Florida

Board

of

Nursing

Please see S. 464.0123(1)(2), FS for registration and financial responsibility requirements.

Yes. Effective October 1, 2018: Chapter 2018-106, Laws of Florida transitioned ARNP certification to APRN license.

Effective July 1, 2006, all specialties of Advanced Practice Registered Nurse applying for licensure in Florida must provide proof of National Certification.

No, it does not have to be a Florida RN license. Any nurse desiring to be licensed as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse must apply to the department and submit proof that he or she holds a current license registered nurse license.

458.348(1)(a), Florida Statutes, only requires the physician to report the number of APRNs being supervised. You can have the physician complete the form in this link https://ww10.doh.state.fl.us/pub/medicine/PDF%20Forms%20on%20Web/APRN%20EMT %20Paramedic%20Protocol%20Form.pdf to indicate that a relationship has been established or terminated.

Only an APRN who registered and been approved for autonomous practice can sign a death certificate according to House Bill 607.

The Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics looks forward to supporting and welcoming Autonomous Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (AAPRNs) as online users of the state’s Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS). Completion of the death certificate is critical to families when their loved one passes away and becoming an online EDRS certifier is easy and free. The Bureau of Vital Statistics has an online tutorial and training tools that will educate AAPRNs on their roles and responsibilities in certifying death certificates. The attached brochure gives certifiers a quick look at how to properly complete the cause of death section and the importance of the death certificate.

For information on how to become an online certifier within EDRS, please contact the Bureau of Vital Statistics Helpdesk toll-free at 1-866-295-5902, Monday through Friday from 8am – 6pm ET and Saturday from 9am-2pm ET. Access forms will be provided, along with a link to an online tutorial, will need to be completed before gaining access to EDRS.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also has information for certifiers on how to properly complete the medical portion of the death record and specific training videos on certifying COVID-19 deaths. To access the CDC’s materials, click on this  link: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/covid19/coding-and-reporting.htm .

Three graduate-level semester hours are equivalent to forty-five (45) Continuing Education credits offered by the entities set forth in Section 464.013(3)(b), F.S. and Rule 64B9-4.002(2), F.A.C.

The pharmacology course content must address the therapeutic uses and biological effects of drugs.

The differential diagnosis course content must address advanced health assessment, differential diagnosis, critical thinking, or diagnostic reasoning.

Courses may be completed at any time within the 5 years before applying for Autonomous APRN Registration.

Please see S. 464.0123(3), FS for practice requirements.

Once registered as an Autonomous APRN, protocols are no longer required unless the Autonomous APRN has opted to also practice under the supervision of a physician or dentist or in a facility that requires it.

The PDF registration application can be found at https://floridasnursing.gov/applications/autonomous-aprn-registration.pdf.  You may also apply for registration in your online account under “Manage My License” or in your CE Broker account under additional options.

CE requirements for autonomous registration may also be input into your CE Broker account for review when completing the registration.

Effective June 23, 2017, the Board of Nursing is no longer required to receive, review, or maintain Advanced Practice Registered Nurse protocols.

Statutory authority on protocols is Section 464.012(3), F.S. — An advanced practice registered nurse shall perform those functions authorized in this section within the framework of an established protocol which must be maintained onsite at the location or locations at which an advanced practice registered nurse practices. In the case of multiple supervising physicians in the same group, an advanced practice registered nurse must enter into a supervisory protocol with at least one physician within the physician group practice.

In addition, Section 464.012(4), FS, references: (e) A psychiatric nurse, who meets the requirements in s. 394.455(35), within the framework of an established protocol with a psychiatrist, may prescribe psychotropic controlled substances for the treatment of mental disorders.

Please see S. 464.0123(1)c, FS.

There is no fee to apply for the registration.

It is an optional registration to seek, however, registration must be approved before you may practice autonomously.

CE is an equivalency for registration applicants who do not meet the semester hours requirements.

Three graduate-level semester hours are equivalent to forty-five (45) Continuing Education credits offered by the entities set forth in Section 464.013(3)(b), F.S. and Rule 64B9-4.002(2), F.A.C.

The pharmacology course content must address the therapeutic uses and biological effects of drugs.

The differential diagnosis course content must address advanced health assessment, differential diagnosis, critical thinking, or diagnostic reasoning.

Courses may be completed at any time within the 5 years before applying for Autonomous APRN Registration.

Autonomous registrants are no longer under a protocol agreement.

No, notification is not required.

You may upload a transcript or certificates of completed graduate level courses or CE in your online account while applying for the registration or in under “Application Status” once you have submitted your registration application. Documents may also be emailed to MQA.NursingAppstatus@flhealth.gov or mailed to Florida Board of Nursing, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-02, Tallahassee, FL 32399.

Please note that a course description may be requested if the title does not state “Pharmacology” or “Differential Diagnosis”.

Additional national specialties and certifications may be added to your license at any time by providing proof of certification either from the national certifying body or by sending proof via email to mqa.nursingappstatus@flhealth.gov

Reference Material Home – Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register – FAC, FAR, eRulemaking (flrules.org)

No, only an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who has met the necessary requirements outlined in statute is recognized as a psychiatric nurse.

Pursuant to s.394.455(35), F.S., “Psychiatric nurse” means an advanced practice registered nurse certified under s.464.012 who has a master’s or doctoral degree in psychiatric nursing, holds a national advanced practice certification as a psychiatric mental health advanced practice nurse, and has 1 year of post-master’s clinical experience under the supervision of a physician.

In addition, Section 464.012(4), FS, references: (e) A psychiatric nurse, who meets the requirements in s. 394.455(35), within the framework of an established protocol with a psychiatrist, may prescribe psychotropic controlled substances for the treatment of mental disorders.

For more information about this advanced practice certification, please visit the “Latest News” section of our website at https://floridasnursing.gov/latest-news/important-legislative-update-regarding-hb-977/.

A nurse who is certified by a health care specialty program accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies or the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification is exempt from continuing education requirements. This must be reported to the Department’s tracking system powered by CE Broker.

Please note: The CE exemption based on certification does not apply to the 3 hour Safely Prescribing Controlled Substances course requirement nor the 2 hour Human Trafficking course requirement.

To apply for a registration number or for registration support, please visit the DEA Office of Diversion Control website at: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/index.html

Registration numbers are linked to state licenses and may be suspended or revoked upon any disciplinary action taken against a licensee.

Nurses have the option of filing a “Petition for Declaratory Statement”.
In many instances nursing duties and responsibilities are not specifically addressed in the Florida Nurse Practice Act (Chapter 464, FS), or the Rules of the Florida Board of Nursing (Title 64B9, Florida Administrative Codes)

Declaratory statements are an agency’s opinion as to the applicability of a statutory provision, or of any rule or order of the agency, as it applies to the petitioner’s particular set of circumstances (s. 120.565, F.S.). This page is a listing of declaratory statements.

Requests to file a “Petition for Declaratory Statement” can be located by selecting the link below:

http://www.floridahealth.gov/licensing-and-regulation/public-records/declaratory/index.html

In 2009, the Florida legislature adopted a new law to address the state’s growing problem with prescription drug abuse and diversion. Chapter 893.055 established new guidelines for operating pain management clinics and approved development and utilization of a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (“PDMP”) database to collect controlled substance prescription records from dispensers.

For further information concerning PDMP, http://flboardofmedicine.gov/latest-news/prescription-drug-monitoring-program-2/

The Florida Board of Nursing does not complete a primary source verification of education for all of its Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).

We do not maintain a list of “approved” APRN programs.

Florida APRN applicants are required to hold an active Florida RN license or an active multistate RN license from another jurisdiction, a master’s degree or post-master’s certificate in a nursing clinical specialty area and national advanced practice certification from an approved nursing specialty board. The certification requirements for all the Board approved certifying bodies mirror the licensure requirements for Florida. Therefore, we only require proof of the applicant’s national certification.

Rule 64B9-4.002(3), F.A.C., provides the professional or national nursing specialty boards recognized by the Board. You may find the full rule on the web at: www.flrules.org

Please visit your prospective certifying body’s website, for additional information regarding APRN certification eligibility requirements. www.nursingworld.org/certification

Generally, certifying bodies require a program to be accredited by CCNE or ACEN (formerly NLNAC) and to include advanced pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology, a minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours, and content in health promotion and disease management.

Any nurse desiring to be certified as an advanced practice registered nurse shall apply to the department and submit proof that he or she holds a current license to practice professional nursing or holds an active multi-state license to practice professional nursing pursuant to Section 464.0095, FS.

You can apply by using our online services portal at https://mqa-vo.doh.state.fl.us/datamart/voservicesportal or you may find a PDF version of the application on the Resources page.

No. The APRN license is independent from the RN license so it will be a different license. You can apply by using our online services portal at https://mqa-vo.doh.state.fl.us/datamart/voservicesportal or you may find a PDF version of the application on the Resources page.

There is no set timeframe for approval of an application. We process applications in date order received. Applications are processed as quickly as possible, but timeframes vary based on the number of applications received and on the length of time it takes receive all necessary documentation.

APRNs practicing in Florida are required to be covered by malpractice insurance unless they qualify for an exemption listed on the Financial Responsibility Form.

The Financial Responsibility form must be completed and filed with the board office before APRN certification is granted. This form is included in the initial application and is also available separately on the Resources page.

Use the Financial Responsibility Form. Just print it out, complete the form and send it in.

Yes. Effective July 1, 2006, all specialties of Advanced Practice Registered Nurse applying for licensure in Florida must provide proof of National Certification.

The national certifying body can submit proof of your certification directly to the board. Applicants may also submit proof by uploading a copy of their certification in their account or by emailing it to mqa.nursingappstatus@flhealth.gov.

Yes.

Pharmacy rules require that all the information necessary to properly label the prescription container be included on the prescription. The pharmacist is required to put the prescriber’s name on the medication label.

If it is in your protocols that you are to dispense medications for a fee, you must be authorized to dispense. Dispensing is writing and filling a prescription and selling the medication to a patient. Giving samples is not dispensing. The dispensing license must also be renewed when renewing your APRN license. You may add dispensing to your license from your online account under “Manage my License” or you may submit the Dispensing Practitioner Application to the Board.

All Florida-licensed LPNs, RNs, and APRNs are now in a 24-month renewal cycle and must complete 24 hours of appropriate continuing education during each renewal period. The 24 hours must include two (2) hours on Prevention of Medical Errors, two (2) hours in Laws and Rules that govern the practice of Nursing, (2) hours in recognizing impairment in the workplace and every other biennium thereafter (every 4 years), effective August 1, 2017 and two (2) hours on Human Trafficking, as defined in s.787.06(2), F.S., effective October 1, 2017. HIV/AIDS is now a one-time, 1- hour CE requirement to be completed prior to the first renewal. Domestic Violence (DV) CE is now a 2 hour requirement every third renewal (every 6 years). Since Domestic Violence (DV) is a 2-hour requirement, the licensee will have 26 hours of CE during the renewal period when DV is taken.