How to Get Your CNA Certification in Florida (FL): 2026 Guide

If you want to work as a Certified Nursing Assistant in Florida, this guide walks you through every step — from picking a training program to scheduling your Prometric skills and written exam, to landing on the Florida Nursing Assistant Registry. Florida is one of the few states that lets qualified candidates challenge the exam without finishing a full training program, so whether you're a nursing student, an out-of-state CNA, or a brand-new applicant, you'll learn exactly what your path looks like.

Florida CNA at a glance

• State credential: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), listed on the Florida Nursing Assistant Registry
• Oversight: Florida Board of Nursing, Department of Health
• Test vendor: Prometric
• Exam format: Written (multiple choice) + clinical skills evaluation
• Training hours: 120 hours total, including a minimum of 40 clinical hours
• Training program approval: Florida-approved nurse aide training program
• Challenge pathway: Florida is a designated Challenge State — qualified candidates may sit for the exam without completing a state-approved training program
• Registry validity: 24 months (renewal required to stay active)
• Test scheduling: Register through Prometric; book skills and written portions separately (often on the same day depending on site)

Who oversees CNA certification in Florida

CNA certification in Florida is administered by the Florida Board of Nursing, a division of the Florida Department of Health's Division of Medical Quality Assurance. The Board maintains the official Florida Nursing Assistant Registry, the database employers check before hiring you. If you move to Florida from another state, change your name, or need to verify your current status, you go through the Board of Nursing. The same office handles reciprocity applications, challenge-eligibility reviews, and the lockout process after three failed exam attempts.

Training programs in Florida

Florida approves nurse aide training programs through the Department of Health. Programs are offered at community colleges, technical colleges, nursing homes, and private career schools across the state. The state-mandated curriculum is 120 hours, which includes a minimum of 40 clinical hours performed in a clinical setting (typically a nursing home or hospital). Theory and lab hours round out the remaining 80 — check with your specific program to see how they split the lecture and lab time.

When choosing a program, confirm two things before you enroll: (1) that the program is currently approved by the Florida Board of Nursing, and (2) that it has a documented track record of graduates passing the Prometric exam. Approved programs are listed on the Florida Board of Nursing's approved training program directory.

Skip the school search if you qualify to challenge the exam — Florida is one of a handful of states that lets you skip training entirely if you meet certain criteria. More on that below.

The Florida CNA exam: Prometric details

Florida contracts with Prometric to deliver the nurse aide competency exam. The exam has two parts:

1. Written (or oral) knowledge test — a multiple-choice exam covering the role of the nurse aide, basic nursing skills, resident rights, communication, and safety. An oral version is available for eligible candidates.
2. Clinical skills evaluation — a hands-on test where you perform a set of nursing assistant skills on a live actor or mannequin while a Prometric evaluator watches.

You register for both parts through Prometric's Florida nurse aide portal. Many Florida regional test sites schedule the written and skills portions on the same day, but some candidates take them on separate dates depending on site availability. The general workflow:

1. Complete your training program (or establish challenge eligibility).
2. Submit your application to the Florida Nursing Assistant Registry through Prometric.
3. Receive your Eligibility Notice (ATT) by email.
4. Schedule your exam session at a Prometric regional test site.
5. Pass both portions within the allowed attempt window.

Lead time varies by site — popular locations like Miami and Tampa can book out a few weeks, especially during summer intake cycles. Book your session as soon as you receive your ATT.

How much does the Florida CNA exam cost?

Florida keeps its nurse aide exam costs on the lower end of the national scale, but exact figures shift occasionally and Prometric's fee table is the only authoritative source. As a general guide, expect:

• State application fee: paid to Prometric when you submit your registry application
• Written + clinical skills combined: typically the most cost-effective way to test
• Retest fee: charged per portion if you fail and need to retake
• Background screening: required for initial certification in Florida — fingerprint-based, processed through Livescan or an approved vendor

The Board of Nursing doesn't publish a fixed fee schedule on its public pages, so contact Prometric directly or check your candidate handbook for the current dollar amounts. Training program costs vary widely — community college programs commonly run several hundred dollars, while private career schools in metro areas can charge more. Compare at least three approved programs in your area before committing.

Where to take the test in Florida

Prometric operates regional test sites across Florida. The state's most established sites include:

• Jacksonville — First Coast CNA is a long-running Prometric regional test site with recurring exam dates. Book early during peak graduation months.
• Tampa — Aguilas International and Active Health Institute both host recurring Prometric sessions for the Tampa Bay area.
• Miami — American Medical and Dental Institute runs recurring Prometric test dates for South Florida candidates.
• Pensacola — Arcadia Operating Investments (often operating with Active Health) serves the Panhandle with recurring sessions.
• Orlando, Daytona Beach, Ocala, Fort Myers, Pinellas Park — Southern Technical Institute runs recurring Prometric dates across Central Florida and the Gulf Coast.

If you don't live near one of these cities, search Prometric's Florida site locator — additional sites open and close based on demand. Call the site directly to confirm the next available date before you schedule, since some sites only run exams a few times per month.

Scheduling and what to bring on test day

When you schedule your Florida CNA exam through Prometric, you'll pick a date for the clinical skills evaluation first (since it requires an evaluator and a partner volunteer). The written portion is usually scheduled shortly before or after the skills date. Many Florida candidates finish both parts in a single visit, but check your registration confirmation — if the site splits them, you'll need two separate appointments.

On test day, bring:

• Two forms of identification, one with a photo (driver's license, passport, or state ID). Your name must match the registration exactly.
• Your Prometric Eligibility Notice (ATT) — printed or digital.
• Proper clinical attire for the skills portion: scrubs (your school color is fine), closed-toe non-slip shoes, and a watch with a second hand. No artificial nails, per federal nursing home guidelines.
• A watch, pen, and any supplies your Eligibility Notice specifies.

Arrive 30 minutes early. Late arrivals are typically turned away and counted as a no-show, which uses one of your attempt attempts.

After you pass: Florida certification and renewal

Once Prometric reports your passing results, the Florida Board of Nursing adds you to the Florida Nursing Assistant Registry. Your registry listing is your proof of certification — Florida mails a paper certificate, but most employers verify your status online through the registry verification portal before onboarding you.

Your Florida CNA certification is valid for 24 months. To renew, you must have worked at least 7 hours of paid nursing-related services during the certification period — the standard "work requirement" found in most states. If you let your certification lapse, you may need to retest or re-train, depending on how long it's been expired. Don't wait until the last month — start tracking your work hours well before your expiration date.

Common pitfalls specific to Florida

• The three-strike lockout is real. Florida locks you out of the exam after three failed attempts. To become eligible again, you must complete a full Florida-approved nurse aide training program before you can reapply. Don't burn your attempts on underprepared test days — invest in serious practice questions first.
• "Challenge State" doesn't mean "skip everything." Florida's challenge pathway is a real option, but it's not for everyone. You must have qualifying education or experience (nursing school credits, an out-of-state CNA license, etc.). Submit your challenge eligibility documentation to the Board of Nursing before scheduling with Prometric, or you'll be turned away at the test site.
• Name-match issues cause real delays. Florida's registry runs against your legal name on file with the Social Security Administration. If your registration name, your driver's license, and your school records don't match exactly, you'll hit delays. Fix discrepancies before you apply.
• Background screening is mandatory. Florida requires a fingerprint-based background check through an approved Livescan vendor before your first certification. Schedule this early — Livescan processing can take days to weeks, and you cannot test until it clears.
• Renewal is your responsibility. Florida doesn't send reminders. The 24-month window passes quickly, and reinstating an expired certification is more expensive than just tracking your work hours.

FAQ

How long does it take to become a CNA in Florida? Most students complete a 120-hour Florida-approved training program in 4 to 12 weeks, depending on whether they attend full-time or part-time. After training, expect another 2 to 6 weeks for application processing, background screening, and Prometric test scheduling.

How much does the Florida CNA test cost? Florida's combined written + clinical skills exam is competitively priced compared to most states. Prometric publishes current fees in the Florida nurse aide candidate handbook. Budget for the exam fee plus state application fee and a separate Livescan background check.

Can I challenge the Florida CNA exam without training? Yes — Florida is a designated Challenge State. Qualified candidates (typically nursing students with completed coursework, out-of-state CNAs with active certifications, or graduates of approved nursing programs) may sit for the Prometric exam without finishing a state-approved CNA training program. You must submit challenge-eligibility documentation to the Florida Board of Nursing before scheduling.

Do I need to renew my Florida CNA certification? Yes, every 24 months. To renew, you must show proof of at least 7 hours of paid nursing-related work during the certification period. If you don't meet the work requirement, the Board of Nursing may require retesting or re-training.

What happens if I fail the Florida CNA exam three times? You are locked out of testing. To regain eligibility, you must complete a full Florida-approved nurse aide training program (120 hours, including 40 clinical hours) and reapply from scratch. Treat each attempt like it counts — because after three, it does.

Practice questions for the Florida CNA exam are at /exam and clinical-skills walkthroughs are at /skills.