Nursing FL

Florida Nursing License Renewal: Comprehensive Guide

Are you a nurse in Florida looking to renew your license? Understanding the requirements and deadlines for nursing license renewal in Florida is essential to maintain your licensure and continue practicing without interruption. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of Florida’s nursing license renewal process, required continuing education units (CEUs), and important deadlines.

Florida Nursing License Renewal Requirements

Florida nurses, including Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), must renew their licenses every two years. Below are the general renewal requirements:

  • License Expiration: Florida nursing licenses expire on April 30 in either odd- or even-numbered years, depending on the initial date of issuance.
  • Renewal Fee: A standard fee is required, and it varies depending on the license type and whether it's your first renewal.
  • Renewal Window: You can renew your license up to 120 days before your license expires.

First-Time License Renewal in FL: For nurses renewing their licenses for the first time, Florida requires specific continuing education:

  • Human Trafficking: 2 hours of education on human trafficking.
  • Prevention of Medical Errors: 2 hours of training on preventing medical errors.

Nursing Continuing Education (CE) Requirements in Florida

To renew your Florida nursing license, you must complete continuing education units (CEUs) within each renewal cycle. The requirements differ based on the type of nursing license:

  • Registered Nurses (RN): 24 CE hours
  • Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN): 24 CE hours
  • Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN): 30 CE hours, including specific content areas
  • Florida RN who are Certified are eligible to apply the Certified Exemption.
    • Presently the Florida Board of Nursing allows certified nurses to renew their license with just 1 class during the biannual license renewal! For those seeking Nursing CEU Fl requirements, Florida RNs who apply the CE exemption will only need to take the 2-hour Human Trafficking course to renew their license. A Florida RN who is certified will be required to complete just the Human Trafficking 2-hour course to renew your license. Once the exemption is applied, a Florida certified NP is only required to complete both Human Trafficking and Safe and Effective Prescription of Controlled Substances to renew their license. Read more about it Here

Key Continuing Education Areas:

  1. All nurses must complete at least 24 total hours of continuing education during each renewal period.
  2. General CEUs: All nurses must complete 16 hours of general continuing education during each renewal period.
  3. Mandatory CEUs:
    1. HIV/AIDS: 1 hour (only required for the first renewal).
    2. Prevention of Medical Errors: 2 hours.
    3. Laws and Rules: 2 hours on Florida laws and rules related to nursing practice.
    4. Recognizing Impairment in the Workplace: 2 hours.
    5. Human Trafficking: 2 hours.
    6. Domestic Violence: 2 hours (required every third renewal).
    7. 16 general hours of CE per renewal period

Advanced Practice CE Requirements:

APRNs must also complete 30 hours of CE, which includes:

CEUs and Online Course Options

You can meet Florida’s nursing CEU requirements through accredited continuing education providers. Look for approved courses that offer relevant CE credits. Online CE courses are widely accepted and can be a convenient way to meet these requirements from home.When selecting courses, make sure to choose from Florida Board of Nursing-approved CE providers. You can access high-quality CE courses through platforms such as:

These platforms offer courses that fulfill the requirements for Nursing License Renewal FL and Nurse License Renewal FL, including mandatory CE hours in human trafficking, medical errors, and pharmacology.

How to Renew Your Florida Nursing License

To renew your nursing license, you will need to:

  1. Log in to your FL DOH account on the Florida Health Provider Services website.
  2. Submit your completed CEU certificates through CE Broker, which is Florida’s official continuing education tracking system.
  3. Pay the renewal fee via the Florida Board of Nursing website.

You should complete the renewal process well in advance of your expiration date to avoid any disruption to your license and practice.

Important Tips for Timely Nursing License Renewal in FL:

  • Track Your CEU Progress: Regularly update your CE Broker profilewith completed CEU certificates to ensure you meet the requirements for Nursing License Renewal FL.
  • Stay Informed: Renewal requirements may change, so keep an eye on updates from the Florida Board of Nursing.
  • Plan Ahead: Start your CEU coursework early in the renewal cycle to avoid last-minute scrambling. Check to see if you’re eligible to apply the Certified Nurse CE Exemption.

By following this guide, you can ensure a smooth renewal process and maintain your nursing license in Florida. Stay compliant with the Florida Board of Nursing's continuing education mandates, and don’t let your license lapse!

For more information or to begin your CEU coursework, start here: Florida Nursing Package 2024-2026