CA Health & Safety Code Section 1337.5

(a)

Approved training programs shall be conducted during the normal working hours of the nurse assistant unless the nurse assistant receives at least the normal hourly wage for any additional time spent in the training program.

(b)

On or after September 1, 1978, only the following persons may be employed by a skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility as a nurse assistant:

(1)

A certified nurse assistant.

(2)

A nurse assistant hired on a temporary basis who has been employed less than a maximum total of three months in skilled nursing facilities or intermediate care facilities, including the current period of employment.

(3)

A nurse assistant who, within three months of the date of employment, is enrolled in an approved certification training program which requires completion not more than six months from the date of employment; provided, that the employing facility may apply to the state department for an extension of the deadline under this paragraph for enrollment in a certification training program if the facility has a contract to obtain the training from an educational institution, approved by the facility, which operates on a semester basis and cannot enroll nursing assistant students except at semester intervals; and the delayed enrollment will not postpone completion of certification training beyond nine months from the date of employment.