A CNA certification in Florida is one of the fastest, most affordable paths into a healthcare career. Six weeks of training, one state exam, and you're working. Here's exactly how it works.
Florida CNA Requirements
Florida requires Nursing Assistants to be certified through the Florida Board of Nursing. The requirements:
- Age: 18 years or older (some programs accept 16+ with parental consent)
- ID: Valid government-issued photo ID
- Background check: Level II background screening
- Health documentation: Physical exam, immunization records, TB test
- Training: Complete a Florida BON-approved CNA program
- Exam: Pass the Florida Prometric Certified Nursing Assistant Examination
No high school diploma required to sit for the state exam. But most training programs require one for enrollment — confirm with the school before applying.
The Training Program
Florida-approved CNA programs must include a minimum number of training hours covering both classroom and clinical components. At CTI in Palm Bay, the program is 6 weeks and 120 clock hours, including 40 clinical externship hours in real hospital and long-term care settings.
What you'll study:
- Basic patient care and daily living assistance
- Vital signs monitoring and documentation
- Safe patient mobility and transfer techniques
- Infection control and safety protocols
- Communication with patients and care teams
- State exam preparation and practice testing
The Florida Prometric CNA Exam
The Florida CNA exam has two parts: a written test and a skills evaluation. You complete both at a Prometric testing center. The skills portion requires you to demonstrate actual nursing assistant procedures in front of an evaluator.
CTI's first-time CNA exam pass rate is 89.06% (128 test-takers, 2025 reporting period). The statewide average for the same period was 89.08%. CTI graduates perform at the Florida benchmark.
How to prepare: your training program should include dedicated state exam prep. At CTI, exam practice is woven throughout the 6-week curriculum, not tacked on at the end.
Timeline: From Enrollment to Employment
Realistic timeline from your first day of class:
- Weeks 1–6: CTI CNA program (classroom + 40 clinical hours)
- Week 7: State exam scheduled and completed
- Weeks 7–8: Certification processing and job applications
- Week 9–10: First job offer
Two to two and a half months from enrollment to employed. That's a realistic timeline for a motivated student.
What CNAs Earn in Florida
Florida CNA median annual salary: $35,390 per year (BLS, May 2023). Entry-level positions in Brevard County typically start in the $30,000 to $34,000 range, with experienced CNAs earning $38,000 to $42,000. Facilities with night and weekend differentials can push total compensation higher.
CNA as a Stepping Stone
Many students start with CNA as the first step in a deliberate healthcare career ladder. At CTI, it's common for CNA graduates to enroll directly in the LPN program. As a working CNA, you're earning while you build toward a nursing license — and your clinical experience makes you a stronger LPN student.
Next Steps
CTI's CNA program runs multiple cohorts per year. See upcoming start dates. Tuition is $1,180 with payment plans available.
If you're ready to start, call (321) 914-3041 or apply online.
Ready to get started?
Next cohort starts November 9, 2026. Call (321) 914-3041 or apply online.
