Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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: http://www.floridahealth.gov/licensing-and-regulation/declaratory/declaratory-statements.html

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.

Board members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. You may apply by contacting the Governor’s Appointment Office at 850-488-9243 or by visiting www.flgov.com/eog/leadership/appointments.

All Board meetings are open to the public and you are encouraged to attend. You may find a schedule of upcoming Board meetings on the Meetings Page

Agenda items must be submitted to the Board of Nursing 30 days prior to any particular Board meeting date. Staff must have sufficient time to review documentation prior to it being placed on the agenda. If, upon review, the application for licensure is found to be complete and requires review by the Board Members, it will be placed on the next available Board Meeting. The application must be complete at least 30 days prior to the Board Meeting date.

The minutes from our Board Meetings can be found on our website at: Past Meeting Information and Materials

Florida’s alternative to discipline is the Intervention Project for Nurses (IPN). http://www.ipnfl.org

Any person suspecting impairment of a nurse’s ability to provide safe nursing care may report this nurse to the Florida Department of Health (DOH) and/or IPN. Under Florida’s Mandatory Reporting Law, all licensed nurses must report any suspected impairment in practice to DOH and/or IPN.

Being unable to practice nursing safely due to use of drugs, alcohol, chemicals, a mental condition, or the possession or distribution of controlled drugs for other than legitimate purposes is a violation of the Nurse Practice Act that can result in disciplinary action taken against a nurse’s license by the Florida Board of Nursing.  If the nurse has been reported only to IPN, he/she agrees to participate in IPN, and successfully completes IPN, the file is closed and held in confidence with no disciplinary action resulting.  If the nurse is reported only to IPN, and does not agree to participate, or does not successfully complete IPN, then the information in IPN’s possession is forwarded to DOH, and may result in disciplinary action, if deemed appropriate.  In some cases, the nurse is reported both to IPN and the DOH and in those cases, the disciplinary process proceeds and may result in disciplinary action.

Initially, the nurse may be required to refrain from nursing practice during the evaluation phase and any resulting treatment. The nurse may resume nursing practice when given authorization to do so by IPN or the Florida Board of Nursing. The approval for a return to nursing practice is based upon recommendations from approved treatment providers in consultation with IPN staff. Practice limitations are often required during the early phase of return to practice.