Does Florida require controlled substances or pharmacology CE for NPs?
Yes. Under Fla. Stat. § 464.013(b), all Florida APRNs must complete three contact hours of CE on the safe and effective prescription of controlled substances at every biennial renewal. This requirement is not satisfied by any certification exemption and applies regardless of a nurse's specialty certification status. Approved providers include AMA-accredited statewide physician associations, ANCC, AANA, and AANP. Distance learning formats are permitted. This is among the most specific prescriptive CE requirements of any state.
Is Florida in the APRN Compact?
No. Florida is a member of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) — which governs the underlying RN license — but is not a member of the APRN Compact. The APRN Compact is a separate compact with a smaller membership. Florida NPs who wish to practice as APRNs in other states must obtain APRN licensure or certification in each state individually. Conversely, NPs licensed in APRN Compact member states who wish to practice as APRNs in Florida must hold a Florida APRN credential.
Does Florida require national certification for APRN licensure renewal?
Yes. Florida requires NPs to hold current national certification from a recognized certifying body as a condition of APRN licensure. The certification must correspond to the NP's practice population and specialty. Recognized certifying organizations include ANCC, AANPCB (AANP), NCC, and PNCB, among others approved by the Board. Certification status is verified at each biennial renewal.
Where can I check my Florida APRN license renewal date and report CE?
Florida APRN license status and renewal information are available through the Florida Department of Health's MQA Online Services portal at https://mqa.doh.state.fl.us/MQAOnlineServices/. All CE completions, including the controlled substances CE, must be reported to CEBroker.com. The Florida Board of Nursing accesses CEBroker records directly at renewal and does not accept certificates submitted separately. NPs should verify all course completions are correctly attributed to their APRN credential on CEBroker before the renewal deadline.