Florida Registered Nurse (RN) Licensing Guide

Florida is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state.

Pre-requisites

The general prerequisites to obtaining a nursing license in the state of Florida are as follows:

  1. You must meet the education or licensing requirements set by the Florida Board of Nursing. 
  2. You must submit an online application with the required fees.
  3. You must provide citizenship or lawful presence documentation to the Florida Board of Nursing.
  4. You must undergo a state and Federal criminal background check.

Remember, a permanent license won't be issued until the background check results are received.

License by Exam

Getting licensed as a nurse by examination in the state of Florida requires the following steps:

  1. Confirm Your Eligibility: Ensure you meet Florida licensure requirements and Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) eligibility.
  2. Confirm You Meet Education Requirements: Hold a Diploma, Associate Degree, or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing for RNs, or Diploma/Certificate for LPNs from a program approved by the state Board of Nursing.
  3. Prepare Appropriate Documentation: Request and upload official transcripts from your nursing program to state portal, upload citizenship/alien status documentation to state portal. Florida also requires a copy of your driver's license to be submitted in their online portal.
  4. Pay Fees: You must pay the associated application fees, testing fees, and background check fees.
  5. Submit to Fingerprinting/Background Check: Provide fingerprints for criminal record checks (if required).
  6. Pass the NCLEX Exam: Register and pass the NCLEX exam to demonstrate nursing competence.
  7. Respond to Deficiency Notices: Act promptly to avoid application withdrawal; otherwise, a new application and fee will be required.

After completing the above steps, you’ll be on your way to being licensed as a nurse by exam in the state of Florida. Now you need to check your application status. Monitor updates through the online nurse portal provided by the state board for about 30 business days.

License by Endorsement

Licensure by endorsement is a process that allows nurses who hold an active license in another state to obtain a nursing license in Florida without having to retake the licensing exam. This can be particularly beneficial for experienced nurses who are looking to relocate or start working in Florida.

To apply for licensure by endorsement in Florida:

  1. You must fill out the appropriate application form and pay the associated fees (includes application, license, and fingerprint processing).
  2. Confirm your residency status in the United States.
  3. Submit to a state and federal background check. (fingerprinting may be required)
  4. Verify your nursing license with through the FBON’s online portal.
  5. Have your nursing school send over your official transcripts/verification to the FBON.

Once you’ve completed the above steps, you’ll be on your way to getting a nursing license by endorsement in the state of Florida. Applicants can also apply for a temporary nursing permit while they wait for their license by endorsement.

Getting a Multi-state (Compact) License

The state of Florida is a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact, so if you’re licensed as a nurse in a different state, you don’t need to pay for an additional license.

First, you must confirm that you are a resident of the state of Florida with the FBON, or you must have a valid multistate license from another NLC state. If you aren’t a resident of Florida, or don’t have a multistate license from another NLC state, you cannot obtain a multistate nursing license in Florida.

To get a multistate nursing license in the state of Florida, you must meet the following requirements:

  1. Submitting the appropriate application and paying the associated fees.
  2. Graduating from a state board approved nursing program.
  3. Confirm you passed the NCLEX. 
  4. Submitting fingerprints for state and federal background checks.
  5. Being a valid resident of the state of Florida.

Follow the above steps, and you’ll be on your way to getting a multistate nursing license in Florida.

Getting a Temporary License

The state of Florida does not issue temporary nursing licenses. Nonetheless, those granted Graduate Nurse (GN) status can work as nurses, but only under the direct oversight of a registered nurse, prior to passing the NCLEX exam. To be eligible for GN status, candidates must:

  1. Not have graduated from a nursing program more than 3 months before applying for Graduate Nurse Status.
  2. Be authorized by the Board to practice as a graduate nurse or graduate practical nurse and have received a “Graduate Nurse” or “Graduate Practical Nurse” letter.
  3. Be authorized to test by the examination vendor.

Any applicant who fails to appear for the first examination for which they have been made eligible shall not practice nursing until such time as the applicant passes the NCLEX examination.

Renewing your License

Florida nursing licenses are based on a two-year (biennial) cycle. The Florida Board of Nursing assigns licenses to renewal groups, so expiration dates may differ by licensee, including dates such as April 30th or July 31st of the renewal year, depending on your assigned group.The Board sends out RN license renewal postcards at least 90 days before they are set to expire.

To renew your license, you will need to:

  1. Complete an online application through the state board’s online portal.
  2. Pay the required fees associated with the online application.
  3. Provide proof of continuing education credits. You can find a comprehensive breakdown of the FBON’s Continuing Education requirements here.

Remember, licenses are only issued once all of the requirements are fulfilled and all paperwork is sent to the FBON and processed.

Contact Info

Florida Board of Nursing

4042 Bald Cypress Way, Room 120

Tallahassee, FL 32399

(850) 245-4125

MQALicensureServices@flhealth.gov

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, regulatory, or professional advice. Wanderly strives to keep this information up to date but does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness as nursing licensure requirements, renewal cycles, fees, and continuing education obligations vary by state and are subject to change without notice. Nurses are strongly encouraged to visit their state's official nursing board website or contact the board directly to confirm current requirements prior to submitting any application.

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