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CNA Classes in Florida: 201 State-Approved Programs (2026)

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CNA Classes in Florida: Programs, Costs, and State Requirements

Published June 19, 2026 · Last updated June 19, 2026

Florida hands you something genuinely useful: real, practical choice. The state lists 201 approved CNA programs across 117 cities, which ranks #12 of 50 by program count. So wherever you are reading this, Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, Tallahassee, or a small CTE town a couple of exits off the interstate, a program is usually within reach. Training here runs 120 hours, comfortably above the 75-hour federal floor. That buys you a better-prepared start, not the fastest one. The median CNA wage in Florida is $18.03 an hour. From here, this page walks you through cost, speed, free options, schedule flexibility, and pay, so you can land on the fit that actually works for your life and not just the one that looks tidy on paper.

Sourced from Florida FDOH registrySourced from FDOHBLS salary dataBLS dataLast verified Jun 19, 2026Verified Jun 19
Illustration of a certified nursing assistant caring for an elderly patient, CNA classes in Florida

AT A GLANCE

Your Florida CNA path

Four steps from interest to certification. Most students complete this in 6–8 weeks.

  1. Step 1.Complete 120 hours of approved training.
  2. Step 2.Finish 40 supervised clinical hours.
  3. Step 3.Pass the Prometric written and skills exam.
  4. Step 4.Get listed with the Florida Nurse Aide Registry.
See the full How to Become guide →

Key numbers before you compare programs

Typical program length
4–22 weeks
Typical paid program cost
$250–$3,387
Average CNA salary
$37,510/yr (BLS, May 2025)
Reciprocity accepted
Yes, from all states

All 201 state-approved Florida CNA programs

Sort by cost, length, format, or city. Filter with the chips above the table. Click any row to expand full address, phone, clinical site, and next cohort.

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How this list works. Every program below is state-approved by the Florida Nurse Aide Registry (FL FDOH). Cost, length, and format come directly from each program’s published materials. Blanks (“N/A”) mean the program hasn’t published that detail yet. Programs with a linked name have a verified profile we maintain. Last verified June 19, 2026.
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Showing 1–25 of 201
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Showing 1–25 of 201

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Fastest CNA programs in Florida

The shortest CNA calendar in Florida runs about 4 weeks. First Coast Nursing Assistant Training Center in Jacksonville lists a 4-week schedule. But Florida still asks for 120 training hours, well above the 75-hour federal floor set by OBRA ’87 (42 CFR 483.152), so “fast” here means a compressed calendar, not a lighter load. You are doing the full 120 hours, including the 40 clinical hours, just packed into a tighter stretch of weeks.

ProgramCityLengthTotal CostSponsored

Schedules verified June 19, 2026, sourced from each program’s published calendar.

Is a 4-week CNA program in Florida long enough?

Four weeks to certification sounds great right up until you picture what 120 hours crammed into a month actually feels like. At First Coast Nursing Assistant Training Center in Jacksonville, that pace means near full-time days, including the 40 clinical hours you complete in person at a partner facility. If you are working a job or raising kids, that intensity is the real price of speed in Florida.

Florida’s 120-hour requirement sits at 1.6 times the 75-hour federal floor, and its 40 clinical hours are 2.5 times the 16-hour federal minimum, so no program in the state is genuinely “light.” A 4-week course in Jacksonville packs that 120-hour minimum into a tight stretch, while a 22-week program elsewhere runs well past it. They are not the same length, but every approved program clears the same floor and sits for the same Prometric exam. A faster program is not a lighter one.

A lot of high-school and CTE listings skip the week count entirely and show “Contact school” instead, because their schedule rides on an academic term. If a fixed finish date matters to you, anchor your decision on Florida’s 120-hour requirement and ask the program directly how those hours are scheduled before you enroll. Do not assume the shortest listing is automatically the right one for the way your week is shaped.

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Online, hybrid, weekend & evening CNA programs in Florida

Flexible scheduling in Florida is real, and it comes in more than one shape: programs list evening, weekend, hybrid, and online-coursework formats. Lake Technical College in Eustis and Marion Technical College in Ocala run online-coursework formats, while Gulf Coast State College in Panama City and Smtl School of Faith & Nursing in Orlando offer hybrid schedules. But the classroom theory is only half the job, because the 40 required clinical hours are always done in person. You cannot learn to transfer a patient or take a set of vitals through a screen, so no Florida program is fully online, not even the ones that move the lecture portion online.

ProgramCityFormatLengthTotal CostSponsored

Format and schedule options verified June 19, 2026. Confirm current online, hybrid, evening, and weekend availability with each program.

Which flexible format is right for working adults?

If you are working days or raising kids, an online-coursework or hybrid format is often what makes a Florida CNA program possible at all. Lake Technical College in Eustis runs its theory online over about 6 weeks, and Marion Technical College in Ocala does the same over roughly 7, so the reading and the lectures move off campus and onto your screen. That flexibility is the real deal. It just covers the coursework, not the whole program.

So be clear-eyed about what “online” does not include in Florida. None of the 201 programs lets you finish the full course on a screen, and none lets you skip the 40 clinical hours, which run 2.5 times the federal minimum and are completed in person at a partner facility on a set schedule. Even a hybrid program like Gulf Coast State College in Panama City needs you physically there for that clinical stretch and for skills-lab practice.

The practical move is to confirm the clinical and lab schedule before you enroll, not just the online lecture access. An online theory module that fits your life is worthless if the required clinical rotation lands on weekday mornings you simply cannot cover, since those rotations are set by the partner facility, not by you. Ask the program how both pieces are scheduled, and get the in-person clinical dates in writing, so the rotation does not collide with work or family obligations you cannot move.

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Cheapest CNA programs in Florida

Start with the number you came for: the cheapest CNA training in Florida costs you nothing. Goodwill Gulf Coast, over at the Olive Opportunity Center in Pensacola, runs a hybrid workforce program at no charge, and the Job Corps centers in Jacksonville and St. Petersburg also list $0. Once you step into paid tuition, the floor is $250 at Baptist Health South Florida’s Clinical Partner CNA Prep Program in Miami. Now here is the part worth sitting with for a second: only 15 of the 201 programs land at or under the $750 low-cost mark. So the question that actually helps you is not “what is cheapest,” it is “what is cheap and still close enough to get to every day.”

ProgramCityLengthTotal CostSponsored

Costs verified June 19, 2026, sourced from each program’s published tuition materials.

Is the cheapest CNA program always the best value in Florida?

A $0 seat like Goodwill Gulf Coast in Pensacola or the Jacksonville Job Corps Center almost always comes with eligibility rules attached. These are workforce-funded or facility-run programs, and those rules vary from one to the next, so check each program directly before you get your hopes up. If you qualify, it is a fair trade. Just know the rules are set before you start, not negotiated after.

The paid floor tells a similar story. Baptist Health South Florida in Miami at $250 and Tallahassee State College’s Gadsden Center at $320 sit far below the state’s $3,387 ceiling, and both are hospital- or college-run. So in Florida, a low price usually says more about who is footing the bill, a hospital, a college, or a government program, than about anything else.

Distance matters as much as the sticker on the door. A low-tuition program close to home, like Baptist Health South Florida at $250 in Miami, Tallahassee State College’s Gadsden Center at $320, or Atlantic Technical College at $390 in Fort Lauderdale, can be worth more to you than a $0 seat clear across the state. With programs in 117 cities, you have enough on the board to weigh price against distance instead of just chasing the lowest number.

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Free & employer-sponsored CNA training in Florida

Florida has 3 free CNA programs, funded through government workforce programs or scholarships, plus one employer-sponsored option, instead of coming out of your own pocket. Goodwill Gulf Coast in Pensacola and the Job Corps centers in Jacksonville and St. Petersburg are the $0 seats, open to students who meet the eligibility rules.

Free programs you can enroll in directly

ProgramCityLengthTotal CostSponsored

Each free seat in Florida, whether it is Goodwill Gulf Coast’s $0 program in Pensacola or a Job Corps placement in Jacksonville, usually arrives as full funding with its own eligibility rules attached. So rather than trying to layer two free sources on top of each other, pick the single one whose requirements you can actually meet, and confirm the terms with the program directly.

What’s the catch with free CNA training in Florida?

“Free” in Florida almost always means someone else is covering the bill. The two Job Corps centers in Jacksonville and St. Petersburg are federal workforce programs, and their eligibility rules vary, so a $0 seat is genuinely free only if you qualify for it. Check each program directly. That part gets decided before you enroll, not after you finish.

The employer-sponsored route works on a different logic. Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System in Sarasota trains you in exchange for a commitment to work for the system after you certify. If that is a job you want anyway, the math can tip in its favor. If you are not yet sure where you want to land, read the commitment slowly and carefully before you sign anything. (Baptist Health South Florida’s Clinical Partner program in Miami is a separate, paid option at $250, the cheapest paid tuition in the state, with no work commitment attached.)

With only 3 free programs and 1 employer-sponsored seat against 201 total, free is the rare exception in Florida, not the everyday option. If a free seat near you opens and you meet its rules, take it. But do not put your plans on hold for months waiting on one when a $320 program like Tallahassee State College’s Gadsden Center could have you certified sooner. Weigh the wait for a free seat against the modest tuition of a nearby paid one, and pick with your eyes open.

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CNA salary in Florida

BLS wage data for Florida and its top 3 metros.

Florida CNAs earn a median of $18.03 an hour, or about $37,510 a year, per BLS OEWS data for nursing assistants. That sits roughly 10.8% below the national median of $20.21, and Florida ranks #42 of 50 states by CNA pay, so the honest read is that Florida’s CNA pay is below the national median. Entry-level pay starts near $16.52 an hour at the 10th percentile, and experienced aides reach about $22.50 at the 90th percentile, so where you work and how long you stay both nudge that number in your favor.

Entry-level (10th)
$16.52/hr
$34,362/yr
Median (50th)
$18.03/hr
$37,510/yr
Top end (90th)
$22.50/hr
$46,800/yr

Pay by setting in Florida

SettingMedian hourlyNotes
Hospitals$18.93/hrEstimated from the state wage distribution
Skilled nursing / SNF$18.03/hrEstimated
Assisted living / residential$16.77/hrEstimated

Setting figures are estimated from the verified Florida wage distribution (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (Nursing Assistants, 31-1131), Florida, May 2025); actual pay varies by employer.

Setting moves Florida pay more than you might guess. Hospital aides here earn about $18.93 an hour, while assisted-living and residential roles, common across Florida’s large retiree population, pay closer to $16.77. That is a gap of more than $2 for the exact same certification. Skilled nursing lands in between at $18.03, the statewide median. So treat that $18.03 median as a starting point, not a ceiling. An assisted-living job in a Miami or Tampa retirement community pays differently from a hospital role a few miles away, even though the certification in your pocket is identical. In Florida, the employer and the setting are what set the pay.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), occupation 31-1131. Cost-of-living differential: Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2024).

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Florida SNAPSHOT

What makes CNA training in Florida different

State-specific context (hours, exam vendor, and funding density) now that you’ve seen the options.

PROGRAM COUNT

201 programs, 117 cities

Ranked #12 of 50 states by program count, which gives you a wide, fully sourced selection in nearly every metro.

TRAINING HOURS

120 hours required

Florida asks for 120 hours, 1.6 times the 75-hour federal floor, with 40 clinical hours built right in.

EXAM VENDOR

Prometric, English & Spanish

A 60-question written test plus a 5-skill practical, offered in English and Spanish through Prometric.

201 programs statewide
Above-floor 120 hours
English and Spanish exam

201 programs across 117 cities

Florida is a large, well-covered market, ranking #12 of 50 states by program count with 201 approved CNA programs in 117 cities. Miami alone lists 15, Jacksonville 8, and West Palm Beach, Melbourne, and Tallahassee 5 each, with a deep high-school and CTE tier filling out the smaller towns. Many of those CTE listings show "Contact school" for pricing and length, so your real job is choosing among the nearby options, not hunting for the one program that happens to exist.

120 hours, well above the federal floor

Florida requires 120 training hours, including 40 clinical hours, which is 1.6 times the 75-hour federal minimum and 2.5 times the 16-hour clinical floor. It should not be pitched as the fastest path, but those extra hours mean solid exam preparation and a better-prepared start. Many high-school and CTE listings show "Contact school" for length, so use the 120-hour requirement, not a week count, as your anchor for how long certification really takes.

Prometric runs the exam in English and Spanish

Florida's CNA exam is administered by Prometric and pairs a 60-question written test with a 5-skill practical you perform in person. Both English and Spanish are offered. You schedule it through Prometric once your program confirms you have finished the 120 required hours.

Bottom line for Florida students

With 201 programs, an above-floor 120-hour standard, and pay 10.8% below national, the practical move in Florida is weighing a nearby program and the setting you want to work in against simply chasing the cheapest or fastest seat.

CNA classes by city in Florida

Programs cluster where the people are. Miami leads with 15, followed by Jacksonville at 8, then West Palm Beach, Melbourne, and Tallahassee at 5 each. With 117 cities hosting at least one program, the city list below is your fastest way to find a seat close to home.

Top 10 Florida metros by program count

  • Miami15 programs
  • Jacksonville8 programs
  • West Palm Beach5 programs
  • Melbourne5 programs
  • Tallahassee5 programs
  • Orlando4 programs
  • Tampa4 programs
  • Fort Myers4 programs
  • Fort Pierce4 programs
  • Gainesville3 programs

Florida Nurse Aide Registry: contacts & reference

Your certification lives with the Florida Nurse Aide Registry, run by the Florida Board of Nursing. Use the contacts below to verify your status, renew, or ask about reciprocity.

Managing agencyFlorida Board of Nursing
Phone(850) 488-0595
Websiteflrules.org
Typical processingN/A
Renewal windowEvery 24 months; At least 24 paid hours as a nurse aide
Fee structureRenewal fee is $50. Initial examination fees are paid directly to Prometric and Livescan provider.

Always verify with the registry directly before enrolling. Approved-program lists update periodically.

Frequently asked questions

Quick, straight answers to the questions Florida CNA candidates ask most, from license checks to renewal.

How do I check my CNA license status in Florida?
You verify your status through the Florida Nurse Aide Registry, run by the Florida Board of Nursing. Your record shows whether your certification is active, when it expires, and any findings against you. It is worth confirming your status reads active before you start applying anywhere. If something looks off, contact the registry directly at the Florida Board of Nursing and sort it out early.
Can I transfer my CNA license to Florida?
Yes. Florida accepts CNA reciprocity from all states through the Florida Nurse Aide Registry. If you hold an active certification in good standing somewhere else, you may be able to bring it into Florida instead of sitting through the full 120 training hours all over again. The exact steps, documents, and any fees are set by the Florida Board of Nursing, so check directly with the registry before you move or start a job search.
What states does Florida have reciprocity with?
Florida accepts CNA reciprocity from all 50 states through the Florida Nurse Aide Registry, so there is no short list to memorize. As long as your out-of-state certification is active and in good standing, you may be able to bring it into Florida instead of repeating the 120-hour training. The Florida Board of Nursing handles the process, so confirm the current steps with the registry and keep your home-state certification active until your Florida endorsement comes through.
Can a CNA do a blood glucose test in Florida?
This one varies, and your certification alone does not settle it. Whether a Florida CNA can perform a blood glucose check comes down to your training and your employer’s policy, and scope rules like this are set by the state. Some facilities train and authorize CNAs for tasks like finger-stick checks while others reserve them for licensed staff. Before you take on any task you are unsure about, confirm the scope with your employer, the supervising nurse, and the Florida Board of Nursing or Nurse Aide Registry.
What disqualifies you from passing a background check in Florida?
A background screening is part of becoming a CNA in Florida. Which offenses can affect your eligibility, whether an exemption is possible, and how timing factors in are all decided by the state, so there is no universal list to go by. The honest move is to disclose your history upfront and confirm the specific details with the Florida Board of Nursing or Nurse Aide Registry before you pay any tuition.
How do I renew my CNA license in Florida?
You renew through the Florida Nurse Aide Registry on a 24-month cycle. To stay active, you generally need to show at least 24 hours of paid work as a nurse aide during the period, and the renewal fee is $50. The simplest move is to renew before your window closes through the Florida Board of Nursing. If your certification has already lapsed, contact the registry to find out exactly what bringing it back will take.
What are the CEU requirements for a CNA in Florida?
Florida’s CNA renewal centers on paid work rather than a classroom hour count. The Florida Nurse Aide Registry asks for proof of at least 24 hours of paid work as a nurse aide within each 24-month renewal cycle, plus the $50 renewal fee. Because the details can change, confirm the current requirements with the Florida Board of Nursing before your renewal window closes.
Guide

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Exam prep

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