An official website of the State of Florida 
Click on the appropriate tab below to see the Requirements, Process, Statutes and Rules for Autonomous Advanced Registered Nurse Registration.
Applying for a License
Requirements
For Registration as an Autonomous Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, the requirements are as follows and can be found in Section 464.0123, F.S.
- You must hold a Clear, Active, Florida APRN License.
- You must have completed at least 3000 clinical hours under the supervision of an allopathic or osteopathic physician within the past 5 years. These hours may include clinical instructional hours as faculty. See 464.123(1)(c), F.S. for complete requirements.
- You must submit proof of three graduate-level semester hours (or the equivalent) in differential diagnosis, and three graduate-level semester hours (or the equivalent) in pharmacology completed within the last five years. Please click here for a description of equivalent courses.
- You must not have been subject to disciplinary action as specified in s. 456.072, F.S. or s. 464.018, F.S., or any similar disciplinary action in any state or jurisdiction within the past five years.
Applications are valid for 1 year. After that time, the application will be expired if not approved. Once an application is expired a new paper application may be submitted. PDF versions of applications can be found at https://floridasnursing.gov/resources/.
Autonomous Certified Nurse Midwife
Emergency Plan-of-Care for Delivery
Pursuant to section 464.0123(3)(b), Florida Statutes, in order to provide out-of-hospital intrapartum care, a certified nurse midwife engaged in the autonomous practice of nurse midwifery must maintain a written policy for the transfer of patients needing a higher acuity of care or emergency services. The policy must prescribe and require the use of an emergency plan-of-care form, which must be signed by the patient before admission to intrapartum care.
The client should keep the plan readily available, and the midwife should maintain a copy in the client’s file.
Emergency Plan of Delivery Reporting Requirements
In the event that an Emergency Plan of Delivery is executed, please complete an Adverse Medical Incident Report and submit it to the Florida Board of Nursing at the address below:
Department of Health
Consumer Services Unit
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-75
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3275
This report is essential to ensure compliance and proper documentation of adverse medical incidents. The adverse incident report must be in writing, sent to the department by certified mail, and postmarked within 15 days after the occurrence of the adverse incident.
Process
All applications are reviewed for completeness within 30 days of receipt of the application.
When all requirements are met the autonomous practice authorization will be added to the current Florida license.ent.
Once all materials are submitted, an application specialist will review them. It may be necessary for the application specialist to request additional information.
Statutes and Rules
Click on Chapter or Section Number to View
Florida Statutes
Section 464.012: Certification of advanced registered nurse practitioners; fees.
Section 464.0123: Autonomous practice by an advanced practice registered nurse.
Chapter 456: Health Professions and Occupations: General Provisions
Florida Administrative Codes
Section 64B9-4: Board of Nursing
Apply Online / Return to Login
To apply online visit MQA Services Portal to create an account or return to your account by clicking the button below.
Processing Times
Florida law provides that an initial application must be reviewed within 30 days. Below is the average number of days at which we are currently processing.
Renewing Your License
Click on the appropriate tab below to see the Renewal Requirements, Process, Fees and Continuing Education (CE) for a Autonomous Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.
Requirements
Renewing Requirements
Autonomous Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) are renewed by the department in three groups:
Group 1 – current license will expire at midnight, Eastern Standard Time, April 30, 2024
Group 2 – current license will expire at midnight, Eastern Standard Time, July 31, 2024
Group 3 – current license will expire at midnight, Eastern Standard Time, April 30, 2023
The department will renew your license upon receipt of:
- Completed CE requirements – reported into CEBroker.com (see CEU tab regarding CE Exemption)
- Completed renewal application
- Required fees (see Fees tab)
- Your current primary place of practice address
- Updated practitioner profile. To review and approve your practitioner profile, log into MQA Online Services and select ‘Review, Update & Confirm Profile’.
- Complete the financial responsibility form
- Licensees who were required to be nationally certified, at the time of original licensure, must submit a copy of their current national certification
Licensees requesting to reactivate their license from inactive or retired status are required to pay additional fees and comply with specific continuing education requirements. Please contact the board office at MQA.NursingAppstatus@flhealth.gov to request your reactivation requirements.
Licensees who fail to meet these requirements must reapply for licensure and comply with current laws and rules. Licensees who have become Null and Void or elected to Voluntarily Relinquish their Autonomous Advanced Practice Registered Nurse license must reapply for licensure and meet current requirements.
Military Exemption
If you are a member of the Armed Forces of the United States on active duty who was in good standing with the board at the time of becoming active and was entitled to practice or engage in the practice of medicine in Florida, you may be eligible to be exempted from renewal requirements for the duration of active duty, and for a period of six months after discharge, but not practicing the profession in the private sector for profit.
If you are the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, you may be eligible to be exempted from licensure renewal requirements, but only in cases of absence from the state because your spouses’ duties with the Armed Forces.
Volunteer Health Services Exemption
If you volunteer your services to the medically indigent residents of Florida with incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, you may be eligible for a waiver of your biennial renewal fee and some of the continuing education hours (no more than 25%) required for license renewal; however, the continuing education requirements for domestic violence, HIV and AIDS, and medical errors cannot be waived.
Public School Health Volunteer Exemption
If you volunteer your services in public schools for a minimum of 80 hours a year or if retired, at least 400 hours a year, you may be eligible for a waiver of your biennial renewal fee and some of the continuing education hours (no more than 25%) required for license renewal; however, the continuing education requirements for domestic violence, HIV and AIDS, and medical errors cannot be waived.
Health Care Price Transparency Exemption
If you post a sign with a schedule of your charges, you may be exempt from paying license fees and completing continuing medical education for one biannual renewal period. Section 381.026(4) Florida Statutes created provisions for exemption from one two-year reporting cycle of continuing medical education credits and license fees for primary care physicians who post a schedule of medical charges. This waiver does not include the unlicensed activity fee, background check fee or dispensing fee. Primary care physicians include medical doctors, osteopathic physicians and advanced practice registered nurses who provide medical services commonly provided without referral from another health care provider, including family and general practice, general pediatrics and general internal medicine.
Options for Non-Renewal of your License
Options:
- Retire – Pay a one-time $55 fee. The license remains in a dormant state and can be reactivated by the licensee if needed.
- Voluntarily Relinquish – Submit a formal request in writing to the Board. Relinquishment of the license, the license number is discontinued and cannot be reactivated.
- Delinquent & Null/Void – Take no action. The license will go delinquent after the expiration date and Null/Void 2 years after the expiration date. Once Null/Void, the license cannot be reactivated.
Process
Renewal Instructions:
- Go to www.flhealthsource.gov and click the “Renew A License” button.
- Enter your Personal Identifying Information (PII), then click the Login button.
- Confirm or update your MQA Services Account email address, then click the “Continue” button.
- You are now in the Dashboard. During renewals, a “Renew My License” option will populate no later than 90 days prior to your license expiration date. (Note: If you do not see the “Renew My License” option, please check back at a later time.)
*** If the “PII Failed” screen displays, click the “Other Login Option” button and enter your existing User ID and password to access your account.***
Additional Information:
- You may renew online if you have a credit or debit card to complete the transaction. Please note that you can now renew online, print a copy of your application summary and mail it with your cashier’s check or money order to:
Division of Medical Quality Assurance
P.O. Box 6320
Tallahassee, FL 32314-6320 - Autonomous Advanced Practice Registered Nurse are not required to renew their Florida RN license; it is optional.
- If you are renewing your license after the expiration date and your status still indicates Clear/Active or Clear/Inactive, you will be assessed a delinquency fee. The delinquency fee will be in addition to your renewal fees.
- If your license is Delinquent/Active or Delinquent/Inactive you may still renew prior to the renewal deadline. The following actions must be taken prior to renewing your license:
- Prior to renewing your license, you must report your continuing education (CE) hours to the Department of Health’s tracking system.
- To renew a delinquent license, you will need to report your CE hours for your current cycle, as well as your previous cycle.
- If you did not complete CE courses in your last renewal cycle, you may complete them now and report them to the CE tracking system.
- To report course completion, log onto your MQA Online Account. From your dashboard, go to “Additional Activities” and select Report CE/CME.
- If your license was Delinquent/Active or Delinquent/Inactive before the renewal deadline, it will be moved to Null and Void status after the renewal deadline. You should contact your board office for further instruction.
- A licensee who remains on inactive status for more than two consecutive biennial licensure cycles and who wishes to reactivate the license may be required to demonstrate the competency to resume active practice by sitting for a special purpose examination or by completing other reactivation requirements.
- If you are reactivating your license, please refer to the laws and rules governing your practice for additional requirements.
- Note: Do not submit certificates of completion of continuing education hours to the Florida Board of Nursing. Please report continuing education credits to the Department of Health through our CE tracking system at www.cebroker.com.
Fees
For Autonomous Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Note: If you were initially licensed prior to 2013, you may see an increase of $24 in your renewal fee.
If renewing BEFORE your license expires, your fees will be:
| License Status | Renewal fee |
|---|---|
| Active to Active | $60.00 |
| Inactive to Inactive | $60.00 |
| Active to Inactive | $60.00 |
| Inactive to Active | $110.00 |
| Active to Retired | $55.00 |
| Inactive to Retired | $55.00 |
If renewing AFTER your license expires, your fees will be:
| License Status | Renewal fee |
|---|---|
| Active to Active | $115.00 |
| Inactive to Inactive | $115.00 |
| Active to Inactive | $165.00 |
| Inactive to Active | $215.00 |
| Active to Retired | $160.00 |
| Inactive to Retired | $160.00 |
If renewing 120 day Notified Delinquent, your fees will be:
| License Status | Renewal fee |
|---|---|
| Active to Active | $175.00 |
| Inactive to Inactive | $175.00 |
| Active to Inactive | $175.00 |
| Inactive to Active | $225.00 |
| Active to Retired | $170.00 |
| Inactive to Retired | $170.00 |
- » In accordance with section 456.0391(4)(b), Florida Statutes, a $24.00 background screening fee which is equal to the amount incurred by the Department of Health for a statewide criminal history check will be included in your renewal fee. Please Note: If you were licensed after 1/1/2013 the Background Screening fee of $24.00 included in the renewal fee will not be assessed due to your livescan fingerprints being retained in the Clearinghouse. Clearinghouse fingerprint retention fees will be assessed outside of renewal prior to your retained print expiration.
- » Pursuant to section 456.065(3), Florida Statutes, a $5.00 fee to fund efforts to combat unlicensed activity will be assessed of each licensee upon initial licensure and at each renewal. This fee is included in the renewal fee.
- » Pursuant to section 1099.66(6), Florida Statutes, a $5.00 Student Loan Forgiveness fee will be assessed at renewal and is included in the renewal fee.
- » If you are currently registered to dispense medicinal drugs to your patients in the regular course of your practice, you can renew your dispensing registration by paying the additional $100.00 registration fee, along with the appropriate renewal fee indicated above.
Continuing Education
Continuing Education (CE/CEU) Requirements
To locate board approved CE Courses for this profession, please click here
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.
Please note: The CE exemption based on certification does not apply to the 3 hr Safe and Effective Prescription of Controlled Substances course requirement or the 2 hr Human Trafficking course requirement.
All courses can be live or home study.
| REQUIRED SUBJECT AREA | REQUIRED NUMBER OF HOURS | IMPORTANT INFORMATION |
| General Hours | 16 | Must be approved by a state or national organization empowered to accredit nursing continuing education. |
| See Additional Information Below | 10 | Nurse Practitioner level courses offered by a professional or national nursing specialty board listed in 64B9-4.002(2), FAC* |
| Prevention of Medical Errors | 2 | Must be board approved. Approved courses are listed at cebroker.com. |
| Florida Laws & Rules | 2 | Must be board approved. Approved courses are listed at cebroker.com. |
| Recognition of Impairment in the Workplace | 2 | Must be board approved. Approved courses are listed at cebroker.com. 2-hour course completion is required every other renewal. |
| Human Trafficking | 2 | This course does not have to be a Florida Board of Nursing approved course. The course must meet criteria outlined in S. 464.013, F.S. (Became effective October 1, 2017, licensees expiring after January 1, 2019 are required to complete the Human Trafficking course every renewal/biennium). |
| Safe and Effective Prescription of Controlled Substances | 3 | Must be offered by a statewide professional association of physicians in this state accredited to provide educational activities designated for the American Medical Association Physician’s Recognition Award Category 1 credit, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and may be offered in a distance learning format. |
| Domestic Violence | 2 | Must be board approved. Approved courses are listed at cebroker.com. Domestic Violence is required every third biennium and the hours are in addition to the 24 hours required for renewal. |
| HIV/AIDS | 1 | Must be board approved. Approved courses are listed at cebroker.com. HIV/AIDS is a one-time requirement prior to the first renewal. |
*Please note* – Rule 64B9-4.020(4), FAC, requires that registered Autonomous APRNs complete 10 additional hours of approved courses at the graduate level (Nurse Practitioner or continuing medical education).
First licenses are not generally valid for a full two years. If your Florida license was not issued for the full two year biennium you must complete 1 hour of CE for each month that you hold the license.
Statutes and Rules
Florida Statutes
Section 464.013: Renewal of License or Certificate
Florida Administrative Codes
Chapter 649B-5: Continuing Education Requirement
Section 64B9-4.013: Renewal of Licenses
Renew Online
To renew online visit the MQA Services Portal by clicking the button below.
Continuing Education
Continuing Education (CE/CEU) Requirements
To locate board approved CE Courses for this profession, please click here
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.
Please note: The CE exemption based on certification does not apply to the 3 hr Safe and Effective Prescription of Controlled Substances course requirement or the 2 hr Human Trafficking course requirement.
All courses can be live or home study.
| REQUIRED SUBJECT AREA | REQUIRED NUMBER OF HOURS | IMPORTANT INFORMATION |
| General Hours | 16 | Must be approved by a state or national organization empowered to accredit nursing continuing education. |
| See Additional Information Below | 10 | Nurse Practitioner level courses offered by a professional or national nursing specialty board listed in 64B9-4.002(2), FAC* |
| Prevention of Medical Errors | 2 | Must be board approved. Approved courses are listed at cebroker.com. |
| Florida Laws & Rules | 2 | Must be board approved. Approved courses are listed at cebroker.com. |
| Recognition of Impairment in the Workplace | 2 | Must be board approved. Approved courses are listed at cebroker.com. 2-hour course completion is required every other renewal. |
| Human Trafficking | 2 | This course does not have to be a Florida Board of Nursing approved course. The course must meet criteria outlined in S. 464.013, F.S. (Became effective October 1, 2017, licensees expiring after January 1, 2019 are required to complete the Human Trafficking course every renewal/biennium). |
| Safe and Effective Prescription of Controlled Substances | 3 | Must be offered by a statewide professional association of physicians in this state accredited to provide educational activities designated for the American Medical Association Physician’s Recognition Award Category 1 credit, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and may be offered in a distance learning format. |
| Domestic Violence | 2 | Must be board approved. Approved courses are listed at cebroker.com. Domestic Violence is required every third biennium and the hours are in addition to the 24 hours required for renewal. |
| HIV/AIDS | 1 | Must be board approved. Approved courses are listed at cebroker.com. HIV/AIDS is a one-time requirement prior to the first renewal. |
*Please note* – Rule 64B9-4.020(4), FAC, requires that registered Autonomous APRNs complete 10 additional hours of approved courses at the graduate level (Nurse Practitioner or continuing medical education).
First licenses are not generally valid for a full two years. If your Florida license was not issued for the full two year biennium you must complete 1 hour of CE for each month that you hold the license.
Special Testing Accommodations
The Department of Health will provide reasonable and appropriate special testing accommodations due to disability, religious conflict, or English as a second language (ESL). Please note, accommodations for ESL are only for Mental Health Counselors and Electrologist.
Special Testing Accomodations
In accordance with section 64B-1.005, Florida Administrative Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Department of Health will provide reasonable and appropriate testing accommodations to individuals with documented disabilities or religious conflict who demonstrate a need for accommodation and complete the required application.
Applications for special testing accommodations are processed through the Operational Support Services Section as a separate requirement from the licensure examination application process.
NOTE: Candidates who request testing accommodations must also have a completed licensure examination application on file with their profession’s board office.
Special testing accommodation application forms may be downloaded from this page or received via mail by contacting the Operational Support Services Section. Please do not send any documentation unless it pertains directly to the testing accommodation request (e.g., transcripts, licensure information, payment, etc.)
Download the Application for Special Testing Accommodations. (pdf)
Medical documentation in support of an accommodation request is required and shall be used by department medical consultants to independently assess the reported condition for purposes of authorizing appropriate accommodations. Documentation should include a detailed report of evaluation completed by a licensed psychologist or physician addressing the following:
- Clinical history or copies of ongoing treatment records;
- Description of current functional restrictions in the daily activities;
- Differential diagnostic considerations, ruling out alternative explanations as substance abuse, prescription side effects, treatable physical conditions;
- Documentation of the signs and symptoms that support the diagnosis;
- Response to treatment, with assessment of residual signs and symptoms.
Download the Information Booklet for Special Testing Accommodations.
Candidates who have previously received special testing accommodations for a Department of Health licensure examination and need accommodation for another examination attempt must submit a reapplication with the Operational Support Services Section.
Download the Reapplication for Special Testing Accommodations. (pdf)
Special Testing Accomodations Due to Religious Conflicts
Modification to reporting times or alternate test dates may be requested by candidates who, due to their religious beliefs, cannot attend the examination at the scheduled reporting time or date.
Download the Application for Special Testing Accommodations Due to Religious Conflict. (pdf)
Deactivation
Florida became part of the NLC on January 19, 2018. Compact rules do not allow a license to be maintained or renewed if the nurse has a license in another party state that allows them to practice in Florida.
What is my responsibility if I leave Florida?
Moving from Florida to a Compact State
When moving (changing primary state of legal residence) to a new NLC state, it is the nurse’s responsibility to apply for licensure by endorsement. This should be completed upon moving and the nurse should not delay. There is no grace period. The nurse may not wait until the former license expires to apply in the nurse’s new state of legal residency. The nurse may practice on the former home state license only UNTIL the multistate license in the new NLC home state is issued. Proof of residency such as a driver’s license may be required. Upon issuance of a new multistate license, the former license is inactivated.
Moving from Florida to a Non Compact State
The nurse is responsible for applying for licensure by endorsement in the new state of residence. The nurse may apply before or after the move. The multistate license of the former NLC state is changed to a single state license upon changing legal residency to a noncompact state. The nurse is responsible for notifying the board of nursing (BON) of the former NLC state of the new address and to request a change in status to “single state”. This request may be emailed to MQA.Nursing@FlHealth.gov
Why was my Florida license deactivated?
Moving from Florida to a Compact StateYou hold a single state license in Florida and hold a multistate license in another Compact state. Nurse Licensure Compact Rule 302.4, party states shall not renew or reinstate a single state license if the nurse has a multistate license in another party state.
Or
You hold a multistate license in Florida and also another multistate license in another party state. As required by Section 464.0095, Article IV (3), Florida Statutes, an RN or LPN who changes his or her primary state of residence by moving from a party state to another party state must apply for licensure in the new home state. The multistate license issued by the prior home state must be deactivated in accordance with applicable rules adopted by the Interstate Commission which governs the Nurse Licensure Compact.
Deactivated incorrectly? How to proceed
The definition of ‘Deactivated’ is Licensed practitioner holds a Multistate License in another Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) jurisdiction. More information about the Nursing Compact can be found at https://floridasnursing.gov/final-nurse-compact-rules/
You can look up your multistate license in NURSYS by using this link: https://www.nursys.com/LQC/LQCTerms.aspx. Nurses are eligible to work in Florida when they hold a valid multistate license from another Compact State.
If your primary state of residency is Florida, please email the Board of Nursing at MQA.Nursing@FlHealth.gov.
Are Fees and Continuing Education required?
If you are a nurse practicing in Florida under the privilege of a different party state license, you are not required to pay any fees or complete continuing education requirements for the State of Florida. Please refer to the requirements for the state that has issued the license.
How to obtain Florida licensure in the future
Moving to Florida from a Compact State
When moving (changing primary state of legal residence) to a new NLC state, it is the nurse’s responsibility to apply for licensure by endorsement. This should be completed upon moving and the nurse should not delay. There is no grace period. The nurse may not wait until the former license expires to apply in the nurse’s new state of legal residency. The nurse may practice on the former home state license only UNTIL the multistate license in the new NLC home state is issued. Proof of residency such as a driver’s license may be required. Upon issuance of a new multistate license, the former license is inactivated.
Moving to Florida from a Non Compact State
The nurse is responsible for applying for licensure by endorsement in the new state of residence. The nurse may apply before or after the move. A multistate license may be issued if residency and eligibility requirements are met. If the nurse holds a single state license issued by the noncompact state, it is not affected.
For licensure by endorsement requirements and to apply online, please visit https://floridasnursing.gov/licensing.
