State of Florida
Florida.
Updated 2026
Contact hours
For RN renewal, every 2 years
24
Mandatory topics
For RN renewal, topics
5
Online CE
For RN renewal, fully accepted
Yes
¶ Florida requires registered nurses to complete 24 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years to maintain an active license. CE requirements apply to all renewal periods, including the first renewal after initial licensure.
Nursing in Florida.
Florida has approximately 340,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of over 23 million, making it the third-largest state by both population and nursing workforce. Major health systems include AdventHealth, Baptist Health, and HCA Florida Healthcare. Florida's large retiree population creates substantial demand for nurses skilled in geriatric and chronic disease management.
Florida requires nurses to complete continuing education requirements including mandatory courses in prevention of medical errors (2 hours every renewal), recognizing impairment in the workplace (2 hours one time), domestic violence (2 hours one time), and HIV/AIDS (1 hour one time). Florida also requires human trafficking education. The total CE requirement varies based on how many mandatory topics apply to each nurse.
Common practice settings
Senior Living Communities
Florida leads the nation in retirement communities and skilled nursing facilities, creating high demand for gerontological expertise.
Tourist Area Hospitals
Orlando, Miami, and Tampa hospitals see diverse patient populations and seasonal fluctuations in census.
Home Health
Florida's large elderly population creates substantial demand for home health nursing services.
Renewal tips
01
Complete your prevention of medical errors course every renewal cycle.
02
Track which one-time mandatory courses you have completed.
03
Florida requires CE providers to be approved by the Board of Nursing.
04
Keep certificates for 4 years following each renewal period.
The Nurse Licensure Compact in Florida
Florida is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, which took effect January 1, 2019. Nurses with a Florida multistate license can practice in other compact states, valuable given Florida's large travel nursing industry and nurses relocating from other states.
Read the compact license guide→The requirements, by license
Every license type,side by side.
Hours, cycles, mandatory topics, exemptions. Switch between RN, LPN, APRN and the four advanced-practice specialties.
License
RN
Registered nurse.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Prevention of Medical Errors Must be Florida-specific and approved | 2h |
Laws and Rules Florida nursing laws and rules | 2h |
Recognizing Impairment in the Workplace Required every 4 years | 2h |
Human Trafficking One-time requirement | 2h |
Domestic Violence Screening and intervention - required every 6 years | 2h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure (except Medical Errors)
Notes
- Must complete Prevention of Medical Errors even for first renewal.
- 1 hour general nursing education may be satisfied by specialty certification renewal.
- Recognizing Impairment required every 4 years.
- Domestic Violence required every 6 years.
License
LPN
LPN / LVN.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Prevention of Medical Errors Must be Florida-specific and approved | 2h |
Laws and Rules Florida nursing laws and rules | 2h |
Recognizing Impairment in the Workplace Required every 4 years | 2h |
Human Trafficking One-time requirement | 2h |
Domestic Violence Screening and intervention - required every 6 years | 2h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure (except Medical Errors)
Notes
- Must complete Prevention of Medical Errors even for first renewal.
- Recognizing Impairment required every 4 years.
- Domestic Violence required every 6 years.
License
APRN
APRN, general.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Prevention of Medical Errors Must be Florida-specific and approved | 2h |
Laws and Rules Florida nursing laws and rules | 2h |
Prescriber Course For controlled substance prescribers | 3h |
Human Trafficking One-time requirement | 2h |
Notes
- Prescribers must complete controlled substance prescribing course.
Additional requirements
License
NP
Nurse practitioner.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Prevention of Medical Errors Must be Florida-specific and approved | 2h |
Laws and Rules Florida nursing laws and rules | 2h |
Prescriber Course For controlled substance prescribers | 3h |
Human Trafficking One-time requirement | 2h |
Notes
- Prescribers must complete controlled substance prescribing course.
Additional requirements
License
CNS
Clinical nurse specialist.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Prevention of Medical Errors Must be Florida-specific and approved | 2h |
Laws and Rules Florida nursing laws and rules | 2h |
Prescriber Course For controlled substance prescribers | 3h |
Human Trafficking One-time requirement | 2h |
Notes
- Prescribers must complete controlled substance prescribing course.
Additional requirements
License
CNM
Certified nurse-midwife.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Prevention of Medical Errors Must be Florida-specific and approved | 2h |
Laws and Rules Florida nursing laws and rules | 2h |
Prescriber Course For controlled substance prescribers | 3h |
Human Trafficking One-time requirement | 2h |
Notes
- Prescribers must complete controlled substance prescribing course.
Additional requirements
License
CRNA
Nurse anesthetist.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Prevention of Medical Errors Must be Florida-specific and approved | 2h |
Laws and Rules Florida nursing laws and rules | 2h |
Prescriber Course For controlled substance prescribers | 3h |
Human Trafficking One-time requirement | 2h |
Notes
- Prescribers must complete controlled substance prescribing course.
Additional requirements
In context. Florida requires 24 contact hours every 2 years for RN license renewal. Compared with neighbors, Georgia has no general CE requirement, while Alabama has similar requirements (24 hours). As a Nurse Licensure Compact state, Florida allows nurses to practice across state lines with a multistate license.
Continue.
Verify with the source
Florida Board of Nursing.
(850) 488-0595
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C02, Tallahassee, FL 32399
Verify before relying on this
Nearby states