StateLicensed

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) License Requirements in Florida

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
120 hrs
Upfront cost
$155
Exam
CNA Written Test, CNA Clinical Skills Test
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Florida Department of Health, Board of Nursing — CNA Registry

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    High school diploma/equivalent, OR at least 18 years old (either condition satisfies eligibility for the exam-only 'Challenger' pathway), pass a criminal background check. Fla. Stat. §464.203 requires either a high school diploma/equivalent or age 18+ (not both), so there is no single fixed minimum age. A Level II background screening (FBI/state fingerprinting) is required for all applicants. [4]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 120 hours of training (including 40 clinical hours). Standardized curriculum requires 80 classroom hours plus 40 clinical hours (at least 20 of the 40 clinical hours must be in a licensed nursing home), per Fla. Admin. Code R. 64B9-15.006. approvedProgramRequired is false at the state level because Florida's 'Challenger' pathway (Route E3) lets an untrained candidate sit the exam directly if 18+ or a high school graduate; only after 3 failed exam attempts must the candidate complete the 120-hour program. [1]

  3. 3

    CNA Written Test

    Pass the CNA Written Test (fee: $35). Multiple choice; available in English, Spanish, or audio Combined Clinical Skills + Written Test fee is $155 if scheduled together; $35 written-only if taken separately. [2]

  4. 4

    CNA Clinical Skills Test

    Pass the CNA Clinical Skills Test (fee: $120). Hands-on demonstration of nursing assistant skills, English only Rescheduling fee is $30 with 5+ working days notice (full exam fee otherwise); exam review fee is $25. [2]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Florida Department of Health, Board of Nursing — CNA Registry. [3]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Florida Department of Health, Board of Nursing — CNA Registry issues your Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) for Florida.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] None specified
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $55
CNA Written Test [2] $35
CNA Clinical Skills Test [2] $120

Renewal fee is $55 ($50 base fee plus a $5 unlicensed-activity fee) per biennium. No separate Board of Nursing application/license fee beyond the Prometric exam fees (see exams[]) is charged; candidates pay Prometric directly with their application.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 24 continuing education hours required per cycle.

24 hours of in-service training required each biennium, per Fla. Stat. §464.203.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Certification by endorsement (Fla. Stat. §456.0145) requires an active, unencumbered CNA license from another state/territory/DC with a similar scope of practice, at least 2 years of active practice during the preceding 4 years, no NPDB reports, and a Level II background screening.

38 state-approved training providers in Florida — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $35
  • $120
Total$155

Frequently asked questions

How many training hours does Florida require to become a CNA?

120 hours (80 classroom + 40 clinical, with 20 of the clinical hours in a licensed nursing home) — but Florida also allows a 'Challenger' pathway to sit the exam without any formal training if the candidate is 18+ or holds a high school diploma/equivalent.

Who administers Florida's CNA exam, and what does it cost?

Prometric, under contract with the Florida Department of Health. The written test is $35, the clinical skills test is $120, and $155 if both are scheduled together.

How much is the Florida CNA renewal fee?

$55 ($50 renewal fee plus a $5 unlicensed-activity fee), due every 2 years along with 24 hours of in-service training.

What happens if I fail the Florida CNA exam?

You may retest up to 3 times total; after a third failure, you must complete the full 120-hour approved training program before testing again.

Can an out-of-state CNA get licensed in Florida by endorsement?

Yes — applicants need an active, unencumbered CNA license from another U.S. jurisdiction, at least 2 years of practice in the preceding 4 years, a clean disciplinary record, and a Level II background screening.

Sources

  1. [1] flrules.org/gateway/readFile.asp — accessed 2026-07-10
  2. [2] prometric.com/exams/nurseaide-fl — accessed 2026-07-10
  3. [3] floridasnursing.gov/certified-nursing-assistant-renewal/ — accessed 2026-07-10
  4. [4] leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm — accessed 2026-07-10
  5. [5] floridasnursing.gov/certified-nursing-assistant/ — accessed 2026-07-10