Florida CNA Certification Application Information

For a Florida certified nursing assistant state exam application contact:

Florida CNA state exam provided by Prometric.
Prometric website
1260 Energy Lane
St Paul MN 55108
Phone: (888) 277-3500

(If your current certificate has expired, you will need to take the state exam.)

Certification Methods

A Florida Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) may become certified by 4 different methods:

• Attend and successfully complete a state approved training program and pass the state exam, or
• Challenge and pass the state exam (must be at least 18 years old, or have a high school diploma or equivalent), or
• Complete a nursing home preparation program and pass the state exam, or
• Reciprocity--Transfer from another state with an active certificate in good standing and be approved by the Board of Nursing for certification.

Exam

Candidates, both first time and re-certifying, must pass the Florida CNA Exam, which is a 2-part examination consisting of a written and a performance (skills) section.
• The Written Test is a two-hour test with 50 multiple-choice questions written in English. Candidates having difficulty reading English have the option of taking either an oral or Spanish written exam, but must request these options when submitting their application.
• The Clinical Skills Evaluation requires the applicant to perform five (5) randomly selected nursing assistant skills. This part of the exam is administered only in English.

Nursing assistants certified out-of-state wishing to transfer
their certification to Florida may apply for reciprocity.

• You may transfer your CNA certificate from another state to Florida if the certificate is still active and has not expired or lapsed. You are not required to take the state exam.
• Your certificate must be in good standing with the other state and you will be required to have a background check (FBI).
• The FBI background check will take approximately 6-8 weeks but delays of several months are not uncommon. You are encouraged to apply early.
• You will receive a Florida CNA certificate after your out-of-state certificate has been verified in good standing and your FBI background has been cleared.

Chapter 400.211, F.S. applies to CNAs who work in Nursing homes only:

• Allows persons enrolled in approved training programs to work for 4 months while becoming certified.
• Allows CNAs from other states to work 4 months while completing transfer of certificate to Florida CNA registry.

Training program

A state-approved training program is not required prior to examination; however, it is strongly recommended. Individuals must be at least 18 years old, or have a high school diploma or equivalent if the applicant is challenging the exam without completion of an approved training program.