How to become a CNA in Florida

Step 1: Choose your eligibility route

Florida gives you two ways to qualify to sit for the nurse aide exam. The first is to complete an AHCA-approved 120-hour training program, which is roughly 80 hours of classroom instruction plus 40 hours of clinical practice, including at least 20 hours inside a nursing home. The second is the challenge route: if you are at least 18 years old, or you hold a high-school diploma or GED, you can register for the exam directly without a formal course. If you are weighing whether a course is worth it for your situation, our page on whether you need CNA certification in Florida helps you decide.

Both routes lead to the exact same exam and the same certification. Training gives you structured hands-on practice and is often the safer choice if you have never worked in patient care, while challenging the exam saves time and tuition if you are already confident with the material.

Step 2: Complete a Level II background screening

No matter which route you pick, Florida requires a Level II background screening before you can be certified. This is done through Livescan electronic fingerprinting, where an approved vendor captures your fingerprints and submits them to the state for a criminal history check. Screening fees vary by vendor and typically run about $63 to $105, so it is worth comparing a couple of approved Livescan locations near you. Because pricing and requirements change, confirm the current details with the Florida AHCA.

Step 3: Apply to Prometric for the exam

Florida contracts with Prometric to deliver the nurse aide competency exam. You submit your application and register for a test date directly with Prometric. Plan ahead: apply about 50 days before your requested test date so your paperwork clears in time. The combined exam fee is about $155 total, which is roughly $35 for the written portion and about $120 for the clinical skills portion. For a full line-by-line look at what you will spend, see our Florida CNA exam cost breakdown.

Step 4: Pass both parts of the exam

The exam has two parts, and you must pass both. The written test is 60 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit. The clinical skills evaluation asks you to perform 5 assigned skills in front of an evaluator, such as handwashing, measuring vital signs, or safely assisting a resident. Scoring is based on a scaled standard rather than a fixed percentage, so focus on demonstrating each step correctly rather than chasing a magic number. Our Florida CNA exam guide explains the format in detail, and the clinical skills walkthrough shows exactly how each hands-on task is expected to be performed.

If you prepare well, both parts are very passable on the first attempt. Working through realistic questions and practicing the skills out loud is the single most reliable way to walk in ready. Our tips on how to pass the Florida CNA exam pull the most common test-day mistakes into one place.

Step 5: Join the registry and keep your certification current

Once you pass both parts, Florida places you on the state nurse-aide registry. That listing is your official proof of certification and is what employers check when they hire you. Your certification is not permanent, though: it renews every 2 years, and to renew you need to show paid nurse-aide work along with the required in-service hours during that period. Keep track of your renewal date so your status never lapses.

Putting it all together

The path is straightforward once you see it laid out: pick your route (training or challenge), clear your Level II background screening, apply to Prometric about 50 days ahead, pass both exam parts, and get listed on the registry. Every fee and requirement on this page is approximate and subject to change, so confirm the current specifics with the Florida AHCA and Prometric before you register or pay. When you are ready to test yourself, a few rounds of practice questions will tell you quickly whether you are prepared. Try our free practice quiz to see where you stand.