How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Florida
Florida employs approximately 96,960 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $37,510 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a certified nursing assistant in Florida, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Florida
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Florida? Florida requires credentials such as Certified Nursing Assistant, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Registered Nurse (RN). The licensing authority is the FL Department of Health - Division of Medical Quality Assurance 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Florida? Yes. Florida has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The FL Department of Health - Division of Medical Quality Assurance oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Florida? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Florida is $37,510 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $34,350 and experienced professionals can earn $46,790 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: FL Department of Health - Division of Medical Quality Assurance
- Median wage (Florida): $37,510 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Florida
The FL Department of Health - Division of Medical Quality Assurance oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Florida 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant | Florida Statutes (F.S.): Chapter 464, Part II; Chapter 456; Chapter 435; Section 408.809. Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.): Chapter 64B9-15. |
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse | Section 464.012, F.S. |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | Florida Statutes: Chapter 464, Part I; Chapter 456. Florida Administrative Codes: 64B9. |
| Nursing Home Administrator | Florida Statutes: Chapter 468, Part II; Chapter 456; Chapter 400, Part II; Chapter 415; Chapter 765, Parts I, II, III and IV; Chapter 120. Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C. |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | Florida Statutes: Chapter 464, Part I; Chapter 456.Florida Administrative Codes: Chapter 64B9. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Florida
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Florida
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Florida vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | 23,490 | $38,010 | $40,030 | $34,670 | $47,760 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | 15,120 | $37,470 | $38,950 | $35,000 | $45,970 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | 12,000 | $37,690 | $38,900 | $34,780 | $46,350 |
| Jacksonville | 7,960 | $37,760 | $39,740 | $35,320 | $46,160 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota | 4,660 | $39,950 | $41,860 | $36,130 | $49,220 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers | 3,520 | $37,510 | $39,750 | $35,500 | $45,670 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach | 3,160 | $36,950 | $37,640 | $33,340 | $43,420 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven | 2,960 | $36,000 | $36,950 | $33,940 | $39,720 |
| Gainesville | 2,890 | $36,990 | $38,040 | $34,810 | $43,330 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville | 2,760 | $37,070 | $38,070 | $34,110 | $44,190 |
| Port St. Lucie | 2,680 | $37,690 | $38,730 | $34,480 | $48,380 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent | 2,150 | $36,430 | $37,450 | $33,090 | $45,200 |
| Tallahassee | 1,520 | $34,180 | $35,500 | $31,590 | $43,060 |
| Ocala | 1,470 | $36,510 | $37,020 | $31,590 | $44,250 |
| Naples-Marco Island | 1,400 | $40,260 | $41,360 | $37,110 | $46,050 |
| Punta Gorda | 880 | $36,700 | $38,200 | $35,200 | $45,490 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor | 870 | $38,530 | $39,160 | $35,050 | $45,150 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin | 850 | $36,970 | $38,630 | $34,140 | $46,290 |
| Homosassa Springs | 850 | $34,510 | $35,470 | $30,880 | $43,290 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach | 670 | $36,420 | $38,360 | $34,040 | $45,400 |
| Wildwood-The Villages | 600 | $36,110 | $37,180 | $31,990 | $42,800 |
| Sebring | 540 | $35,650 | $36,510 | $31,570 | $42,140 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Certified nursing assistants in Florida
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Florida according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | 23,490 | $38,010 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | 15,120 | $37,470 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | 12,000 | $37,690 |
| Jacksonville | 7,960 | $37,760 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota | 4,660 | $39,950 |
Explore More Trades in Florida
- Electrician in Florida
- Plumber in Florida
- HVAC Technician in Florida
- Welder in Florida
- Carpenter in Florida
- Solar Installation Technician in Florida
- Auto Mechanic in Florida
- CNC Machinist in Florida
- Medical Assistant in Florida
- Massage Therapist in Florida
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Florida? Florida currently employs approximately 96,960 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in Florida with an out-of-state license? Contact the FL Department of Health - Division of Medical Quality Assurance for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Florida? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Florida.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Florida compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Florida is $37,510, which is $2,020 below the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
FL Department of Health - Division of Medical Quality Assurance - Licensing Information: https://www.doh.state.fl.us/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |