Florida Nursing License Renewal: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Back to Blog
Authored by Dr. Pam Vollmer, DNP, RN, AMB-BC, NPD-BC, CEO and Director of Content at CE Ready
What nurses need to know
Florida nursing licenses renew every two years through the Florida Department of Health’s MQA Online Services portal. RNs and LPNs must complete 27 contact hours of CE before renewal. APRNs need 30 hours. CE completions are tracked and reported through CE Broker, and nurses must verify their status in CE Broker before submitting a renewal application. Starting July 1, 2025, all nurses renewing their Florida license must also complete a Level 2 background screening through fingerprinting if they have not previously done so. Renewal fees vary by license type and whether the renewal is on time or late. The Florida Board of Nursing does not process renewals with incomplete CE or unresolved background screening requirements. CE Ready is an ANCC-accredited CE provider (P0986) based in Florida offering state-approved CE packages for RNs, LPNs, and APRNs, with automatic CE Broker reporting.
Florida nursing license renewal has more moving parts than most nurses expect. CE hours are just one piece of it. You also need to track your expiration date, confirm your fingerprint status, verify CE Broker reporting, and submit through the right portal — all before your license lapses. Miss one step and your renewal stalls. This guide walks you through the entire process in order so you’re ready when your renewal window opens.
Know Your License Expiration Date
The first step in any renewal cycle is knowing exactly when your license expires. In Florida, expiration dates depend on your license type.
LPN licenses expire on July 31 of odd-numbered years. Every Florida LPN shares this date, which makes LPN renewal season predictable and concentrated.
RN and APRN licenses expire on the last day of your birth month in either an even or odd year, depending on when you were initially licensed. Two RNs born in the same month may have different renewal years based on their licensure dates.
The most reliable way to confirm your expiration date is to log into your MQA Online Services account through the Florida Department of Health. Your license information is displayed there along with your current status.
Don’t rely on renewal notices alone. The Florida Board of Nursing mails notices, but if your address is outdated in the system, you may not receive them. Keeping your contact information current in MQA Online Services is your responsibility — and it directly affects whether you receive renewal reminders.
Step 1: Understand Your CE Requirements
Before you complete a single course, make sure you know exactly what your state requires. Florida CE requirements for license renewal are specific and non-negotiable.
RNs and LPNs need 27 contact hours every two years. APRNs need 30 contact hours. Within those totals, specific mandatory topics are required. These include prevention of medical errors (2 hours), Florida laws and rules of nursing (2 hours), recognizing impairment in the workplace (2 hours), HIV/AIDS (1 hour, one-time), and human trafficking (1 hour, every cycle for nurses with direct patient contact). Domestic violence education (2 hours) is required every six years. APRNs with prescriptive authority must also complete 3 hours on the safe and effective prescribing of controlled substances.
For a full breakdown of CE hours, mandatory topics, and what counts as an approved course, see our Florida Nurse CEU Requirements guide.
One important note: some outdated sources still list 24 hours for RNs and LPNs. That number is incorrect. The current requirement is 27. Stopping at 24 hours means your renewal application will not be processed.
Step 2: Complete Your CE Through an Approved Provider
Once you know your requirements, choose an approved CE provider and complete your courses. Florida accepts CE from ANCC-accredited providers and from providers specifically approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. Both types satisfy renewal requirements.
ANCC accreditation is the national quality standard for nursing CE. Choosing an ANCC-accredited provider means your courses are accepted by the Florida Board without question, and they’ll be recognized if you ever need to transfer hours to another state.
Complete your CE with enough time to spare before your expiration date. Aim to finish at least 60 days early. This gives you time to confirm CE Broker reporting, address any discrepancies, and submit your renewal application before the deadline — not the day of it.
CE Ready is an ANCC-accredited provider (P0986) based in Florida. The Florida RN and LPN CE Package covers all 27 required hours including every mandatory topic. The Florida APRN CE Package covers the full 30 hours including the controlled substances prescribing requirement.
Step 3: Verify Your CE Broker Record
Florida uses CE Broker to track and verify CE completions. When you complete a course from a CE Broker-integrated provider, your hours are reported automatically — usually within 24 to 48 hours. When you submit your renewal application, the Florida Board pulls your CE record directly from CE Broker.
After completing your CE, log into CE Broker and confirm that all your hours appear correctly. Check that:
- The total number of contact hours is accurate
- All mandatory topics are recorded with the correct hour amounts
- Each entry reflects the correct completion date
If hours are missing, contact your CE provider first. They may need to resubmit the report. If you completed CE through a provider that doesn’t report to CE Broker, you’ll need to self-report those hours manually in your CE Broker account.
Keep your completion certificates regardless of CE Broker status. The Florida Board conducts random audits, and certificates provide documentation if your records are ever questioned. Store digital and physical copies for at least four years.
Step 4: Confirm Your Fingerprint and Background Screening Status
Starting July 1, 2025, all Florida healthcare practitioners — including LPNs, RNs, and APRNs — must complete a Level 2 background screening as part of license renewal if they have not previously done so. This screening involves electronic fingerprint submission through an approved Livescan provider.
Fingerprint retention lasts five years. If you were fingerprinted for initial licensure or a prior renewal, check your retention status in the CHAI system to confirm your fingerprints are still active. If retention has expired or you’ve never been fingerprinted under the new requirements, you’ll need to complete a new screening before your license can renew.
The Florida Board of Nursing will not process a renewal application until background screening requirements are confirmed as complete in the system. Don’t leave this step until the last week — background screening results can take several business days to process, and Livescan appointments may be limited during peak renewal periods.
For a full walkthrough of the fingerprinting process, ORI numbers, CHAI registration, and out-of-state options, see the Florida Nurse Fingerprint Requirements guide.
Step 5: Submit Your Renewal Application
Once your CE is complete, CE Broker reflects the correct totals, and your background screening status is confirmed, you’re ready to submit your renewal application. Renewal applications are submitted through the Florida Department of Health’s MQA Online Services portal.
The renewal window opens approximately 90 days before your license expires. You can submit as soon as the window opens — there’s no advantage to waiting. Earlier submission gives you more time to resolve anything that comes up during processing.
When you submit, you’ll be asked to:
- Attest that you’ve completed the required CE hours
- Confirm your personal and professional information is current
- Pay the renewal fee
- Confirm background screening compliance
You do not submit CE certificates or background screening documentation with your application — the Board accesses those records directly through CE Broker and the screening clearinghouse. Your attestation carries legal weight, so make sure everything is in order before you submit.
Florida Nursing License Renewal Fees
Renewal fees vary by license type and timing. Current fees from the Florida Board of Nursing:
| License Type | On-Time Renewal Fee | Late Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|
| LPN | $80 | Significantly higher — contact Board |
| RN | $80 | Significantly higher — contact Board |
| APRN | $110 | Significantly higher — contact Board |
If your license lapses before renewal is complete, late fees apply and your license becomes inactive. You cannot legally practice on an inactive license. Additionally, if your fingerprint retention has expired, a $43.25 retention fee is added to your renewal costs. First-time fingerprinting through a Livescan provider adds an additional $30 to $75 depending on the vendor.
Always verify current fees on the Florida Board of Nursing website before submitting, as fees are subject to change.
First-Time Renewal: What New Nurses Need to Know
If this is your first Florida nursing license renewal, a few specific rules apply.
Florida nurses who are initially licensed by examination during the current biennium may have a reduced CE requirement for their first renewal. The CE hours required are prorated based on how long your license has been active — approximately one hour per month. However, the mandatory topics still apply: medical errors, Florida laws and rules, recognizing impairment, and human trafficking (for nurses with direct patient contact) must be included regardless of how many total hours are required.
Your first renewal still requires CE Broker reporting and background screening compliance. The proration only affects total hours, not the process itself.
If you’re unsure how many hours your first renewal requires, contact the Florida Board of Nursing directly or check your MQA account, which may display your CE requirement for the current renewal period.
What Happens If Your License Lapses
If you miss your renewal deadline, your license becomes delinquent and eventually inactive. The Florida Department of Health does not allow practice on an inactive or expired license. Doing so constitutes a violation of Florida law and can result in disciplinary action.
To reinstate a lapsed license, you’ll need to complete all CE requirements, pay any applicable late fees, and potentially meet additional reinstatement criteria depending on how long the license has been inactive. The longer you wait, the more complex reinstatement becomes.
If you realize your renewal deadline is approaching and you haven’t started yet, act immediately. Complete CE first, then confirm background screening status, then submit. Even if you’re close to the deadline, acting quickly is better than letting the license expire.
Nurses with Compact Licenses
Florida participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows RNs and LPNs to practice in multiple states with a single multistate license. If Florida is your primary state of residence, your Florida license serves as your compact license, and Florida’s CE and renewal requirements apply.
If you hold a compact license from another state and practice in Florida, you renew your license in your home state and meet that state’s requirements — not Florida’s. However, Florida law still governs your practice while in the state.
APRNs should note that the NLC applies to RN and LPN licenses only. APRN licensure remains state-specific. Florida APRNs must renew their Florida APRN license through the standard Florida renewal process regardless of compact participation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Nursing License Renewal
When should I start the renewal process?
Start at least 90 days before your expiration date. This gives you time to complete CE, confirm CE Broker reporting, verify your fingerprint status, and submit your application without rushing.
Can I practice while my renewal application is pending?
If you submitted your renewal before your license expired and the application is under review, you can typically continue practicing. However, if your license has lapsed, you cannot practice until renewal is complete. When in doubt, contact the Florida Board of Nursing for clarification on your specific situation.
Do I need to submit my CE certificates with my renewal application?
No. CE completions are verified through CE Broker, and the Board accesses those records directly. You do not submit certificates with your application, but you should keep them for at least four years in case of an audit.
What if my name or address has changed since my last renewal?
Update your personal information in your MQA Online Services account before submitting your renewal application. The Florida Department of Health requires that your practitioner profile reflect your current contact information. Updates can be made electronically through the MQA portal.
What is the Florida Board of Nursing’s phone number?
You can reach the Florida Board of Nursing through the MQA call center at (850) 488-0595 or via email at MQA.Nursing@flhealth.gov. For application status questions, use MQA.NursingAppstatus@flhealth.gov.
Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding disciplinary matter?
Disciplinary matters may affect your ability to renew. Contact the Florida Board of Nursing directly if you have an open case or unresolved disciplinary action. Submitting a renewal application does not resolve or supersede active disciplinary proceedings.
Complete Your Florida Renewal CE with CE Ready
CE Ready is an ANCC-accredited provider (P0986) based in Florida, offering CE packages built specifically for Florida nursing license renewal. Our Florida RN and LPN CE Package covers all 27 required hours including every mandatory topic. Our Florida APRN CE Package covers the full 30 hours including the controlled substances requirement. Both packages are self-paced, mobile-friendly, and report automatically to CE Broker.
The CE piece of your renewal doesn’t have to be the stressful part. Browse Florida CE packages at CE Ready and get that checked off your list today.
References
- Florida Board of Nursing. (2024). Licensing and Renewals. https://floridasnursing.gov/licensing-renewals/
- Florida Board of Nursing. (2024). Continuing Education Requirements. https://floridasnursing.gov/continuing-education-ce/
- Florida Department of Health. (2025). HB 975 Background Screening Requirement. https://flhealthsource.gov/hb-975s-new-background-screening-requirement/
- Florida Department of Health. (2024). MQA Online Services. https://mqa-internet.doh.state.fl.us/MQAOnlineServices/Index.aspx
- CE Broker. (2024). For Licensees. https://cebroker.com/
- Nurse Licensure Compact. (2024). About the NLC. https://www.nursecompact.com/
- American Nurses Credentialing Center. (2024). Accreditation. https://www.nursingworld.org/ancc/
- Florida Statutes, Chapter 464 — Nursing. http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0464/0464.html