First Coast CNA:
How to Become a CNA in Florida
Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Florida can be a practical way to begin a career in healthcare. CNAs work directly with patients and residents in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home health, and other healthcare settings.
Florida offers more than one pathway to CNA certification. You can complete an approved Nursing Assistant training program before testing, or—if you meet the eligibility requirements—you may challenge the state CNA exam without first completing a 120-hour program. Florida Board of Nursing
This guide explains the process step by step so you can choose the path that fits your experience, training needs, and career goals.
Step 1: Choose Your Path to CNA Certification
Florida gives eligible applicants two primary ways to prepare for CNA certification.
Complete an Approved CNA Training Program
A state-approved Nursing Assistant program provides structured classroom instruction, hands-on skills training, and clinical experience before you take the certification exam. This route can be a good choice if you are new to healthcare, want substantial hands-on practice, or prefer learning in a structured environment. An important advantage is that graduates who complete an approved program and apply within six months are required to take only the written portion of the CNA competency examination. First Coast CNA offers a 120-hour Nursing Assistant Training Program with classroom instruction, hands-on skills practice, and clinical rotations.
Challenge the CNA Exam
Florida also allows eligible applicants to challenge the CNA exam without first completing an approved 120-hour training program. Challengers must successfully complete the required competency examination to become certified. Florida Board of Nursing This route may be appropriate for people who already have healthcare or caregiving experience, are comfortable studying independently, or want focused preparation before testing.
Step 2: Meet Florida CNA Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for CNA certification by examination in Florida, an applicant must meet one of the state’s eligibility pathways.
Florida allows applicants to qualify by:
successfully completing an approved training program and passing the required competency examination;
having a high school diploma or equivalent and passing the competency examination; or
being at least 18 years old and passing the competency examination.
Applicants must also successfully complete the required Level II background screening.
Not Sure Which Path Is Right for You?
If you are completely new to healthcare and want classroom instruction, extensive skills practice, and clinical experience, the 120-hour program may be the better fit.
If you already have relevant experience and feel comfortable preparing independently, you may prefer to challenge the exam or take a short CNA exam-preparation class.
Step 3: Complete the Level II Background Screening
Florida CNA applicants must complete a Level II background screening.
For CNA applicants, the current Florida ORI number is:
EDOH0380Z
The screening includes electronic fingerprinting and a state and national criminal-history check. Florida requires the screening as part of the certification process. Florida Board of Nursing
Applicants are responsible for the cost of fingerprinting, and the results must be properly submitted to the appropriate Florida agency.
Step 4: Apply for the Florida CNA Exam Through Prometric
Florida uses Prometric to administer the CNA competency examination.
Applicants submit their examination application and testing fees through Prometric. Once the Florida Board of Nursing determines that an application is eligible, Prometric receives the eligibility information and schedules the examination. The Board currently states that Prometric generally schedules candidates within 7–14 business days after receiving eligibility. Florida Board of Nursing
First Coast CNA is a Florida CNA Prometric Regional Testing Site in Jacksonville. Candidates completing their Prometric application may select First Coast CNA as their preferred testing location when applicable.
Step 5: Prepare for the CNA Exam
How much preparation you need depends largely on the path you choose.
Students completing a 120-hour Nursing Assistant program receive extensive classroom instruction, hands-on practice, and clinical experience before testing.
Candidates challenging the exam may prepare independently or take an exam-preparation course to review clinical skills and written-exam concepts.
First Coast CNA offers a 2-Day CNA Exam Prep Class designed for candidates who want focused review before challenging the Florida CNA examination.
Step 6: Take the Florida CNA Exam
For most candidates challenging the exam, the Florida CNA competency examination has two parts:
Written Examination
The written examination contains 60 multiple-choice questions and allows 90 minutes for completion. Florida also permits an oral or Spanish written test to be requested when the application is submitted.
Clinical Skills Evaluation
During the manual skills evaluation, the candidate must perform five randomly selected nursing assistant skills.
Candidates normally must pass both portions of the examination to become certified.
Graduates of an approved CNA training program who apply within six months of completing the program are required to take and pass only the written portion.
What Happens If You Do Not Pass?
Failing part of the CNA exam does not necessarily mean starting over.
Florida allows candidates to retake the portion they did not pass. Exam results remain valid for two years, so both required portions must ultimately be passed within that period.
However, candidates who fail part of the CNA exam three times must complete a Board-approved 120-hour Nursing Assistant training program before becoming eligible to test again. They must then retake both parts of the examination.
Step 7: Become Certified and Begin Your CNA Career
Once you have met Florida’s eligibility requirements, completed the required background screening, and successfully passed the required examination, your certification can be issued through the Florida Board of Nursing.
From there, CNAs may pursue employment in settings such as:
- nursing homes and long-term care facilities;
- hospitals;
- assisted living facilities;
- home health;
- rehabilitation centers; and
- other healthcare environments.
Becoming certified is the beginning of the process—not the end. CNA skills, professionalism, communication, safety, and continuing education all contribute to building a successful healthcare career.
Which CNA Path Is Right for You?
120-Hour CNA Training
Best suited for students who want:
•Structured classroom instruction;
•Extensive hands-on skills practice;
•Clinical rotations;
•Preparation for healthcare employment; and
•The approved-training pathway toward certification.
2-Day CNA Exam Prep
Best suited for candidates who:
•Plan to challenge the Florida CNA exam;
•Already have healthcare or caregiving experience;
•Are comfortable learning independently; or
•Want focused skills and written-exam review.
Already Ready to Test?
If you are preparing to submit your application or take the exam, review our Prometric CNA testing guide for application instructions, fees, background-screening information, and testing-site details.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a CNA in Florida
Ready to Start Your CNA Path?
Whether you are beginning with no healthcare experience, preparing to challenge the CNA exam, or getting ready to register with Prometric, First Coast CNA offers training and resources to help you choose the path that fits your goals.
Have Questions About CNA Training?
Tell us what you are interested in, and our team will help you choose the training option that best fits your goals.