If you have decided you want to pursue a career as a certified nursing assistant, there is some information you will want to know. There are steps you will need to take in order to become a certified nursing assistant. You will also need to retain an active certification throughout the course of your career as a nursing assistant.
Hours of Training Required for CNAs in Florida
You will need to attend training for a minimum of 120 hours if you are working to receive your certification as a nursing assistant. Some training programs will offer even more hours of training. Of course, you can attend a training course with more hours of training but not one with less. You will receive both classroom and clinical instruction during the course of your CNA training course. It is necessary to attend a training program that has been approved by the state.
CNA Certification Transfer by Reciprocity in Florida
You can apply to receive your certification through reciprocity in Florida if you hold a valid and active certification in another state. Contact the Nursing Aide Registry in Florida for an application for reciprocity, or you can apply online at: http://www.floridasnursing.gov/licensing/. The registry will confirm that you have a valid certification in good standing. They will ensure that you completed a state approved training program in your former state. A background check will be conducted before your application for reciprocity is completed. You will be informed as to whether or not your application has been accepted.
Specific Steps:
1) Apply online at: http://www.floridasnursing.gov/licensing/. Click on Certified Nursing Assistant by Reciprocity and select Apply online. Follow the directions to create an online account.
2) Enter details as requested on the reciprocity form.
3) Schedule an electronic fingerprint appointment with any Livescan service provider that has been approved by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Refer to the Livesscan Service Providers List at: http://www.floridahealth.gov/licensing-and-regulation/background-screening/livescan-service-providers.html.
4) You will need to take the CNA Reciprocity Electronic Fingerprinting Form with you to the Livenscan fingerprinting appointment. The form can be found at: http://floridasnursing.gov/forms/electronic-fingerprinting-form-cna-by-recip.pdf.
Once all materials are submitted, an application specialist will review them. The Board of Nursing will attempt to verify your license in the state where you hold a certification. If you meet all the requirements you will be placed on the Florida Registry.
How to Renew Your CNA Certification in Florida
You will need to renew your nursing assistant certification every two years. The forms for recertification should be sent to you about 2 or 3 months before expiration. Renewal forms should be sent to the address provided along with any other required documents or fees. You can also renew your license online at: http://www.floridasnursing.gov/licensing/. Click on the Renew tab and follow the directions to create an online account to renew your license.
To be eligible to renew your certification in Florida, you will need to complete a minimum of 12 in-service training hours each year for a minimum of 24 hours in the two year certification period. You will also need to work for at least a few hours as a nursing assistant for compensation in order to remain on the registry. If you do not do so, you will need to sit for the certification exam again.
If you have allowed your certification to expire, you will need to contact the Nurse Aide Registry. They can provide you with the steps you need to take to renew your certification. You will receive all paperwork and will need to submit renewal fees and documents.
If you need to get trained again for some reason, make sure you check out our page for free CNA programs in Fl
FAQ
Q: What do I do if i fail the CNA certification exam three times?
A. You will need to retake the training program to be eligible to take the certification exam again. Don’t worry though, the exam is extremely easy and most people are able to pass it the first time.
Q: Do I need to retake the certification exam if I am applying for reciprocity to Florida?
A: Unless your CNA license in the state you are transferring from has been revoked or is inactive, you will not need to do the exam again in the state of Florida. They accept applicants who want to transfer from all states in the United States.
Helpful Resources: Free CNA Classes in Florida and CNA training in Florida
is it true that you have to renew your cna license every 4 mos in florida? this site says every 2 yrs but when i was on the phone they said every 4 mos. I just got one in the mail and it expires 12/11
This is the first time I’m hearing about this. I rechecked the DOH website for Florida and it still states 2 years. It would be quite impractical to renew every 4 months. Did you just renew your license?
It is very likely that you have received a notification for renewal. They send one out 120 days before your license is due to expire.
I filled out the paperwork to renew my license (and already got the new one in the mail), but i haven’t been working or doing CEUs. Will my license just expire/become inactive or do i have to take certain steps to cancel my renewal? Will i be audited?
Not realizing for some reason that my CNA license expired in Dec. 2012 (thinking I had until 2013) am I able to renew my license even though it is expired. I have worked in 2010 and 2011 during the winter months, so I know I have plenty of hours.
Did you mean December 2011. If so, you can renew your license by filling out the renewal form you will have received in your mail. You will need to show at least 8 to 12 hours of verifiable work for pay to renew it without having to take the test again.
how do I contact the nurse aide registry