CNA in Texas vs Florida: Hours, Exams and Reciprocity

The short answer

• Training hours: Texas requires at least 100 clock hours (60 classroom hours plus 40 in-person clinical hours in an approved NATCEP). Florida requires completion of an approved program, OR passing the state exam via direct challenge.
• The Florida exam challenge: Under Florida law, individuals who are at least 18 years old or hold a high school diploma (or equivalent) can take the Prometric CNA exam directly without enrolling in a training program. If an applicant fails three times, Florida requires them to complete an approved training program before re-testing. Texas has no direct challenge route.
• Testing administrator: Both Texas and Florida contract with Prometric to administer their state Nurse Aide Competency Examination, consisting of a computer-based written (or oral) knowledge test and an in-person clinical skills evaluation.
• Moving between states: Because both states comply with federal OBRA regulations, you can transfer an active, unencumbered CNA certificate between Texas and Florida without retaking the examination.

Side-by-side comparison

Training requirements and the Florida challenge route

Federal law (42 CFR §483.152) mandates a baseline of 75 clock hours for nurse aide training across the United States. However, states have the authority to establish additional hours or alternative pathways to the competency evaluation:

Texas Pathway: Texas HHSC mandates 100 hours of training in a state-approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP). This comprises exactly 60 classroom hours (which may be completed online through HHSC's free computer-based training or an approved school) and 40 hands-on clinical hours providing resident care in an approved nursing facility. Lab training is permitted in place of facility care in only two cases: if no nursing facility is available within 20 miles, or if HHSC determines facility training poses a health risk during a declared disaster. Students must complete the training program before registering for the state examination.

Florida Pathway: Florida Statutes allow candidates to qualify for certification through two distinct routes:

1. Approved Training Program: Enrolling in and completing a Florida Board of Nursing-approved CNA training program.
2. Direct Exam Challenge: Under Florida rules, an applicant who is at least 18 years old or possesses a high school diploma (or equivalent) may apply directly to Prometric to take the state competency examination without prior CNA school enrollment. However, if an applicant fails either portion of the exam three times, Florida requires them to complete an approved training program before being permitted to test again.

State testing with Prometric

Both states use Prometric to administer their standardized Nurse Aide Competency Examination. The exam consists of two distinct components:

• Written / Oral Test: In Florida, the written examination contains 60 multiple-choice questions administered in 90 minutes. It can be taken in English or Spanish, or as an audio test. In Texas, Prometric administers the state knowledge examination covering resident rights, infection control, safety, and basic nursing skills.
• Clinical Skills Test: Evaluated in person by a Prometric Nurse Aide Evaluator in a mock patient room. Candidates are assigned five randomly selected clinical skills (hand washing is evaluated as a core hygiene measure). In Florida, the testing fee is $155 ($35 for the written exam and $120 for the skills test).

Transferring between Texas and Florida (Reciprocity)

Certified nurse aides relocating between Texas and Florida can transfer their credential without re-taking the Prometric examination, as long as their certification is currently active and unencumbered, with no substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of patient property on any state registry.

Renewal requirements

Both states require CNAs to renew their registration every 24 months to remain eligible for employment in licensed care facilities:

• Continuing Education: Both states require 24 hours of continuing education / in-service training every two-year cycle. Texas requires topics to include geriatrics and care of residents with dementia. Florida specifies mandatory subjects including medical errors, residents' rights, infection control, and CPR.
• Paid Employment Rule: Under federal law (42 CFR §483.35(d)(6), alongside annual in-service reviews under §483.35(d)(7)), if there has been a continuous period of 24 consecutive months during none of which the individual provided nursing or nursing-related services for monetary compensation, the individual must complete a new training and competency evaluation program or a new competency evaluation program.

CNA pay in Texas vs Florida

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data:

Source: BLS OEWS dataset (SOC 31-1131, Nursing Assistants).

Find state-approved CNA programs in top Texas and Florida cities:

• CNA classes in Houston, TX
• CNA classes in Dallas, TX
• CNA classes in Austin, TX
• CNA classes in Miami, FL
• CNA classes in Orlando, FL
• CNA classes in Tampa, FL

Common questions