Hi, I hope someone can help me. I used to work as a nurses aid years and years ago before you had to be certified. I left due to having children and now that my kids are grown up I would like to get back into the health care atmosphere. My question is...do you HAVE to go to school to become a CNA? Can you just go and take the state exam without any classroom hours? I still remember everything I learned while working as a nurses aid so passing the test seems like it would be easy for me. I live in Pinellas county florida....If I have to go to school first, how long does this take? Thanks for any help.