Frequently Asked Questions

The Florida Legislature established the Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness Program (NSLFP) in 1989 to encourage qualified personnel to seek employment in areas of the state where critical nursing shortages exist. The program provides funds to assist in the repayment of nursing education loans. All nursing licensees pay this $5.00 fee as part of their initial license fee and license renewal fees.

To apply for a registration number or for registration support, please visit the DEA Office of Diversion Control website at: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/index.html

Registration numbers are linked to state licenses and may be suspended or revoked upon any disciplinary action taken against a licensee.

In March 2016, the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) was enrolled into Florida law. The enhanced NLC will allow Florida’s registered nurses (RN) and licensed practical nurses (LPN) to have one multi-state license with the ability to practice in all nursing compact member states. The enhanced NLC will come into effect either when 26 states pass legislation supporting the enhanced NLC or on December 21, 2018, whichever comes first. For more information about the NLC, please visit the NLC Website.

If you are looking for information on a CRNA, search under using APRN.

In accordance with section 456.44(2), Florida Statutes, an allopathic physician licensed under Chpter 458, an osteopathic physician licensed under Chapter 459, a podiatric physician licensed under Chapter 461, a dentist licensed under Chapter 466, a physician assistant licensed under Chapter 458 or Chapter 459, or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under part I of Chapter 464 who prescribes any controlled substance listed as Schedule II, Schedule III, or Schedule IV narcotics as defined in s. 893.03, for the treatment of chronic nonmalignant pain, must designate himself or herself as a controlled substance prescribing practitioner on the practitioner profile.

To designate oneself as a controlled substance prescribing practitioner as provided in section 456.44, Florida Statutes:

Go to www.flhealthsource.gov and click the ”Account Login” button on the upper right of the screen.  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. Under the “Manage My License” section, select “Controlled Substance Prescribing” and follow the instructions to indicate you are a prescriber of controlled substances for the treatment of chronic nonmalignant pain.

“Chronic nonmalignant pain” is defined as pain unrelated to cancer which persists beyond the usual course of disease or the injury that is the cause of the pain or more than 90 days after surgery.

The 2017 NCLEX Candidate Bulletin and 2017 NCLEX Information Flyer (effective Jan. 1, 2017) is now available on the NCSBN website.

The 2017 NCLEX Candidate Bulletin is an important resource for candidates seeking licensure/registration in the U.S. and Canada. It provides information on how to register to take the NCLEX, how to schedule an appointment, the rules that they are expected to follow on the day of the exam as well as information on receiving NCLEX results. The Bulletin is available in both English and French.

The NCLEX Information Flyer provides a quick reference for important NCLEX information for candidates.

The 2017 NCLEX Candidate Bulletin and 2017 NCLEX Information Flyer can be found on the Candidate Bulletin and Information page of the NCSBN website.

Yes, a new CE requirement was added during the 2017 legislative session.

s.464.013(6)(C), F.S. now includes a new CE requirement for all Florida nursing professionals.

The Board shall require each person licensed or certified under this chapter to complete a 2 hour CE course on human trafficking, as defined in s.787.06(2).

All nursing professionals must complete this course every biennium beginning January 1, 2019. The first licensees who will need to fulfill this CE requirement are those renewing April 30, 2019.

The course must consists of data and information on all of the following:
• The types of human trafficking
• Factors that place a person at greater risk of being a victim of human trafficking
• Public and private social services available for rescue, food, clothing and shelter referrals
• Hotlines for reporting human trafficking which are maintained by the National Human Trafficking Resource Center and the United States Department of Homeland Security
• Validated assessment tools for identifying a human trafficking victim and general indicators that a person may be a victim of human trafficking
• Procedures for sharing information related to human trafficking with a patient
• Referral options for legal and social services

Yes, all nurses are required to complete this mandatory course for
licensure bienniums ending after January 1, 2019,
including those nurses who qualify
for the CE exemption.

The compact gives nurses the ability to practice in multiple states with one license and reduces regulatory requirements by removing the necessity for obtaining a license in each state.

Beginning January 19, 2018, Florida will issue a multi-state license to new applicants if all requirements for compact licensure are met. Existing Florida RNs and LPNs will have the option to apply to convert their current licenses to multi-state licenses as of January 19th as well.

Your declared state of residency is your primary state of residence where your permanent and principal home is located. Proof of your primary state of residence can be found on the following documentation:

• A driver’s license with a home address
• Voter registration card displaying a home address
• Federal income tax return declaring the primary state of residence
• W2 from US Government or any bureau, division or agency thereof indicating the
  declared state of residence

Florida RNs and LPNs will be able to start applying on January 19th to convert to a multi-state
license and must meet the following requirements.

• Have a current, Clear, Active license
• Graduated from a qualifying education program (or graduated from a foreign program verified by independent credentials review agency)
• Pass the NCLEX exam
• Have no active discipline on a license
• Submit to a federal criminal background check
• Have no felony conviction
• Not currently enrolled in an alternative to discipline program (i.e. IPN)
• Have a valid U. S. Social Security number