How to become a CNA in CA while in nursing school

[ratherberidin]

This is to help nursing student out who would like to challenge the CNA exam and become CNAs while in nursing school. The CA Dept. of Public Health does not make it very clear how to do this so i though I would make it a little easier on people.

With the job market being so scary for new nurses I have decided to work as a CNA to better my chances of being hired when I get out of school. The only graduates from my ASN nursing program last year who got jobs were those who had worked as CNAs and those who took jobs at prisons. Since the latter does not appeal to me I figured I would give myself a little extra boost with the CNA experience. Here is how you go about it:

1. you have to have finished your first semester of nursing school to be eligible

2. go to the Dept. of Public Health website (publications and forms tab then certified nurse assistant/home health aide/hemodyalisi tech forms)...or just go to the website below

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/pubsforms/forms/Pages/CNA_HHA_HemoTechForms.aspx

3. print/ fill out out application form HS 283 B

4. print BCII 8016 SAMPLE

this will show you have to fill out the Live Scan form so you can get finger printed

5. print out 3 copies of form BCII 8016

fill out the form as it is in the sample form.

this is you request for a Live Scan (finger printing system in CA). It is important you print out 3 copies!!!! and fill them out properly

6. request a copy of official transcripts from your nursing school. Yes they have to be official and sealed.

7. Go get you Live Scan. You can do this at official Live Scan sites such as police office or even some UPS stores. It cost me $44 for my live scan. Make sure you bring your paperwork.

8. Send your completed application, ONE of the completed Live Scan forms, and your official transcripts to the address below (it is also on the application form)

California Department of Public Health

Licensing and Certification Program (L&C)

Aide and Technician Certification Section (ATCS)1615 Capitol Avenue, MS 3301

P.O. Box 997416

Sacramento, CA 95899-7416

9. The Dept. of Public Health then assesses if you are eligible to challenge the CNA exam (which you should be if you did everything above) and will send you info on taking the test. It costs $90 to take the test I believe.

Hope that helps anyone who is looking for this info!!!!

Just FYI this is the current info for 2009-2010 so dont hold me to this if it gets changed in the future

[StillSeeking]

Oops, that last paragraph somehow got chopped and pasted below (I was wondering where that went, LOL!), sorry for the redundancy!

[sasukenoneko]

I went to go turn in my live scan and they said that i needed a live scan number in order to do one.. we were looking for a while but never found one! what was the code you used?

[ratherberidin]

When you go to the livescan you have to bring 3 copies of this form: BCII 8016 SAMPLE or see step 4 in my instructions. This will have the number on it.

[foxtrotunicorns]

How long does it usually take to hear back from ATCS?

[SaltlifeRN2be]

Does anyone know if you can challenge the exam in Florida? If so, does the same instructions apply to Florida's candidates? I also notice that these are the instructions for 2009-2010, has any information changed? Thank you in advance for your assistance.

[sandyfeet]

I'm going to challenge the exam too. I just got hired for a job doing home care and was told my rate would be their starting salary because I don't have my CNA. So annoying to me because I am a third semester RN student!

I got a lot of information for Southern California from this website:http://regionaltestingcenter.org/cna.html

It seems to be the same process the OP went through.

Good luck to everyone!

[ddrfire]

I am still on school break and would like to send this form in ASAP.. Does an RN have to sign the application? or can I send it in already?

[BurmaCharm]

Hi! How much should I mail with a CNA application? I couldn't find anything about the application fees.... Is it free?..

[jomort08]

Why did you have to print and fill out 3 of the BCII 8016 forms? As far as I can see we only need one for the live scan. What am I missing?

[BurmaCharm]

There are no fees for an application.

[BurmaCharm]

You will need 3 forms.

[VictoriaGayle]

Thanks for the info!

I'm in WV, and my school is in trimesters.

I'm trying to find out what I need to do in my state to challenge the exam.