Points of interest…
- Florida requires state-approved CNA training before you can sit for the exam.
- Private CNA tuition in Miami runs $1,500 to $3,500; public costs less.
- CareerSource South Florida can cover CNA tuition through WIOA funding.
A state-approved CNA program in Miami-Dade is one of the quickest routes into paid patient-care work, and most can be finished in weeks rather than semesters. Florida commonly lists 120 total hours of approved training before a candidate can sit for the state exam.
The confusion is in how courses are sold. Full state-approved training programs, exam-prep-only courses, and broader PCT or HHA programs are marketed side by side, and only the first reliably leads to the Florida CNA exam. Prices and schedules vary widely, so the label on the course matters more than the ad copy.
What the Miami CNA Job Market Looks Like
Hospital work and long-term care work are the two main routes for a new CNA in Miami, and the metro area has plenty of both. Large hospital systems hire nursing assistants for acute-care floors. Miami-Dade's many nursing homes, rehab centers, and home health agencies make up the rest of the demand, often with more flexible scheduling and a steadier patient load.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics series (nursing assistants, SOC 31-1131) puts the May 2025 median wage in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metro area at $18.28 an hour, or $38,010 a year. Florida's statewide median is $18.03 an hour ($37,510 a year), so the metro runs about $0.25 an hour and $500 a year higher. The most recent metro headcount we could confirm is 22,940 nursing assistants, from May 2023.1
Where Candidates Look
Many students commute between Hialeah, Kendall, Homestead, Miami Beach, and Fort Lauderdale for training or work, so compare CNA programs in Florida across several of them.
Bilingual English and Spanish ability is a practical advantage here. Many patients and families are more comfortable in Spanish, and employers value CNAs who can communicate clearly at the bedside.
Florida CNA Training Requirements and Clinical Hours
Florida expects most CNA candidates to finish a Board of Nursing-approved CNA training program, commonly listed at 120 total hours,2 before testing. Florida Statutes Section 464.203 sets two routes to certification.1 You can complete an approved program and pass the Nursing Assistant Competency Examination, a key part of Florida's nursing licensure requirements. You can also qualify to take that exam directly if you have a high school diploma or equivalent, or are at least 18.
Online claims that "no training is required" leave out the catch. Challenge candidates still face both the written and skills demonstration portions of the exam. Anyone who fails three attempts must complete an approved program before testing again. The statute does not set a clinical-hour figure, so ask each school how many of its hours are supervised clinical time.
Three Program Types You'll See
- Full CNA training: Board-approved coursework plus clinicals that prepares you for the certification exam.
- Exam prep only: Review courses that do not satisfy training requirements.
- PCT or HHA programs: Patient care technician or home health aide tracks that may include CNA content. Confirm the CNA portion is state-approved.
Hybrid Formats and Timelines
Some programs teach theory online. Clinical hours, however, must still be done in person at a Miami-area facility. If you work days, ask about evening and weekend cohorts. At roughly 120 hours, a full-time schedule typically wraps up in about three to four weeks. Part-time evening or weekend classes usually run eight to twelve weeks.
The True All-in Cost of CNA Training in Miami
Published tuition at Miami-area private CNA providers typically runs between $1,500 and $3,500, while public college and technical center programs may fall between $400 and $1,500. Add the Florida exam fee, Level 2 background screening, health screening package, CPR card, and uniforms to see the true all-in cost. Ask each school which fees tuition already includes, because some public and workforce funded options can be much cheaper after aid.
Related Articles
Free and Employer-Sponsored CNA Training in Miami-Dade
Yes, free CNA training exists in Miami-Dade, but almost none of it comes from a school advertising $0 tuition. The clearest route is federal workforce money.1
WIOA Funding Through CareerSource South Florida
CareerSource South Florida can cover CNA tuition through a WIOA Individual Training Account, which pays an approved school directly rather than handing you cash.2 To qualify under WIOA Adult you generally need to be 18 or older with legal work authorization;3 priority goes to people on public assistance, low-income applicants (measured against the Lower Living Standard Income Level or Federal Poverty Guidelines, whichever is higher),4 and those needing basic skills. Veterans and eligible spouses move to the front in every program.3 Laid-off workers may qualify under Dislocated Worker rules, and 16 to 24-year-olds through Youth services.3
Apply in person. Bring photo ID, your Social Security card, work authorization, proof of income or layoff, and school or military records.2 The school must be on Florida's state-approved provider list,5 you may need to apply for Pell first, and approval typically takes two to six weeks.2
Employer Sponsorship
Some Florida nursing facilities pay for CNA training in exchange for a one to two-year work commitment. Ask local long-term-care employers directly, and get the commitment length and any repayment terms in writing before you sign anything.
Passing the Florida CNA Exam
Finishing a training program does not make you a CNA in Florida: passing the state competency exam does. Prometric administers that exam, and it comes in two parts.
- Knowledge test: 60 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute limit. You can request an oral/audio version instead of the written form, but you have to ask for it when you apply.
- Clinical skills test: five skills, generally 31 to 40 minutes. Handwashing and indirect care are always included; the other three are assigned at random. You must pass all five.
- Fees: $155 for both parts together, or $35 for the knowledge portion and $120 for the skills portion separately. Pass one and fail the other, and you only repay for the part you failed.
- Retakes: Florida allows up to three attempts, with a 24-month window tied to your training. After three failures, you must complete an approved CNA program before testing again.
Can you skip school and challenge the exam?
Florida does allow qualified candidates to sit for the exam without completing a standard program, but check current Board of Nursing eligibility rules before banking on it. The trade-off is real: the skills portion punishes people who have never practiced under an evaluator's eye.
Reading pass-rate claims
Florida does not publish program-level exam pass rates, so any number that nursing schools in Florida quote is self-reported. Ask whether it covers first attempts only, what time period it spans, and whether it includes both the knowledge and skills portions.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Is the program approved by the Florida Board of Nursing, or is it exam prep only?
Only a state-approved program makes you eligible to sit for the Florida CNA exam. An exam prep course may cost less, but it can leave you with no path to certification and no refund.
Does the schedule fit your current job, and are clinicals close to where you live?
Check whether classes run days, evenings, or weekends. Then ask where clinical hours happen. A site near Hialeah or Kendall saves commuting time and keeps you from missing shifts at your current job.
Do you qualify for CareerSource South Florida funding or an employer-sponsored seat?
Funded or sponsored training can cut your tuition to little or nothing. Ask about eligibility before you pay a deposit, since some funding cannot be applied retroactively.
Do you want a stand-alone CNA, or a PCT or LPN-track program that builds toward nursing?
A stand-alone CNA gets you working faster. A PCT or LPN-track option may cost more upfront, but it can save time and credits if nursing is your long-term goal.
Top-Ranked CNA Programs in the Miami Area
Below are the top CNA programs serving Miami students, ranked by IPEDS completion data, accreditation status, and program fit. This year's list focuses on two local options that meet Florida's state-approved training standards while offering different levels of intensity: a full nine-week nurse assistant program and a shorter exam-prep course for students who already have prior nursing-related coursework.
Factors considered
- First-year retention rates
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- Program completion data
- Accreditation status
- Program fit and flexibility
Data sources
- BEA state price parities, used to adjust tuition — bea.gov
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Program-level records maintained in house
- Original research on individual programs
- National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) — nces.ed.gov
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | FVI School of Nursing and Technology | Miami, FL | $35,000 – $40,000/yr (est.) | Career changers seeking nine-week bilingual training | |
FVI School of Nursing and Technology's Nursing Assistant / Home Health Aide program prepares students for CNA certification in nine weeks at its Miami campus. It offers day and evening classes with bilingual English/Spanish instruction, hands-on lab training, and a 40-hour clinical externship. The program includes CPR/BLS certification and provides job placement assistance. FVI also maintains partnerships with local hospitals that may sponsor qualifying students in exchange for post-graduation employment commitments.
| |||||
| #2 | South Florida Institute of Technology | Miami, FL | ~$32,000/yr (est.) | Experienced aides needing exam review | |
South Florida Institute of Technology offers a Nursing Aide Exam Preparation course for students who have already completed prior nursing-related coursework. The Miami campus program covers 22 practical skills and essential theory in 24 clock hours over six Saturdays. It is designed specifically to prepare students for the Florida CNA certification exam, not as a first-time entry-level training pathway.
| |||||
| #3 | Fort Myers Technical College | Fort Myers, FL | |||
| #4 | South Florida State College | Avon Park, FL | $4,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
| #5 | Cape Coral Technical College | Cape Coral, FL | ~$1,000/yr (est.) | ||
| #6 | Gulf Coast State College | Panama City, FL | ~$5,000/yr (est.) | ||
| #7 | Saint Johns River State College | Palatka, FL | ~$6,000/yr (est.) | ||
| #8 | Indian River State College | Fort Pierce, FL | ~$4,000/yr (est.) | ||
| #9 | Santa Fe College | Gainesville, FL | ~$11,000/yr (est.) | ||
| #10 | Chipola College | Marianna, FL | $1,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
Miami CNA Program FAQs
Quick answers about state approval, cost, endorsement, and renewal.
Start with the Florida Board of Nursing Education and Training Programs page, which lists state-approved providers. Third-party directories can differ because they may include closed programs, exam-prep listings, or patient care technician courses that are not CNA programs. Confirm the exact school on the official page before enrolling.
Tuition in Miami varies widely by provider and by what is included, such as textbooks, scrubs, background screening, and exam fees. Free and employer-sponsored seats exist but are competitive. The all-in cost breakdown above shows the categories to compare so one low sticker price does not hide required extras.
Yes, in many cases. Florida accepts eligible out-of-state CNAs through the Board of Nursing's Initial License by Mobile Endorsement pathway; you generally do not retake Prometric. Apply through the Florida Department of Health online portal and complete a Level II background screening. Requirements vary, so confirm current instructions.
Florida CNA certification expires every 24 months. Renewal requires 24 hours of documented in-service training and at least 8 hours of paid nursing-related work under licensed nurse supervision during the renewal period; volunteer hours do not count. Check your renewal notice because requirements can change.
After Certification: Pay and Next Steps
A CNA certification is an entry credential that lets you work under a nurse's supervision in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health settings. Program-level earnings figures are not available for the schools here, so no post-completion wage is quoted for any specific program. Check actual job postings in Miami-Dade for current pay before you budget.
Where CNAs Go Next
Many Miami CNAs treat the job as a first rung. Common paths include:
- Patient Care Technician: Adds skills like phlebotomy and EKG, often with a short certificate.
- LPN: LPN programs in Florida are typically about a year and open higher-paying roles.
- RN: Earn an ADN or BSN at nursing schools in Miami, then sit for the licensing exam. Bridge programs can shorten the route.
Bedside CNA experience strengthens nursing school applications, since admissions teams value proof you can handle direct patient care.
Your Next Step
Confirm that any program you are considering appears on the state-approved list. If you qualify, apply for CareerSource funding before paying out of pocket. Then compare options statewide at /cna/programs/fl/.
