LICENSURE RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS

[This section is taken from F.A.C. 64B9-1, Organization; F.A.C. 64B9-5, Continuing education requirements; F.A.C. 64B9-6, Inactive status and reactivation of inactive license; and F.A.C. 64B9-7, Fees.]

Florida nursing licenses are monitored by the Florida Board of Nursing and required to be renewed every two years (biennium) (FBON, 2020c).

Continuing Education

During each biennium, one contact hour of continuing education must be earned for each calendar month of the licensure cycle. Those persons licensed by examination within a biennium are exempt from the continuing education requirement for that biennium. A registered nurse who also holds a current license as a licensed practical nurse may satisfy the continuing education requirement for renewal of both licenses by completing appropriate continuing education for a registered nurse.

Licensees must report all CE course completions before license renewal. CE Broker is the official CE tracking system for all Florida healthcare professionals. The Florida BON encourages logging CE into the tracking system before applying for renewal to ensure information is both accurate and complete (FBON, 2020c).

All licensees must complete the following continuing education courses as a part of the 24 hours required for online renewal:

  • 2-hour course on human trafficking
  • 1-hour course on HIV/AIDS for the first renewal only
  • 2-hour course in prevention of medical errors each renewal
  • 2-hour course in Florida laws and rules each renewal
  • 2-hour course in recognizing impairment in the workplace every renewal
  • 2-hour course in domestic violence every third renewal
    (FBON, 2020d)
EXEMPTIONS FOR ARMED FORCES MEMBERS

Armed Forces members are exempt from some licensure requirements when certain conditions are met, including:

  • Being an active-duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces
  • Holding a Florida license as a healthcare practitioner in good standing
  • Working as a healthcare practitioner prior to joining the Armed Forces

If exempt, the member of the Armed Forces would not be required to renew a license, pay license renewal fees, update address, or perform any other licensure maintenance act (FBON, 2020e).

Status

Each person holding a license issued pursuant to F.S. 464 must maintain on file with the FBON the current address at which any notice required by law may be served by the Board or its agent. Within 60 days of changing this address, whether or not within this state, the licensee shall notify the Board in writing of the new address at which the licensee may be served with notices or other documents. Each person holding a license issued pursuant to F.S. 464 must maintain on file with the Board of Nursing the current place of practice.

DELINQUENT STATUS

A license to practice nursing which is not renewed at the end of the prescribed biennium shall automatically revert to delinquent status. To renew the license, the licensee must demonstrate completion of all continuing education required by F.A.C. 64B9-5 and must pay the delinquency fee prescribed in F.A.C. 64B9-7.001. A delinquent license not renewed in the first delinquent licensure cycle is rendered null, and any subsequent licensure can only be obtained by applying for and meeting all requirements imposed on an applicant for new licensure (FS 456.036).

INACTIVE STATUS

A licensee may apply to the Department to place their license on inactive status. The application shall be made on forms provided by the BON and shall be accompanied by an application fee for inactive status in the amount specified in F.A.C. 64B9-7.001. Applications for inactive status will be considered by the Department only during the biennium license renewal period. Inactive status must also be renewed each biennium (FBON, 2020f).

Pursuant to F.S. 464.016(1)(a), it is unlawful to practice nursing with an inactive or delinquent license.