An official website of the State of Florida 
Click on the appropriate tabs to see the Initial Licensing Requirements, Process, Fees, Statutes and Administrative Rules for Practical and Professional Nursing Education Programs.
Applying for a License
Requirements
For a professional nursing education program, the program director and at least 50 percent of the program’s faculty members are registered nurses who have a master’s or higher degree in nursing or a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s or higher degree in a field related to nursing.
For a practical nursing education program, the program director and at least 50 percent of the program’s faculty members are registered nurses who have a bachelor’s or higher degree in nursing.
The educational degree requirements of this paragraph may be documented by an official transcript or by a written statement from the educational institution verifying that the institution conferred the degree.
The program’s nursing major curriculum consists of at least:
- Fifty percent clinical training for a practical nursing education program, an associate degree professional nursing education program, or a professional diploma nursing education program.
- Forty percent clinical training for a bachelor’s degree professional nursing education program.
- a. No more than 50 percent of the program’s clinical training consists of clinical simulation.
- b. The program has signed agreements with each agency, facility, and organization included in the curriculum plan as clinical training sites and community-based clinical experience sites.
- c. The program has written policies for faculty which include provisions for direct or indirect supervision by program faculty or clinical preceptors for students in clinical training consistent with the following standards:
- The number of program faculty members equals at least one faculty member directly supervising every 12 students unless the written agreement between the program and the agency, facility, or organization providing clinical training sites allows more students, not to exceed 18 students, to be directly supervised by one program faculty member.
- For a hospital setting, indirect supervision may occur only if there is direct supervision by an assigned clinical preceptor, a supervising program faculty member is available by telephone, and such arrangement is approved by the clinical facility.
- For community-based clinical experiences that involve student participation in invasive or complex nursing activities, students must be directly supervised by a program faculty member or clinical preceptor and such arrangement must be approved by the community-based clinical facility.
- For community-based clinical experiences not subject to sub-paragraph 3, indirect supervision may occur only when a supervising program faculty member is available to the student by telephone.
A program’s policies established under this paragraph must require a clinical preceptor, if supervising students in a professional nursing education program, to be a registered nurse or, if supervising students in a practical nursing education program, to be a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.
- The professional or practical nursing curriculum plan documents clinical experience and theoretical instruction in medical, surgical, obstetric, pediatric, and geriatric nursing. A professional nursing curriculum plan shall also document clinical experience and theoretical instruction in psychiatric 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.
- The professional or practical nursing education program provides theoretical instruction and clinical application in personal, family, and community health concepts; nutrition; human growth and development throughout the life span; body structure and function; interpersonal relationship skills; mental health concepts; pharmacology and administration of medications; and legal aspects of practice. A professional nursing education program shall also provide theoretical instruction and clinical application in interpersonal relationships and leadership skills; professional role and function; and health teaching and counseling skills.
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. The program must also have obtained signed agreements with each agency, facility and organization included in the curriculum plan as clinical training sites and community-based clinical experience sites.
Process
- An educational institution submits an application with the associated fee.
- The Education Unit shall review the application to determine whether it is complete. If a program application is not complete, the educational institution will be notified in writing of any errors or omissions within 30 days after the department’s receipt of the application.
- The board shall deny a program application for a new pre-licensure nursing education program submitted by an educational institution if the institution has an existing program that is already on probationary status.
- Upon completion of your application, the Board must make a decision within 90 days.
- An NCLEX code assignment is requested from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
- Upon receipt of the NCLEX code assignment, the program is approved. The new nursing education program’s approved status will be reflected on the pre-licensure nursing education comparative website within 24 hours.
- An approval letter is sent to the nursing program director.
Fees
$1000.00 Application Fee
Statutes and Rules
Click on Chapter or Section Number to View
Florida Statutes
Section 464.019: Approval of Nursing Education Programs
Apply Online / Return to Login
To apply online visit MQA Services Portal to create an account or return to your account by clicking the button below.
Processing Times
Florida law provides that an initial application must be reviewed within 30 days. Below is the average number of days at which we are currently processing.
Renewing Your License
Click on the appropriate tab below to see the Renewal Requirements, Process and Fees for a Practical and Registered Nurse Education Program.
Requirements
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 paragraphs (1)(a)-(g), a summary description of the program’s compliance with paragraphs (1)(a)-(g), and documentation for the previous academic year that, to the extent applicable, sets forth:
- 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.
- The program’s retention rates for students tracked from program entry to graduation.
- The program’s accreditation status, including identification of the accrediting agency if such agency is not an accrediting agency described in s. 464.003(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.
Process
Submit the Annual Report for Programs in Nursing by November 1 of each year to the following address:
Florida Board of Nursing
Attn: Education Unit
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-10
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Complete a separate Annual Report for each unique NCLEX code. The annual report is due to the Florida Board of Nursing office by November 1st annually pursuant to section 464.019 (4), F.S.
Nursing education programs that are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), are no longer under the jurisdiction of the Florida Board of Nursing and are exempt from this requirement.
Statutes and Rules
Florida Statutes
Section 464.019: Approval of Nursing Education Programs
Special Testing Accommodations
The Department of Health will provide reasonable and appropriate special testing accommodations due to disability, religious conflict, or English as a second language (ESL). Please note, accommodations for ESL are only for Mental Health Counselors and Electrologist.
Special Testing Accomodations
In accordance with section 64B-1.005, Florida Administrative Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Department of Health will provide reasonable and appropriate testing accommodations to individuals with documented disabilities or religious conflict who demonstrate a need for accommodation and complete the required application.
Applications for special testing accommodations are processed through the Operational Support Services Section as a separate requirement from the licensure examination application process.
NOTE: Candidates who request testing accommodations must also have a completed licensure examination application on file with their profession’s board office.
Special testing accommodation application forms may be downloaded from this page or received via mail by contacting the Operational Support Services Section. Please do not send any documentation unless it pertains directly to the testing accommodation request (e.g., transcripts, licensure information, payment, etc.)
Download the Application for Special Testing Accommodations. (pdf)
Medical documentation in support of an accommodation request is required and shall be used by department medical consultants to independently assess the reported condition for purposes of authorizing appropriate accommodations. Documentation should include a detailed report of evaluation completed by a licensed psychologist or physician addressing the following:
- Clinical history or copies of ongoing treatment records;
- Description of current functional restrictions in the daily activities;
- Differential diagnostic considerations, ruling out alternative explanations as substance abuse, prescription side effects, treatable physical conditions;
- Documentation of the signs and symptoms that support the diagnosis;
- Response to treatment, with assessment of residual signs and symptoms.
Download the Information Booklet for Special Testing Accommodations.
Candidates who have previously received special testing accommodations for a Department of Health licensure examination and need accommodation for another examination attempt must submit a reapplication with the Operational Support Services Section.
Download the Reapplication for Special Testing Accommodations. (pdf)
Special Testing Accomodations Due to Religious Conflicts
Modification to reporting times or alternate test dates may be requested by candidates who, due to their religious beliefs, cannot attend the examination at the scheduled reporting time or date.
Download the Application for Special Testing Accommodations Due to Religious Conflict. (pdf)
Deactivation
Florida became part of the NLC on January 19, 2018. Compact rules do not allow a license to be maintained or renewed if the nurse has a license in another party state that allows them to practice in Florida.
What is my responsibility if I leave Florida?
Moving from Florida to a Compact State
When moving (changing primary state of legal residence) to a new NLC state, it is the nurse’s responsibility to apply for licensure by endorsement. This should be completed upon moving and the nurse should not delay. There is no grace period. The nurse may not wait until the former license expires to apply in the nurse’s new state of legal residency. The nurse may practice on the former home state license only UNTIL the multistate license in the new NLC home state is issued. Proof of residency such as a driver’s license may be required. Upon issuance of a new multistate license, the former license is inactivated.
Moving from Florida to a Non Compact State
The nurse is responsible for applying for licensure by endorsement in the new state of residence. The nurse may apply before or after the move. The multistate license of the former NLC state is changed to a single state license upon changing legal residency to a noncompact state. The nurse is responsible for notifying the board of nursing (BON) of the former NLC state of the new address and to request a change in status to “single state”. This request may be emailed to MQA.Nursing@FlHealth.gov
Why was my Florida license deactivated?
Moving from Florida to a Compact StateYou hold a single state license in Florida and hold a multistate license in another Compact state. Nurse Licensure Compact Rule 302.4, party states shall not renew or reinstate a single state license if the nurse has a multistate license in another party state.
Or
You hold a multistate license in Florida and also another multistate license in another party state. As required by Section 464.0095, Article IV (3), Florida Statutes, an RN or LPN who changes his or her primary state of residence by moving from a party state to another party state must apply for licensure in the new home state. The multistate license issued by the prior home state must be deactivated in accordance with applicable rules adopted by the Interstate Commission which governs the Nurse Licensure Compact.
Deactivated incorrectly? How to proceed
The definition of ‘Deactivated’ is Licensed practitioner holds a Multistate License in another Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) jurisdiction. More information about the Nursing Compact can be found at https://floridasnursing.gov/final-nurse-compact-rules/
You can look up your multistate license in NURSYS by using this link: https://www.nursys.com/LQC/LQCTerms.aspx. Nurses are eligible to work in Florida when they hold a valid multistate license from another Compact State.
If your primary state of residency is Florida, please email the Board of Nursing at MQA.Nursing@FlHealth.gov.
Are Fees and Continuing Education required?
If you are a nurse practicing in Florida under the privilege of a different party state license, you are not required to pay any fees or complete continuing education requirements for the State of Florida. Please refer to the requirements for the state that has issued the license.
How to obtain Florida licensure in the future
Moving to Florida from a Compact State
When moving (changing primary state of legal residence) to a new NLC state, it is the nurse’s responsibility to apply for licensure by endorsement. This should be completed upon moving and the nurse should not delay. There is no grace period. The nurse may not wait until the former license expires to apply in the nurse’s new state of legal residency. The nurse may practice on the former home state license only UNTIL the multistate license in the new NLC home state is issued. Proof of residency such as a driver’s license may be required. Upon issuance of a new multistate license, the former license is inactivated.
Moving to Florida from a Non Compact State
The nurse is responsible for applying for licensure by endorsement in the new state of residence. The nurse may apply before or after the move. A multistate license may be issued if residency and eligibility requirements are met. If the nurse holds a single state license issued by the noncompact state, it is not affected.
For licensure by endorsement requirements and to apply online, please visit https://floridasnursing.gov/licensing.
