Overview
The Florida Board of Nursing licenses, monitors, disciplines, educates and, when appropriate, rehabilitates its licensees to assure their fitness and competence in providing health care services for the people of Florida. The sole legislative purpose in enacting the Nurse Practice Act is to ensure that every nurse practicing in Florida meets minimum requirements for safe practice. It is the legislative intent that nurses who fall below minimum competency or who otherwise present a danger to the public shall be prohibited from practicing in the State of Florida.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) & Registered Nursing (RN)
Examination
The requirements for licensure by examination can be found in Section 464.008, F.S, and include:
- Graduation from a Florida approved or accredited nursing education program as defined in Section 464.003, F.S.
- Graduation from an Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited nursing program that has been issued an NCLEX code by NCSBN.
- Graduation from a nursing education program that is approved or recognized by the jurisdiction in which it is based and that has been issued an NCLEX code by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
- Graduation from a military nursing education program that has been issued an NCLEX code by NCSBN.
- Graduation from a generic Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or higher program that has been issued an NCLEX code by NCSBN.
- Graduation from a non-NCSBN jurisdiction, i.e. Puerto Rico, or international nursing education program that the board determines to be equivalent to an approved program (NON-NCSBN/International Grads)
- Canadian Registered Nurses who took the Canadian Nurses Association Testing Service (CNATS) Examination after August 8, 1995, must take the NCLEX Examination unless licensed in another state or territory. If test scores are in an acceptable range, Canadian Registered Nurse applicants who took the CNATS prior to August 8, 1995, may be eligible for endorsement. Unless licensed in another U.S. state or territory, Canadian Licensed Practical Nurses are required to apply by examination.
Successful completion of courses in a registered nursing education program that are equivalent to a practical nursing education program – Practical Nurse examination based on practical nursing equivalency (PNEQ)
See the Examination application for more information.
Fees
$110.00 Application and Licensing Fee to Board of Nursing
$200.00 to Pearson VUE, Testing Vendor
Fee varies for Livescan Service Provider
Endorsement/Reciprocity
For Certification by Reciprocity, the requirements are as follows and can be found in Section 464.203, F.S.:
Is currently certified in another state;
is listed on that state’s certified nursing assistant registry;
and has not been found to have committed abuse, neglect, or exploitation in that state.
Fees
$110.00 Application and Licensing Fee to Board of Nursing
Fee varies for Livescan Service Provider
Fee varies for License Verification
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Examination
Applicants to become a Certified Nurse Assistant by Examination must meet the following requirements to proceed with the application process.
The requirements are as follows and can be found in Section 464.203, F.S.:
- Has a high school diploma, or its equivalent; or
- Is at least 18 years of age.
- Has completed the curriculum developed under the Enterprise Florida Jobs and Education Partnership Grant and achieved a minimum score, established by rule of the board, on the nursing assistant competency examination, which consists of a written portion and skills-demonstration portion, approved by the board and administered at a site and by personnel approved by the department.
Note: If an applicant fails to pass the nursing assistant competency examination in three attempts, the applicant is not eligible for reexamination unless the applicant completes an approved training program.
Fees
Examination: All fees are paid directly to Prometric and the Livescan service provider.
Reciprocity
For Certification by Reciprocity, the requirements are as follows and can be found in Section 464.203, F.S.:
Is currently certified in another state;
is listed on that state’s certified nursing assistant registry;
and has not been found to have committed abuse, neglect, or exploitation in that state.
Fees
Applicants are responsible for fees required by the Livescan provider for electronic fingerprinting process. Fees may vary from provider to provider.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
For Certification as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, the requirements are as follows and can be found in Section 464.0115, F.S.:
Any nurse seeking certification as a clinical nurse specialist must apply to the department and submit proof that he or she holds:
a) a current license as a Registered Nurse
b) a master’s degree in a clinical nursing specialty
c) and either:
1. Proof of current certification in a specialty area as a clinical nurse specialist from a nationally recognized certifying body as determined by the board;
OR
2. Proof that he or she holds a master’s degree in a specialty area for which there is no certification within the clinical nurse specialist role and specialty and proof of having completed 1,000 hours of clinical experience in the clinical specialty for which he or she is academically prepared, with a minimum of 500 hours of clinical practice after graduation. The applicant for certification as a clinical nurse specialist must submit an affidavit to the Board of Nursing affirming the required hours of clinical experience. Falsification of the affidavit constitutes grounds for discipline in accordance with s. 464.018(1)(f).
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP)
For Certification as a Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, the requirements are as follows and can be found in Section 464.012, F.S.
- Hold a valid Registered Nurse License in the State of Florida
- Education Requirements:
- (a) Applicants who graduated on or after October 1, 1998, must have completed requirements for a master’s degree or post-master’s degree certification.
- (b) Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist applicants who graduated on or after October 1, 2001, must have completed requirements for a master’s degree program.
- (c) Applicants who graduated prior to the applicable date are exempt from this requirement.
- (d) Graduates from either a certificate or currently closed program should submit supporting documentation that demonstrates program compliance with Board guidelines.
- After July 1, 2006, applicants for certification as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner pursuant to section 464.012(1), F.S., shall submit proof of national advanced practice certification from an approved nursing specialty board.
- Proof of malpractice insurance or exemption.
Fees
ARNP Only:
$100.00 Upgrade RN to ARNP fee
Fee varies for Livescan Service Provider
RN/ARNP:
$210.00 Application and Licensure Fee
Fee varies for Livescan Service Provider
Fee varies for License Verification
Dispensing License: $100.00