Become a Nurse in Florida – Licensure & Requirements

Florida Nursing Salary Average

^{State-wide and metro-area nurse salary figures above reflect the Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for Florida, May 2025 reference period (state-wide source; metro-area source). State-wide figures were retrieved July 2026; Miami, Tampa, and Orlando metro-area figures were retrieved and verified September 2026.}

There are many paths to becoming a nurse in Florida. The path you take will mostly depend upon the type of nurse you’d like to become and your current or prospective level of education. The higher your level of education, the more opportunities you’ll have to choose where and how you pursue your career in nursing.

In addition to nursing salaries in Florida, you’ll find information on acquiring and maintaining several types of Florida nursing licensure. We’re constantly making updates, but with the speed of change in the healthcare sphere it’s difficult to stay current.If you have any comments or suggestions for our information on nursing in Florida, please email us at info@nursinglicensemap.com!

Compact State Status

As of September 2026, Florida is a Nursing Licensure Compact state.

The Florida Board of Nursing confirms this current participation on its Nursing (RN & LPN) page. In practice, this means an eligible Florida-resident RN or LPN who meets the Nursing Licensure Compact's uniform licensure requirements can hold one multistate license valid for practice in every other compact-member state, and a nurse who holds a valid multistate RN or LPN license issued by another compact state can practice in Florida without applying for a separate Florida license, per the Nurse Licensure Compact Commission's how compact licensure works guidance. Confirm current participation and your own eligibility directly with the Florida Board of Nursing, since compact status and eligibility requirements can change.

Prescriptive Authority in Florida

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) generally prescribe, dispense, administer, and order medications within an established protocol maintained with a supervising physician. According to the Regulation of Professions and Occupations: Nursing Statute, APRN prescriptive authority requires a master’s level degree in a clinical nursing specialty area with training in specialized practitioner skills.

Since 2020, Florida law also allows a qualifying APRN to register for autonomous practice — practicing, including prescribing within their scope, without a supervising physician.

This pathway is currently limited to APRNs in primary care (family medicine, general pediatrics, or general internal medicine) and to certified nurse midwives for midwifery-specific acts. It requires at least 3,000 supervised clinical practice hours within the preceding 5 years, specific graduate coursework in differential diagnosis and pharmacology, a clean disciplinary history, and either qualifying professional liability insurance coverage (at least $100,000 per claim / $300,000 annual aggregate) or a qualifying irrevocable letter of credit in the same amounts, subject to statutory exemptions (Fla. Stat. §464.0123).

An APRN who has not registered for autonomous practice continues to practice under the supervised framework described above.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Florida

Recognized APRN roles in Florida include: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Certified Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), and psychiatric nurse.

Education: Master’s degree or higher in nursing, or applicable post-master’s education.

Examination: Varies for Different National Certifications

Certification Required: National certification from a board-approved certifying organization.

Fees:

• $110 if currently a registered nurse (RN) in Florida
• $100 Dispensing License For Prescriptive Authority

Additional Information: An active RN license, proof of malpractice insurance or an approved exemption, and completion of an electronic fingerprint/background (Livescan) screening are required for application as an APRN.

Renewal: Nurses must complete the following continuing education each renewal cycle, plus maintain national certification:

• 16 general continuing-education hours — every renewal
• 2 hours in the prevention of medical errors — every renewal
• 2 hours in Florida laws and rules — every renewal
• 2 hours in human trafficking — every renewal
• 3 hours in safe and effective prescribing of controlled substances — every renewal
• 2 hours in recognizing impairment in the workplace — every other renewal
• 2 additional hours in domestic violence — every third biennium
• 1 hour of HIV/AIDS education — one-time requirement before the first renewal

Fee for renewal is $60, active to active licenses, with an additional $100 fee if dispensing practitioner.

Learn more on how to become an advanced practice registered nurse.

Registered Nurse (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Florida

Education: Completion of an state approved or accredited nursing education program.

Examination: NCLEX

Endorsement: Individuals licensed as a registered nurse in another state may apply for licensure through endorsement, subject to board approval. A $110 application fee is required.

Background Screening: A mandatory electronic fingerprint/background screening is required; the Board cannot approve an application until this and all other licensure criteria are met.

Fees:

• $110 Application Fee
• $200 Examination Fee

Renewal: Nurses must complete the following continuing education each renewal cycle (24-hour base):

• 16 general continuing-education hours — every renewal
• 2 hours in the prevention of medical errors — every renewal
• 2 hours in Florida laws and rules — every renewal
• 2 hours in human trafficking — every renewal
• 2 hours in recognizing impairment in the workplace — every other renewal
• 2 additional hours in domestic violence, on top of the 24-hour base — every third biennium
• 1 hour of HIV/AIDS education — one-time requirement before the first renewal

First-renewal exceptions may apply to other subjects. Refer to the Florida Board of Nursing – LPN Renewal or RN Renewal for more information. Fee for renewal is $75.

Learn more on how to become a registered nurse or information on how to become a licensed practical nurse.

Information Disclosures:

^{Advanced practice registered nurse prescriptive-authority information above reflects Florida Statutes §464.012 and §464.0123 (2026), reviewed September 2026. Licensed-midwife requirements reflect the Florida Department of Health – Midwifery Licensing page, reviewed September 2026. Remaining APRN initial-licensure, fee, and continuing-education information reflects the Florida Board of Nursing’s Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and APRN Renewal pages, reviewed September 2026. Registered nurse and licensed practical nurse initial-licensure, fee, and continuing-education information reflects the Florida Board of Nursing’s Nursing (RN & LPN), RN Renewal, and LPN Renewal pages, reviewed September 2026.}