Is Florida a compact (multistate) nursing state?

Yes. Florida is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact and has issued multistate licenses since the enhanced NLC took effect on January 19, 2018. A nurse who declares Florida as their primary state of residence can apply for a multistate license and practice in other compact states.

Who regulates nursing licenses in Florida?

The Florida Board of Nursing, part of the Florida Department of Health, regulates licensure and practice for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses in the state.

How do I register for the NCLEX in Florida?

Apply for licensure with the Florida Board of Nursing, then register for the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN with NCSBN and pay the exam fee. After the board finds you eligible you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) and can schedule your exam at a Pearson VUE test center. NCLEX is administered by NCSBN and delivered through Pearson VUE; NursingCEA is not affiliated with either.

How do I verify a Florida nursing license?

Use the Florida Department of Health's MQA license verification portal to look up a licensee by name or license number. Multistate compact licenses can also be confirmed through the national Nursys verification system.

What are some nursing schools in Florida?

Florida nursing programs include the University of Florida College of Nursing in Gainesville, the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, the University of South Florida College of Nursing in Tampa, and Florida State University College of Nursing in Tallahassee.

FL· Nursing licensure & NCLEX prep

NCLEX practice questions for Florida nurses & students

Nursing in Florida is regulated by the Florida Board of Nursing, which sits within the Florida Department of Health in Tallahassee and issues both single-state and multistate licenses. The state's large hospital systems — AdventHealth in the Orlando area, Baptist Health South Florida and Jackson Health System in Miami, Tampa General Hospital, and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville — make it one of the country's busiest markets for RNs and LPNs. Because Florida is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, a nurse whose primary residence is Florida can hold one multistate license and practice across other compact states.

Study mode explains each answer the moment you submit it; timed mode scores you at the end. Practice logged out, or create an account to save scores and track weak areas by topic.

Board of Nursing: Florida Board of Nursing
Compact status: Nurse Licensure Compact member
License verification: Verify a Florida nursing license

Take the mixed practice exam Read the study guides

Nurse Licensure Compact

Nurse Licensure Compact member

Florida enacted the Nurse Licensure Compact and began issuing multistate licenses when the enhanced NLC took effect on January 19, 2018.

Who regulates nursing

Florida Board of Nursing

Nursing licensure in Florida is set by the Florida Board of Nursing, Florida Department of Health. For official, current requirements, use the board directly.

Verify a nursing license

How to register for the NCLEX in Florida

1. Apply for licensure by examination with the Florida Board of Nursing and meet its eligibility requirements.
2. Register for the NCLEX with Pearson VUE and pay the exam fee.
3. Once the board finds you eligible, you receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) and schedule at a Pearson VUE test center.
4.Use NursingCEA’s topic quizzes and study guides to prepare in the meantime.

Nursing schools in Florida

A few of the nursing programs based in Florida:

University of Florida College of Nursing (Gainesville)
University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies
University of South Florida College of Nursing (Tampa)
Florida State University College of Nursing (Tallahassee)

License renewal & continuing education in Florida

License renewal: every two years
RN continuing education: 24 contact hours of continuing education per biennial renewal, including the mandated topic courses listed below.
Required topics: Prevention of medical errors (2 contact hours, each renewal), Florida laws and rules (2 contact hours, each renewal), Human trafficking (2 contact hours, each renewal), Recognizing impairment in the workplace (2 contact hours, every other renewal), Domestic violence (2 contact hours, every third biennial renewal), HIV/AIDS (1 contact hour, one-time requirement)

CE is reported through CE Broker; mandated courses (except human trafficking) must use a Florida Board of Nursing–approved provider. Confirm current requirements with the board.

Florida Board of Nursing renewal details How nursing CE works

NursingCEA does not provide continuing-education credit, contact hours, or certificates — we offer free practice questions and study material only. Requirements are set by the Florida Board of Nursing and change over time; always confirm the current rules with the board.

Florida nursing & NCLEX — frequently asked

: Yes. Florida is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact and has issued multistate licenses since the enhanced NLC took effect on January 19, 2018. A nurse who declares Florida as their primary state of residence can apply for a multistate license and practice in other compact states.
: The Florida Board of Nursing, part of the Florida Department of Health, regulates licensure and practice for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses in the state.
: Apply for licensure with the Florida Board of Nursing, then register for the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN with NCSBN and pay the exam fee. After the board finds you eligible you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) and can schedule your exam at a Pearson VUE test center. NCLEX is administered by NCSBN and delivered through Pearson VUE; NursingCEA is not affiliated with either.
: Use the Florida Department of Health's MQA license verification portal to look up a licensee by name or license number. Multistate compact licenses can also be confirmed through the national Nursys verification system.
: Florida nursing programs include the University of Florida College of Nursing in Gainesville, the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, the University of South Florida College of Nursing in Tampa, and Florida State University College of Nursing in Tallahassee.

Free · no spam

Get a free high-yield NCLEX question every week

One carefully written practice question plus a short study tip, emailed weekly. Unsubscribe anytime — we never share your address.

All material on this site is original and for practice and study only — it is not official licensure guidance. For current licensure requirements, rely on the Florida Board of Nursing. NursingCEA is not affiliated with the Florida Board of Nursing.

Free NCLEX prep for Floridanurses & students

Licensure is the paperwork; the NCLEX is the hurdle. Everything you need to prepare in Florida is free here — no account needed to start.

Free NCLEX practice test

A full-length practice exam across all eight nursing topics — every answer explained and cited to a clinical source.

Study guides by topic

High-yield concepts and the key values worth memorizing before you drill the questions.

Nursing CE & license renewal

How continuing education and license renewal work once you’re licensed — the rules by state, explained.

Practice questions by topic

Eight topic quizzes with a cited rationale on every question — pick one to study it in depth.

PHARM

Pharmacology

MEDSURG

Medical-Surgical

PEDS

Pediatrics

OB & Maternity

PSYCH

Mental Health

FUND

Fundamentals

DOSE

Dosage Calculations

LEAD

Leadership & Management