Effective October 1, 2018: Chapter 2018-106, Laws of Florida, changes Advanced Practice licensure by:

• Transitioning ARNP (Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner) certification to APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) license;
• Converting CNS (Clinical Nurse Specialist) license to APRN license (under protocol agreement with supervising physician & eligible for DEA registration); and
• Valid licenses issued before the Department completes the technical transition on October 22, 2018, will convert automatically to new APRN license.

Current ARNPs and CNSs will continue to practice under existing licensure authority until receipt of the new APRN license in October. The APRN license will be tied to the same renewal deadline as the current certificate. However, at the next renewal, the APRN will have the option of renewing the APRN license and the RN license as two, separate licenses.

For additional information: www.floridasnursing.gov/

To register with the DEA: www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/index.html

Sample Protocol: floridasnursing.gov/forms/arnp-protocol-format.pdf