CNA Hiring Certification Initiative

Florida law requires that nursing homes employ only certified nursing assistants to provide personal care services. In order to become certified, an individual must successfully complete the Nursing Assistant Certification exam, which is a national exam, including both clinical and theory components. One of the most significant barriers to the recruitment of certified nursing assistants is access to timely and affordable education tailored to the needs of this population.

Because Florida is the only state that doesn’t permit nursing homes to offer state-approved training programs for CNAs without first becoming a licensed school through the Department of Education, FHCA created a CNA Hiring/Certification Initiative, which consists of two-parts below.

CNA Train-the-Trainer

This four-hour program prepares Registered Nurses employed by FHCA member facilities to conduct the 80-hour CNA Test Prep Course at their facility, which offers prospective employees within the training program a more flexible schedule and on-the-job experience. This training is held annually in conjunction with the FHCA Nurse Leadership Program and includes an Instructor’s Guide and in-depth, expert guidance on setting up a course, using the curricula, complying with regulatory requirements, and learning the ins and outs of the national exam process and tools. Click here for upcoming training details.

 Click ClCNA Test Prep Course

After completing the CNA Train-the-Trainer Session, participants will be equipped to conduct the 80-hour CNA Test Prep Course  in their facilities to prepare prospective employees to take Florida's Nursing Assistant Certification Exam. The curriculum, including the instructor and student manuals, is copyrighted to Florida Health Care Association. Under the exemption granted by the Florida Department of Education, the curriculum is only to be used by FHCA-trained instructors in FHCA member facilities. Click here for more information.