Written by: Rachel Schmidt, MA, BSN, RN Content Writer

Before becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in the Sunshine State, candidates must pass a competency exam and complete a CNA background check. Florida law requires this screening for most healthcare workers, including CNA candidates who are required to complete it in order to receive Florida board certification.

Background check requirements for CNAs also apply to those seeking to renew their Florida certification. To help prevent confusion, certification delays, or onboarding setbacks, this guide explains this critical requirement, walking you through a step-by-step examination of the screening process. With a clearer understanding of how CNAs obtain and maintain work eligibility, FL-based healthcare employers can better support staffing continuity while reducing hiring delays.

CNA Background Check: Florida Requirements

Florida CNA background check requirements were updated in July of 2025 due to the passage of Florida House Bill 975. That law mandates that all healthcare practitioners (including nursing support staff) must complete a fingerprint-based, Level-2 criminal background check before receiving — or renewing — initial licensure or certification.

Some medical technicians (depending on their credentialing process), are exempt from this law. However, for CNAs to become (and remain) work ready, they must comply with the Florida requirement. The total screening process includes:

Registering with the Florida Clearinghouse System.
Obtaining electronic fingerprints through an official Livescan provider.
Sending the completed digital fingerprint form to a processing authority (this is done by the Livescan provider).
Reviewing the fingerprints through state- and federal-based criminal history databases.
Reporting the screening results to the Florida Department of Health (by state and federal authorities).

Checklist for a FL-Based CNA Background Check

Florida’s Level 2 background check requirements are largely the same across practitioner types, though the process for each multidisciplinary team member may differ slightly by role. For CNAs, a compliant background check (as broken down step-by-step) may include the following:

1. Register for a CNA Background Check

Florida online platform, Clearinghouse Applicant Initiated (CHAI), provides applicants with an accessible route to begin the background screening process. After creating an account and accessing the system, prospective CNAs are generally prompted to:

Enter and confirm demographic information, including full name, social security number, personal address, etc.
List any previous states resided within the past five years.
Select the appropriate practitioner role, in this case, CNA (or its equivalent).
Acknowledge the FBI/FDLE privacy policy, after reviewing the necessary disclosure information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
Pay the screening fee for a CNA background check. Florida costs start at $60 for new applicants and $42 for renewals through Clearinghouse, but may grow depending on the downstream fingerprinting appointment costs. All Florida practitioners are also required to retain their fingerprints with the FDLE in anticipation of credential renewals. This additional fee is $43.25 and maintains the Level 2 background check on file for 5 years at a time.

2. Schedule a CNA Fingerprinting Appointment

Once the online profile has been completed, it’s time to make an appointment with an official, board-approved Livescan provider. Options can include local Sheriff’s offices or police departments among private (or commercial) vendors. No matter where they’re done, applicants will need to bring:

Identifying information (if it’s not memorized) including full name, address, social security number, and personal appearance identifiers (like weight, height, eye color, etc.).
The Originating Agency Identifier (ORI) number (which indicates the reason for the screening) and employer information, if applicable.
Two forms of valid, government-issued photo identification, like a driver’s license or passport.

At the appointment, a Livescan provider will electronically capture fingerprints from all ten fingers and submit them for state and federal criminal history checks. Applicants can help the process by ensuring their hands are clean and free of any dirt, oil, or lotion. This can reduce the possibility of fingerprints being rejected (due to smudging, for example) and avoid the need for a repeat appointment. A photograph of the CNA’s face will also be taken and is required to complete the screening process.

Once both the fingerprints and photo are captured, the vendor will provide a transaction control number (TCN) for accessing results. They will also send the data to the necessary reviewing authorities for processing.

3. Track Your Florida CNA Screening Status and Deadlines

Results are typically sent to the board within 24-72 hours of being processed by the Livescan provider. This means that (barring any delays), it’s unusual for a CNA background check (Florida-based, at least) to take very long. Candidates can help prevent delays by accessing their screening status through either the Clearinghouse portal or directly through the FDLE.

It’s also important to remember that this isn’t a one-and-done process. CNAs must repeat this screening every five years as a matter of regulatory compliance. The renewal period is 90 days before certification expires. So, any CNA who needs to recertify and doesn’t have a background check on file from the previous five years will need to complete another screening within that 90-day timeframe or risk losing their certification.

Expedite Your CNA Background Check: Florida Resources

Here’s a condensed list of some helpful links to expedite your CNA background check.

What to Expect After a Florida Level 2 Background Check

At the outset, it’s important for employers to remember that certain criminal or other background histories will bar the issuance of a CNA certification by the Florida Board of Nursing before a candidate can even apply for a CNA job. That said, there are specific standards that govern a Level 2 background screening for employment which could identify criminal offenses that would not be disqualifying for a CNA, or disqualifying offenses for which an exemption applies.

Employers should expect candidates to be transparent about any potential criminal history throughout the certification and hiring process, as a Level 2 background check includes state and federal criminal history screenings, and is likely to reveal any prior arrests, convictions, or warrants, including those which may have taken place after their CNA license was issued.

A Level 2 background screening can take between five to seven days, after which an employer can expect to receive the determination of eligibility from the Background Screening Unit. If a background screening identifies potentially disqualifying information, additional review may be required by the Florida Board of Nursing. This process can extend certification timelines, as certifying authorities evaluate whether a candidate is eligible for becoming a Florida CNA.

For additional guidance on disqualifying offenses (or possible exemptions), consult the Florida Board of Nursing website.

Get the Best-Matched CNAs Right From the Start

Patient safety is a top priority, achieved through hiring safeguards like the CNA background check. Florida healthcare employers, looking to expand their capacity for safe care delivery, can rely on our industry-leading healthcare job board, which specializes in matching nursing professionals to employers like you.

CNA Background Check: Florida Facility Guide