The Florida CNA exam is a two-part test administered by Prometric: a written knowledge test with 60 multiple-choice questions and a 90-minute time limit, and an in-person clinical skills test where you are scored on five skill areas. The full exam costs $155, and passing it is what earns you your CNA license from the Florida Board of Nursing. We have been preparing students for this exam since 2008, and in this guide we will break down exactly what is on each part, how to register, the pass and retake rules, and the mistakes that most often cost people a passing score.
The Two Parts of the Exam
The written (knowledge) test
The written portion has 60 multiple-choice questions and a 90-minute time limit, taken on a computerized, Windows-based system at the test center. It is available in English and Spanish, and in an audio format for both languages. If you want the audio version, you must request it on your application form; you cannot ask for it on test day. The written test costs $35 of the $155 total.
The questions cover the everyday knowledge of nurse aide work: resident care, safety, infection control, communication, resident rights, and basic observation and reporting. The best way to get a feel for the question style is to take our free CNA practice test, which mirrors the format of the real exam.
The clinical skills test
The skills portion costs $120 and is the part students worry about most. Here is how it actually works. You are scored on five skill areas:
- Hand washing, which is always evaluated at the beginning of the test. You are expected to do it unprompted, without the evaluator telling you to.
- Indirect care, which is always evaluated throughout the test. This covers behaviors like communicating with the resident, protecting their privacy and rights, promoting safety, and infection control as you work.
- Three skills randomly assigned by computer from the official list of 20 clinical skills, which ranges from making an occupied bed to measuring a radial pulse to transferring a resident to a wheelchair with a gait belt.
Because the three skills are randomly drawn, you cannot cram for a shortlist. You have to be proficient in all 20, which is exactly how our course trains you. Two nurses observe and score you using checkpoint lists, and you must pass all five skill areas to pass the clinical test. The time limit is 31 to 40 minutes depending on which skills you draw. You may also be asked to play the role of the resident for another candidate while you wait.
How to Register for the Exam
You register directly with Prometric, online or by paper application (we recommend online). If you studied with an online course like ours, you will choose the E3 Challenger option on the application to challenge the CNA test. Florida is the only state in the nation that allows this: you can prepare on your own or with any course you like and take the exam without completing a state-approved training program, as long as you are at least 18 or have a high school diploma and have a valid Florida address. The full process from signup to license is laid out in our guide on how to become a CNA in Florida.
The order of operations matters, and getting it wrong causes real delays:
- Submit your application to Prometric with your fees, selecting E3 Challenger as your route.
- Wait for the Application Received Notification email from Prometric. Do not get fingerprinted before this email arrives.
- Get fingerprinted at a LiveScan vendor for your Level 2 background check. The vendor will ask for an ORI number; for the Florida CNA exam it is EDOH0380Z. The background check runs around $80, and not everyone needs one. If you have marks on your record, read our article on becoming a CNA with a criminal background first.
- The Department of Health verifies your background check and deems you eligible, and Prometric marks your application Approved.
- Prometric sends an Admission to Test letter with your date, time, and location.
One tip from years of helping students through this: as soon as you see Approved status, call Prometric and schedule your test date over the phone instead of waiting for one to be assigned. Applications can sit in Approved status indefinitely when a preferred test center isn't publishing dates, and the phone representative can offer you other centers with availability. As of late 2025, the typical wait from application to test date has been running about 4 to 6 weeks, so anything that trims delays is worth doing.
Pass Rules, Retakes, and Fees
As a challenger you have up to 3 attempts within a 2-year period to pass the exam. The two portions are scored separately, and if you fail one portion you only retake and repay that portion: $120 for the clinical skills test or $35 for the written test. Your application and test fees are good for one year, and testing fees are nonrefundable.
If you fail either portion 3 times within the 2-year window, the challenger route closes: you must complete a state-approved training program of at least 120 hours, and after that you retake both the written and clinical portions, not just the one you failed. Those in-person programs cost many times more than an online course, so it pays to over-prepare and pass within your three attempts.
A few other fees worth knowing: rescheduling costs $30 if you call at least 5 business days before your exam date, but inside that window you forfeit the full exam fee. If you fail the written test, you can request a review for a fee within 21 days of testing.
What to Bring and What to Wear
Bring your Admission to Test letter and two valid pieces of identification. The first must be current, government-issued, and show both your photo and signature, like a driver's license, state ID, or military ID. The second must also have your signature, like a credit card or Social Security card. The name on your ID must exactly match the name on your admission letter; a mismatch can get you turned away at the door. No cell phones, reference materials, or personal items are allowed in the testing area.
For the skills test, wear flat, nonskid, closed-toed shoes. Scrubs or a uniform are suggested, and we recommend a watch with a second hand, since several skills involve counting a pulse or respirations against the clock.
Common Reasons People Fail
In our experience, most failed attempts come down to a handful of avoidable mistakes:
- Skipping or fumbling hand washing. It is scored first and you are expected to start it without being prompted. Walking in and reaching for equipment before washing is one of the most common ways to lose a skill area immediately.
- Ignoring indirect care. Students rehearse the technical steps but forget to introduce themselves, explain what they are doing, pull the privacy curtain, or check resident comfort. Indirect care is scored across the entire test, not as a separate station.
- Only practicing favorite skills. The three assigned skills are a random draw from all 20, so a weak spot anywhere on the list is a real risk on test day.
- Running out of time. With 31 to 40 minutes for the whole skills test, hesitating and restarting on each skill adds up. Timed practice runs at home fix this.
- Rushing the written test. Ninety minutes for 60 questions is plenty of time; careless misreads, not knowledge gaps, account for a surprising share of wrong answers. Working through a practice test for the Florida CNA exam beforehand removes the surprise factor.
How We Can Help You Pass
Our online CNA course costs $199 and was built specifically for Florida's challenge-exam route: video demonstrations of all 20 clinical skills, written-test preparation with practice exams, and step-by-step instructions for the Prometric application, fingerprinting, and scheduling process described above. Students study at their own pace, and most go from enrolling to holding a license in about six weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the Florida CNA written exam?
The written test has 60 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit, taken on a computer at a Prometric test center. It is offered in English and Spanish, plus an audio format that must be requested on your application in advance.
What skills are tested on the Florida CNA exam?
You are scored on five skill areas: hand washing (always tested first, unprompted), indirect care (evaluated throughout), and three skills randomly assigned by computer from the official list of 20 clinical skills. You must pass all five areas, and the test runs 31 to 40 minutes depending on the skills assigned.
What happens if I fail one part of the CNA exam?
You only retake and repay the portion you failed: $120 for the clinical skills test or $35 for the written test. You have up to 3 attempts within a 2-year period. After a third failure of either portion, you must complete a state-approved program of at least 120 hours and then retake both portions.
Can I take the Florida CNA exam without going to classes?
Yes. Florida is the only state that lets you challenge the CNA state exam without completing a state-approved training program. You select the E3 Challenger option on the Prometric application. You need to be at least 18 or have a high school diploma and have a valid Florida address.
How much does the CNA exam cost in Florida?
The full exam costs $155: $120 for the clinical skills test and $35 for the written knowledge test. A Level 2 background check, if you need one, adds about $80, and rescheduling with 5 or more business days' notice costs $30.
How long does it take to get exam results and a license?
You receive your scores at the test site on exam day, subject to review by the Florida Department of Health. If you pass, your CNA license is issued electronically about 1 to 2 days later, and you can verify it on flhealthsource.gov and start applying for jobs right away.