Frequently Asked Questions

No. Approved programs are mandated to submit an annual report for programs in Nursing each year by November 1, pursuant to section 464.019(3). Florida Statutes. This subsection does not apply to accredited programs.

(3) ANNUAL REPORT.—By November 1 of each year, each approved program shall submit to the board an annual report comprised of an affidavit certifying continued compliance with subsection (1), a summary description of the program’s compliance with subsection (1), and documentation for the previous academic year that, to the extent applicable, describes:
(a) The number of student applications received, qualified applicants, applicants accepted, accepted applicants who enroll in the program, students enrolled in the program, and program graduates.
(b) The program’s retention rates for students tracked from program entry to graduation.
(c) The program’s accreditation status, including identification of the accrediting agency.

(9) APPLICABILITY TO ACCREDITED PROGRAMS.—
(a) Subsections (1)-(3), paragraph (4)(b), and paragraph (5)(b) do not apply to an accredited program.
(b) If an accredited program ceases to be accredited, the educational institution conducting the program:
1. Within 10 business days after the program ceases to be accredited, must provide written notice of the date that the program ceased to be accredited to the board, the program’s students and applicants, and each entity providing clinical training sites or community-based clinical experience sites for the program. The educational institution must continue to provide the written notice to new students, applicants, and entities providing clinical training sites or community-based clinical experience sites for the program until the program becomes an approved program or is closed under subparagraph 3.
2. Within 30 days after the program ceases to be accredited, must submit an affidavit to the board, signed by the educational institution’s president or chief executive officer, which certifies the institution’s compliance with subparagraph 1. The board shall notify the persons and applicable entities listed in paragraph (7)(c) if an educational institution does not submit the affidavit required by this subparagraph.
3. May apply to become an approved program under this section. If the educational institution:
a. Within 30 days after the program ceases to be accredited, submits a program application and review fee to the department under subsection (1) and the affidavit required under subparagraph 2., the program shall be deemed an approved program from the date that the program ceased to be accredited until the date that the board approves or denies the program application. The program application must be denied by the board pursuant to chapter 120 if it does not contain the affidavit. If the board denies the program application under subsection (2) or if the program application does not contain the affidavit, the program shall be closed and the educational institution conducting the program must comply with paragraph (7)(b).
b. Does not apply to become an approved program pursuant to sub-subparagraph a., the program shall be deemed an approved program from the date the program ceased to be accredited until the 31st day after that date. On the 31st day after the program ceased to be accredited, the program shall be closed and the educational institution conducting the program must comply with paragraph (7)(b).

The PDF registration application can be found at https://floridasnursing.gov/applications/autonomous-aprn-registration.pdf.  You may also apply for registration in your online account under “Manage My License” or in your CE Broker account under additional options.

CE requirements for autonomous registration may also be input into your CE Broker account for review when completing the registration.

Please see S. 464.0123(1)(2), FS for registration and financial responsibility requirements.

Please see S. 464.0123(1)c, FS.

There is no fee to apply for the registration.

It is an optional registration to seek, however, registration must be approved before you may practice autonomously.

CE is an equivalency for registration applicants who do not meet the semester hours requirements.

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.

Autonomous registrants are no longer under a protocol agreement.

No, notification is not required.

You may upload a transcript or certificates of completed graduate level courses or CE in your online account while applying for the registration or in under “Application Status” once you have submitted your registration application. Documents may also be emailed to MQA.NursingAppstatus@flhealth.gov or mailed to Florida Board of Nursing, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-02, Tallahassee, FL 32399.

Please note that a course description may be requested if the title does not state “Pharmacology” or “Differential Diagnosis”.

In this video, the NCSBN Examinations Operations team demonstrates the NCLEX registration process and what candidates can expect before, during and after the NCLEX examination. It also highlights all the online resources available for educators and students

Additional national specialties and certifications may be added to your license at any time by providing proof of certification either from the national certifying body or by sending proof via email to mqa.nursingappstatus@flhealth.gov