How to Become a CNA in Florida
According to the Florida Department of Health – CNA Registry/Board of Nursing website, there are four ways to become a CNA in Florida:
1) Successfully complete a state approved CNA / Patient Care Technician training program and then pass the Florida CNA Exam.
2) Challenge the Florida CNA Exam which means taking and passing the certification exam without attending a state approved nursing assistant training program. The Florida Department of Health recommends completing a state approved Nursing Assistant training Program. In order to qualify for challenging the exam an applicant must be 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or the equivalent.
3) Successfully complete a nursing home preparation program and successfully pass the Florida CNA Exam.
4) Transfer from another state with an active certificate and be in good standing. You must be approved by the Florida Board of Nursing for certification in Florida. This path to become a CNA in Florida is called reciprocity.
The Florida CNA Exam, administered by Prometric (St Paul, MN, PH: 888-277-3500, consists of a written component as well as a clinical skills component. The clinical skills component evaluates the performance of five randomly selected “nursing assistant skills.” CNA training programs in Florida help prepare students for this exam as well as for successful careers as a Certified Nursing Assistant or Nurse Aide. Learn more about CNA training programs in Florida.
Many CNAs in Florida advance their careers by becoming licensed practical nurses (LPN) or registered nurses (RN). Often LPN and RN programs in Florida will take into account a CNA’s previous training and work experience and apply it toward program credits. Learn about the LPN programs offered in Florida. Patient care technicians (PCT) have more extensive training and are also eligible, upon successful completion of a patient care technician training program, to take the Florida CNA Exam to become a CNA in Florida. Learn about Patient Care Technician training programs in Florida.