Laws & Rules for Nursing Assistants in Florida

A nursing assistant, or nurse's aid, is a medical professional who works under the supervision of a nurse. Nursing assistants help patients with their daily living tasks such as bathing, grooming and feeding. In Florida, nursing assistants must be a certified by the Department of Health.

Certification Test

• Nursing assistants in Florida must have a valid certification to work lawfully. To obtain certification, you must pass both a written and performance exam administered by the Florida Department of Health. Although attending a training program is not required to take the exam, it is strongly recommended by the Florida Nursing Assistant Registry.

Other Eligibility Requirements

• Florida law also requires nursing assistants to pass a background screening that considers all past criminal offenses except for traffic tickets. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) provides the criminal history to the Department of Health for review. Past convictions for felonies and misdemeanors automatically disqualify you from working as a nursing assistant in Florida, though applicants may request an appeal or apply for an exemption.

Registration

• All certified nursing assistants in Florida are required to register with the Florida Nursing Assistant Registry by law.

  Department of Health
  Florida Nursing Assistant Registry
  4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C13
  Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3263
  850-245-4125

On-Going Certification

• Under Florida law, certifications are good for two years. Applicants may renew their license by paying a renewal fee of $55 and confirming that they have been consistently employed as a nursing assistant for the past two years. If any individual has not worked as a nursing assistant, she will have to re-certify with the state by taking the written and practical exam again. Certified nursing assistants who fail to renew their license on time will have to pay an additional late fee of $50. During the delinquency, certified nursing assistants are also not permitted to work in Florida.