Frequently Asked Questions

You will need access to a desktop or laptop computer with a compatible web browser (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome) installed, your social security number and date of birth.

If you are applying for a license and have not created an account, please follow these steps:

1. Visit https://mqa-vo.doh.state.fl.us/datamart/voservicesportal, click on ‘Create New Applicant Account. Once on the registration screen, follow the prompts for new user registration using a valid, active email address.
2. Check your email to locate your new account user ID and temporary password. Using your temporary password and user ID provided via email, log into your account. (Note: You will be prompted to create a new password for your account. Enter the temporary password in the “Old/Temporary Password” field.)
3. Once logged in, you will be prompted to add any existing health care licenses or previously submitted applications to your account. Follow the prompts to add your license or application using your social security number, date of birth, and mailing address zip code. If you do not have a current license or pending application, or your license is null and void, select “No” to proceed with applying for a license.

If you are already licensed please follow these steps:

1. Go to flhealthsource.gov and click the ”Account Login” button.
2. Enter your Personal Identifying Information (PII), then click the Login button.
3. Confirm or update your MQA Services Account email address, then click the “Continue” button.
4. You are now in the Dashboard. During renewals, a “Renew My License” option will populate no later than 90 days prior to your license expiration date. (Note: If you do not see the “Renew My License” option, please check back at a later time.)

*** If the “PII Failed” screen displays, click the ”Other Login Option” button and enter your existing User ID and password to access your account.***

*Note: MQA Online Services is not fully compatible with all mobile devices or Apple Safari at this time.

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.

In order to have multistate privileges in the compact, log into your MQA account and select “Multi-State Registered Nurse Application” from the drop-down menu under “Manage My License”. The application requires a $100.00 fee and updated Livescan results to be submitted no more than 90 days prior to submission of the application. Please allow up to 30 days for processing once a complete application is submitted.

The Florida Board of Nursing does not complete a primary source verification of education for all of its Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).

We do not maintain a list of “approved” APRN programs.

Florida APRN applicants are required to hold an active Florida RN license or an active multistate RN license from another jurisdiction, a master’s degree or post-master’s certificate in a nursing clinical specialty area and national advanced practice certification from an approved nursing specialty board. The certification requirements for all the Board approved certifying bodies mirror the licensure requirements for Florida. Therefore, we only require proof of the applicant’s national certification.

Rule 64B9-4.002(3), F.A.C., provides the professional or national nursing specialty boards recognized by the Board. You may find the full rule on the web at: www.flrules.org

Please visit your prospective certifying body’s website, for additional information regarding APRN certification eligibility requirements. www.nursingworld.org/certification

Generally, certifying bodies require a program to be accredited by CCNE or ACEN (formerly NLNAC) and to include advanced pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology, a minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours, and content in health promotion and disease management.

Nurses have the option of filing a “Petition for Declaratory Statement”.
In many instances nursing duties and responsibilities are not specifically addressed in the Florida Nurse Practice Act (Chapter 464, FS), or the Rules of the Florida Board of Nursing (Title 64B9, Florida Administrative Codes)

Declaratory statements are an agency’s opinion as to the applicability of a statutory provision, or of any rule or order of the agency, as it applies to the petitioner’s particular set of circumstances (s. 120.565, F.S.). This page is a listing of declaratory statements.

Requests to file a “Petition for Declaratory Statement” can be located by selecting the link below:

http://www.floridahealth.gov/licensing-and-regulation/public-records/declaratory/index.html