A control apparatus for a continuously variable transmission includes a primary-pulley clamping force acquiring unit that acquires a clamping force of a primary pulley, a secondary-pulley clamping force acquiring unit that acquires a clamping force of a secondary pulley, an input torque acquiring unit that acquires a torque applied to the primary pulley, a transmission ratio acquiring unit that acquires a transmission ratio, a learning value acquiring unit, and a controller. When a learning condition is satisfied, the learning value acquiring unit decreases the clamping force of the secondary pulley while the transmission ratio and the input torque are kept substantially constant, and acquires, as a learning value, the clamping force of the secondary pulley at which a clamping force ratio is maximum. The controller adjusts a target clamping force of the secondary pulley on the basis of the learning value.