Registered Nurse / Florida
2026 data Florida board official source

Florida Registered Nurse License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides patient care, administers medications, and coordinates with physicians. Requires NCLEX-RN exam.

What the Florida data shows for Registered Nurses

To practice as a registered nurse in Florida, the state licensing board requires 2,622 documented education or training hours, a passing score on NCLEX-RN. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Florida's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing".

Upfront cost is $100, with renewal running $65 on a 2-year cycle. Expect roughly 4 weeks of processing once a complete application is submitted. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 24 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

For registered nurses, the reciprocity picture is: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
41/100
Registered Nurse · Florida

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
2,622 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$184
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$64/yr
$128 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Florida

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing
2,622 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-RN
Required
Initial License Fee
$184
Renewal Fee
$128
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Processing Time
After complete application submitted
4 wks
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Compare fees across all states for Registered Nurse →

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Registered Nurse All Florida licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Florida licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Registered Nurse in Florida? ▼
Florida's requirements cover 2622 hours of education or training, the NCLEX-RN exam, and an initial fee of $184. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Registered Nurse in Florida? ▼
Florida licenses registered nurses who complete its requirements (2622 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Florida licensing board.
Can I transfer my Registered Nurse license to Florida from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for registered nurses nationally works like this: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Florida. Verify the specifics with the Florida licensing board.
Does Florida require a background check for Registered Nurse licensing? ▼
Yes, Florida requires a criminal background check as part of the registered nurse licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Registered Nurse in Florida? ▼
Florida ties continued registered nurse licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $128 renewal fee.
How much does it cost to get a Registered Nurse license in Florida? ▼
The initial licensing fee in Florida is $100. The renewal fee is $65 every 2 years. Processing typically takes 4 weeks after submitting your complete application.
How long does Registered Nurse license processing take in Florida? ▼
In Florida, license processing for registered nurses typically takes approximately 4 weeks after your complete application is submitted. Processing times may vary based on application volume and completeness of documentation.

Related Guides

What to do with this registered nurse license

Registered Nurse in Florida, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a registered nurse-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Florida's registered nurse requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Registered Nurse in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state registered nurse license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Florida's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Florida overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Florida licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.