The Complete Florida CNA Exam Guide
Everything you need to understand the Florida nurse aide exam — the two parts you must pass, what each one covers, and the exact steps to become a certified nursing assistant.
update Updated 2026-07-20
The Florida CNA exam has two parts, and you must pass both: a 60-question written (knowledge) test and a hands-on clinical skills demonstration. Both are administered by Prometric for the Florida Board of Nursing. This guide walks you through the format, the seven content areas, how scoring works, what it costs, and every step from eligibility to your certificate.
The two parts of the exam
Becoming a certified nurse aide in Florida comes down to one exam with two separate parts, and you need a passing result on each. The written knowledge test checks whether you understand the "why" behind good care, while the clinical skills test confirms you can actually perform tasks safely on a real person. You can think of them as the head and the hands of the job — both matter, and both are graded independently. If you pass one part but not the other, you only retake the part you missed. For a full game plan, see our guide on how to pass the Florida CNA exam.
The written test format
The written portion is a computer-based test taken at a Prometric center. It contains 60 multiple-choice questions — 50 that count toward your score and 10 unscored pretest questions the state uses to trial future items. You will not be told which is which, so treat every question as if it counts. You get 90 minutes, which is comfortable time; most candidates finish with room to spare.
Questions are drawn from seven content areas: Basic Nursing Skills, Personal Care Skills, Infection Control (the heaviest emphasis), Safety and Emergency Procedures, Mental Health and Social Service Needs, Communication, and Resident Rights and Ethics. Because infection control carries the most weight, it deserves extra study time. Our breakdown of the written test content areas shows what to expect in each, and you can drill all seven with the free practice quiz.
The clinical skills test
The skills test is where you demonstrate care on a live volunteer while an evaluator observes. You perform five skills in roughly 31 to 40 minutes. Handwashing is always first, one indirect-care skill (such as measuring and recording) always comes second, and the remaining three are drawn at random from a pool of about 25 skills. Each skill has specific "critical" steps — points tied to safety, infection control, or resident dignity — and missing a critical step fails that individual skill.
The single most important habit: wash your hands and protect the resident's safety and privacy on every skill. Critical steps are almost always about infection control, safety, or dignity — never rush past them. Practicing each skill out loud until the sequence is automatic is the surest way to pass.
Because the pool is large and the steps are precise, muscle memory beats cramming here. Walk through each one with our clinical skills guide before test day.
How scoring works
Your written test is measured against a scaled passing standard set by the state, not a fixed classroom percentage. That means there is no single "you need X percent" number — the passing line is calibrated to the difficulty of your specific question set. In practice, aiming for around 80% on your practice tests is a comfortable benchmark that leaves a healthy margin. The skills test is pass/fail per skill: pass all five critical-step requirements and you pass the part. Wondering how tough it really is? See is the Florida CNA exam hard? for an honest look.
How to get certified
To be eligible you generally need to be at least 18 or hold a high-school diploma or GED. You can complete an AHCA-approved 120-hour training program or challenge the exam directly, and you'll need a Level II background screening (Livescan fingerprinting). Plan to apply about 50 days before your intended test date so everything clears in time. Full walkthrough: how to become a CNA in Florida.
On cost, budget about $155 combined ($35 written + $120 skills), with a single-part retake around $35 and Level II fingerprinting roughly $63–$105. These are approximate — confirm current amounts with Prometric and AHCA. You get up to 3 attempts per part; fail the same part three times and you must complete an approved training program before retesting. See Florida CNA exam cost for the full breakdown. Once certified, your credential renews every two years with paid employment and in-service hours. Ready to build your plan? Start with a study guide and practice steadily.
Start practicing free
Nurse-aide questions with a rationale on every answer, plus step-by-step clinical skills walkthroughs. First 5 questions free.