Beginning January 1, 2026, SB 862 updates requirements for CNA training by local agencies and education institutions to match requirements for SNFs and ICFs regarding training for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. All CNA training programs, whether conducted by SNFs, ICFs, local agencies, or education programs, must ensure the following:
Training programs should review their policies and schedules to ensure compliance with these updates.
Please review the new checklist to assist in getting ready for an onsite renewal visit.
NOTE: This checklist is for your internal use only and does not need to be submitted to CDPH.
July 15, 2024 Training Program Review Unit Update:
Unannounced Onsite Visits for Nurse Assistant Training Programs and Complaint Investigations
On May 29, 2024, the Training Program Review Unit (TPRU) began conducting unannounced site visits for Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP) renewals and Complaint Investigations.
The purpose of the site visit is to ensure programs are being conducted in accordance with the approved plan and in compliance with the applicable regulations.
TPRU will be reviewing Department approved NATPs based on factors including, but not limited to, NATP pass/fail rates, reports of noncompliance, low enrollment, and graduation rates. TPRU will be requesting programs renewing their NATP to submit a copy of their student handbook or a contract signed by the student upon enrollment and the start and end dates of current and future cohorts. During the program site visit, TPRU will review documents submitted for NATP renewals including the forms currently approved for your program. All applicable forms can be found in the links below.
If you have any questions regarding this announcement, please contact the Training Program Review Unit at
TPRU@cdph.ca.gov.
Referenced Compliance Authority:
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California Code, Health and Safety Code 1337.3(b): The department shall inspect a sample of training programs.
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Code of Federal Regulations 483.151(b)(1): Before the State approves a nurse aide training and competency evaluation program or competency evaluation program, the State must—
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(i) Determine whether the nurse aide training and competency evaluation program meets the course requirements of § 483.152
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(iii) In all reviews other than the initial review, visit the entity providing the program.
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Code of Federal Regulations 483.151(f)(3): The State must withdraw approval of a nurse aide training and competency evaluation program or a nurse aide competency evaluation program if the entity providing the program refuses to permit unannounced visits by the State.
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California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Section 71853: When the Department makes a site visit and finds that the program or provider is out of compliance with this chapter or the provider's own policies and procedures, the nursing facility, agency or public educational institution must implement corrective action.
November 1, 2023 Training Program Review Unit Update:
New Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP) websites have been created to provide information regarding the requirements for initial approval, renewal and updates to the NATPs.
All temporary waivers relating to the COVID-19 state of emergency expired on
February 28, 2023. See
AFL 23-13 - Notice of Expiration of Temporary Waivers Related to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic. Temporary Permission for Program Flexibility (CDPH 5000A) requests approved by TPRU and associated with AFL 20-40.5 and AFL 20-57.5 for
alternate methods of Clinical Training also expired on February 28, 2023.
Facilities that would like to hire Nurse Assistants (NA) must have their hiring designation for changed from Hire CNA Only. Please review the
CDPH 278C (PDF) form for more information.
- Your facility must adopt a facility-based Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP) (option 1) or obtain a contract with a Department approved NATP to train your NAs (option 2). For option 2, please also review the
CDPH 278SC (PDF) form.
Online NATP Opportunity: To provide the theory portion of the Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP) via online or distance learning
permanently, please contact the eLearning Review Unit (ELRU) at elearning@cdph.ca.gov or visit the
ELRU website. Your program may have both an NATP face-to-face agreement with TPRU
and an online/distance learning NATP agreement with ELRU.
- For more information, please read
AFL 20-89.1, Requirements for Application Submission for Online or Distance Learning NATPs.
Attention Facilities! Those in search of nursing staff (certified nurse assistants, home health aides, hemodialysis technicians, licensed vocational nurses or registered nurses), we encourage you to register with
CalJOBS. Here you will gain access to industry data, labor market information and job applicants for your facility. You can also post job openings online.