Temporary Certificate for Practice in Areas of Critical Need
An official website of the State of Florida How You Know
Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
This temporary and restricted licensure avenue is for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses who are
licensed to practice in any jurisdiction of the United States
whose licenses are currently valid.
who meet educational and training requirements established by the board,
Hold a valid Registered Nurse License from any US jurisdiction (at initial APRN licensure)
Applicants who graduated on or after October 1, 1998, must have completed requirements for a master’s degree or post-master’s degree certification.
Graduates from either a certificate or currently closed program should submit supporting documentation that demonstrates program compliance with Board guidelines.
proof of national advanced practice certification from an approved nursing specialty board.
Proof of malpractice insurance or exemption.
Electronic Fingerprinting
and who intend to practice in:
An area of critical need as determined by the State Surgeon General.
A county health department.
A correctional facility.
A Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) clinic.
A community health center funded by section (s.) 329, s. 330, or s. 340 of the United States Public Health Services Act.
Another agency or institution approved by the State Surgeon General that provides health care services to meet the needs of underserved populations in this state; or
An area for a limited time to address critical health care specialty, demographic, or geographic needs relating to Florida’s accessibility of health care services as determined by the State Surgeon General.
The recipient of a temporary certificate for practice in an area of critical need must, within 30 days after accepting employment, notify the board of all approved institutions in which the licensee practices as part of their employment.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
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.
An official website of the State of Florida 
