Florida Nurse Aide Registry: Verification, Renewal & License Transfer
Verify active Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) credentials online, renew your 24-month Florida registration, reinstate a lapsed certificate, or apply for out-of-state reciprocity endorsement through the Florida Board of Nursing - Certified Nursing Assistant Registry.
Florida Registry & Regulatory Contact Details
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-02, Tallahassee, FL 32399
Official FL Registry Portal ↗Official Exam Vendor: Prometric
Credential Title: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
80 classroom + 40 clinical hrs.
Median Wage: $18.03/hr ($37,510/yr).
1. How to Verify or Renew Your Florida CNA Certification Online
Florida requires 24 hours of in-service training every 24-month biennial cycle (including mandatory modules in bloodborne pathogens, domestic violence, medical error prevention, and resident rights) plus paid CNA employment.
- Online Public Registry Lookup (Florida Board of Nursing - Certified Nursing Assistant Registry Portal ↗): Employers, hospitals, staffing agencies, and nurse aides can verify active Florida certification numbers, original issue dates, 24-month expiration dates, and good-standing status online 24/7 by searching a candidate's legal name or certificate number.
- Submitting 24-Month Employment Renewal Proof: Submit your renewal verification form (signed by your facility Director of Nursing or HR department, or accompanied by W-2/pay stub proof of supervised nursing services) 30 to 60 days before your certificate expiration date.
- Private-Duty & Unsupervised Care Exclusion: Private-duty sitting paid directly in cash by a family or uncompensated family caregiving does not satisfy the supervised nursing employment requirement on the Florida Nurse Aide Registry. Qualifying hours must be performed in a licensed healthcare facility, nursing home, hospital, or RN-supervised home health/hospice agency.
- Updating Your Name or Address: Keep your mailing and email address current with the Florida Board of Nursing - Certified Nursing Assistant Registry so renewal notices arrive on time. Legal name changes require submitting a copy of a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
2. Reinstating a Lapsed or Expired CNA License in Florida
If your Florida Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) registration has expired because you did not complete the required paid nursing assistant work (or required continuing education hours) within a 24-month cycle, you must complete the state reinstatement pathway before working as a certified aide:
3. How to Transfer Your CNA License to Florida (Reciprocity / Endorsement)
If you hold an active, unencumbered nurse aide certification in another U.S. state and are moving to Florida (or accepting a travel CNA assignment), you can apply for Florida Certification by Endorsement / Reciprocity:
- Step 1 — Confirm Active Good Standing in Your Home State: Your current out-of-state CNA registration must be active with zero substantiated findings of patient abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property.
- Step 2 — Submit the Florida Out-of-State Reciprocity Application: Access the endorsement portal via the Florida Board of Nursing - Certified Nursing Assistant Registry website ↗. Complete Part I (applicant information) and either attach your home state's online registry verification printout or route Part II to your original state's Nurse Aide Registry for official verification.
- Step 3 — Meet Florida's 120 Hours (40 Clinical / Challenge Allowed) Training or Work-Equivalence Standard: Provide copies of your government-issued photo ID, Social Security card, NATCEP training certificate (or proof of qualifying paid CNA employment if transferring from a 75-hour state), and complete Florida criminal background fingerprinting.
4. Florida Regulatory & Credentialing Nuances
Florida is the only large state that allows adult candidates (18+ or holding a high school diploma/GED) to challenge the Prometric CNA written and clinical exam ("Exam Route E3") without first completing a 120-hour classroom course, provided they clear a Level II FBI/FDLE LiveScan background screening.
Looking for approved classes, testing prep, or salary comparisons in Florida? Browse our Florida CNA Classes Directory (604 Approved Schools), practice with our 25-Question Interactive CNA Practice Exam, or compare state pay tiers in our CNA Wages by State Directory.
5. Frequently Asked Questions: Florida Nurse Aide Registry
How do I check my Florida CNA license status online?
Visit the official Florida Board of Nursing - Certified Nursing Assistant Registry verification portal ↗ or call (850) 245-4125. You can look up your credential status, certification number, and expiration date using your first and last name or certificate number.
How often do I need to renew my CNA certification in Florida?
In Florida, your Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) registration must be renewed every 24 months (2 years). Florida requires 24 hours of in-service training every 24-month biennial cycle (including mandatory modules in bloodborne pathogens, domestic violence, medical error prevention, and resident rights) plus paid CNA employment.
How do I transfer my CNA license to Florida from another state?
Submit an Out-of-State Endorsement / Reciprocity application to the Florida Board of Nursing - Certified Nursing Assistant Registry at 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-02, Tallahassee, FL 32399 (or online via their portal), provide verification of active good standing from your home state registry, and complete Florida's background check requirements.
What should I do if my Florida CNA certificate expired?
Contact the Florida Board of Nursing - Certified Nursing Assistant Registry at (850) 245-4125 or Prometric to check if you are within the state's retest eligibility window to re-take the written and clinical skills exam, or enroll in an approved Florida CNA training program.