LICENSURE RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS

[This section is taken from F.A.C. 64B9-1, Organization and F.A.C. 64B9-5, Continuing education requirements.]

Florida nursing licenses are regulated by the Florida Board of Nursing and required to be renewed every two years (FBON, 2023c).

Continuing Education

During each biennium, one contact hour of continuing education (CE) 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 continuing education course completions during the license renewal application process. CE Broker is the official CE tracking system for all Florida healthcare professionals. The FBON encourages logging CE into the tracking system before applying for renewal to ensure information is both accurate and complete (FBON, 2023c).

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, 2023d)
EXEMPTIONS FOR ARMED FORCES MEMBERS

Armed Forces members are offered additional licensure support by the Florida Department of Health, including:

  • Renewal exemptions for active duty service members holding a healthcare license in Florida
  • Temporary licensure for spouses of active duty service members who possess a valid license in another state, the District of Columbia, or any possession or territory of the United States
  • Veterans and spouses who apply through the Veterans Application for Licensure Online Response process receive a waiver of most licensing fees

(FDH, 2023)

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 that 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 (Florida Legislature, 2023e).

INACTIVE STATUS

Inactive status means the licensee is not working in Florida but might again in the future and has paid “inactive status” renewal fees. Pursuant to F.S. 464.016(1)(a), it is considered a felony to practice nursing without an active license or certificate. There is no CE documentation required per biennium, but if the licensee goes back to active status, the cumulative total of CEs for the inactive period must be accounted for. This status must be renewed each biennium (FBON, 2023e).