Florida Nursing License Renewal Requirements 2026

📋 Florida RN & LPN Requirements (27 Hours Total)

All Florida Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses must complete 27 contact hours every two years:

• 1 hour: HIV/AIDS Education
• 2 hours: Domestic Violence Prevention
• 2 hours: Prevention of Medical Errors
• 2 hours: Florida Laws and Rules of the Board of Nursing
• 2 hours: Recognizing Impairment in the Workplace
• 2 hours: Human Trafficking Prevention
• 16 hours: General Nursing CE (any approved topic related to nursing practice)
  

  Join over 30k+ Florida nurses who have used Renew Now CE's complete nursing CE package to renew their license: 

  Complete Florida Nursing CE Package for License Renewal (RN, LPN) 27 CE Hours: Instant Certifications and CE Broker Reporting.  

📋 Florida APRN Requirements (5 or 30 Hours)

Everything you need for Florida RN or LPN license renewal in one affordable package. All mandatory courses plus general CE hours to complete your 27-hour requirement.

📦 Package Includes:

For Florida APRNs with active approved certification. Complete only the two required courses and claim your certification exemption in CE Broker.

📦 Package Includes:

Required 3-hour pharmacology CE for all Florida APRNs. ANCC approved course with comprehensive Florida PDMP review. Trusted by 9,977+ Florida nurse practitioners.

📚 Course Content Highlights:

• Appropriate patient management for controlled substance prescriptions
• Florida's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (E-FORCSE) requirements
• Documentation standards and prescriber-patient agreements
• Safe disposal practices for controlled substances
• Treatment planning and comprehensive monitoring processes

📅 When Does My Florida RN License Expire?

The Florida Department of Health renews Registered Nurse licenses in three groups with specific expiration dates:

🗓️ Important Deadlines:

• 60 days before expiration: Renewal window opens in CE Broker
• 48 hours before expiration: Complete CE to ensure CE Broker reporting is finished
• At midnight EST on expiration date: License expires if not renewed
• After expiration: License becomes delinquent; cannot practice legally
• Within 4 years of expiration: Can reactivate with CE completion + late fees
• More than 4 years: May require additional requirements (refresher course, practice hours)

📋 What You Need to Renew:

1. Completed CE Requirements – All hours must be reported into CEBroker.com (see certification exemption info above if applicable)
2. Completed Renewal Application – Submit through Florida DOH MQA portal or CE Broker
3. Required Renewal Fees – Payment via credit/debit card (typically $50-100 depending on license type)

💡 Do I Need to Pay for CE Broker?

No! CE Broker offers a free "Basics" account that allows you to track your CE credits and stay compliant at no cost. When you complete courses with Renew Now CE, your credits are automatically reported to CE Broker within 24-48 hours and appear in your free account. A paid CE Broker subscription is not required for Florida nursing license renewal. Read more about using the Free Basics account in CE Broker to renew your Florida nursing license here.

What are the required CE hours for renewing my Florida RN license in 2026?

Florida Registered Nurses (RNs) must complete 27 contact hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license. This includes specific mandatory courses: 1 hour HIV/AIDS, 2 hours Domestic Violence, 2 hours Prevention of Medical Errors, 2 hours Florida Laws and Rules, 2 hours Recognizing Impairment in the Workplace, 2 hours Human Trafficking, and 16 hours of general nursing CE. Florida Board approved providers like Renew Now CE (Provider #50-18921) automatically report completions to CE Broker.

How many CE hours do Florida APRNs need for license renewal?

Florida Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) have two different requirements depending on certification status. Certified APRNs who are certified by NCCA or ABSNC accredited programs need only 5 hours: 2 hours Human Trafficking and 3 hours Safe and Effective Prescription of Controlled Substances. Non-certified APRNs need the full 27 hours required for RNs PLUS the 3-hour controlled substances course (30 hours total). You must elect to receive the certification exemption in CE Broker to reduce your requirements.

Is the Safe and Effective Prescription of Controlled Substances course required for all Florida APRNs?

Yes, all Florida Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, including Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Anesthetists, and Nurse Midwives must complete the 3-hour Safe and Effective Prescription of Controlled Substances course for each biannual license renewal. This requirement applies regardless of whether the APRN has a DEA license or prescriptive authority. The course must be offered by ANCC, AANP, AANA, or a statewide professional association accredited for AMA PRA Category 1 credit. Renew Now CE's course is ANCC approved and has been completed by 9,977+ Florida APRNs.

What is the CE exemption for certified Florida nurses and how do I apply it?

Florida nurses certified by programs accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) or the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC) are exempt from most CE requirements. Certified RNs need only the 2-hour Human Trafficking course. Certified APRNs need the 2-hour Human Trafficking and 3-hour Safe and Effective Prescription of Controlled Substances courses (5 hours total). To apply the exemption, log into CE Broker, navigate to your renewal requirements, and elect to use your certification exemption before your renewal deadline. Your certification must be current and from an NCCA or ABSNC accredited program.

How long do I have to keep my Florida nursing CE certificates in case of audit?

The Florida Board of Nursing requires that you maintain records of CE completion for at least four years from the end of your renewal period. In the event of an audit, you must provide documentation showing course completion, including the provider name, course title, date completed, and number of contact hours earned. Florida Board approved providers like Renew Now CE provide instant downloadable certificates that meet audit requirements, and completions are automatically reported to CE Broker for verification.

What happens if I don't complete my Florida nursing CE hours by my license expiration date?

If you do not complete your required CE hours by your license expiration date, your Florida nursing license will become delinquent and you cannot legally practice nursing in Florida. To reactivate a delinquent license, you must complete all outstanding CE requirements, pay the renewal fee, and pay a late penalty fee. The penalty increases the longer the license remains delinquent. Practicing on a delinquent license is illegal and can result in disciplinary action by the Florida Board of Nursing.

Can Florida LPNs use the same CE package as Florida RNs?

Yes, Florida Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) have identical continuing education requirements: 27 contact hours every two years including the same mandatory courses (HIV/AIDS, Domestic Violence, Medical Errors, Laws & Rules, Impairment, and Human Trafficking). The Florida RN/LPN 27-hour package from Renew Now CE satisfies all requirements for both license types and is automatically reported to CE Broker for both RNs and LPNs.

Can I complete my Florida nursing CE hours from another state's provider?

Yes, Florida accepts CE courses from providers approved by any US state nursing board or nationally accredited organizations including ANCC, AANP, AANA, and others. However, the courses must meet Florida's specific content requirements (HIV/AIDS, Domestic Violence, etc.). Using a Florida Board approved provider like Renew Now CE (Provider #50-18921) ensures automatic CE Broker reporting and compliance with all Florida-specific requirements, including the unique 3-hour controlled substances course for APRNs that must meet Florida Statute 464.012 specifications.

What topics are NOT accepted for Florida nursing continuing education credit?

The Florida Board of Nursing does not accept CE credit for courses that are not directly related to nursing practice. Unacceptable topics include: personal development, finance/investment planning, office management not specific to healthcare, history courses, foreign languages, crafts, and physical fitness programs. All CE must relate directly to nursing practice, patient care, healthcare policy, or professional development within nursing. Courses must also be offered by Florida Board recognized providers.

How do I move my Florida nursing license from inactive to active status?

To reactivate an inactive Florida nursing license, you must complete all CE requirements that would have been due during the time your license was inactive (up to one renewal cycle), submit a reactivation application through CE Broker, pay the reactivation fee, and meet any additional requirements such as background screening if applicable. If your license has been inactive for more than four years, you may need to complete additional requirements including practice hours or a refresher course as determined by the Florida Board of Nursing.

Does Renew Now CE automatically report my hours to CE Broker?

Yes. As an official Florida Board of Nursing Approved Provider (#50-18921), Renew Now CE automatically reports your completed courses to CE Broker within 24 hours (often much faster).

What if my CE hours don't show up in CE Broker?

Please allow up to 24 hours for reporting. If they are still missing, first verify your nursing license number is correct on your Renew Now CE account. If the number is correct, contact our support team immediately.

What is the fee to renew my Florida RN license?

The Florida Board of Nursing renewal fee for Registered Nurses is approximately $50-100, paid directly to the Florida Department of Health when you submit your renewal application through CE Broker or the DOH MQA portal. This fee is separate from continuing education costs. The exact fee may vary based on license type and renewal status. Payment must be made by credit or debit card at the time of renewal. Late renewals or reactivations may incur additional penalty fees.

What are the penalties for a delinquent Florida nursing license?

If your Florida nursing license becomes delinquent (expired and not renewed), you cannot legally practice nursing in Florida. To reactivate a delinquent license, you must complete all outstanding CE requirements, pay the standard renewal fee, and pay a late penalty fee that increases based on how long the license has been delinquent. The Florida Board of Nursing may also require additional documentation or impose other conditions. Practicing nursing on a delinquent license is illegal and can result in disciplinary action including fines, suspension, or revocation of your license. Always renew before your expiration date to avoid penalties.

When does my Florida nursing license expire?

Florida Registered Nurses are assigned to one of three renewal groups by the Florida Department of Health. Group 1 licenses expire April 30, 2026; Group 2 licenses expire July 31, 2026; and Group 3 licenses expire April 30, 2027. Your renewal group is listed on your current license and in CE Broker. The renewal window opens 60 days before your group's expiration date. Florida LPNs and APRNs may have different renewal schedules - check your specific license information in CE Broker or on the Florida DOH website.

✅ Complete Audit Protection for Florida Nurses

When you complete CE courses with Renew Now CE, you receive complete audit protection that goes far beyond what other providers offer:

Unlike many states that use birth month for renewal, Florida assigns Registered Nurses to one of three renewal groups. Each group has a specific expiration date:

⏰ Renewal Window Opens:

• Group 1: Renewal opens approximately March 1, 2026 (60 days before April 30)
• Group 2: Renewal opens approximately June 1, 2026 (60 days before July 31)
• Group 3: Renewal opens approximately March 1, 2027 (60 days before April 30)

1. Complete Your CE Requirements: Finish all required continuing education courses at least 48 hours before your renewal deadline to ensure CE Broker reporting is complete.
2. Verify CE Broker Credits: Log into your free CE Broker account and confirm all credits have been reported correctly.
3. Access the Florida DOH Renewal Portal: Go to the Florida Department of Health MQA Services portal or CE Broker 60 days before your expiration date.
4. Complete the Renewal Application: Answer all questions accurately, including disclosure questions about criminal history or disciplinary actions.
5. Elect Certification Exemption (if applicable): If you're a certified nurse, elect to use your certification exemption to reduce CE requirements.
6. Pay the Renewal Fee: Submit payment via credit/debit card (fees vary by license type - typically $50-100).
7. Save Your Confirmation: Download and save your renewal confirmation and updated license immediately.
8. Maintain CE Certificates: Keep all CE certificates for 4 years from the end of your renewal period in case of audit.

Ready to Complete Your Florida Nursing CE?

Don't wait until the deadline. Get started today with Florida Board approved courses that are automatically reported to CE Broker.

Always verify current requirements with official sources:

• Florida Board of Nursing: floridasnursing.gov - Official licensing requirements and regulations
• CE Broker: cebroker.com - Track your CE credits with free Basics account
• Florida Statute 464.012: leg.state.fl.us/statutes - Legal requirements for APRN controlled substances CE
• Florida Department of Health: flhealthsource.gov - License verification and renewal portal