Florida CNA Program Basics
In the state of Florida, aspiring CNAs are not required to complete a training program before taking the state assessment. Applicants are required to finish a state approved CNA training course should they fail any single portion of the exam three consecutive times. If their employers agree, nurse aides may work for up to 4 months prior to receiving their CNA license. However, uncertified nurse aides need to meet at least one of the following conditions: the employee is enrolled in an accredited training course, has completed training and is awaiting a license to be released, has certification from another state and is awaiting for the transfer process to be completed.
Florida CNA Requirements and Certification
- Employers in Florida may reimbursement their CNAs for their certification fees.
- While there is a program through Florida’s Medicaid that may offer reimbursement or discounts for some nurse aides, only nursing facilities in Florida are eligible to reimburse their CNAs.
- CNAs must renew their licenses every 2 years to keep their certification active.
Florida CNA License Renewal
- Based on the state’s current regulation, renewals are due on the 31st of December every odd or even year as per the year when the license was initially issued.
- The Nurse Assistant Registry mails a notification of impending renewal 120 days prior to the expiration of the license.
- All nurse aides who have their names listed on the registry should be responsible in notifying the Nurse Assistant Registry of any changes in their address or names that could affect the processing of their license renewal.
- A nurse aide’s license will lapse if not renewed by midnight of December 31st.
- This will hinder a CNA from continuing to work legally as certified nurse aide.
- Once the certification lapses and the CNA failed to follow renewal procedure within two years and refuse to pay dues, the license will be completely void.
- The nurse aide will have to start all over again with the certification assessment.
Florida CNA Transfer of Certification
- The state of Florida does implement reciprocity.
- To qualify, CNAs must have an active certification in good standing.
- Qualified out-of-state CNAs are not required to take further assessment, while CNAs with an expired license must undergo testing.
- Reciprocity applicants must submit to an FBI criminal background check.
- Nurse Aides must have at least 12 hours of in-services on various medical issues or topics such as HIV/AIDS, infection control and Alzheimer’s disease every year to retain their certification.
