If CNA license expired can I still work as an HHA?

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I had been working in a private duty situation for years. I decided to go into real estate (and make a fortune, yea right!!) I now find I have to go back to work but I let my CNA license expire. I worked a small job as a companion for an agency for $9.00 an hour. (I'm in Florida).

My question is. since my CNA license expired can I work as an HHA? I want to retake the test but am worried I might not pass. We have an agency here that offers a two week course for $300.00. I am curious if there are people out there that have taken the test after years of not really using the CNA criteria. Should I just study and go for the test or should I take the class? ($300.00 is a lot of money to me right now) Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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You can work in Florida as a HHA without ever being a CNA. Unfortunately, to become a CNA again, you'll have to become certified starting all over if the cert lapsed.

Good luck!

More info: If you are comfortable with your skills (by the book), I wouldn't take the class. The written test is common sense and has a 90% pass rate. The skills test has about a 50% pass rate.

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You can work in Florida as a HHA without ever being a CNA. Unfortunately, to become a CNA again, you'll have to become certified starting all over if the cert lapsed.

Good luck!

In Virginia you can, but some states will not allow you. Many states will allow you to reinstate your license even if it has expired if it has not been to long. Contact your BON.

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Please check it out, but a lapsed CNA certification in Florida is doom. Click "Renewal Information" at this site:

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/cna/info_renewal-07.pdf

If the lapse is less than 2 years, there is hope depending on how long you were a CNA.

For HHA, don't worry about a thing.

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Please check it out, but a lapsed CNA certification in Florida is doom. Click "Renewal Information" at this site:

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/cna/info_renewal-07.pdf

If the lapse is less than 2 years, there is hope depending on how long you were a CNA.

For HHA, don't worry about a thing.

Thank you for your reply. I know I can pass the written test, mostly common sense. But I haven't picked up a stethescope in 4 years. Doing private duty I really didn't need to. I am going to try to pass the test without going to class. If I don't pass it the first time I can retake for a l ot less than the class.

Do you have any idea what the difference is between CNA I, II, and III. When I got my license there was no such. The class I took (from Charlotte County VoTech) was 6 weeks long. We were taught a lot of stuff we really didn't need. It was a nice class though. There is a two week class in North Port that teaches the basics, so this would be what I would do if I couldn't pass the test on the second try.

Again thanks for the reply. Have a great day.

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