How Do I Become a CNA in Florida?

Becoming a certified nursing assistant in Florida takes time.

The number of certified nursing assistant or CNA positions is expected to grow faster than average from 2008 to 2018, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Certified nursing assistants work under the direction of a nurse to help care for patients. This may including helping patients eat, dress, bathe, get up and walk around or answer questions. The federal government has requirements in place for CNAs that work in nursing care facilities, but otherwise requirements vary from state to state. You can become a CNA in Florida two different ways.

Things You'll Need

• CNA training program
• Application
• Fees

Instructions

Training Program

1. Look over the list of state approved CNA training programs for Florida on Florida's Department of Health website under the section for continuing education with the Florida Certified Nursing Assistants Council. The Department of Health website is found at doh.state.fl.us.

2. Contact the approved training program of your choice and complete the training. The length of the training program can vary from facility to facility, but can last from three weeks to three months according to the website CNAtips.com.

3. Contact Prometric Services and request the Florida Certified Nursing Assistant Application. Prometric Services administers the test for people hoping to become certified nursing assistants in Florida. You can contact it by phone at 888-277-3500 or find it online at prometric.com.

4. Fill out the application. The application includes your personal information, a criminal history, certification training route information, training information and residency information.

5. Gather the application as well as any necessary fees and bring them to your training coordinator or mail them to the address at the top of the application. You bring the information to your training coordinator if you are taking the CNA test at an in-facility site. You mail the information if you are testing at a regional site. According to Preometric's website, it is $93 for the clinical and written portion of the test. If you want an audio version of the test, it is $97. You also much include $34 for a background check if you have lived in Florida for at least five years or $53.25 if you haven't lived in Florida for five years. .

6. Wait for Prometric to send you back a test date.

7. Take the two-part test on your given date. The written portion of the test is scheduled for two hours with 50 multiple-choice questions. You are required to perform five hours of selected nursing assistant skills for the clinical portion of the test. Once you pass, your information will be entered with the Florida Nursing Assistant Registry.

Reciprocity

1. Request a Reciprocity Application for Certified Nursing Assistant from the Florida Department of Health if you have an active CNA certificate in good standing in a different state.

2. Make a copy of your Social Security card and complete two fingerprint cards to include with your application. You must request the correct fingerprint card online at fldoh.sofn.net or make sure the agency you go to uses an FD 258 card.

3. Mail your completed application, copy of Social Security card, fingerprint cards and $48 application fee in a cashier's check or money order to:
   Department of Health
   Post Office Box 6330
   Tallahassee, FL 32314

4. Wait for the Florida Board of Nursing to check to make sure your CNA certificate is in good standing, review your application and complete your background check. Once it does and approves your application, your information is entered with the Florida Nursing Assistant Registry.

Tips & Warnings

• You can attempt the exam without going through a training program, but you must be 18 years old and it is not recommended.

• You have three chances to take the exam before you have to retake a training program.

References

• Florida Department of Health, Certified Nursing Assistants: Frequently Asked Questions
• Florida Department of Health, Certified Nursing Assistants: Certification Requirements
• Florida Department of Health, Certified Nursing Assistants: Education Information
• United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics: Nursing and Psychiatric Aides
• CNATips.com: How Long Do CNA Classes Take and What Exactly Do You Have to Do?

Resources

• Florida Certified Nursing Assistant Application
• Florida Certified Nursing Assistant Reciprocity Application