The Nurse Assistant and Home Health Aide (NA/HHA) program courses are designed to prepare students to perform the basic nursing skills required in acute hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health care agencies. Special emphasis is placed on health care provisions and modifications in community health care settings. These courses are approved by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
Upon successful completion of the Nurse Assistant course, an American River College certificate of completion is issued. Following completion of the NA course, some students are then eligible to apply for the state competency examination.
ARC offers an accredited Home Health Aide course for students that have completed a Certified Nurse Assistant course, or students that are already a CNA. Students enrolled in the Home Health Aide course while in the CNA course do not need to repeat the physical exam, TB test, flu shot or fingerprinting. Students that enroll after the CNA course will repeat all health requirements and fingerprinting to qualify for enrollment.
In order for the application to arrive in the Nursing Department by the application deadline. It MUST be received at American River College at least one business day prior to the deadline.
Fall Application Acceptance:
May 18 – June 30 (or last business day prior)
Spring Application Acceptance:
October 18 – November 30 (or last business day prior)
The CNA/HHA Program is not offered during the summer.
Requirements to Participate in Program
Learn about the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) requirements to participate at CDPH Licensing and Certification Program.
What To Expect
- ARC offers an accredited Home Health Aide, NURSE 101 course for students that have completed a Certified Nurse Assistant course, or students that are already a CNA. The ARC HHA program is not offered during the summer.
- The ARC Home Health Aide, NURSE 101 is a total of 46 hours; that includes three theory lectures on campus, three skilled labs on campus, three clinical rotations off campus and one final exam, on campus.
- The ARC Home Health Aide Spring 2027 course takes place May 3 to May 17, 2027.
- The course schedule is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Theory/Lecture/Lab hours are from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Clinical hours are from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.
- Clinicals are located within a local skilled nursing facility.
- You must be able to attend all Theory, Skill labs and clinical rotation dates to receive a Home Health Aide Certification.
ARC Program Requirements
Spring 2027 ARC CNA Program
- The ARC CNA (NURSE 100) Spring 2027 semester is one full semester for a total of 15 weeks. Starting on January 20, 2027, and ending April 30, 2027. The ARC CNA Program is not offered during the summer.
- The N100 course will have lecture (theory), lab practice and patient care or what is called "clinical." The N100 course is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Theory, lecture, and Lab hours are from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm. Offsite Clinical Practice hours are Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.
- Theory (lecture) Modules: There are seventeen (17) theories modules for N100 that are required and will prepare you to take the State Certification Examination. All theory modules will be on the ARC campus, in a classroom setting Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm. The student must be able to attend all scheduled days to pass the course.
- Skills Labs and Clinicals: Labs are hands on practicing skills as well as testing skills and skill knowledge. There are seven (7) labs for the N100 that are required and one that will prepare you to take the State Certification Examination. All Skills labs will be on the ARC campus, on Fridays from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm. All Clinical practice are located within a local skilled nursing facility, are Monday and Wednesdays from 7:00 am. to 4:00 pm. There are thirteen (13) clinicals for the N100. The student must be able to attend all lab and clinical dates.
Program Costs
- Tuition $322
- The cost for Nurse 100 is $322. This does not include other admission fees.
- Uniform Requirements $100 or less; these items include: White closed toed shoes with treaded soles, scrub pants.
- Live scan and fingerprinting is $57 to $70
Attendance Policy
- To be successful in the NURSE 100 program, you must earn sufficient state-required hours and material in theory, lab and clinical.
- You must be able to attend all Theory (lecture), Skill labs and clinical rotation dates to receive a Certified Nurse Assistant Certification.
TB Test
PPD results: You must show proof of no active TB. You can do this as a one-step PPD or chest x-ray, according to the medical provider's judgement. The results must clearly show you do not have active TB and include your health care provider's name, phone number, and address along with the test examiners name and date of results.
*The TB test results dates will not meet the requirement for enrollment if completed before October 18, 2026.
ARC Physical Examination (PE) Forms
- ARC PE forms will not meet the requirement for enrollment if completed before October 18, 2026.
Annual COVID-19 Vaccination for 2026-2027
- COVID-19 vaccination prior to 2026 will not meet the requirement for enrollment.
Influenza Vaccination
- Flu vaccination prior to October 2026 will not meet the requirement for enrollment.
Online Application for Enrollment
Students must fill out the CNA NURSE 100 and the NURSE 101 HHA Application and complete all the requirements for the CNA course.
A complete application consists of the following:
- A completed, and signed, application for the Nurse Assistant N100 and Home Health Aide N101 Training courses.
- Copy of unofficial copy of transcript indicating meeting the AH 311 medical terminology co-perquisite and/or prerequisite
- A completed and signed “Conviction/No Conviction” status report
- All communication will be through an ARC and/or LRCCD College email address
Please note: If any item is missing, the application packet will not be processed. Students will receive notification of application status by email. No telephone verification is provided by the nursing department or the counseling department.
Admission into the Certified Nursing Assistant course is contingent upon a clear background check, and health screening.
It is imperative that applicants review the “Disqualifying Penal Code Sections” prior to submitting an application. Applicants who have been convicted of any of the listed violations may be ineligible for certification as they may not receive the required criminal background clearance for participation in this program and subsequent employment in long term care environment. Certification of applicants with convictions listed may be reconsidered by ATCS only if misdemeanor actions have been dismissed by a court of law or a Certificate of Rehabilitations has been obtained for felony convictions.
Any other convictions other than minor traffic violations must be reviewed by ATCS.
Frequently Asked Questions for Online Enrollment
What if I had a physical exam for a different program or job? Can I use that one?
No, our forms might be similar other programs but to ensure you must meet all the state requirements, you must use ARC Physical Exam (PE) forms.
What type of things are you looking for that indicate I properly followed the instructions?
Your medical physical exam and health history form should be entirely filled in. No fields should be left unanswered by your physician. Your Medical provider needs to sign and put the medical office stamp in the square provided. Your Medical Provider must check the area indicating you have no restrictions in taking this course. Don't forget to sign the PE yourself as well.
- Fill out the health history form leaving no blanks and review with your provider.
- PE completed without missing information.
- The TB result should have all of the items listed in these instructions.
What if I cannot get a medical appointment right away?
You can choose to go the ARC Student Health & Wellness Center and/or Concentra for your physical exam, with an ARC student discount.
How much does the physical exam cost?
While every physician and health care insurance differ, the ARC Student Health & Wellness Center offers the TB (PPD) test for $5.00 and can provide referrals for physicals exams for $30.00. Call the ARC Health & Wellness Center to make your appointment (916) 484-8383. If you have insurance, it will likely be your deductible, but first check with your insurance or primary medical provider for exact information.
When will you contact me after I submit all required enrollment/medical documents?
Your submissions will be reviewed for completeness. If there are any areas missing information, you will not be contacted and we will proceed with the next applicant that has successfully completed all required documents. We recommend you thoroughly review all documents before submitting.
Nurse Assistant & Home Health Aide
Curriculum Overview
AH 311: Medical Language for Healthcare Providers (3 units)
This course is an orientation to medical language. It covers the basic structure of medical terms and their components: prefixes, suffixes, roots, and combining forms with emphasis on meaning, spelling, and pronunciation. This course also builds a medical vocabulary applicable to the specialties of medicine, the systems of the body, names of major diseases, and terms used in physical examination, diagnosis, and treatment. This course is a prerequisite to Nurse 100 course (Certified Nurse Assistant).
Nurse 100: Certified Nurse Assistant (7 units)
This course is accredited through the California Department of Public Health. Upon completion, students are eligible to take the licensing exam through the State of California, enabling work in a long-term care facility, rehabilitation facility and some subacute facility. There are 86 hours of classroom theory, 9 hours of skills lab practice, and over 100 hours of hands-on clinical experience with patients in a nursing facility. To qualify for selection into the course, you must 1) complete an application with proof of completing a medical terminology course with a "C" or better; 2) complete the medical documentation 3) have a current negative TB test 4) an immunization record showing a current seasonal flu vaccine 5) Criminal Background Check. Earning wage for CNAs in the Sacramento area are between $21.13 to $26.67 per hour. Course Prerequisite: Medical Terminology with a "C" or better.
Nurse 101: Home Health Aide (2 unit)
Students must have either a current CNA license or have completed Nurse 100 to qualify for this course. The Home Health Aide course is a higher level of home health caregiving education and provides more employment possibilities. It is a two-unit course with 40 hours of classroom theory, and 40 hours of hands-on clinical experience. Upon completion, students will receive a certificate from the State of California enabling work in home health. Earning wage for a Home Health Aide in the Sacramento area is between $18.00 to $25.00 per hour. The course is offered during the final 3 weeks of the fall and spring semesters. Prerequisites for this course include successful completion of Nurse 100 or a current California CNA license, along with all requirements for Nurse 100.
Enrollment Instructions
Enrollment Instructions:
- As of Fall 2023, a student that is interested in enrolling into the Nurse 100 CNA Program, now has the option to fulfill the medical terminology requirement of AH 311(formerly AH 110), as a co-requisite or prerequisite. Meaning, the student can be enrolled in the AH311 Medical Language for Healthcare Providers course and as well as enrolled in the NURSE 100 course simultaneously.
- Medical Terminology Course as a Prerequisite: All potential students must submit a college transcript showing a completed medical terminology course with a grade C or better with the Nurse 100 application.
- Medical Terminology Course as a Co-requisite: All potential students must submit a college transcript showing current enrollment in a medical terminology course, with the Nurse 100 application.
- For questions please contact our Health & Education Home Base at: Email: askhb-healthed@arc.losrios.edu or Our Nursing Department at: ARCN@losrios.edu
Home Health Aide
In the State of California, there are two types of home health care agencies. The first one is a non-medical model in which there are no orders from a doctor or a licensed nurse supervising the care. This caregiver does not need a certificate or credentials to work for an agency.
The second type is a medical-model. In this case, there is a physician ordering care, therapists providing rehabilitation needs, and licensed nurses overseeing the home health care aide. To work in this type of home health, you must complete an accredited course and obtain a Home Health Aide certificate issued by the State of California.
ARC offers an accredited Home Health Aide course for students that have completed a Certified Nurse Assistant course, or students that are already a CNA. Students enrolled in the Home Health Aide course while in the CNA course do not need to repeat the physical exam, TB test, flu shot or fingerprinting. Students that enroll after the CNA course will repeat all health requirements and fingerprinting to qualify for enrollment.
Enrollment
Students must fill out the Dual Enrollment Application and complete all the requirements for the CNA course. The last 8 days of the course are Home Health Aide.
If you have specific questions, please email ARCNursingApplication​@losrios.edu
Watch a video of the ARC Nurse Assistant & Home Health Aide programs.
Application
Watch a video of the ARC Nurse Assistant & Home Health Aide programs.
Questions?
Email questions about the Nursing program to ARCNursingApplication​@losrios.edu.