State terminology: Certified nursing assistant (CNA). Florida CNA requirements ↗ · terminology checked November 5, 2026.
Florida at a glance
| Agency and any testing or registry providers | Florida Department of Health, Board of Nursing |
|---|---|
| Official state hub | Open the official state page ↗ |
| Training guidance | Standard route reviewed · checked November 4, 2026 |
| Transfer guidance | Standard route reviewed · checked November 4, 2026 |
| Renewal guidance | See Florida CNA renewal requirements |
Training sources checked November 4, 2026. Standard route reviewed.
How do you become a CNA in Florida?
Florida's standard CNA training program is at least 120 hours: 80 hours in the classroom and 40 hours of clinical instruction, including at least 20 hours in a licensed nursing home (rule 64B9-15.006). You can also qualify for the exam without a program if you have a high school diploma or equivalent, or are at least 18. If you fail the exam three times, you must finish an approved program before you can test again (s. 464.203).[5] [4] [2] Completing training alone does not give you a state credential. Before enrolling, check the state’s testing requirements and what it takes to get the credential or be listed on the registry.
What else should you know about training?
- The exam has a written part and a skills part, given through Prometric. If you finished an approved training program within 6 months before you apply, you only take the written part. You can ask to take an oral exam instead of the written part (s. 464.203).[4] [2]
- Apply through Prometric. The Board reviews your file within 30 days and tells you if anything is missing. Once approved, the Board sends Prometric your eligibility so you can schedule the exam.[2]
- Florida CNAs must complete at least 24 hours of in-service training every two years.[6]
Where can you find training programs?
Florida Board-approved CNA training program list ↗[3] Before you enroll, confirm with the state that the exact program and training site are currently approved. Check the total hours, clinical placement and costs as well.
What are the steps?
Choose the challenge or training route
Decide whether you'll complete an approved 120-hour program, or qualify for the exam with a high school diploma or by being 18 or older.[1]
Verify the program if training
Use the Board-linked program list and confirm the program’s current approval.[3]
Apply and test through Prometric
Apply through Prometric and pass the exam. If you finished an approved program within 6 months before applying, you only take the written part.[2]
What should you confirm with the state?
- Program costs, admission and approval vary. Confirm them directly with the school.
- If you plan to test without a training program, or you have health, criminal or discipline history, confirm your eligibility with the Board.
Where did this information come from?
- Florida Board of Nursing: Certified Nursing Assistant FAQs ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · CNA FAQ: challenge route; Prometric written and performance exams; two-year validity; 120-hour program after three failures
- Florida Board of Nursing: Certified Nursing Assistant ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · General requirements by examination; Prometric application and scheduling; 24 hours in-service each biennium
- Florida Board-approved CNA training programs ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · Current Board-linked approved CNA program list (dated September 5, 2025)
- Florida Statutes s. 464.203: Certified nursing assistants; certification requirement ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · (1): exam routes, including the written-only option within 6 months of finishing a program, and the diploma or age-18 route without a program. (2): three attempts, then an approved program. (3): oral exam on request. (5): 24 months without paid work means new training and evaluation, or a new evaluation.
- Florida Administrative Code rule 64B9-15.006: Standardized Curriculum ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · (2): at least 80 hours of classroom and 40 hours of clinical instruction, including at least 20 hours of long-term care clinical instruction in a licensed nursing home.
- Florida Board of Nursing: CNA renewal ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Renewal groups; 24 months of paid work; 24 hours of in-service; delinquency and null-and-void status
See reviewed CNA training programs →
How do you transfer an out-of-state nurse aide credential to Florida?
Agency and any providers named in the sources: Florida Department of Health, Board of Nursing. Sources checked November 4, 2026. This summary does not decide individual eligibility.
Which pathway applies to you?
MOBILE endorsement — Comparable active unencumbered out-of-state credential
Key requirement: Two years active practice in preceding four; no current discipline proceeding or discipline in preceding five years; NPDB restrictions/exceptions and other statutory criteria apply.
What are the first steps for MOBILE endorsement?
Request verification
State boards where licensed must provide verification; sufficient online disciplinary verification accepted.
Apply in MQA
Complete application, list all health licenses and upload explanations/supporting records.
Complete Level II fingerprints
Use approved Livescan instructions and CNA ORI EDOH0380Z.
What exceptions apply?
- Insufficient practice or eligibility/history issues — Do not assume automatic endorsement or apply RN/NCLEX alternate-route instructions to CNAs. Ask the Board.
What else should you know?
- Board says allow up to 10 business days initial review; seven-day issuance statement starts after all requirements are met, not from submission.
What should you confirm?
- If you previously held Florida certification or are below the MOBILE practice threshold, confirm the correct route with the Board.
What will the Florida planner ask?
- Is your current nurse aide credential active? (Yes, No, I’m not sure)
- Have you previously held CNA certification in Florida? (Yes, No, I’m not sure)
- Have you actively practiced for at least two of the preceding four years? (Yes, No, I’m not sure)
How do you renew or maintain your nurse aide credential in Florida?
The state sets the renewal cycle and any requirements for work hours and continuing education. This section summarizes the sources we reviewed. Follow the official instructions if they differ.
| Renewal cycle | Every two years. Florida renews CNAs in two groups: Group 1 licenses expire May 31, 2027, and Group 2 licenses expire May 31, 2028. |
|---|---|
| Paid work requirement | Paid nursing-related work at some point in the last 24 consecutive months. |
| CE or in-service | At least 24 hours of in-service training every two years, finished before you apply to renew. Topics include bloodborne pathogens and infection control, domestic violence, medical record documentation and legal aspects, resident rights, communicating with cognitively impaired clients, CPR skills, and medical error prevention and safety. |
| Renewal window | Renew online before your license expires. The fee is $55 before expiration, $105 after expiration, and $160 if you renew after a 120-day delinquency notice; each includes a $5 unlicensed-activity fee. After expiration, your license becomes delinquent, and it becomes null and void two years after the expiration date. |
| If the credential lapses | If you go 24 months in a row without paid nursing-related work, you must complete a new training and competency evaluation program or a new competency evaluation (s. 464.203). A null-and-void license can't be reactivated; you must reapply and meet current requirements. |
Florida CNA certification renews every two years, in two groups. To renew, you need paid nursing-related work within the last 24 consecutive months and at least 24 hours of in-service training during the two-year period, including topics such as infection control, domestic violence, resident rights, CPR and medical error prevention. Renewing before expiration costs $55; after expiration it costs $105, or $160 after a 120-day delinquency notice. If you go 24 months without paid nursing-related work, you must retrain and retest or take a new competency evaluation. A license that becomes null and void two years after expiration can't be reactivated.
Source: Florida Board of Nursing: CNA renewal ↗ CNA initial license by MOBILE endorsement ↗ Florida Statutes s. 464.203: Certified nursing assistants; certification requirement ↗
Open the official Florida registry or agency page ↗ · Compare CNA renewal requirements by state