Meridian West Central College
ApprovedAddress
201 Montgomery Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34243
Phone
First-time pass rate (2025)
77% (13 of 17 passed)
State program number
1663
CNA classes in Sarasota, FL
3 nurse aide training programs in Sarasota are on the official Florida approved list.
- Official Florida approved list
- Checked November 2, 2026
- No paid rankings
Approved programs in Sarasota3
ZIP codes with a program3
With 2025 pass-rate data3
Reading pass rates. The rate is the share of a program's first-time test takers who passed in 2025. Small programs can swing a lot, so look at how many people tested, not just the percentage. Compare every Florida program.
Approved CNA programs in Sarasota
Listed alphabetically. No program pays to appear here or to change its position.
Highest 2025 pass rate in Sarasota
Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System (Smhcs)
ApprovedAddress
1700 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34239
Phone
First-time pass rate (2025)
98% (40 of 41 passed)
Earlier years
2024: 87%
State program number
1680
Suncoast Technical College
ApprovedAddress
4748 Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL 34233
Phone
First-time pass rate (2025)
92% (70 of 76 passed)
Earlier years
2022: 67% · 2023: 77% · 2024: 91%
State program number
1572
Source: Florida Board of Nursing, Approved CNA training programs list (list dated September 5, 2025). Checked November 2, 2026.
Pass rates: Florida Board of Nursing, FLCNA First Time Combined Pass Rate by Program, 1 Jan to 31 Dec 2025. A pass rate counts first-time test takers only.
Program details change. Always confirm start dates, cost and approval status with the program and the state before you enroll. How we collect this data.
How Sarasota programs did on the state exam
91.8%Sarasota programs combined, 2025 (123 of 134 passed)
Florida statewide, 202589.1%
| Year | Sarasota programs | First-time testers | Florida statewide |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 91.8% | 134 | 89.1% |
| 2024 | 90.5% | 84 | 88.6% |
| 2023 | 76.7% | 30 | 83.9% |
| 2022 | 66.7% | 15 | 81.8% |
| 2021 | 89.5% | 57 | 88.0% |
| 2020 | 100.0% | 9 | 89.4% |
Combined rate = all first-time passes divided by all first-time testers from Sarasota's approved programs that year. Source: Florida Board of Nursing yearly pass-rate reports.
Approved programs within 25 miles of Sarasota
1 more approved program in nearby cities, nearest first.
| Program | City | Distance | 2025 pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manatee Technical College On probation | Bradenton | about 11 mi | 96% (27/28) |
Straight-line distance from the middle of Sarasota's programs, using ZIP code locations from the U.S. Census Bureau. Driving distance will be longer.
What kinds of programs
Grouped by the wording of each program's name on the state list, not by an official category.
Where they are
3 ZIP codes have at least one approved program in Sarasota.
342333423934243
CNA pay in the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL area
In May 2025, the median pay for nursing assistants in the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL metro area was $19.21 an hour ($39,950 a year), across about 4,660 jobs. That is $1.18 an hour above the Florida median of $18.03.
The median is the middle value: half of nursing assistants earned more and half earned less. Compare pay across Florida metro areas or read our CNA salary guide.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Nursing Assistants (31-1131), retrieved November 2, 2026.
CNA classes in Sarasota: common questions
How many state-approved CNA programs are in Sarasota?
3 programs in Sarasota are on the official Florida list we checked on November 2, 2026, and 1 more are within 25 miles. By name, the largest group here is college or university programs (2).
Are there free CNA classes in Sarasota?
Under federal rules, a nursing facility can't charge you for approved training if it employs you or has offered you a job. None of the Sarasota programs have facility names. How free training works.
What is the CNA exam pass rate for Sarasota programs?
In 2025, 123 of 134 first-time testers from Sarasota programs passed (91.8%), compared with 89.1% statewide. Among programs with at least 10 testers, Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System (Smhcs) had the highest rate (98%, 40 of 41).
What do I need to become a CNA in Florida?
In Florida, you need a passing score on the state exam plus one of three things: an approved training program, a high school diploma (or equivalent), or being 18 or older. See the full Florida requirements.
How much do CNAs make in Sarasota?
Nursing assistants in the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL area had a median pay of $19.21 an hour in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How long is CNA training?
Federal rules require at least 75 hours, including 16 hours of supervised hands-on practice. The Florida Board of Nursing doesn't list a required number of hours, so program length varies. How long CNA training takes.