Frequently Asked Questions

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The multi-state license application is separate from your renewal and has a one-time application fee of $100. This application can be completed online starting January 19, 2018. Once the application is complete and approved, you will be issued a new paper license with your same license number but it will indicate that you are now eligible to work anywhere within the Compact with the words “Multi-State Registered Nurse” printed on the license. The application review process may take up to 30 days. It is not mandatory that you obtain a multi-state license and completing this application will not renew and update the expiration date on your license. A licensee renews the single state or multi-state license which is held at the time of a biennial renewal.

“Multi-State license” means a license issued by the Florida Department of Health to practice as a registered nurse (RN) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in all Nurse Licensure Compact states under a multi-state licensure privilege.

“Single-State license” means a license issued by the Florida Department of Health to practice as a registered nurse (RN) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN) within the state of Florida and which does not include a multi-state licensure privilege to practice in any other Nurse Licensure Compact state.

No, the Nurse Practice Act, Section 464.0095,FS, article 3 allows for any RN or LPN to practice as an RN or LPN in each party state, using multi-state licensure privileges, without a required nurse permit.

When creating your account online, to set an appointment with your chosen livescan provider, you must indicate the reason for screening. Make sure to select the Department of Health/Division of Medical Quality Assurance, the selection Board of Nursing is not for the Department of Health licensing purposes.

VALOR applications are only reviewed for single state licensure. If you would like to have the multistate privileges added to your license, you can apply for the multistate upgrade once your single state license has been issued.

In order to qualify for multistate licensure, any applicant who is internationally educated or from a non-NCSBN jurisdiction will need to complete an English competency exam and have their education evaluated in addition to the other requirements for licensure. Please review the information for applicants educated outside of the United States at: International or Non-NCSBN Jurisdiction Applicant Information. The NCSBN Nurse Licensure Guidance tool also provides direction and resources on becoming a licensed nurse in the U.S.

A Social Security Number (SSN) is not required in order to take the exam; however, Florida law prohibits a license from being issued until a SSN is received. Prior to being made eligible for the exam, any references to the SSN still pending are provided solely for the information of the applicant.

For additional information with regards to the Social Security Number process, you may contact the Social Security Administration at www.ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Once you have received your SSN, you may submit a copy of the SSN card to our office by fax or regular mail. Upon receipt of the SSN card, if your file is 100% complete you will be issued a license. If any further problems are found you will be notified in writing of what items may be needed.

Yes. Effective October 1, 2018: Chapter 2018-106, Laws of Florida transitioned ARNP certification to APRN license.

Hours earned after the completion of a Basic Life Support (BLS) course or an Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) recertification course can’t be applied towards the 24 hour continuing education requirement for purposes of licensure renewal.

The Florida Board of Nursing adopted the position of the ANCC, effective as of June 1, 2011.

The following courses ceased to offer continuing education renewal credit as of June 1, 2011:

• CPR/AED certification and re-certification courses, Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and re-certification courses, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) re-certification courses
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) re-certification courses, and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) re-certification courses

Continuing education renewal credit will still be permitted for the following:

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification courses, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification courses, and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification courses

The ANCC disseminated the rationale in August 2009:

• BLS is no longer an augment to the nurse’s basic knowledge. Therefore it doesn’t meet the definition of continuing nursing education. Universities now require the student to be certified in BLS before ever entering the academic program. BLS is not an augmentation of knowledge; it is a basic preparation for training.

The advanced life support activities meet the definition of CNE because they are not included in the nurse’s basic training and therefore augment that training.

Requiring an APRN to obtain a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) would require a legislative action. Currently, there is no mandate regarding this educational requirement. You may review the APRN Consensus Model on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website for further information with your inquiry.