Direct answer
The standard RN framework totals 24 hours per biennium, with required subject areas and additional periodic courses.
Florida factual snapshot for this workflow
| Reviewed item | Jurisdiction-specific detail |
|---|---|
| Authority | Florida Board of Nursing |
| Public verification | Florida Department of Health Verify a License |
| Renewal cycle | Biennial, with RN cohorts assigned different expiration dates |
| Renewal deadline | Renew by the expiration date shown for the nurse’s assigned group. |
| Continuing competence | The standard RN framework totals 24 hours per biennium, with required subject areas and additional periodic courses. |
| Fees | Active-to-active before expiration: $75. |
| Compact status | Compact jurisdiction |
| Credentials | LPN, RN, APRN, CNA |
| Phone | 850-488-0595 |
| Physical location | 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-02, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3252 |
3 primary official source records and 7 labeled official destinations support this jurisdiction guide. Source verification dates are shown separately from editorial release dates.
Continuing education or continuing competence rule
The standard RN framework totals 24 hours per biennium, with required subject areas and additional periodic courses.
Mandatory topics, pathways and conditions
- 16 general hours.
- 2 hours prevention of medical errors.
- 2 hours Florida laws and rules.
- 2 hours recognizing impairment every other renewal.
- 2 hours human trafficking each biennium.
- Domestic violence and HIV/AIDS apply on their stated schedules.
Credential-specific checks
Florida routing note: Florida’s Board of Nursing operates within the Department of Health’s Medical Quality Assurance system. Public verification, application status and MQA account services are separate routes.
For Florida, lPN: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
For Florida, rN: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
For Florida, aPRN: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
For Florida, cNA: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
Florida LPN: verify that the Florida Board of Nursing record or the specifically named registry shows the credential, current status and any separate approval required for the role. Renewal or competence requirements may differ from other Florida credentials.
Florida RN: verify that the Florida Board of Nursing record or the specifically named registry shows the credential, current status and any separate approval required for the role. Renewal or competence requirements may differ from other Florida credentials.
Florida APRN: verify that the Florida Board of Nursing record or the specifically named registry shows the credential, current status and any separate approval required for the role. Renewal or competence requirements may differ from other Florida credentials.
Florida CNA: verify that the Florida Board of Nursing record or the specifically named registry shows the credential, current status and any separate approval required for the role. Renewal or competence requirements may differ from other Florida credentials.
Keep evidence for an audit
CE is reported to the Department through the state tracking system; do not mail certificates unless specifically requested.
- Keep certificates and provider details for the published retention period.
- Confirm course completion falls inside the correct renewal period.
- Do not assume RN and APRN requirements are identical.
- Check whether the provider reports electronically or whether you must upload documentation.
Common CE problems
CE or competence is not accepted
Compare the course, provider, date, credential and documentation with the exact Florida rule: The standard RN framework totals 24 hours per biennium, with required subject areas and additional periodic courses. Retain evidence and use the authority’s upload or audit instructions.
Wrong credential rule
Return to the official source and match RN, LPN/LVN, APRN, first-renewal, certificate or assistant requirements before purchasing additional coursework.
Course not accepted
Confirm provider approval, topic, completion date and documentation against the authority instructions. A generic completion certificate does not prove acceptance.
Fraud and privacy safety
- Begin every Florida transaction from a reviewed authority domain (floridasnursing.gov) or a source-reviewed link on this guide.
- Do not give a caller payment-card details, a password or a one-time code merely because the caller claims to represent Florida Board of Nursing.
- If threatened with immediate suspension or arrest, end the call and verify the issue through 850-488-0595 or the secure Florida account.
- For Florida, use NCSBN License Verification Guidance to confirm current status rather than a private lookup page or emailed screenshot.
- Upload identity, background, education or legal documents only through a secure method explicitly named by Florida Board of Nursing.
- Before paying, verify the credential, transaction and amount against the current Florida instructions; save the receipt and then verify the public record.
- For Florida, report a suspected licensing impersonation or phishing attempt to the authority and the relevant consumer-protection or law-enforcement channel.
Frequently asked questions
How much continuing education is required in Florida?
The standard RN framework totals 24 hours per biennium, with required subject areas and additional periodic courses.
Are there mandatory topics?
16 general hours. 2 hours prevention of medical errors. 2 hours Florida laws and rules. 2 hours recognizing impairment every other renewal.
Should I keep completion records?
CE is reported to the Department through the state tracking system; do not mail certificates unless specifically requested.
Can CE rules differ by credential?
Yes. RN, LPN/LVN, APRN, first-renewal, assistant and certificate-specific rules can differ.
What if CE does not appear in my account?
Compare the course, provider, date, credential and documentation with the exact Florida rule: The standard RN framework totals 24 hours per biennium, with required subject areas and additional periodic courses. Retain evidence and use the authority’s upload or audit instructions.
Can I use any online course?
No. Confirm accepted providers, course categories, mandatory topics and completion dates before purchasing a course.
Is CE always required for every renewal?
Not necessarily. Some jurisdictions use practice hours, competency pathways, exemptions or credential-specific requirements. Use the exact official rule.
Where do I verify CE information?
Use the official continuing education or competence source listed in the official-resource directory.
Source-reviewed official resources
Nursys Verification for Florida RN/LPN ↗
Florida directs RN and LPN license verification through Nursys.
Current primary official source · July 28, 2026Registered Nurse Renewal ↗
RN requirements, process, fees and CE
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Florida Board of Nursing ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Nurse Licensure Compact ↗
National compact resource used with the Florida status recorded as Compact jurisdiction; individual eligibility depends on the actual license designation and primary state of residence.
National official source · July 28, 2026NCLEX Official Website ↗
Official NCLEX information for examination candidates applying through Florida Board of Nursing; passing the exam does not itself create a Florida license.
National official source · July 28, 2026NCSBN License Verification Guidance ↗
National licensing guidance used to interpret verification categories; the local Florida source remains Florida Department of Health Verify a License.
National official source · July 28, 2026Nursys QuickConfirm and e-Notify ↗
National participating-board service used alongside Florida Department of Health Verify a License for Florida; follow Florida Board of Nursing instructions for endorsement or monitoring.
National official service · July 28, 2026Official sources reviewed
Florida Board of Nursing ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Registered Nurse Renewal ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Nursing Licensing ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026