Certificate and renewal records
Build a CNA education record you can audit before renewal
Reviewed 07-13-2026
The best time to organize a California Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) course is the day you finish it. A reliable system keeps the completion certificate, provider identity, delivery format, hours, and certification-year total together, so continuing education (CE) does not become a memory exercise near renewal.
Follow CNA CE California on the launch list
Use one row and one certificate for every completed course
Create a spreadsheet, note, or paper index that mirrors the information requested on the current California Department of Public Health (CDPH) 283A record. Give each course one row and link that row to the actual completion certificate.
| Field to track | Example format | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Course title | Use the certificate's exact title | Prevents a vague or mismatched entry |
| Online status | Yes or No | Keeps the online-hour subtotal visible |
| Provider and number | Exact state-listed identity | Connects the course to provider verification |
| Completion date | Month-Day-Year | Places the hours in the correct certification year |
| Hours | Value shown on certificate | Supports year and period totals |
| Certificate file | PDF or clear scan | Preserves the completion evidence |
Separate records by certification period and year
Create one folder for the active certification period, then separate first-year and second-year course records inside it. Record the exact boundaries from your certification information and current state instructions. California currently requires at least 12 hours in each year, so a single 48-hour running total is not enough to show that the yearly distribution is met.
- Name the main folder with the certification effective and expiration dates.
- Create first-year, second-year, renewal-forms, and provider-check subfolders.
- Save each certificate immediately after completion.
- Update the overall, yearly, and online subtotals at the same time.
- Back up the folder in a secure second location you control.
Use a filename that answers the important questions
A consistent name makes a certificate easier to find without opening every file. For example:
07-13-2026_Infection-Control_4-Hours_Provider-Name.pdf
Use the exact course and provider wording from the certificate. Do not put sensitive personal identifiers into filenames that may appear in search results, shared folders, or backup previews.
Do a three-point audit before renewal
- Hours: Recalculate the total, each certification year, and the online subtotal.
- Evidence: Open every certificate and match it to its tracker row.
- Current forms: Download fresh copies of CDPH 283A and CDPH 283C from the official renewal instructions.
The current CDPH 283A form instructs the CNA or Home Health Aide (HHA) to retain copies of the record for four years. Check the latest form before relying on that retention period, and keep records protected from unnecessary sharing.
Review the complete CDPH CNA renewal instructions rather than treating the education record as the entire renewal process.
Where CNA CE California fits
The current TestFlight build shows lesson progress, saved material, quizzes, and a certificate area designed for future completion records. The app is not currently a CDPH-approved continuing-education provider, and its demonstration progress or sample certificates do not currently count toward renewal.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a California CNA keep continuing-education records?
The current CDPH 283A form instructs the CNA or HHA to retain copies of the record for four years. Check the latest form for current instructions.
Is a screenshot of a completed course enough for renewal records?
A screenshot can be a useful backup, but it should not replace the course completion certificate and the information required by the current state record form.
Should online CNA hours be tracked separately?
Yes. California currently limits approved online computer training to no more than 24 of the 48 hours in the two-year certification period, so a separate online subtotal helps prevent an overage.
Want to follow the mobile learning workspace as it develops?
Join the launch listIn TestFlight development. Joining the list does not enroll you in an approved course or award renewal credit.