Wondering how to get your Florida nursing license? The Sunshine State is ripe with opportunities for aspiring and current nurses.
You can get your Florida nursing license by earning your ADN or BSN; passing the NCLEX-RN; and getting hands-on experience. Once you’re licensed, you’ll be ready to apply to one of the many Florida nursing jobs out there.
Here’s your complete guide to getting a Florida nursing license and enjoying a rewarding nursing career.
In this article, we will cover:
- How to get your Florida nursing license
- Florida nursing license information
- Steps for Florida nursing license renewal
- Florida nurse continuing education requirements
- Florida nursing salary average
- Top hospitals in Florida
- Nursing organizations in Florida
- Florida nursing FAQ’s
- Florida board of nursing contact information
How to get your Florida nursing license
Step 1: Education
Attend an accredited nursing school to earn either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). An ADN will take between 18 and 24 months to complete, while you can expect to spend roughly four years to earn a BSN.
If you already have an ADN, there is an ADN to BSN bridge program that allows you to earn a BSN in 12-18 months. There is also an RN to BSN bridge which takes three semesters of nursing courses to be completed in one year.
These programs will save you time and money while furthering your education. The more education you have, the better your chances of landing your dream Florida nursing job.
Step 2: Licensing
When you are six weeks away from graduation, you can apply to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. There are 75 to 265 questions on the NCLEX-RN with a five-hour time limit for completion. If you don’t pass the NCLEX-RN on your first attempt, you’ll need to wait 45 days before you can try again.
The NCLEX includes questions on the following topics to test nursing candidates’ knowledge:
- Safe and effective care environment
- Health promotion and maintenance
- Psychosocial integrity
- Physiological integrity
Step 3: Experience
The next step in the process is to gain hands-on experience. This will provide you with invaluable opportunities to work with patients. And in turn, that makes you attractive to future employers.
Step 4: Certification
The final step is to get certifications for your chosen career. Requirements for earning a certification vary. Check with the governing body for information. Incredible Health offers free courses to get or renew certification requirements. Create a free account to access professional development mandates and get instant certificates.
Florida nursing license information
Below are the fees for becoming a nurse in Florida. For more information, visit the Florida licensing page.
Licensing fees by examination (first-time nurses):
- NCLEX fee: $200
- Application fee: $110
Licensing fees by endorsement (nurses who already have RN licensure):
- Application fee: $110
- APRN dispensing license: $100
License renewal fees:
- Application fee: $75
Florida is a nursing compact state, which allows nurses to hold multi-state licenses.
*Fees are subject to change.
**Most states require a background check, but prices are not always listed.
Steps for Florida nursing license renewal
When your license expires, follow these Florida nursing license renewal requirements.
Verify the status of your license
Visit the Verification page to confirm your license. You’ll need to renew your license every two years to keep practicing.
Complete your Florida nursing continuing education requirements
You can complete your nursing CEUs online, on your schedule, and 100% free with Incredible Health. You’ll need to complete the requirements before your license expires.
Visit the Florida Health Medical Quality Assurance portal
Go to the Florida Renewal Information page to enter your renewal application. Florida is a compact state. If your Primary State of Residency is in another compact state, don’t apply for a Florida nursing license unless you’re declaring Florida as your Primary State of Residency.
Florida nurse continuing education requirements
RN/LPN/APRN: 24 hours every 2 years
As a nurse in Florida, you’ll need to complete the following requirements for continuing education:
- Two hours for medical error/prevention
- Two hours on preventing human trafficking
- Two hours for Florida laws and rules
- Two hours on domestic violence every 3rd renewal
- Two hours on recognition of impairment in the workplace (every other renewal)
- One hour one-time HIV/AIDS
- Three hours on safe and effective prescription of controlled substances, if a prescriber
Earn your CEUs free
Our easy online CE courses are ANCC-accredited and 100% free for nurses.
Florida nursing salary average
From RNs to LPNs to CNAs, nurses are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates this profession will grow by about 9% between 2020-2030. The annual mean wage is $69,510.
We can also help you check out salary estimates to help determine if Florida is the right state for you. Florida is one of the highest-paying states for RN’s. The annual mean wage is $72,000. What’s more, Florida is currently experiencing a nursing shortage, so there are many nursing jobs in Florida looking for qualified professionals. [ MORE: Average nurse salary in Florida ]
[ MORE: Average nurse salary in Florida ]
Top hospitals in Florida
If you’re not already picking up the phone to call movers, maybe this list of the best hospitals in Florida will sway you in the right direction. Here are the top hospitals according to U.S. News and World Report.
Mayo Clinic – Jacksonville, FL
According to U.S. News and World Report, this is the top hospital in Florida. They provide innovative health care with clinical expertise. Mayo Clinic is a member of the Magnet Recognition Program®. Some of this facilities’ top specialties include:
- Lung & colon cancer
- Cardiology & heart surgery
- Diabetes & endocrinology
- Cardiology & heart surgery
- Neurology & neurosurgery
UF Health Shands Hospital – Gainesville, FL
In the U.S. News & World Report’s 2019-20 Best Hospital rankings, UF Health Shands Hospital was among the nation’s best in seven specialties:
- Cancer
- Diabetes & endocrinology
- Gastroenterology & GI surgery
- Geriatrics
- Nephrology
- Pulmonology & lung surgery
- Urology
AdventHealth Orlando – Orlando, FL
This Christian facility’s mission is to provide exceptional and compassionate care. AdventHealth does this through state-of-the-art treatments that help heal the body, ease the mind, and lift the spirit. AdventHealth is a member of the Magnet Recognition Program®. Some specialties include:
- Colon & lung cancers
- Cardiology & heart surgery
- Diabetes
- Nephrology
- Neurology & neurosurgery
*Magnet status – This status is awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). It’s considered the “gold standard” for excellence in nursing practice and care. Hospitals must meet certain criteria and apply to be designated.
Top nursing jobs in Florida on Incredible Health
🏥 Charge Nurse
St. Petersburg, FL | $50,000 to $128,000 /year
🏥 Registered Nurse
Miami Beach, FL | $60,000 to $100,000 /year
🏥 Registered Nurse – Obstetric / Labor & Delivery
Tampa, FL | $49,900 to $80,000 /year
🏥 Registered Nurse – Operating Room / Surgical
Jacksonville, FL | $40,000 to $90,000 /year
🏥 Registered Nurse – Women’s Health
Clearwater, FL | $49,900 to $80,000 /year
Nursing organizations in Florida
A nursing organization or association will give you access to networking, job opportunities, and helpful information. Here are two excellent nurse associations in Florida.
Florida Nurses Association
The Florida Nurses Association works to make the lives of nurses better. They offer professional development, advocacy, and the promotion of excellence in every level of professional nursing practice.
Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners
The Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners works to improve access to health care for Florida’s citizens.Check out this comprehensive list of national organizations for nurses as well.
Florida nursing FAQ’s
Is Florida accepting out-of-state nursing licenses?
If your Primary State of Residence is another compact state and you have a multistate nursing license, you can work as a nurse in Florida.
Is Florida a compact state?
Yes, Florida is a nursing compact state. This means nurses are allowed to hold multi-state licenses.
How do I become a registered nurse in Florida?
You can become a registered nurse in Florida by completing your education (earning an ADN or BSN). Nxt, you’ll need to pass the NCLEX-RN. Finally, get some hands-on experience and obtain certifications before applying for Florida nursing jobs.
How do I keep my Florida nursing license active?
You can keep your Florida nursing license active by completing continuing education hours, and renewing your license when necessary. Florida nurses are required to complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years. After that, you can renew your license.
Find a job with your Florida nursing license
With so many Florida nursing jobs available, it shouldn’t be difficult for a qualified, licensed nurse to find work in this state. Ready to start your job search? Incredible Health can help you locate and land your dream nursing job. Click here to get started today.
Expert advice from nurses like you
Join the free Incredible Health Nurse Community to get career advice, support, and tips from experienced fellow nurses.
Contact information
Florida Board of Nursing
Board office
Phone: (850) 245-4125
Fax: (850) 617-6460
Customer contact
(850) 488-0595
Mailing address:
Department of Health
Board of Nursing
4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin C-02
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3252
Applications and Fees ONLY:
Department of Health
Board of Nursing
PO Box 6330
Tallahassee, FL 32314-6330
Sources:
“NCLEX & Other Exams.” ncsbn.org. Accessed June 7, 2022.
“Licensing and Registration.” floridasnursing.gov. Accessed June 7, 2022.
nursys.com. Accessed June 7, 2022.
“Renewal Information.” floridasnursing.gov. Accessed June 7, 2022.
“Registered Nurses.” bls.gov. Accessed June 7, 2022.
“What You Should Know About the Nursing Shortage in Florida.” herzing.edu. Accessed June 7, 2022.
“Best Hospitals in Florida.” usnews.com. Accessed June 7, 2022.
“Mayo Clinic in Florida.” mayoclinic.org. Accessed June 7, 2022.
“ANCC Magnet Recognition Program.” nursingworld.org. Accessed June 7, 2022.
“UF Health Shands Hospital.” m.ufhealth.org. Accessed June 7, 2022.
“ANCC.” nursingworld.org. Accessed June 7, 2022.
floridanurse.org. Accessed June 7, 2022.
flanp.org. Accessed June 7, 2022.
