Jeannie C Andre

What they do

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) provide hands-on personal care that supports the daily quality of life of patients who cannot fully care for themselves. In Florida, CNAs work primarily in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, hospice settings, and private homes. Typical duties include helping patients bathe, dress, eat, walk, and transfer between bed and chair, measuring vital signs, recording intake and output, and reporting changes in a patient's condition to the supervising nurse.

CNAs are essential to the long-term care system in Florida, where the elderly population is large and growing. They build close daily relationships with residents and are frequently the first to notice subtle changes in cognition, mobility, or mood that may signal a developing health issue. While the role does not include diagnostic or prescriptive authority, CNAs serve as the eyes and ears of the clinical team and play a central role in dignity-focused care.

Licensing in Florida

Florida requires CNAs to be certified rather than licensed in the traditional sense. Candidates either complete a state-approved training program or, in some cases, qualify by equivalent experience or military training, then pass the Florida Nurse Aide Examination (administered by Prometric) covering written and clinical skills components. Applicants are fingerprinted for a Level 2 background check. Certification is renewed every two years with proof of paid employment and continuing in-service training. The Florida Board of Nursing maintains the state CNA registry and handles complaints.

How to verify or report

Verify a CNA certification through the Florida MQA license search. Concerns about abuse, neglect, or unsafe care should be filed through the Florida Department of Health complaint form or by phone at 850-488-0796.