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:
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.
Complete all the Information Packet requirements by the provided deadline.
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. When applying for the CNA program and creating your account, please make sure you use your LEGAL NAME ONLY. Please don't use your nickname or preferred name.
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.
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.
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. The video covers most of the necessary information and will answer any questions you may have about the program. Please be sure to watch it in full.
Applications for the CNA Program are accepted via online submissions only. We do not accept applications via email, mail, or in person.
Each application period, the CNA Program typically receives between 50–130 applications, and we accept between 15–45 students, depending on the availability of clinical placements.
The CNA Program is offered five times each academic year, with two sessions held in the Fall, two in the Spring, and one during the Summer.
To apply, click the application link below (available only during the application period), and you will be directed to Submittable. There, you will need to create an account using your legal name only. Please remember to use your legal name only and to save your username and password, as all acceptance or declination notifications will be sent through Submittable.
Look here for the application link when available during the application period.
Class Schedule
A copy of the upcoming class schedule is provided below. 100% attendance is mandatory for all CNA courses. Therefore, before applying, you must carefully review the dates and times listed in the schedule and make sure that you are fully available to attend every class, lab, and clinical session.
NOTE: Class schedules are subject to change, sometimes with little notice. By applying, you acknowledge that you understand and accept this possibility.
Upcoming Application Dates
CNA Fall 2025 (16-week session): May 1, 2025 – May 29, 2025
CNA Fall 2025 (1st 8-week session): May 1, 2025 – May 29, 2025
ACNA Fall 2025 (8-week session): May 21, 2025 - June 17, 2025
NOTE: If you have any questions about what the ACNA program is, please email us at sccna@saddleback.edu.
Students assigned to clinical rotations must meet the health requirements mandated by the clinical facilities. The following health requirements must be completed and maintained throughout the clinical rotation:
Background Check
Drug Test
Physical Examination
Two steps Tuberculosis (TB) Screening
Tdap Vaccine
COVID-19 Vaccine
Current Seasonal Flu vaccine
Students who do not meet the health requirements established by the clinical facilities may not be permitted to attend clinical rotations. Failure to complete the required clinical hours may result in an inability to successfully complete the course. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all health requirements are met by the deadlines provided.
For any questions or concerns regarding these requirements, students should contact the CNA Program Assistant at sccna@saddleback.edu as soon as possible.
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:
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.
Date:
Summer 2025 (8 weeks Program): Thursday, May 29, 2025
Fall 2025 (8 weeks Program): Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Fall 2025 (16 weeks Program): Thursday, August 14, 2025
Location: School of Health & Wellness Health Science and Human Services Building Saddleback college 28000 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
Bring your Original, Non-Expired State ID, Driver License or Passport, and your Original, Non-Laminated Social Security card or ITIN Document.
Important Notes
Digital or printed copies of your ID, Driver License or Passport will NOT be accepted.
Your name at the ID should EXCATLY match your name at the SS card or ITIN document.
The Nursing Assistant courses are only available to students who have been officially accepted into the program.
Program Courses
CNA 422NC – Certified Nurse Assistant Theory
CNA 423NC – Certified Nurse Assistant Practicum
CNA 424NC – Nursing Assistant Skills Lab
Enrollment Process
Apply to the Nursing Assistant Program.
Once accepted, you will receive an Information Packet outlining all required steps.
Complete all requirements listed in the Information Packet.
Attend the Mandatory Orientation Meeting at Saddleback College. APC codes for course registration will be provided at this orientation.
Attendance Requirements
100% attendance is mandatory. No make-up sessions are available. Review the class schedule carefully before applying to ensure you can attend every session in full. Missing any class will result in dismissal from the program.
Punctuality is strictly enforced. Arriving late is not permitted under any circumstances. Accumulating 3 tardies (arriving 5 or more minutes late) will count as 1 absence and result in dismissal.
Use of cell phones during class is prohibited. This policy is strictly enforced with zero tolerance.
Students must remain for the entire duration of each class (Theory, Skills, and Clinical). Leaving early is not permitted.
Clinical site assignments are assigned by the program and cannot be chosen by the student.
Academic Requirements
Students must achieve a minimum of 75% in CNA 422NC (Theory) and a "Pass" grade in both CNA 423NC (Practicum) and CNA 424NC (Skills Lab) in order to successfully complete the program and to be eligible to take the state test (NNAAP) and get certified.
Students are required to register with Castlebranch and purchase the CastleBranch (CB) Compliance Tracker. Click on this link to go to the CastleBranch portal. https://discover.castlebranch.com.
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.
Expenses
Living 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
Expenses
Living with Parents
Living 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
Expenses
Living With Parents
Living Away from Parents
Fall & Spring
Summer
Fall & Spring
Summer
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)
