Retraining ReportJob training public funding can pay for

Find training

Teacher assistant certification in California

13 teacher assistant programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

11 schools offer these teacher assistant programs, and California has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Teacher assistants work with a licensed teacher to give students extra attention and instruction. In public schools they need at least two years of college coursework or an associate's degree, and most states require a skills test for those who work with special-needs students.1

In California, 9 of the 13 programs take students without a high school diploma and 4 ask for a diploma or equivalent.

By kind, the 13 programs here are paraprofessional and teacher assistant certificate or course (10 programs), paraprofessional and teacher assistant (associate degree, 1 program), education and teaching (associate degree, 1 program) and teacher assistant apprenticeship (1 program).

See the 13 programs

How much does teacher assistant training cost in California?

$666 to $2,745 is what most teacher assistant programs in California cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 6 programs with a price. All of them: $200 to $7,242

In the typical program

Finished the program
Not enough data
4 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Working 6 months later
Not enough data
1 program reports it; a typical figure needs 5
Earned a year, estimated
Not enough data
1 program reports it; a typical figure needs 5
Length
6 to 52 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in California may also offer teacher assistant training. How these figures are made

Is there free teacher assistant training in California?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 13 teacher assistant programs in California approved for WIOA funding

Filters
What you need to enroll
Kind of program
School
How it's taught
How to show the list

13 programs

  • Paraprofessional and teacher assistant certificate or courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Paraprofessional

    Fresno Adult School

    Fresno

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Fresno Adult School, FresnoParaprofessional and teacher assistant certificate or courseIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    School website, Paraprofessional at Fresno Adult School
    More details about Paraprofessional at Fresno Adult School
    Finished
    76%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    4 weeks, 8 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    341
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    School website, Paraprofessional at Fresno Adult School

  • Paraprofessional and teacher assistant certificate or courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Para-Educator

    Fairfield Suisun Adult School

    Fairfield

    No diploma needed

    Fairfield Suisun Adult School, FairfieldParaprofessional and teacher assistant certificate or courseIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Para-Educator at Fairfield Suisun Adult School
    More details about Para-Educator at Fairfield Suisun Adult School
    Finished
    71%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    2 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    171
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Para-Educator at Fairfield Suisun Adult School

  • Paraprofessional and teacher assistant certificate or courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Special Education Instructional Assistant/SCIA

    Golden Oak Adult School

    Santa Clarita

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Golden Oak Adult School, Santa ClaritaParaprofessional and teacher assistant certificate or courseIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Special Education Instructional Assistant/SCIA at Golden Oak Adult School
    More details about Special Education Instructional Assistant/SCIA at Golden Oak Adult School
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    6 weeks, 2 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    101
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Special Education Instructional Assistant/SCIA at Golden Oak Adult School

  • Paraprofessional and teacher assistant certificate or courseOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Paraeducator Training Program

    Folsom Cordova Adult School

    Based in Rancho Cordova, CA

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Folsom Cordova Adult School, based in Rancho Cordova, CAParaprofessional and teacher assistant certificate or courseOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$54,700
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, Paraeducator Training Program at Folsom Cordova Adult School
    More details about Paraeducator Training Program at Folsom Cordova Adult School
    Finished
    98%
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    $13,680
    Length
    13 weeks, 6 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    51
    Earned a year, estimated
    $54,700
    Price if you pay yourself
    Not reported
    Program website, Paraeducator Training Program at Folsom Cordova Adult School

  • Paraprofessional and teacher assistant certificate or courseHybridNo diploma needed

    Expanded Learning Program Leader

    Early Care & Education Pathways to Success (ECEPTS)

    Walnut Creek

    No diploma needed

    Early Care & Education Pathways to Success (ECEPTS), Walnut CreekParaprofessional and teacher assistant certificate or courseHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$7,242
    More details about Expanded Learning Program Leader at Early Care & Education Pathways to Success (ECEPTS)
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    99 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $13,056
    Students counted
    23
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $7,242

  • Paraprofessional and teacher assistant certificate or courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Paraprofessional Level I-BC

    Kern Community College District

    Bakersfield

    No diploma needed

    Kern Community College District, BakersfieldParaprofessional and teacher assistant certificate or courseIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$200
    School website, Paraprofessional Level I-BC at Kern Community College District
    More details about Paraprofessional Level I-BC at Kern Community College District
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 11 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $640
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $200
    School website, Paraprofessional Level I-BC at Kern Community College District

  • Paraprofessional and teacher assistant certificate or courseHybridNo diploma needed

    Para-educator Aide

    San Antonio ROP

    Pomona

    No diploma needed

    San Antonio ROP, PomonaParaprofessional and teacher assistant certificate or courseHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$600
    School website, Para-educator Aide at San Antonio ROP
    More details about Para-educator Aide at San Antonio ROP
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    3 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $430
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $600
    School website, Para-educator Aide at San Antonio ROP

  • Paraprofessional and teacher assistant certificate or courseHybridNo diploma needed

    SPECIAL EDUCATION PARAPROFESSIONAL (Certificate of Achievement)

    Diablo Valley College

    Pleasant Hill

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Diablo Valley College, Pleasant HillParaprofessional and teacher assistant certificate or course · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$864
    Program website, SPECIAL EDUCATION PARAPROFESSIONAL (Certificate of Achievement) at Diablo Valley College
    More details about SPECIAL EDUCATION PARAPROFESSIONAL (Certificate of Achievement) at Diablo Valley College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,167
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $864
    Program website, SPECIAL EDUCATION PARAPROFESSIONAL (Certificate of Achievement) at Diablo Valley College

  • Paraprofessional and teacher assistant certificate or courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Paraprofessional Level IV- BC

    Kern Community College District

    Bakersfield

    No diploma needed

    Kern Community College District, BakersfieldParaprofessional and teacher assistant certificate or courseIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,700
    School website, Paraprofessional Level IV- BC at Kern Community College District
    More details about Paraprofessional Level IV- BC at Kern Community College District
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $3,700
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,700
    School website, Paraprofessional Level IV- BC at Kern Community College District

  • Paraprofessional and teacher assistant (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    SPECIAL EDUCATION paraeducator/instructional asstistant AA degree

    Diablo Valley College

    Pleasant Hill

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Diablo Valley College, Pleasant HillParaprofessional and teacher assistant (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,760
    Program website, SPECIAL EDUCATION paraeducator/instructional asstistant AA degree at Diablo Valley College
    More details about SPECIAL EDUCATION paraeducator/instructional asstistant AA degree at Diablo Valley College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 21 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,142
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,760
    Program website, SPECIAL EDUCATION paraeducator/instructional asstistant AA degree at Diablo Valley College

  • Education and teaching (associate degree)HybridNo diploma needed

    AS in Direct Support Education

    Taft College

    Taft

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Taft College, TaftEducation and teaching (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    More details about AS in Direct Support Education at Taft College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    68 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out

  • Paraprofessional and teacher assistant certificate or courseOnlineNo diploma needed

    Instructional Assistant

    Napa Valley Adult Education

    Based in Napa, CA

    No diploma needed

    Napa Valley Adult Education, based in Napa, CAParaprofessional and teacher assistant certificate or courseOnline · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    School website, Instructional Assistant at Napa Valley Adult Education
    More details about Instructional Assistant at Napa Valley Adult Education
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    12 weeks, 3 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    School website, Instructional Assistant at Napa Valley Adult Education

  • Teacher assistant apprenticeshipIn personNo diploma needed

    Youth Apprenticeship - Teacher Aide I

    Orange County Department of Education

    Costa Mesa

    No diploma needed

    Orange County Department of Education, Costa MesaTeacher assistant apprenticeshipIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    More details about Youth Apprenticeship - Teacher Aide I at Orange County Department of Education
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    52 weeks, 10 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Not reported

How to pay for teacher assistant training in California

WIOA funding can pay for teacher assistant training in California

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for teacher assistant training

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for teacher assistant training

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Teacher assistant certification in California

programs with a price cost under $1,000
3 of 6
lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
4th of 14
teacher assistant programs here, against the typical state's 3
13 vs 3

State comparisons use the same figures as the teacher assistant training by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Teacher assistant certification in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Bakersfield and other California cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 2 programs are online.

Other training in California

How teacher assistant training compares with the rest of education and social services: Child care and social services training in California

Where the California teacher assistant program numbers come from

Which California teacher assistant programs are on this list?

These are the teacher assistant programs California approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what California offers.

How the prices and results of California teacher assistant programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about teacher assistant training in California

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Teacher Assistants
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List