Top Online CNA Classes and Certifications in Florida
Learn about certification training programs with online elements, see how to become a CNA in Florida, and take the first step towards a rewarding career in nursing.
If you live in Florida and want to start a career in nursing as quickly as possible, becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) could be right for you. Florida CNA training courses are typically available at community college and vocational school campuses throughout the state — and some feature distance learning for part of their programs.
Benefits of partially online CNA programs in Florida include convenience and flexibility, plus the confidence you’ll feel knowing that you’ve gotten your training through a state-approved program that fully prepares you to sit for your CNA certification exam. This guide is designed to provide you with everything you need to know about finding and successfully completing an online CNA training program in Florida. We’ve included a list of fully accredited, state-approved programs, a look at how they work, a step-by-step guide to becoming a licensed Florida CNA, job market and salary trend figures, and much more.
Find Online Florida CNA Classes in a City Near You
- CNA Classes in Jacksonville (Online & Campus)
- CNA Classes in Tampa (Online & Campus)
- CNA Classes in Orlando (Online & Campus)
List of State Approved CNA Classes in Florida
| School | City | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| School | City | Phone Number |
Florida Board of Nursing; Most recent data as of May 2022
FAQs About Online CNA Classes and Certification Training in Florida
Can I really complete my CNA certification training online in Florida?
Currently, there are very few CNA training programs in Florida that include distance learning components. Those that do feature online coursework covering the theory and didactic portions of CNA training. And all state-approved CNA programs include in-person requirements, such as on-campus labs and clinical clock hours typically attended at local healthcare facilities, like hospitals and nursing homes. It’s important to note, though, that the current trend is toward putting more and more program components online, a process being accelerated due to Covid-19 safety concerns.
Convenience is key to CNA program curriculums, so students can expect online components that allow students to access and complete their coursework asynchronously (at times of their own choosing) and on-campus classes with day, evening, and weekend attendance options.
How much do CNA classes cost in Florida?
The cost of a CNA program in Florida can vary, sometimes substantially, from school to school. These variations are due to several factors, including program length and, most importantly, whether the program is state-approved or not. Programs that are not state-approved can be found for as little as a few hundred dollars. State-approved programs take longer and cost more, but prepare students more thoroughly for both the CNA certification exam and their subsequent professional practice. State-approved programs are typically formatted with a total number of clock hours as opposed to a total number of credits, and costs are commonly stated as a single figure for the entire program. Here are three examples:
Certified Nursing Assistant – Long-Term Care
Total Hours: 124
Total Cost: $972.98
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Certified Nursing Assistant
Total Hours: 120
Total Cost: $1,199.00
How long is a CNA program in Florida?
CNA program lengths also vary from school to school, again, sometimes substantially. This is due primarily to the specific Florida requirements for obtaining CNA licensure and whether a program is state-approved or not. State-approved programs, like those discussed in this guide, offer real-time classes and coursework along with in-person labs and clinical experiences working with real patients in actual practice settings. Lengths for state-approved programs take anywhere from several weeks (Daytona State College’s program, for example) to a full semester (Santa Fe College’s program, for example) or more to complete.
How Do I Get My CNA License and Certification in Florida?
Every state has its own unique set of requirements for nursing assistant licensure and practice within its jurisdiction. Florida is no different. Nursing assistant licensing in the state is administered by the Florida State Board of Nursing. Certification options and requirements can be accessed from the Board’s Licensing and Registration webpage. And while completing a CNA training program is not an absolute requirement to obtaining a Florida CNA license, most license seekers do. Below are the steps most commonly taken to obtain Florida CNA licensure:
1
Attend and complete a Florida state-approved nursing assistant program
As discussed above, state-approved nursing assistant programs are available through public community and state colleges, and vocational schools located throughout the state. Admissions requirements for these programs vary somewhat, but most include requirements similar to those mandated by the Florida Board of Nursing for CNA licensure. Students will need to meet all program requirements (classes, labs, clinical hours) successfully to receive their program’s credential, typically a diploma or certificate of completion.
2
Complete all pre-exam requirements
All applicants for CNA licensure in Florida must meet several pre-requisites to taking the CNA exam. These include completion of a Level II background screening. The process starts with an applicant submitting their application and required fees to Prometric, the CNA exam administrator for Florida. Prometric then sends the applicant a fingerprint authorization letter permitting them to obtain their electronic fingerprints. These fingerprints are then submitted to Prometric which, along with all other application materials, are reviewed by an application specialist. If everything is in order, Prometric sends the applicant an admission ticket for testing and schedules the applicant for their exam.
3
Prepare for, take, and pass the CNA examination
The next step is to sit for the Prometric CNA examination itself. The exam consists of two parts: a written test and a manual skills evaluation. The written test is a 90-minute exam consisting of 60 multiple choice questions covering five major topics: role of the nurse aide; promotion of safety; promotion of function and health of residents; basic nursing care provided by the nurse aide; and providing specialized care for residents with changes in health. The manual skills evaluation requires the applicant to demonstrate five nursing assistant skills selected at random. The exam must be taken in-person at one of dozens of Prometric Test Centers located throughout the U.S.
4
Obtain your Florida CNA license and find your first nursing assistant job
Once the candidate has passed both parts of the Prometric exam and completed all necessary paperwork, the candidate will be sent their Florida Board of Nursing CNA license and their name will be placed on the Florida CNA Registry. Then it’s time for the newly-certified CNA to find their first Florida nursing assistant job. The best place to start your job search is at your college’s or school’s student services office. You’ll also find help by accessing online job search websites, like Indeed, Monster, and ZipRecruiter.
5
Renew License and Complete Continuing Education
All Florida CNA licenses are good for two years and must be renewed on or before their biennial May 31 expiration date. The year in which your license must be renewed depends on whether you are a member of license Group 1 or 2. There are no continuing education requirements for license renewal. However, the state does require that the licensee to have performed nursing-related services for monetary compensation during the prior 24-month period in order to remain on the Florida CNA Registry. Licensees failing to meet renewal requirements must reapply for licensure and meet all initial license requirements. Detailed license renewal information can be found on the Board of Nursing’s CNA license renewal webpage.
Salary and Job Outlook for CNAs in Florida
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Florida are in a strong position regarding career growth and earnings. The CNA job growth rate in Florida is 12.8%, nearly triple the national average of 4.2%. This means there are more open CNA roles in Florida than in other states. It also suggests that employers may invest more in their CNAs' professional development, which could include employer-reimbursed continuing education courses or professional development seminars at work. The salary range in Florida is also quite commendable, averaging between $30,400 and $43,790. CNAs in certain areas of the state earn above this range. These high-paying areas include Tampa and the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin area. Besides location, education and experience also help a CNA earn in the 90th percentile. To boost your salary, consider enrolling in classes related to a specific nursing specialty or taking on more responsibilities at work to enhance your resume.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 1,361,300 | 1,417,800 | 56,500 | 4.20% | 202,400 |
| Florida | 91,270 | 102,910 | 11,640 | 12.80% | 14,910 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | $30,400 | $36,340 | $43,970 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $31,090 | $38,340 | $40,140 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $29,670 | $35,230 | $44,620 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $29,270 | $34,930 | $38,580 |
| Gainesville, FL | $32,850 | $39,410 | $41,590 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $29,300 | $34,090 | $36,160 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $30,840 | $36,770 | $43,790 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $30,010 | $35,230 | $37,240 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $30,570 | $37,030 | $43,770 |
| Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL | $33,670 | $37,360 | $44,590 |
| North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL | $31,380 | $37,800 | $45,770 |
| Ocala, FL | $29,230 | $34,850 | $37,180 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $30,400 | $36,200 | $45,730 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $29,900 | $34,960 | $40,500 |
| Panama City, FL | $30,160 | $36,470 | $43,250 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $29,280 | $33,940 | $39,680 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $29,920 | $33,920 | $39,290 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $29,800 | $35,200 | $38,380 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL | $30,210 | $36,440 | $42,110 |
| Sebring, FL | $27,130 | $34,180 | $37,810 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $24,720 | $31,230 | $37,490 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $30,850 | $36,580 | $45,220 |
| The Villages, FL | $29,930 | $34,130 | $39,270 |
Source: Nursing Assistants, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Florida CNA Certification and Training Online Resources
- Florida Department of Education: Health Science CTE Information and resource webpage for career and technical education programs in Florida, including acute and long-term care nursing assistants. Links are provided to curriculum framework pages, student organizations, and additional instructional and related resources.
- Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) Professional association that represents individuals and long-term care centers providing health care services to elderly and disabled persons throughout the state. The FHCA is affiliated with several related professional groups, including the American Health Care Association, the Florida Health Care Education and Development Foundation, and the National Center for Assisted Living.
- Florida Health Medical Quality Assurance This Florida Department of Health website provides access to a range of services and resources for Florida health care licensees, including CNAs, such as licensing and license renewal information, educational webinars, public data, and more.
- HOSA Future Health Professionals of Florida Endorsed by both the U.S. and Florida Departments of Education, the HOSA Future Health Professionals of Florida is an association of student leaders seeking careers in the health care industry. The website provides access to a variety of educational, professional, and networking opportunities for members.
- Prometric: Florida Nurse Aide Exam Prometric is the contractor that provides administration of the Certified Nursing Assistant exam in Florida. Visitors can access practice exams, a candidate bulletin with detailed information on becoming a CNA in Florida, nurse aide FAQ’s, and more.
- Scholarships and Online Resources for CNA Students EduMed’s own guide offering information on a wealth of scholarship opportunities for CNA students. Visitors will also find useful advice for landing scholarships, and links to tons of additional academic and professional resources for CNA students and graduates.
