RN License Transfer to Florida

Steps to transfer a nursing license to Florida from a different state

Written by Nurses Link on December 10th, 2012

Being licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in a particular state does not tether you to that state for the duration of your nursing career. It is possible to transfer an RN license to other states, including Florida. Transferring an RN license is not automatic upon becoming a resident of that state. There is an application and approval process in place to make the license transfer happen.

Most states, Florida included, will transfer an RN license through a process known as reciprocity. Reciprocity is a mutual agreement between two parties to exchange privileges. In the case of transferring an RN license to Florida, reciprocity allows the licensee to become an RN in Florida if the requirements of the state nursing board are met, without taking the NCLEX-RN exam again.

To apply for an RN license transfer to the state of Florida, the applicant must be a licensed RN in another state. That means the applicant has completed a certified nursing program and successfully passed the NCLEX-RN exam. The license must be valid, current and without encumbrances, such as a practice violation. Reciprocity applicants who do not meet the licensing requirements of Florida will be required to make up any deficient educational requirements and take the NCLEX-RN exam.

The application for reciprocity can be obtained from the Florida Board of Nursing. The application includes information to verify the applicant’s license. This is achieved by application or by registering with www.nursys.com. It is a registration data base that tracks professional nursing licensing. Once registered, choose the state you wish to apply to, pay the required fee, and for Florida, it is $50.

The applicant is also required to provide a transcript from the nursing school, and a copy of the valid nursing license and documentation to prove you took the NCLEX-RN. The application fee is $100. The transcript must be sent directly from the nursing school to the Florida Nursing Board. The transcript review fee is $50 and payment must be included with the application.

Applicants are also required to submit finger prints. The finger print card is available through the Florida Nursing Board. The finger print card fee is $50, and the fee to submit the card with the application is an additional $50.

Applicants must also provide any and all information pertaining to a criminal background. The information must be provided regardless of the criminal activity being dismissed or adjudicated.

The application will be reviewed only when all the information is received by the nursing board and payment has been verified. If the application is approved, the applicant will receive a temporary RN license, and it is valid for 90 days or when a permanent license is issued. The applicant can use the temporary license and a copy of the license from the original state when applying for employment or to give to an employer if already hired before the permanent license is issued.

If the application is denied, the applicant will be notified by the Florida Nursing Board in writing of the reasons for denial and be given the opportunity to appeal the decision.