Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) training & certification requirements vary considerably across the U.S. In some states, the requirements go beyond the federal minimum while in other states requirements are nearly identical to the federal standards.

This page displays Florida CNA Requirements as of February 2023.

To see requirements in other states, visit nursinghome411.org/cna-reqs.

Florida CNA Requirements

  • Eligibility/Screening Requirements
    • 18 years old.
    • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Education & Training Requirement
    • Individuals must complete a state approved nurse aide training and competency evaluation program.
  • Testing Requirement
    • Individuals must pass both a written and skills test.
    • If an applicant fails to pass the nursing assistant competency examination in three attempts, the applicant is not eligible for reexamination unless the applicant completes an approved training program.
  • Renewal & In-Service Requirements
    • A certified nursing assistant shall complete 24 hours of in-service training during each biennium. The certified nursing assistant shall maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this subsection.
    • Renewal requirements are same as federal.
  • Hours
    • 120 hours total, including 80 hours of classroom and 40 hours clinical instruction.
    • The clinical instruction shall include at least 20 hours of long term care clinical instruction in a licensed nursing home.
  • Curriculum
    • Demonstrate mathematics and science knowledge and skills. — The students will be able to:
      • 01 Draw, read, and report on graphs, charts, and tables.
      • 02 Measure time, temperature, distance, capacity, and mass/weight.
      • 03 Make, use, and convert using both traditional and metric units.
      • 04 Make estimations and approximations and judge the reasonableness of the result.
      • 05 Convert from regular to 24 hour time.
      • 06 Demonstrate ability to evaluate and draw conclusions.
      • 07 Organize and communicate the results obtained by observation and experimentation.
      • 08 Ask appropriate scientific questions and recognize what is involved in experimental approaches to the solution of such questions.
      • 09 Calculate ratios.
    • Demonstrate the ability to communicate and use interpersonal skills effectively. — The student will be able to:
      • 01 Distinguish between factual reports and personal opinion.
      • 02 Identify barriers to communication.
      • 03 Use basic medical terminology and approved abbreviations.
      • 04 Demonstrate effective interpersonal relationships.
      • 05 Receive and give oral reports of a patient’s status.
      • 06 Report and record objective, pertinent observations, in written or oral form, observing legal guidelines.
      • 07 Maintain current documentation.
      • 08 Obtain specified data from patient and family.
      • 09 Utilize verbal and written information to assist with the patient’s plan of care.
      • 10 Demonstrate use of the communication system.
      • 11 Adapt communication skills to varied levels of understanding and cultural orientation.
      • 12 Read and discuss technical material.
    • Demonstrate legal and ethical responsibilities specific to nurse assisting. – The student will be able to:
      • 01 Discuss and demonstrate legal and ethical behavior within the nursing assistant scope of practice including role limitations in Florida.
      • 02 Describe the purpose of the chain of communication to resolve conflict.
      • 03 Follow policies and procedures affecting the health, safety, and well-being of patients.
      • 04 Demonstrate safe standards of patient care including prevention and quality of care.
      • 05 Exhibit behavior supporting and promoting patients’ and/or residents’ rights.
      • 06 Recognize potential for and prevention of medical errors.
      • 07 Practice the proper procedures to follow regarding medical errors.
      • 08 Follow policies and procedures affecting the health, safety, and well-being of patients.
      • 09 Recognize and report signs of substance abuse.
      • 10 Demonstrate the understanding of vulnerable population abuse and reporting procedures per agency.
      • 11 Recognize that a C.N.A. must self-report any crimes they’ve been involved in within 30 days of the offense in accordance with (FS 456.0727(1) w).
      • 12 Define Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA).
      • 13 Define Minimum Data Set (MDS).
    • Use information technology tools. — The students will be able to:
      • 01 Employ computer operations applications to access, create, manage, integrate, and store information.
    • Recognize and practice safety and security procedures. — The students will be able to:
      • 01 Recognize safe and unsafe working conditions and report safety hazards.
      • 02 Demonstrate the safe use of medical equipment.
      • 03 Explain and apply the theory of root- cause analysis.
      • 04 Identify and describe methods in medical error reduction and prevention in the various healthcare settings.
      • 05 Identify and practice security procedures for medical supplies and equipment.
      • 06 Demonstrate personal safety procedures based on Occupations Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regulations (including standard precautions).
      • 07 Recognize Materials Data Safety Sheets (MSDS) and comply with safety signs, symbols, and labels.
      • 08 Demonstrate proper body mechanics and ergonomics.
      • 09 Demonstrate the procedure for properly identifying patients.
      • 10 Demonstrate procedures for the safe transport and transfer of patients.
      • 11 Describe fire, safety, disaster, and evacuations procedures.
      • 12 Discuss the Joint Commission patient safety goals (www.jointcommission.org).
    • Demonstrate employability skills. — The students will be able to:
      • 01 Conduct a job search and secure information about a job.
      • 02 Identify documents that may be required when applying for a job.
      • 03 Complete a job application.
      • 04 Demonstrate competence in job-interview techniques.
      • 05 Identify or demonstrate appropriate responses to criticism from employer, supervisor, or other persons.
      • 06 Demonstrate knowledge of how to make job changes appropriately.
      • 07 Demonstrate acceptable employee health habits.
    • Provide emergency care. — The student will be able to:
      • 01 Obtain and maintain training or certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillator (AED), foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO), and first aid for infant, child, and adult.
      • 02 Identify emergency evacuation procedures.
    • Describe the anatomy and physiology of the human body. — The student will be able to:
      • 01 Describe the basic structure and function of body systems.
      • 02 Describe the relationships of body systems in providing patient care.
      • 03 Recognize abnormal signs and symptoms of common diseases and condition.
    • Perform physical comfort and safety functions specific to nurse assisting. – The student will be able to:
      • 01 Implement appropriate regulatory and accrediting agency patient safety guidelines.
      • 02 Maintain safe patient units, equipment, and a comfortable environment.
      • 03 Maintain service areas on the units including supplies and equipment.
      • 04 Observe, report, and record changes in the patient’s behavior as needed, including mental awareness.
      • 05 Demonstrate adjustment of bed and side-rails according to facility policy.
      • 06 Demonstrate and assist patient to dangle.
      • 07 Demonstrate lifting, supporting, and transferring patients from bed to chair, bed to bed, and bed to stretcher, including the use of the various assistive devices and equipment while utilizing proper body mechanics and patient safety measures.
      • 08 Demonstrate the proper use of a gait/transfer belt in both transfer and ambulation.
      • 09 Assist patient in ambulation, including the use of crutch, cane, or walker.
      • 10 Demonstrate the proper wheelchair safety techniques and assist patient as needed with use.
      • 11 Apply supportive devices as directed (e.g., footboard, over-bed cradle, alternating pressure mattress).
      • 12 Assist patient with care and use of prosthetic/orthotic devices.
      • 13 Describe emergency procedures utilized in the clinical area(s) and the role of the nursing assistant in these procedures.
    • Provide personal patient care. — The student will be able to:
      • 01 Perform bed bath; observe and report changes in a patient including skin and level of consciousness.
      • 02 Assist with shower or tub bath, including the use of specialty tubs or prepackaged disposable-bagged bath.
      • 03 Administer back rub with bath and as needed.
      • 04 Assist patient with hair care utilizing sink, tub, shower, bed, or shower cap.
      • 05 Demonstrate the use of a safety and/or electric razor to shave the patient.
      • 06 Demonstrate how to groom patient, including hair, skin, foot, hand, and nail care.
      • 07 Assist with and/or administer oral hygiene including denture care.
      • 08 Assist patient to dress.
      • 09 Assist patient with toileting using various types of restorative and rehabilitative equipment.
      • 10 Assist patient with use of bedpan (standard and fracture).
      • 11 Assist with bowel and bladder training.
      • 12 Assist and/ or provide perineal care.
      • 13 Empty, measure and record urinary output and/or drainage.
      • 14 Demonstrate application and use of a leg bag, leg strap and dignity bag.
      • 15 Monitor and assist with the drainage of urostomy bags and colostomy bags.
      • 16 Assist patient with both donning and doffing prosthesis and brace.
      • 17 Assist patient with meals.
      • 18 Describe the relationships of body systems when providing patient care.
      • 19 Recognize abnormal signs and symptoms of common diseases and conditions when providing patient care.
    • Perform patient care procedures. – The student will be able to:
      • 01 Demonstrate ability to accurately measure, record and report vital signs.
      • 02 Assist with the admission of a patient and/or resident.
      • 03 Assist with the admission, transfer, and discharge of a patient and/or resident.
      • 04 Maintain patient-belongings list.
      • 05 Make unoccupied/occupied bed.
      • 06 Provide passive range-of-motion exercises.
      • 07 Apply anti-embolic hose and sequential compression devices.
      • 08 Understand and demonstrate proper collection of routine, timed urine and clean catch urine specimens.
      • 09 Record fluid intake and output (I&O).
      • 10 Observe, record, and report patient’s emesis.
      • 11 Monitor and provide urinary catheter care and drainage systems.
      • 12 Assist with ostomy care including emptying or changing ostomy bags that do not adhere to the skin.
      • 13 Collect stool specimen.
      • 14 Assist with the collection of a sputum specimen.
      • 15 Assist the nurse with care of the patient with complex medical needs.
      • 16 Assist patient to apply binders.
      • 17 Care for patient in skin and skeletal traction.
      • 18 Assist with pre-operative and post-operative patient care.
      • 19 Reinforce dressings under the supervision of the RN/LPN.
      • 20 Obtain and record an apical pulse.
      • 21 Provide cast care and/or pin care.
      • 22 Provide care for eyeglasses, artificial eyes, and contact lens.
    • Apply principles of nutrition. – The student will be able to:
      • 01 Identify nutrients and food groups.
      • 02 Develop a basic food plan.
      • 03 Describe special diets.
      • 04 Check patient’s diet tray for accuracy.
      • 05 Monitor and document Nutritional Intake.
      • 06 Identify and implement regional, cultural, and religious food guidelines/preferences.
      • 07 Demonstrate knowledge of the need for thickened liquids and fluid consistency.
      • 08 Identify methods of maintaining fluid balance including encouraging and restricting fluids.
    • Provide care for geriatric patients. – The student will be able to:
      • 01 Identify and assist with methods and procedures to prevent pressure ulcers.
      • 02 Identify and assist with methods to prevent falls in the elderly.
      • 03 Identify and assist with safety principles as related to the elderly.
      • 04 Describe general characteristics, particular needs, and age related changes of the elderly.
      • 05 Identify attitudes and living habits that promote positive mental and physical health for the elderly.
      • 06 Distinguish between fact and fallacy about the aging process.
      • 07 Apply reality orientation techniques and validation therapy unless it is contraindicated by the patient diagnosis.
      • 08 Recognize and respond appropriately to symptoms of common diseases, including dementia, depression/suicide, and Alzheimer’s.
      • 09 Provide and involve patients in diversional activities.
      • 10 Identify common alterations in elderly patient behavior.
      • 11 Provide care for patients with special needs (e.g., impaired hearing, impaired vision, immobility, impaired body functions, cognitively impaired (dementia)).
      • 12 Demonstrate awareness of common behaviors in drug use and abuse in the elderly.
      • 13 Report concerns to the nurse and appropriate authorities related to drug use and abuse in the elderly patient.
      • 14 Identify the need for community resources and services available to the elderly and their caregiver.
      • 15 Identify components of the grief process.
      • 16 Demonstrate an understanding of end of life care, hospice, and palliative care.
    • Apply the principles of infection control specific to nursing assisting. – The student will be able to:
      • 01 Discuss transmission-based precautions.
      • 02 Identify the chain of infection.
      • 03 Provide care for patients with infectious diseases applying the principles of “Standard Precautions” utilized with all patients as well as special procedures required.
      • 04 Apply the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for all types of isolation including donning and removing PPE appropriately.
      • 05 Follow isolation procedure with food tray, PPE, and other supplies/equipment.
      • 06 Collect specimen from patient in isolation.
    • Provide biological, psychological, and social support. – The student will be able to:
      • 01 Discuss family roles and their significance to health.
      • 02 Respond to patient and family emotional needs.
    • Perform supervised organizational functions, following the patient care plan. – The student will be able to:
      • 01 Organize and prioritize patient-care assignments.
      • 02 Complete assignments accurately and in a timely manner.
    • Assist with restorative (rehabilitative) activities. – The student will be able to:
      • 01 List the purposes of restorative (rehabilitation) program.
      • 02 Assist patient with specified restorative (rehabilitation) needs.
      • 03 Assist patients/residents to reach the optimum level of independence.
    • Demonstrate knowledge of blood borne diseases, including HIV/AIDS. — The student will be able to:
      • 01 Distinguish between fact and fallacy about the transmission and treatment of diseases caused by blood borne pathogens.
      • 02 Identify community resources and services available to individuals with diseases caused by blood borne pathogens.
      • 03 Identify “at risk” behaviors that promote the spread of aids and the public education needed to combat the spread of diseases caused by blood borne pathogens.
      • 04 Apply infection control techniques designed to prevent the spread of diseases caused by blood borne pathogens to the care of all patients following center for disease control (CDC) guidelines.
      • 05 Demonstrate knowledge of the legal aspects of aids, including testing.