How to Get a Nurse (RN/LPN) License in Florida (2026)

Florida Board of Nursing

Florida Board of Nursing

Florida Board of Nursing

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://floridasnursing.gov/registered-nurse-renewal/

Florida Board of Nursing

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://floridasnursing.gov/registered-nurse-renewal/

Florida Board of Nursing

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

RN and LPN first renewals after initial licensure by examination during the biennium are exempt from general CE, but require 2 hours each of medical errors, Florida laws/rules, workplace impairment and human trafficking, plus 1 hour HIV/AIDS.

RN and LPN first renewals after initial licensure by examination during the biennium are exempt from general CE, but require 2 hours each of medical errors, Florida laws/rules, workplace impairment and human trafficking, plus 1 hour HIV/AIDS.

First Biennium Renewal: LPNs and RNs initially licensed by examination during the current biennium are exempt from the general CEU requirements for the first renewal. Those licensees must complete 2 hours of Medical Error, 2 hours in Florida laws and rules, 2 hours of Recognizing Impairment in the Workplace, 2 hours of Human Trafficking, and 1 hour of HIV/AIDS.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Qualifying specialty certification exempts nurses from CE except the 2-hour human-trafficking course; report certification in CE Broker.

Qualifying specialty certification exempts nurses from CE except the 2-hour human-trafficking course; report certification in CE Broker.

A nurse who is certified by a health care specialty program accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies or the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification is exempt from continuing education requirements. This must be reported to the Department’s tracking system powered by CE Broker. The CE exemption based on certification does not apply to the 2 hr Human Trafficking course requirement.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Timely active-to-active RN renewal is $75.

Timely active-to-active RN renewal is $75.

If renewing BEFORE your license expires, your fees will be: Active to Active | $75.00

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Timely active-to-active LPN renewal is $75. LPN instructions: https://floridasnursing.gov/licensed-practical-nurse-renewal/

Timely active-to-active LPN renewal is $75. LPN instructions: https://floridasnursing.gov/licensed-practical-nurse-renewal/

If renewing BEFORE your license expires, your fees will be: Active to Active | $75.00

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

The $110 Board charge combines application and licensing; the $200 testing charge is separate. Livescan provider fees vary.

The $110 Board charge combines application and licensing; the $200 testing charge is separate. Livescan provider fees vary.

$110.00 Application and Licensing Fee to Board of Nursing $200.00 to Pearson VUE, Testing Vendor Fee varies for Livescan Service Provider

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

The Board lists July 31, 2027 as the current LPN license expiration date.

The Board lists July 31, 2027 as the current LPN license expiration date.

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) are renewed by the department; current licenses will expire at midnight, Eastern Standard Time, on July 31, 2027.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

LPN renewal requires background screening or retention of current fingerprints. A $43.25 fingerprint-retention charge applies when retention expires during the licensure cycle.

LPN renewal requires background screening or retention of current fingerprints. A $43.25 fingerprint-retention charge applies when retention expires during the licensure cycle.

Complete a mandatory background screening or retain* your current fingerprints. Authorized under section 456.0135(6)(1), Florida Statutes, a $43.25 fee is required for FDLE to retain your fingerprints for background screening during this licensure cycle. This fee is collected at the time of licensure renewal if your fingerprint retention is expiring during this licensure period.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Regular renewal requires 24 hours, including medical-error prevention (2), Florida laws and rules (2), human trafficking (2 each biennium), and recognizing workplace impairment (2 every other renewal). Domestic violence adds 2 hours every third biennium; HIV/AIDS is a one-time 1-hour first-renewal requirement.

Regular renewal requires 24 hours, including medical-error prevention (2), Florida laws and rules (2), human trafficking (2 each biennium), and recognizing workplace impairment (2 every other renewal). Domestic violence adds 2 hours every third biennium; HIV/AIDS is a one-time 1-hour first-renewal requirement.

Prevention of Medical Errors | 2 Florida Laws & Rules | 2 Recognizing Impairment in the Workplace | 2 2 hour course completion is required every other renewal. Human Trafficking | 2 complete the Human Trafficking course every renewal/biennium Domestic Violence is required every third biennium and the hours are in addition to the 24 hours required for renewal. HIV/AIDS is a one-time requirement prior to the first renewal.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Nurses may practice in Florida under a valid multistate license from another compact state; those practicing on that privilege follow the issuing state's fees and CE requirements.

Nurses may practice in Florida under a valid multistate license from another compact state; those practicing on that privilege follow the issuing state's fees and CE requirements.

Nurses are eligible to work in Florida when they hold a valid multistate license from another Compact State If you are a nurse practicing in Florida under the privilege of a different party state license, you are not required to pay any fees or complete continuing education requirements for the State of Florida.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Licensees of the Florida Board of Nursing are required to renew their licenses biennially to maintain the right to practice.

2

Licensees of the Florida Board of Nursing are required to renew their licenses biennially in order to maintain the right to practice.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

$110

110

$110.00 Application and Licensing Fee to Board of Nursing

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

$200

200

$200.00 to Pearson VUE, Testing Vendor

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Qualify through an approved/accredited nursing program or another Board-recognized route. LPN applicants in an RN program may use the Practical Nursing Equivalency option after equivalent coursework.

Qualify through an approved/accredited nursing program or another Board-recognized route. LPN applicants in an RN program may use the Practical Nursing Equivalency option after equivalent coursework.

Graduation from a Florida approved or accredited nursing education program as defined in Section 464.003, F.S. Graduation from a nursing education program that is approved or recognized by the jurisdiction in which it is based and that has been issued an NCLEX code by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). For LPN applicants: Applicants currently in an RN program who have completed coursework equivalent to the LPN can apply for an LPN license under the Practical Nursing Equivalency (PNEQ) option. Additional documentation will be required at time of application.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Examination applicants must pass the NCLEX.

Examination applicants must pass the NCLEX.

After you pass the NCLEX and all licensure requirements have been met, your initial license will be issued.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Expiration dates: Group 1, April 30, 2028; Group 2, July 31, 2028; Group 3, April 30, 2027. The source specifies midnight Eastern Standard Time.

Group 1 – current license will expire at midnight, Eastern Standard Time, April 30, 2028 Group 2 – current license will expire at midnight, Eastern Standard Time, July 31, 2028 Group 3 – current license will expire at midnight, Eastern Standard Time, April 30, 2027 Applies to: Florida RN renewal groups as posted by the Board; LPN timing is documented separately.

Registered Nurses (RN) are renewed by the department in three groups: Group 1 – current license will expire at midnight, Eastern Standard Time, April 30, 2028 Group 2 – current license will expire at midnight, Eastern Standard Time, July 31, 2028 Group 3 – current license will expire at midnight, Eastern Standard Time, April 30, 2027

Last verified Oct 25, 2026