Florida is the only state in the country that allows you to take the CNA certification exam without completing a traditional 120-hour training program. This pathway is called the E3 Challenger route, and it's how thousands of Floridians have earned their CNA license since the program began.
FloridaCNAOnline.com has been the longest-running online preparation course for Florida's CNA state exam since 2008. This guide explains everything you need to know about this unique pathway.
What Is the E3 Challenger Pathway?
The E3 Challenger is an alternative pathway to getting your CNA license, administered by Prometric, the company that runs CNA testing in Florida. Instead of attending a 120-hour classroom program, you study independently, register directly with Prometric as an E3 Challenger candidate, and take the same exam that traditional program graduates take.
There is no difference in the license you receive. The CNA license earned through the E3 Challenger pathway is identical to one earned through a traditional program.
CNA Certificate vs. CNA License: What's the Difference?
You'll often see the terms "CNA certificate," "CNA certification," and "CNA license" used interchangeably online, but they refer to different things. A course certificate is what you receive when you complete a CNA training course, whether online or in person. It confirms that you have completed the required coursework and are prepared to sit for the state exam. A CNA license is what you receive from the Florida Board of Nursing after you pass the state exam. Your CNA license is what authorizes you to work as a Certified Nursing Assistant in Florida. Completing a course is an important step in your preparation, but you must go on to pass the state exam and obtain your license from the Board of Nursing before you can begin working as a CNA.
Who Qualifies for the E3 Challenger?
To challenge the CNA exam in Florida, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Possess a high school diploma OR take a state-certified CNA training course
- Have a valid Florida address (required to register for the state exam)
- Pass a Level 2 background check
This pathway is especially popular with working adults who can't attend daytime classes, career changers looking for a fast entry into healthcare, parents and caregivers who need a flexible study schedule, and former healthcare workers who already have relevant knowledge.
If you are under 18 and have not yet graduated high school, the E3 Challenger path will not work for your situation. In that case, you would need to find an accredited in-person program in your area.
If you are located outside of Florida, the Florida address requirement is what prevents most out-of-state students from being able to use this pathway. See our out-of-state guide for more information.
Step-by-Step: How to Challenge the CNA Exam
Step 1: Prepare for the Exam
You need to master two things:
- Written knowledge — infection control, patient rights, safety, nutrition, communication, legal/ethical issues, emergency procedures, and basic nursing concepts
- Clinical skills — hands-on procedures like handwashing, vital signs, bed baths, catheter care, transfers, and range of motion exercises
FloridaCNAOnline.com covers both components with video demonstrations, written study materials, and practice exams. During normal times, the process from signing up for the course to taking the state exam can be completed in about one month. As of late 2025, it has been taking about 4-6 weeks for students to get a test date from Prometric after submitting their application.
Step 2: Register with Prometric
To schedule your exam, you need to submit an application to Prometric:
- Complete the Florida Certified Nursing Assistant Application form online at prometric.com/NurseAide/fl
- Select "E3 - Challenger Candidate" as your candidate type
- Choose your preferred test center (find one near you)
- Submit the application with the exam fee of $155 for both written and clinical portions
After submitting, Prometric will email you an Application Received Notification. This notification will tell you if you need to submit a background check. Hold on to this email — you will need it for the next step.
Step 3: Complete Your Background Check
After receiving your Application Received Notification from Prometric, submit fingerprints for an FBI fingerprint background check at an approved LiveScan vendor:
- Do not get fingerprinted before receiving the notification from Prometric
- Cost: approximately $80
- It can take a few weeks for Prometric to receive your background check results
- The Florida Board of Nursing must approve your background screening before you can be scheduled to test
For details on how criminal history may affect eligibility, see our criminal background guide.
Step 4: Get Your Test Date
After Prometric receives approval from the Florida Department of Health, they will email you an Admission to Test Letter with your test date, time, and location. Our recommendation is that as soon as you receive an email notifying you that your application was "Approved," you call Prometric as soon as possible to schedule your test date by phone. This helps minimize delays, and the representative can let you know if other testing centers have earlier availability. Sometimes applications can get stuck in "Approved" status indefinitely if a testing center is not publishing available dates.
Step 5: Take the Exam
On test day, you'll complete:
- Written Knowledge Test: 60 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit. The test is pass/fail. It is available in English, Spanish, and audio format.
- Clinical Skills Test: You will be scored on 5 skills total — 3 randomly assigned skills from the clinical skills checklist, plus handwashing and indirect care, which are always evaluated. Two nurses will watch and evaluate your performance using a checkpoint list. You must pass all 5 skills. The time allowed ranges from 31 to 40 minutes depending on the skills assigned.
You can take both portions on the same day or schedule them separately. Results are provided at the test site on the day of testing. Try our free practice test to see sample questions.
Step 6: Receive Your CNA License
After passing, your scores are sent to the Board of Nursing. You can expect to receive your license electronically about 1-2 days after the exam. The process to be added to the Florida CNA Registry takes approximately 3-5 weeks after Board approval.
The 3-Attempt Rule
This is the most important limitation of the E3 Challenger pathway:
This rule makes preparation essential. Don't rush to the exam before you're ready. Take your preparation seriously, practice the clinical skills until they're second nature, and use practice exams to confirm your readiness.
Cost Comparison: E3 Challenger vs. Traditional Program
| Expense | E3 Challenger | Traditional Program |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation/Training | $199 (FloridaCNAOnline course) | $500-$2,000+ |
| Background Check | ~$80 | ~$80 |
| Exam Fee | $155 | $155 |
| Scrubs/uniform for exam day | ~$30-50 | Included in some programs |
| Total | ~$465-$485 | $765-$2,285+ |
The E3 Challenger route can save you hundreds compared to traditional programs, plus the time savings of self-paced study versus a fixed-schedule program.
Why FloridaCNAOnline for E3 Challenger Prep?
- The longest-running online CNA preparation course for Florida's CNA state exam, online since 2008
- Complete coverage of all clinical skills with video demonstrations, plus written exam review
- Available in English and Spanish
- Self-paced study on any device, any time, as many times as you need
- Step-by-step guidance from registration through licensing
- Affordable at $199, one-time payment with no recurring fees
Start with a free course preview to see the full curriculum and sample video lessons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does E3 Challenger mean?
E3 is the candidate type code used by Prometric for candidates who are challenging the CNA exam without completing a traditional training program. When you register for the exam, you select "E3 - Challenger Candidate" to indicate you're using this pathway.
Can I challenge the CNA exam from out of state?
You need a valid Florida address in order to register for the state exam, which is what prevents most out-of-state students from being able to use this pathway. You can prepare from anywhere, but you must have a Florida address to register and take the exam in person at a Florida Prometric test center. See our out-of-state guide for more information.
What happens if I fail the exam 3 times?
If you fail either the clinical or written portion 3 or more times within a 2-year period on the E3 Challenger pathway, you will need to complete a state-approved training program of at least 120 hours before you can test again. After completing the program, you would register as a traditional program graduate and retake both the written and clinical tests. Find programs near you.
What is the difference between a CNA certificate and a CNA license?
A CNA course certificate confirms that you completed a training course and are prepared to take the state exam. A CNA license is issued by the Florida Board of Nursing after you pass the state exam, and is what authorizes you to work as a Certified Nursing Assistant. The course certificate is an important step in your preparation, but only the license allows you to work as a CNA.