Looking to complete your Florida nursing CEU requirements but don’t know what you have to take?
In this article, we’ll go over all the continuing education requirements for all types of nurses in Florida – from CNAs to RNs to advanced practice registered nurses.
Let’s dive in!
Florida Nursing CE Requirements
In a rush? Here’s a quick rundown of the nursing license renewal requirements in Florida:
| CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant) |
No nursing CE required! CNAs in Florida must only work in a paid nursing job within a 2 year period to renew their license. |
| LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) |
24 contact hours every 2 years including:
Every renewal (2 years) – 2 hours of medical errors, 2 hours of Florida laws and rules, and 2 hours of human trafficking 1st renewal only – 1 hour of HIV/AIDS training Every other renewal (4 years) – 2 hours of recognizing impairment in the workplace Every 3rd renewal (6 years) – Additional 2 hours of domestic violence CE (for a total of 26 contact hours on 3rd renewal) |
| RN (Registered Nurse) |
24 contact hours every 2 years including:
Every renewal (2 years) – 2 hours of medical errors, 2 hours of Florida laws and rules, and 2 hours of human trafficking 1st renewal only – 1 hour of HIV/AIDS training Every other renewal (4 years) – 2 hours of recognizing impairment in the workplace Every 3rd renewal (6 years) – Additional 2 hours of domestic violence CE (for a total of 26 contact hours on 3rd renewal) |
| APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) |
27 contact hours every 2 years including:
Every renewal (2 years) – 2 hours of medical errors, 2 hours of Florida laws and rules, 2 hours of human trafficking, and 3 hours of safe and effective prescription of controlled substances 1st renewal only – 1 hour of HIV/AIDS training Every other renewal (4 years) – 2 hours of recognizing impairment in the workplace Every 3rd renewal (6 years) – Additional 2 hours of domestic violence CE (for a total of 26 contact hours on 3rd renewal) |
Let’s have a closer look at each one.
Florida CNA Continuing Education Requirements
Certified nurse assistants (CNAs) are not required to take nursing continuing education in Florida.
To renew their license, CNAs in Florida must work in a paid nursing job within the 2-year renewal period.
Florida LPN Continuing Education Requirements
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Florida are required to complete 24 contact hours every 2 years.
This includes 16 – 18 hours of general CE and 6 – 10 mandatory hours.
For the general hours, licensed practical nurses may take any appropriate continuing education that is certified by the Florida Board of Nursing or a national nursing organization.
The mandatory hours include 2 hours of medical errors, 2 hours of Florida Laws and Rules, and 2 hours of human trafficking.
Additionally, for every other biennium (4 years), you must take 2 hours of recognizing impairment in the workplace. This is NOT additional hours, so it is counted towards your total of 24 hours of continuing education.
Every 3 bienniums (6 years), LPNs are required to take an ADDITIONAL 2 hours of domestic violence CE. Since it is additional, you’ll be taking 26 hours of CE every third renewal period.
Finally, on your first renewal after your initial licensure, you’ll be required to take 1 hour of HIV/AIDs training. This is not an additional hour either, so you won’t have to take 25 hours on your first renewal.
Florida RN Continuing Education Requirements
Registered nurses in Florida are required to complete 24 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years. The requirements are exactly the same as for LPNs.
This means that Florida nurses are required to take the following courses: 2 hours of medical errors, 2 hours of Florida laws and rules, and 2 hours of human trafficking.
Like LPNs, a Florida nurse must also complete 2 hours of recognizing impairment in the workplace every other biennium thereafter.
On the first renewal, you must also take 1 hour of HIV/AIDs training on their first renewal period. This is a one-time requirement, and it is not an additional hour – so the total hours of continuing education CE will still be 24.
Finally, every third renewal period, Florida RNs must take an additional 2 hours of domestic violence CE.
Florida APRN Continuing Education CE Requirements
Advanced practice registered nurses in Florida are required to take 27 contact hours of CE courses every 2 years.
The only difference between the CE requirements for APRNs and RNs is that there is an additional 3 hours of safe and effective prescription of controlled substances every renewal period.
According to the Florida Board of Nursing, this course must be “offered by a statewide professional association of physicians in this state accredited to provide educational activities designated for the American Medical Association Physician’s Recognition Award Category 1 credit, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and may be offered in a distance-learning format.”
Aside from that, everything else is the same. APRNs are also required to take 2 hours of medical errors, Florida laws and rules, and human trafficking.
There is also the one hour of HIV/AIDs training on the first renewal, the 2 hours of workplace impairment training every other biennium, and the domestic violence CE every third renewal period (years).
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Here are some of the most asked questions!
Where Can I Find CE Courses Approved by the Florida Board of Nursing?
To find a list of approved CEUs by the Florida Board of Nursing, you may visit CE Broker.
Is CE Broker Required in Florida?
Yes. All nursing continuing education providers must register with CE Broker. That’s why the best way to find an approved provider is to check out CEBroker.com
How do I Report CE Credits in Florida?
If you take a CE course by an approved provider, they should report your CE credits to the Florida BON for you when you finish.
Do I Have to Take CE Right After Getting My License?
If you have just received your license, you are exempt from most of the 24 hours of continuing education.
On your first renewal period, you only have to take 2 hours of prevention of medical error, laws and rules in Florida, and one hour of HIV/AIDs training.
Conclusion
And there you have it!
All you need to know about Florida nursing CEU requirements.
By now, you should know everything you need to know to get started.
So don’t wait before your license is almost expiring! Visit CEBroker.com and find state-approved CEUs for yourself right now!