Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the Florida Board of Nursing Help Center – an online tool for applicants, licensees, and the public to search and access our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), contact our office, and learn “how to” do business with the board.

How do I transfer my RN, LPN, or CNA license to Florida?

Please access the Licensing tab on our website and choose the Endorsement option for your licensure type. https://floridasnursing.gov/licensing/

How do I self report a criminal conviction?

Please visit the Florida Health Care Complaint Portal to report your criminal conviction.

What does inactive status mean?

Inactive status means the licensee is not working in FL, but might again in the future, and has paid Inactive status renewal fees. There is no CE documentation required per biennium, but if the licensee goes back to Active status the cumulative total of CEs for the inactive bienniums must be accounted for. This status must be renewed each biennium. To reactivate a license from an inactive status you can make the request from your online portal, under “Manage My License”.

What does retired status mean?

Retired status means the licensee is not working in FL (has retired from practice) and has paid a $55 fee to receive a Retired license. It is possible to come off of retired status in the future, but that is not the intent of this status. This is an optional status. Practitioners can also Voluntarily Relinquish the license — or take no action and initially go Delinquent and then Null/Void if the license isn’t renewed after two consecutive bienniums. To reactivate a license from this status you must contact the Board.

What scores are accepted for English Competency?

If the applicant is a graduate of a foreign prelicensure education program not taught in English, or if English is not the applicant’s native language, successful completion of one of the following:

(a) A minimum score of 540 on the paper version; 207 on the computerized version or 76 on the internet based version, on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Examination;
(b) A minimum overall score of 55 with a minimum speaking score of 55% on the Michigan English Test (MET);
(c) A minimum score of 6.5 overall with a 7.0 on the spoken portion of the academic version of International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or
(d) A minimum score of 300 on the Occupational English Test (OET).

How to I obtain a copy of my transcript?

The Department of Health/Board of Nursing uses transcripts for licensure purposes only. Pursuant to Section 456.014(1), F.S., we are unable to provide copies of school transcripts.

Can a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)work in Florida using a certification from another state?

There are three (3) exceptions which allow you to work for a maximum of four (4) months (120 days) while awaiting receipt of your Florida CNA certification: (1) applicants enrolled in or have completed a state approved program, or (2) applicants who have been verified as being actively certified in another state, or (3) applicants who have preliminarily passed the state exam but have not yet received the certificate. (See 400.211, F.S.) All of these are at the determination of the employer.

Can I work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) without a license?

There are three (3) exceptions which allow you to work for a maximum of four (4) months (120 days) while awaiting receipt of your Florida CNA certification: (1) applicants enrolled in or have completed a state approved program, or (2) applicants who have been verified as being actively certified in another state, or (3) applicants who have preliminarily passed the state exam but have not yet received the certificate. (See 400.211, F.S.) All of these are at the determination of the employer.

Can an APRN sign death certificates?

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 .

What CE courses are accepted as equivalent to the graduate level semester hours required for Autonomous APRN Registration?

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.

What services can or cannot be provided as an Autonomous APRN?

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

Are APRNs still required to follow signed protocols once the autonomous practice becomes effective?

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.

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