these figures to compare a job offer after certification. They do not establish your training wage, first-job pay or the number of open positions. Ask the employer for your hourly rate, expected shifts and benefits in writing. Sacramento Trade Schools publishes independent training information and does not hire aides or accept job applications.

What tuition coverage leaves for you to check

River City advertises tuition-free training with an employment commitment. Job Corps charges eligible students nothing. College funding works differently: ARC publishes $322 tuition, and Sierra lists $299, before aid. Their California College Promise Grant routes can waive tuition or enrollment fees; confirm remaining books, health checks, uniforms and exam charges.

ARC's aid page explains FAFSA and Pell Grants, but your exact program and enrollment must qualify. Ask a Sacramento Works Job Center about WIOA training support before registering. Veterans can use the VA comparison resources to check the specific program's GI Bill eligibility. Get an itemized award or employer offer before you commit your own money.

Read the full guide to paying for training

Questions to ask a CNA training sponsor

  • Am I eligible, and when does the next class begin?
  • Which CDPH-listed provider will issue my training record?
  • Which classroom and clinical hours are paid?
  • Are books, uniforms, health checks and the first exam covered?
  • Which expenses remain after the college fee waiver?
  • What work commitment does your written offer describe?
  • What happens to funding if training or employment ends?

How to check a school

Common questions

Can I take free CNA classes without an employer agreement?

Sacramento Job Corps provides free education and training for eligible students, generally ages 16-24. Its support includes housing, meals and a basic living allowance. You must meet admissions requirements and be accepted. Job Corps uses open enrollment, so applications can begin throughout the year; your arrival date is assigned after acceptance.

Does River City pay while I train?

River City's CNA Academy advertises paid learning and a six-week course, with tuition covered for a published 12-month work commitment. Its page does not state an hourly training wage or say that every classroom hour is paid. Request the full schedule, pay terms, remaining expenses and next class date directly from the facility.

Does a college fee waiver make the whole CNA course free?

ARC's California College Promise Grant waives enrollment fees for eligible students, but does not cover books or other expenses. Sierra's waiver covers tuition and varies in its treatment of other campus fees. Check your award before registration and ask for a list of health, equipment, travel and testing costs still due.

Can a nursing facility charge me for required CNA training?

42 CFR 483.152(c) prohibits a covered nursing facility from charging any program portion to an aide it employs, or has offered employment to, on the training start date. Required textbooks and materials are included. For aides employed or offered work within 12 months after completion, the state must provide pro rata reimbursement during employment. Ask how the applicable process works.

What comes after a sponsored CNA course?

CDPH requires approved training, criminal record clearance, an initial application and a competency evaluation. Tuition coverage does not complete those steps for you. California's testing-vendor page lists D&S-Headmaster, Credentia and the Regional Testing Center. Ask your course provider which vendor to use and who pays for the exam or a retest.

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Compare the funding before choosing a class

Contact the sponsor or college directly to confirm your eligibility, next start, expenses and written funding terms.

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