CNA Classes & Programs in Florida

Before starting your training, it's important to understand exactly what Florida requires to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Meeting these standards ensures you're eligible to test, be placed on the state registry, and work in approved healthcare settings across Florida.

Eligibility

• Age requirement: Candidates must be at least 18 years old to become certified and employed as a CNA in Florida.
• Program enrollment: You must complete a Florida Board of Nursing–approved Nursing Assistant Training Program. Approved programs are offered by high schools, career and technical centers, community colleges, and licensed healthcare facilities.
• Background screening: All CNA candidates must pass a Level II criminal background screening in accordance with Florida law. Individuals with disqualifying offenses listed under Chapter 435, Florida Statutes, are not eligible for CNA certification or employment in long-term care.
• Good standing: Employers are required to verify CNA registry status prior to hire. Individuals with substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or exploitation are not eligible to work as CNAs in Florida.

Training Hours & Clinicals

Florida requires a minimum of 120 total hours of CNA training. This includes at least 80 hours of classroom and laboratory instruction and 40 hours of supervised clinical training in a licensed healthcare facility, with at least 20 hours completed in long-term care clinical instruction in a licensed nursing home.

Before any direct patient contact, students must complete at least 16 hours of instruction covering federally required OBRA topics, including communication and interpersonal skills, infection control, residents' rights, safety and emergency procedures (including the Heimlich maneuver), and promoting independence and dignity.

Florida healthcare facilities may employ individuals as nurse aide trainees for up to 120 days while training and testing requirements are completed. After this period, individuals must be fully certified and listed on the Florida Nurse Aide Registry.

Competency Exam (Knowledge & Skills)

After completing an approved training program (or qualifying through an approved challenge route), candidates must pass the Florida Nurse Aide Competency Examination, administered by Prometric on behalf of the Florida Board of Nursing. The exam consists of:

• Knowledge test: 60 multiple-choice questions covering basic nursing skills, infection control, safety, resident rights, communication, and personal care. Candidates are given 90 minutes to complete the exam. An oral version is available for an additional fee.
• Skills evaluation: Demonstration of five randomly selected nurse aide skills, including mandatory hand hygiene and at least one measurement skill. Candidates must correctly perform all critical steps to pass.

You must pass both the knowledge and skills components to become certified. Candidates have up to three attempts to pass each portion of the exam. Those who do not pass within three attempts must complete a new Board-approved training program before retesting.

Placement on the Registry & Working as a CNA

Once both exam components are passed, your name is added to the Florida Nurse Aide Registry, maintained by the Florida Board of Nursing. Prometric transmits exam results electronically to the state. You may then work as a CNA in nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, home health agencies, and other licensed healthcare settings throughout Florida.

Renewal

Florida CNA certification must be renewed every 24 months. To remain active on the registry, you must have performed at least one day (8 hours) of paid nursing-related services during the renewal period under the supervision of a licensed nurse. CNAs who do not meet the work requirement may be required to retest before returning to active status.

Reciprocity

Florida offers certification by endorsement (reciprocity) for CNAs certified in other states. Applicants must hold an active certification in good standing, meet Florida's background screening requirements, and provide verification that their training met federal OBRA standards. Some applicants may be required to pass the Florida competency exam if documentation is incomplete or standards are not met.

Costs

Florida CNA exam fees are set by Prometric. Fees vary depending on whether you take the written or oral exam and the skills evaluation, and are paid at the time of scheduling. Under federal law, Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing facilities must pay for or reimburse CNA training and testing costs for individuals they employ or have offered employment to, provided the individual is hired within 12 months of completing training.

Sources: Florida Board of Nursing — Certified Nursing Assistant, Prometric — Florida Nurse Aide Testing, Prometric — Florida Candidate Information Bulletin, 42 CFR 483.152 — Federal Training Requirements