Frequently Asked Questions

Can I qualify for licensure by endorsement under this clause – “Has actively practiced nursing in another state, jurisdiction, or territory of the United States for 2 of the preceding 3 years without having his or her license acted against by the licensing authority of any jurisdiction”?

No. That provision in section 464.009, Florida Statutes, was removed on October 9, 2024. Applicants for licensure by endorsement must now meet the requirements of the MOBILE endorsement pathway.

You will need access to a desktop or laptop computer with a compatible web browser (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome) installed, your social security number and date of birth.

If you are applying for a license and have not created an account, please follow these steps:

1. Visit https://mqa-vo.doh.state.fl.us/datamart/voservicesportal, click on ‘Create New Applicant Account. Once on the registration screen, follow the prompts for new user registration using a valid, active email address.
2. Check your email to locate your new account user ID and temporary password. Using your temporary password and user ID provided via email, log into your account. (Note: You will be prompted to create a new password for your account. Enter the temporary password in the “Old/Temporary Password” field.)
3. Once logged in, you will be prompted to add any existing health care licenses or previously submitted applications to your account. Follow the prompts to add your license or application using your social security number, date of birth, and mailing address zip code. If you do not have a current license or pending application, or your license is null and void, select “No” to proceed with applying for a license.

If you are already licensed please follow these steps:

1. Go to flhealthsource.gov and click the ”Account Login” button.
2. Enter your Personal Identifying Information (PII), then click the Login button.
3. Confirm or update your MQA Services Account email address, then click the “Continue” button.
4. 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.***

*Note: MQA Online Services is not fully compatible with all mobile devices or Apple Safari at this time.

Licensees employed or seeking employment with a health care facility licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration may find more information regarding exemptions, and the exemption applications at https://floridasnursing.gov/resources/exemptions/.

Declaratory statements can be found at: https://www.floridahealth.gov/licensing-regulations/mqa/petitions/declaratory-statements/

Information  on the requirements and how to file a Declaratory Statement can be found online on the Declaratory Statements page. Please note, a variance or waiver can only be granted for a Board Rule, not a Florida Statute.

A list of all the approved and accredited pre-licensure nursing education programs in Florida are available on website entitled “Compare Florida Prelicensure Nursing Education Programs”.

An “approved” nursing education program is a program for the prelicensure education of professional or practical nurses that is conducted in Florida at an educational institution that is approved and regulated under s. 464.019, Florida Statutes. Approved RN nursing education programs are required to obtain accreditation within five years after enrolling the program’s first students, pursuant to S. 464.019(11), Florida Statute.

An “accredited” nursing education program, as defined by s. 464.003, Florida Statutes, is a program for the prelicensure education of professional or practical nurses that is conducted in the United States at an educational institution, whether in Florida, another state, or the District of Columbia, and that is accredited by a specialized nursing accrediting agency that is nationally recognized by the United States Secretary of Education to accredit nursing education programs Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)) or National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA).

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0400-0499/0464/Sections/0464.019.html

Graduates of both approved and accredited nursing education programs are eligible to apply to the Florida Board of Nursing for licensure by examination.

Accredited programs included on the Florida Board of Nursing’s comparative website are programs that have a physical presence in the state of Florida. Program status of out-of-state nursing education programs may be verified through the specific Board of Nursing that issued approval or through a national nursing accrediting body (ACEN, CCNE, or NLN CNEA).

Yes. Graduates of nursing education programs with Approved/probationary status are eligible to apply to the Florida Board Nursing for licensure by examination.

The comparison search data is refreshed nightly and may not reflect information for newly approved or accredited programs. The program may also not be an approved or accredited nursing education program based in Florida. Please contact the Florida Board of Nursing at MQA.NursingEducationCorrespondence@flhealth.gov to confirm the nursing education program status.

The “Accrediting Body” category identifies the specific accrediting agency. The “Accreditation” category indicates the status applied to each nursing education program by the Florida Board of Nursing to indicate whether the program has specialized nursing accreditation, other national or regional educational accreditation, or no accreditation. Nursing education programs may have multiple listings under both categories.

The percentage of the number of students tracked from program entry to graduation.