CNA Certification In Florida

1. By Examination

Aspirants must meet the following requirements to obtain nurse assistant license by examination:

• Completed high school diploma, or its equivalent;
• Must be 18 years of age or above;
• Completed the coursework developed under the Enterprise Florida Jobs and Education Partnership Grant with the minimum scores on the nursing assistant competency examination that must be recognized by the board. The exam comprises of skills-demonstration and written portion, which is board approved, and governed at a site and by the department-approved personnel.

Note: If you are unable to pass the nursing assistant competency examination in 3 attempts, you will not be able to take the exam until you complete a recognized nursing program program.

2. By Reciprocity

The requirements for CNA certification by reciprocity are as follows:

• You must hold a current license in another state.
• Must be listed in the CNA registry of that state.
• Must not be found guilty on the grounds of exploitation, neglect, or abuse, in that particular state.

Follow the below-given procedure to get a CNA license in FL:

Step 1: Complete the examination application using any one of the following methods:

• Online at:
  https://oap.prometric.com/Candidateweb/Login/Login.aspx
• Paper ApplicationYou can download the paper application here –
  https://www.prometric.com/en-us/clients/nurseaide/documents/florida/FL_CNA_APP.pdf

If you are testing by the in-Facility option, then send this application along with the essential documents to your program coordinator.

If you are testing at a regional test site, then you need to send this application along with the requisite fees and documents to the following address:

Prometric
Attn: Florida Nursing Assistant Testing Program
7941 Corporate Drive,
Nottingham, Maryland 21236

Step 2: After receiving your application, a “fingerprint authorization” letter will be sent by the Prometric.

Step 3: Next, schedule an appointment for electronic fingerprint. You can print the Electronic Fingerprint Form using the following link:
http://floridasnursing.gov/forms/electronic-fingerprinting-form-cna-by-exam.pdf

Step 4: Upon submission of all the required documents, it will be analyzed by the application specialist. You may be required to submit additional information if requested by the specialist.

Step 5: On the basis of the background screening, the details of the applicant’s eligibility are given to the Prometric.

Step 6: If you are eligible to give the exam, Prometric will send you the “admission ticket” for testing.

Step 7: Appear for the test. After passing both the exams, you will be placed on the Florida Nursing Assistant Registry within a period of 14 days.

The step-by-step procedure to obtain nursing aide license in Florida is as follows:

Step 1: Complete the reciprocity application online at:
https://ww2.doh.state.fl.us/DOHInitialApp/login.aspx?createaccount=yes

If you already have an account on the Board’s site, then use the following link:
https://ww2.doh.state.fl.us/DOHInitialApp/login.aspx

Steps 2 to 4 are same as mentioned above in the examination process.

Step 5: The Board will verify from the state or jurisdiction where you currently hold your license.

Step 6: If the verification process is not completed by the Board, then a license verification form will be sent to you, which must be completed by your jurisdiction where you are currently licensed.

Step 7: If you meet all the requirements, you will be placed on the Florida Nursing Assistant Registry.

All the applicants who are holding a CNA licensure in FL need to renew their license biennially, to continue their practice in the state. To renew the license, you need to carry out services related to nursing for monetary compensation within the past 2 successive years.

Renewal Fees

• If you are renewing your license before the expiration date, you need to pay $65.00.
• If the license is renewed after the expiration date, you will have to pay $115.00 (for those expired 12/31/2012).
• If you are renewing 120 day Notified Delinquent, the fees will be $170.

All licensees are required to complete at least 12 hours of in-service program every calendar year. These program hours must include the following areas (not restricted):

• Domestic Violence
• Infection Control, Bloodborne Pathogens
• Resident Rights
• Legal Aspects Appropriate to Nursing Assistants and Medical Record Documentation
• CPR skills
• Communication with cognitively impaired clients
• Medical Error Prevention and Safety 

• Online at:
  https://ww2.doh.state.fl.us/mqaservices/login.asp?mult=&pass=Y&procde=4401You can renew online if:
  • You are not required to change your license status.
  • You have a debit card or credit card to complete the renewal transaction process.
  • The status of your license is not “Military, Active”.
  • If you are renewing your nursing aide license after it has been expired and the status still shows “Clear/Inactive” or “Clear/Active”, you will be required to pay an additional delinquency fee besides the actual renewal fees.
  • If the status of your Florida license was “Delinquent, Inactive” or “Delinquent, Active” before the deadline of your renewal period, your license status will be moved to “Null and Void”. Under this condition, you will be required to contact your Board office for detailed instructions.
• Paper ApplicationTo renew using paper application, request the Board to send the renewal form. You should renew by mail if:
  • You want to pay the renewal fees by money order or cashier’s check.
  • You want to change the status of your license.
  • You do not have a debit card or credit card to complete the online renewal process.
  • You need to ask for a name change.
  • You have a “Military, Active” license status.

It may take 2 to 3 weeks to renew the license. You may speed up the renewal process by contacting the Board to confirm the status of your license or the receipt of fees.

To verify your license, click on the following link:
http://ww2.doh.state.fl.us/IRM00PRAES/PRASLIST.ASP

You will be required to enter the following details to complete the verification process:

• Last Name
• First Name
• Profession
• Business Name
• County
• License

After the submission of your application online, you can check the status of your license within 24 hours. And for paper application, a minimum of 7 business days are required after the date you submitted your application.

You can check the status of your application using the below link:
https://oap.prometric.com/CandidateWeb/Status/Search.aspx?applicationFormCode=FL_NURS_APP2

This link will be useful only when you have applied through prometric, i.e., by examination method.

You will need to enter the following details:

• Prometric IDThis is a unique number that was assigned to you and can be located on the following documents:

• • Application Status Report that was sent to you by email after your application was received.
  • ATT (Authorization to Test) letter mailed or emailed to you after scheduling your test.
  • Online Dashboard (if you had applied for licensure online).
  • Score Report that was received by you after you took your exam.
• Last Name
• Birth Year
• Program

To change your name in the Florida Nursing Assistant Registry, you need to submit a request that must include your full name as mentioned on your license, license number, profession, your new name, date of birth, last four digits of your social security number, and your signature.

You must attach any one of the following supporting documents:

• Copy of marriage certificate issued by the state that includes the seal from the clerk of the court and your original signature.
  OR
• Divorce decree that confirms your name change.
  OR
• Court order demonstrating name change that includes legal name change, adoption, federal identity change.

Any of these documents can be accepted if they are authentic.

Mail your request, supporting documents and $25.00 fee to:

Department of Health
Bureau of Operations, Licensure Support Services
4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin C 10
Tallahassee, Florida 32314-6320
Fax: (850) 245-4791

Note: If you want a name change and prefer renewing your license online, mail the name change request before you renew online. The whole process will take 5 to 7 business days.

Question 1 – How can I change my CNA application route?

Answer – In order to change your CNA application route, you will be required to submit a written request along with your original signature. You must submit this application to the following address:

4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin C 13
Tallahassee, Florida 32329

Question 2 – I have lost my CNA license. How can I order a duplicate license?

Answer – If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a duplicate license by visiting the link: www.flhealthsource.gov

You will be required to submit a fee of $25 and the license will be received in 2-3 weeks.

Question 3 – What will happen if I am unable to renew my CNA license by the expiration date?

Answer – If your license expires, you will not be able to continue practicing in the state until you renew it again. To renew your license after it is expired, you have to meet the in-service program and employment requirements, pay a delinquency and renewal fee. If you do not renew your license for next 2 years of your license’s expiration date, your certificate will be considered null and void; hence you will be required to take the CNA examination again.