Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Florida is one of the fastest ways to start a career in healthcare. Through Florida's unique E3 Challenger pathway, the process from signing up for a course to taking the state exam can be completed in about one month during normal times. 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. Traditional in-person programs typically take 4-12 weeks.
We've been helping students navigate this process at FloridaCNAOnline.com since 2008. This guide walks you through every step, from choosing your training path to receiving your CNA license.
Step 1: Choose Your Training Path
Florida offers two paths to getting your CNA license. Both lead to the same state exam and the same license.
Path A: Traditional Accredited Program (120 Hours)
The standard route is completing a 120-hour training program approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. These programs include classroom instruction and clinical rotations at a healthcare facility.
- Duration: 4-12 weeks depending on the program schedule
- Cost: $500-$2,000+ depending on the institution
- Schedule: Fixed class times (day, evening, or weekend options vary by program)
- Best for people who prefer hands-on learning in a classroom setting
Florida has 196 approved programs across the state. Find programs in your city.
Path B: E3 Challenger Route (Online Study + Exam)
Florida is the only state that allows candidates to take the CNA exam without completing a traditional classroom program. Through the E3 Challenger pathway, you study independently and go directly to the state exam.
- Cost: $199 for the FloridaCNAOnline course + exam and background check fees
- Schedule: Study anytime, anywhere, from any device
- Best for working adults, career changers, and self-motivated learners
- Limitation: You have up to 3 attempts within a 2-year period to pass the exam. If you fail 3 times within that period, you must complete a traditional 120-hour program before testing again.
Learn more about this path: Complete E3 Challenger guide
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.
Step 2: Complete Your Training
If you chose Path A, attend all required classes and clinical hours. Your program will cover topics including infection control, patient rights, basic nursing skills, safety, and the clinical skills on the state exam. At the end, the program provides documentation that you've completed the required 120 hours.
If you chose Path B, work through the online course material at your own pace. Focus on both the written knowledge content (infection control, patient safety, legal issues, nutrition) and the clinical skills you'll need to demonstrate on the exam. Our course covers all of these with video demonstrations so you can practice at home.
Step 3: Register with Prometric
The Florida CNA competency exam is administered by Prometric at regional test centers across the state. To register:
- Complete the Florida Certified Nursing Assistant Application form online at prometric.com/NurseAide/fl
- Choose "E3 - Challenger Candidate" (for Path B) or your program route code (for Path A)
- Choose your preferred test center
- 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, as you will need it for the next step. Find your nearest test center.
Step 4: Complete Your Background Check
After receiving your Application Received Notification from Prometric, you can 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 your eligibility, see our criminal background guide.
Step 5: Get Your Test Date and Take the Exam
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. We always recommend 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. We walk our students through this entire process inside the course.
The Florida CNA exam has two parts:
Written Knowledge Test
- 60 multiple-choice questions
- Covers: patient care, safety, infection control, communication, legal/ethical issues
- The test is pass/fail
- Time limit: 90 minutes
- 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 the written test and clinical skills test on the same day or schedule them separately. Results are provided at the test site on the day of testing. If you fail one portion, you can retake just that part without redoing the other.
Step 6: Receive Your CNA License
After passing both portions of the exam, Prometric reports your results to the Florida 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 initial CNA license is often valid for only 10-12 months. After that, your license must be renewed every 2 years. Renewal requires 24 hours of in-service training and proof of paid nursing-related work during the renewal period. The typical renewal fee is $55. See our renewal guide for details.
Total Cost Breakdown
| Expense | Traditional Program | E3 Challenger (Online) |
|---|---|---|
| Training/Course | $500-$2,000+ | $199 |
| Background Check | ~$80 | ~$80 |
| Exam Registration (Prometric) | $155 | $155 |
| Scrubs/Supplies | $30-$50 | $30-$50 (for exam day) |
| Total | $765-$2,285+ | ~$465-$485 |
CNA Salary in Florida
As of 2025, CNAs in Florida earn an average of $17.94/hour (approximately $37,300/year), according to Indeed. Salaries vary by metro area, facility type, and experience:
- Hospitals typically pay 10-15% more than nursing homes
- Night and weekend shifts often include differential pay
- Metro areas (Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville) generally pay more than rural areas
- Career progression: CNA ($17.94/hr) → LPN ($25.86/hr) → RN ($38.42/hr)
See our CNA Salary Calculator for detailed wage data by metro area.
Requirements to Become a CNA in Florida
- 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 the Prometric Nurse Aide Exam
- Pass a Level 2 background check
If you are under 18 and have not yet graduated high school, you would need to find an accredited in-person program in your area, as the E3 Challenger path requires you to be either 18 or older, or have a high school diploma.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I become a CNA online in Florida?
Yes. Florida's E3 Challenger pathway allows you to study online and take the state exam without attending a traditional in-person program. We've helped thousands of students prepare for the CNA state exam since 2008 through our online course. Note that while the course can be completed online, the state exam itself must be taken in person at a Prometric test center.
How old do you have to be to become a CNA in Florida?
To take advantage of the E3 Challenger pathway (online course), you need to either be at least 18 years old or have a high school diploma. If you are under 18 and have not yet graduated high school, you would need to enroll in an accredited in-person program.
Do I need a high school diploma to become a CNA?
If you are 18 or older, you do not need a high school diploma to take the CNA exam through the E3 Challenger pathway. If you are under 18, a high school diploma is required for the Challenger route. Some traditional in-person programs may have their own admission requirements.
Can I transfer my Florida CNA license to another state?
Yes, most states accept CNA license transfers through reciprocity, though each state has its own process. You'll typically need to apply in the new state, provide proof of your Florida license, and pass a background check.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you choose a traditional classroom program or the online E3 Challenger route, becoming a CNA is an achievable goal that can launch a rewarding healthcare career. We've seen students from all walks of life go through this process successfully, and we're here to help you do the same.
Start with our free course preview — see the full curriculum, watch sample video lessons, and decide if the online path is right for you. No credit card required.