Florida

Board

of

Nursing

The list of approved CNA training programs can be found here.

The list of approved LPN and RN prelicensure nursing programs in Florida, as well as their current status such as Approved, Accredited, or Probation can be found here. You can search and compare by county, program name, or degree offered.

The status of a closed or terminated program may be verified via the Department of Health’s License Verification website here (you will enter the program name in the “Business Name” field).

Please note: the information available will be limited. Interested parties may email the Florida Board of Nursing at MQA.Nursing@flhealth.gov for additional information including closure and termination dates.

The Next Generation NCLEX (NGN), is a new version of the NCLEX that is designed to assess clinical judgement in nursing candidates. Next Generation NCLEX candidate resources are available at this link: https://www.nclex.com/next-generation-nclex.page.

The Exam Preview is available for the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN, as well as a French version for the NCLEX-RN, in order to meet the needs of French speaking Canadian NCLEX-RN candidates. This is a free resource, available in downloadable format at NCLEX.COM.

Many Florida nursing programs are approved to send a list of eligible graduates or can send an official transcript upon graduation. If submitting a transcript, your program is required to submit an official transcript bearing your date of graduation and degree conferred directly to the Board office. The Board office is unable to accept emailed, uploaded, or faxed copies of transcripts from the applicant. Transcripts that are sent through a secure electronic service or mailed directly from the program are accepted by the Board.

Paper Transcripts are accepted at:
Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance
Bureau of Health Care Practitioner Regulation, Board of Nursing
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-02
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3252

Secure Electronic Transcripts are accepted at:
mqa.nursingappstatus@flhealth.gov.

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

Applicants who have successfully completed courses, equivalent to practical nursing education in a professional nursing program, may qualify for NCLEX-PN based on practical nursing equivalency (PNEQ). All professional courses (RN) taken must have been successfully completed with a grade of “C-” or better and must have included theory and clinical instruction.

The professional or practical nursing curriculum must document clinical experience and theoretical instruction in medical, surgical, obstetric, pediatric and geriatric nursing. Each curriculum plan must document clinical training experience in appropriate settings that include, but are not limited to, acute care, long-term care and community settings.

CNA Applicant – EDOH0380Z

LPN/RN Applicant – EDOH4420Z

APRN Applicant – EDOH4420Z

LPN/RN Multi-State Upgrade Applicant – EDOH4420Z

All professional (RN) courses taken must have been successfully completed with a grade of “C” or better and must have included theory and clinical instruction. The professional or practical nursing curriculum must document clinical experience and theoretical instruction in medical, surgical, obstetric, pediatric and geriatric nursing. Each curriculum plan must document clinical training experience in appropriate settings that include, but are not limited to, acute care, long-term care and community settings.
Applicants for PNEQ must have their school submit official transcripts, course descriptions and a completed Practical Nurse Equivalency Application Letter (found in the Examination application).

Only graduates from an RN program qualify to take the RN NCLEX.

You can find a list of approved Prelicensure Nursing Education programs here.

Please review the information for applicants educated outside the United States at: International or Non-NCSBN Jurisdiction Applicant Information

There is no set timeframe for approval of an application. We process applications in date order received. Applications are processed as quickly as possible, but timeframes vary based on the number of applications received and on the length of time it takes receive all necessary documentation.

This status allows the holder to practice nursing under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse if they meet the following qualifications:

• It has not been more than three months since you have graduated from an approved program
• You have been authorized by the Board to practice as a graduate nurse or graduate practical nurse and have received a “Graduate Nurse” or “Graduate Practical Nurse” letter
• You have been authorized to test by the examination vendor

Any applicant who fails to appear for the first examination for which they have been made eligible shall not practice nursing until such time as the applicant passes the NCLEX examination. Only RN applicants by examination who have been approved by the board may use the term “Graduate Nurse” or the abbreviation “G.N.”.  Only PN applicants by examination may use the term Graduate Practical Nurse or the abbreviation “G.P.N.”.  GN and GPN statuses expire at the date listed on the Graduate Nurse letter or when the applicant takes the examination, whichever comes first.

No. You can only work as a GN or GPN if you have received approval from the board.

Once the board makes you eligible to take the examination your approval will be transferred to Pearson VUE, the examination vendor, via electronic transfer within 2 business days. Pearson VUE will email the Authorization to Test (ATT) if you provided an email address to their office or mail it to you if you did not provide an email address.

NCLEX testing takes place at Pearson VUE centers. Pearson VUE will provide you with information about the available test centers. You may schedule an appointment for any center. You do not have to take the NCLEX in the same jurisdiction in which you are seeking licensure.

Testing is available at Pearson VUE centers 15 hours a day/six days a week.  Exams are not offered on Sundays and holidays. Testing availability is subject to change.

The Authorization to Test (ATT) is valid for 90 days. The ATT contains your test authorization number, candidate identification number, and an expiration date. This date cannot be extended for any reason. Test centers may fill up quickly, waiting to schedule your testing appointment may significantly limit dates the center can seat you. If you wait until your ATT is close to expiring, Pearson VUE may not be able to seat you prior to its expiration. If this occurs, you will be required to re-register and re-pay to take the examination.

Yes. After three failures of the same level of examination (RN or LPN), regardless of jurisdiction, the applicant must successfully complete a Florida Board of Nursing approved remedial course. The course includes classroom and clinical components and proof of completion must be submitted directly from the course provider prior to approval for taking the exam the fourth time.

Reapply by submitting a re-examination application, with a retake fee. You will also have to reapply with Pearson VUE (the testing vendor) and pay a non-refundable fee of $200.00. You can find more information at: https://floridasnursing.gov/applications/LPN-RN-re-exam-app.pdf

You must wait a minimum of 45 days between each examination.

No, you will need to send in one money order or cashier’s check for the application fee and another to Pearson VUE for the NCLEX testing fee. These fees are mailed to two different places. Please see the application (Examination or Re-examination) for more information

If you either fail to arrive, fail to reschedule, or cancel your NCLEX appointment without giving three business days’ notice to Pearson VUE where you are scheduled, you will forfeit your examination fee and your Authorization to Test will be invalidated. In order to take the NCLEX, you will need to reapply to Pearson VUE and pay the fees again. GN/GPN status is lost when you fail to take your scheduled examination.

Yes, but you must request a change in the status of the application in writing to the board office. The request for the change will not be granted if the application has already been approved.

Complete and mail the address form (pdf )

Name changes require legal documentation showing the name change. Please submit a request which includes your full name, as it appears on your application; the profession you are applying for; your applicant ID number; your new name; your date of birth; the last four digits of your social security number; and your signature. You must also submit supporting documents, which must be one of the following:

• a copy of a state issued marriage license that includes the signature and seal from the clerk of the court
• a divorce decree restoring your maiden name
• a court order showing the name change (adoption, legal name change, federal identity change)
• a copy of your social security card and drivers’ license showing the new name

Please log into the MQA Online Services System to check your NCLEX results: Login Here

You can determine if you have been issued a license number on our website, after testing, by visiting the Health Provider Lookup Screen. License numbers are generally issued within 1-3 business days after successfully passing the NCLEX examination. License numbers are not available on the same day you take the examination.

Your license will be sent to the address on file, 7-10 business days after the board office receives notification you passed the examination.