Verify a Florida Nurse—or Complete Renewal Without a Portal Surprise
Most visitors are not looking for a general description of the Florida Board of Nursing. They need to confirm whether a nurse is clear and active, find the correct renewal deadline, see why CE is blocking renewal or discover which document is still missing from an application.
Florida divides those tasks between MQA License Verification, MQA Online Services, CE Broker, Nursys and the nursing-program comparison system. This guide explains what each service shows and the exact route to use.
Use MQA License Verification to check a public Florida license. Use MQA Online Services for your own renewal, application status, electronic license and profile updates.
Verify a Florida nurse
Check profession, status, expiration, original issue date, discipline and public complaints.
Check application status
Review deficiencies, uploaded documents, fingerprints and Board correspondence.
Renew RN, LPN or APRN
Check CE Broker, fingerprint retention, renewal status and the exact portal fee.
Verify a nursing school
Compare program status, accreditation, retention and NCLEX performance.
Use MOBILE endorsement
Check active practice, discipline, NPDB, verification and Livescan requirements.
Florida nursing license facts to check before taking action
Current 2026 RN reminder: Florida’s RN renewal page lists one group expiring at midnight Eastern Time on July 31, 2026. Do not assume that date applies to you—confirm the exact expiration date in your own public MQA record.
MQA is the primary-source record
Florida states that its practitioner verification system is maintained by MQA staff and updates when the licensing and enforcement database changes.
Public complaint is not automatically discipline
A public administrative complaint is a charging document. Review the separate “Discipline on File” field and any final orders.
CE is checked electronically
MQA reviews the continuing-education tracking record during renewal. Missing hours can stop the renewal transaction until corrected.
Florida issues electronic licenses
After processing, download the PDF license from the License Documents area of the MQA Online Services account.
Florida participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact
RN and LPN multistate authority depends on primary state of legal residence and continuing compact eligibility.
Fingerprint routing must be correct
Using an incorrect ORI can prevent the Board from receiving Livescan results. Follow the Florida profession-specific fingerprint instructions.
How to verify a Florida RN, LPN or APRN license
Search with the fewest reliable fields. A complete license number is usually the strongest identifier; adding too many name, city and county fields can hide the correct record.
Open Florida MQA License Verification
Use the public Department of Health search—not a commercial directory or saved screenshot.
Open Official License SearchEnter the license number without formatting errors
Use the prefix and number without spaces, colons or unnecessary leading zeros. Otherwise search by legal first and last name.
Match the correct nursing profession
Confirm whether the result is Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or another credential.
Read the complete practitioner record
Check status, expiration, original issue date, single-state or multistate qualification, discipline and public complaint information.
Record the source date
Use the “Data As Of” date shown on the official result and retain a printer-friendly copy when credentialing policy requires it.
| Record field or status | What it generally tells you | What to check next |
|---|---|---|
| Clear / Active | The license is active and no current restriction is included in the status wording shown. | Review expiration, qualification, discipline and public complaint fields. |
| Clear / Inactive | The license exists but is not maintained for active Florida practice. | Complete inactive-to-active reactivation requirements before practice. |
| Delinquent | The renewal deadline passed without successful renewal. | Pay applicable delinquent charges and satisfy current and possibly prior-cycle CE. |
| Null and Void | The former license can no longer be reactivated through ordinary renewal. | Contact the Board about reapplying under current requirements. |
| Deactivated | For an RN or LPN, this can indicate that the nurse holds multistate authority in another NLC jurisdiction. | Verify the current multistate license through Nursys. |
| Public Complaint: Yes | A public administrative complaint may be pending or associated with the record. | Do not call it final discipline unless the official discipline field or final order supports that conclusion. |
No record found? Remove extra search fields, recheck the license prefix and digits, try a former legal name and determine whether the nurse is practising through another compact state’s multistate license.
Employer verification checklist
Renew a Florida RN, LPN or APRN license online
Renewal is completed through MQA Online Services. Before paying, confirm the expiration date, CE Broker record, current status and whether fingerprint-retention charges apply.
Verify the deadline
Use the public MQA record instead of relying on an old email or employer reminder.
Check CE Broker
Resolve missing subject areas or provider reporting problems before renewal.
Renew in MQA
Review status changes, background-screening prompts and the exact fee.
Download proof
After processing, retrieve the electronic PDF license and verify the public record.
Check your exact expiration date and status
Florida renewal cycles vary by profession and group. Do not assume another nurse’s deadline applies to your license.
Verify License and DeadlineConfirm that CE is complete
Review the CE Broker transcript and correct missing general or mandatory subjects before opening the final renewal transaction.
Open CE BrokerSign in to MQA Online Services
Use the existing account connected to the license. Add an existing license to the account if the dashboard does not show it.
Open MQA Online ServicesSelect the correct renewal and status
Choose active-to-active, inactive-to-active, inactive, retired or another option carefully. Each choice changes the fee and practice authority.
Complete fingerprint-retention requirements
If retained fingerprints expire during the licensing cycle, an additional $43.25 FDLE retention charge may be assessed.
Pay, save the receipt and verify the new record
Download the electronic license after processing and confirm the new status and expiration in public MQA verification.
If your RN record expires July 31, 2026: complete CE and renewal before midnight Eastern Time on July 31. Waiting until the final evening increases the risk of CE reporting, login or payment problems.
Why Florida renewal may be blocked
Non-renewal choices matter: retirement generally uses a one-time $55 fee and may later be reactivated. Voluntary relinquishment discontinues the license number and cannot be reversed through reactivation. Taking no action can eventually lead to Null and Void status.
Florida RN and LPN CE requirements explained
A standard Florida RN or LPN renewal cycle generally requires 24 hours. The exact balance shown by CE Broker depends on which repeating mandatory subjects are due in that biennium.
| CE subject | Hours | When required | Important rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| General nursing hours | Usually 16 | Each normal full biennium. | Must be accepted nursing CE from an authorized state or national accrediting organization. |
| Prevention of Medical Errors | 2 | Each renewal cycle. | Must be from a Florida Board of Nursing-approved provider. |
| Florida Laws and Rules | 2 | Each renewal cycle. | Must be Board approved. |
| Recognizing Impairment in the Workplace | 2 | Every other renewal. | Check CE Broker to determine whether it is due in your current cycle. |
| Human Trafficking | 2 | Every renewal or biennium. | The course does not have to be Florida BON approved, but it must meet statutory criteria. |
| Domestic Violence | 2 | Every third biennium. | These hours are in addition to the normal 24-hour requirement. |
| HIV/AIDS | 1 | One time before the first renewal. | Must be Board approved. |
Do not add every row mechanically and assume the total is correct. CE Broker applies the cycle-specific requirement, including whether impairment or domestic-violence education is due.
First renewal after examination
A nurse initially licensed by examination during the current biennium is generally exempt from general CE hours but must complete the listed mandatory subjects, including the one-time HIV/AIDS hour.
Initial license shorter than 24 months
Florida generally requires one CE hour for each month that the initial license was valid, including applicable mandatory subject hours.
Specialty-certification exemption
Qualifying national specialty certification can provide a CE exemption, but it must be reported to the tracking system and does not replace the human-trafficking requirement.
Delinquent renewal
A delinquent nurse may need to report CE for both the present cycle and the previous cycle before renewal can continue.
CE troubleshooting before the deadline
Florida RN and LPN renewal fees by status
The amount depends on when renewal is completed and whether the license remains active, becomes inactive, is reactivated or moves to retired status.
| Requested status | Before expiration | After expiration | 120-day notified delinquent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active to Active | $75 | $130 | RN $205; LPN $210 |
| Inactive to Inactive | $65 | $120 | $185 |
| Active to Inactive | $65 | $175 | $185 |
| Inactive to Active | $130 | $240 | RN $260; LPN $265 |
| Active to Retired | $55 | $165 | RN $185; LPN $190 |
| Inactive to Retired | $55 | $165 | $175 |
APRN active renewal
The published active-to-active APRN fee is $60 before expiration, $115 after expiration and $175 at the 120-day notified-delinquent stage.
Fingerprint retention
A $43.25 FDLE retention fee can apply when retained fingerprints expire during the licensing cycle.
Included assessments
Published renewal totals include statutory assessments supporting unlicensed-activity enforcement and the Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness Program.
Always use the amount shown in the live MQA transaction. Livescan providers, Nursys, license-verification authorities and other services may charge separate fees.
Track a Florida nursing application in MQA Online Services
Use the account that submitted the application. A new account or duplicate application can make it harder to identify the original file and deficiency messages.
Open the original MQA account
Use the User ID and account tied to your Social Security number, date of birth and existing application.
Open Application StatusSelect the submitted nursing application
Open the RN, LPN, APRN, endorsement, examination or multistate-upgrade application already on file.
Read every deficiency notice
Look for license verification, national exam score, education, Livescan or criminal and disciplinary supporting-document requests.
Confirm who must send the missing item
A licensing board, Nursys, school, certifying organization, court or other agency may need to submit the record directly.
Allow the correct review period
The MOBILE page asks applicants to allow up to 10 business days for initial review. Additional documents are handled in received order.
Contact the application-status team precisely
Use the applicant-status email only after identifying the application, document, sender and delivery date.
Email Application Status| Missing item | What to verify | Do not do this |
|---|---|---|
| License verification | Confirm whether the issuing jurisdiction participates in Nursys or sent official verification directly. | Do not upload an unofficial screenshot when primary-source verification is required. |
| National examination score | Confirm that NCSBN or the appropriate authority transferred the required result. | Do not assume a personal score report automatically transferred. |
| Fingerprint result | Check the ORI, Livescan provider, submission date and applicant identifiers. | Do not repeat fingerprints before confirming the original routing problem. |
| School or education record | Confirm whether the school or credential evaluator must submit the document directly. | Do not substitute an unofficial student copy unless the Board permits it. |
| Criminal or disciplinary document | Check whether a personal statement, court disposition, completion record, agency file or recommendation letters are required. | Do not omit an affirmative answer because a case is old or was resolved. |
The Florida BON licensing page warns that incomplete applications can take two to six months. Do not accept employment based solely on an expected license date; Florida does not expedite one application because of a job commitment.
“I am checking my Florida _____ application submitted on _____. My MQA application number is _____. The portal shows _____ as incomplete. The document was sent by _____ on _____ through _____. Please confirm whether it has been matched to my application and identify the exact remaining requirement.”
What Florida MOBILE endorsement means
MOBILE stands for the Mobile Opportunity by Interstate Licensure Endorsement Act. It is Florida’s current endorsement pathway—not a mobile-phone application and not automatic compact recognition.
Active, unencumbered license
Hold a license from another U.S. state, the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory in a profession Florida considers to have a similar scope.
National exam or certification
Have a passing national licensure examination score or recognized national certification as required for the profession.
Recent active practice
Have actively practised for at least two years during the four years immediately before submitting the application.
National Practitioner Data Bank
Generally, an applicant must not have an unresolved disqualifying NPDB report under the MOBILE criteria.
No pending disciplinary proceeding
The applicant must not be the subject of a practice-related disciplinary proceeding in a licensing jurisdiction or the Department of Defense.
No recent disciplinary action
The pathway generally requires no disciplinary action during the five years immediately before application.
A nurse who does not have two years of active practice in the previous four years may need to use the examination pathway and transfer the passing NCLEX score instead of relying on MOBILE endorsement.
Review every MOBILE eligibility condition
Do this before paying because the $110 Florida application and licensing fee is separate from Livescan and verification costs.
Create or open the MQA applicant account
Submit the endorsement application and upload applicant-supplied supporting documents.
Apply in MQAOrder primary-source license verification
Contact every required licensing board. Florida accepts qualifying online verification that includes disciplinary information.
Transfer the national examination score
Arrange the required score transfer through NCSBN or the appropriate national examination authority.
Complete electronic fingerprints
Use an approved Livescan provider and the correct Florida ORI for the nursing application.
Monitor review and final issuance
The Board asks applicants to allow up to 10 business days for initial review. Once every requirement is met, qualified MOBILE licenses are to be issued within seven days.
The seven-day language is not a promise that the entire application will finish in seven days. It applies after the application is complete and all licensure conditions have been satisfied.
When to use Florida MQA and when to use Nursys
| Your task | Correct service | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Check a Florida nurse for employment | Florida MQA License Verification | Shows the state’s live public practitioner record, status and enforcement fields. |
| Verify Florida RN/LPN licensure to another board | Nursys | Florida directs RN and LPN board-to-board license verification through Nursys. |
| Check multistate authority | Nursys QuickConfirm | The compact privilege can be issued by Florida or another NLC home state. |
| Renew your own Florida license | MQA Online Services | Renewal, payment, profile changes and electronic license documents are private account functions. |
| Move from one compact home state to Florida | Florida endorsement application | A nurse changing primary legal residence must apply in the new compact home state and should not delay. |
| Practise under another state’s multistate privilege | Issuing home-state board and Nursys | Florida renewal fees and CE are not owed merely for practising under another party state’s valid privilege. |
A single-state Florida RN or LPN license is not converted to multistate status merely by renewing it. Florida lists a separate multistate-upgrade application, $100 Board fee and Livescan requirements.
Verify a Florida RN or practical nursing program
The Florida comparison system includes active prelicensure programs shown as Approved, Approved/Probationary or Accredited. Closed and terminated programs do not appear in the normal comparison results.
Open Compare Florida Prelicensure Nursing Programs
Use the state MQA comparison tool rather than relying on an advertisement or recruiter’s statement.
Open Florida Program SearchSelect RN or practical nursing
Match the profession and degree type to the exact credential you intend to pursue.
Match the exact campus and program name
A school may operate several campuses or degree tracks with different records and performance.
Read status and accreditation separately
Board approval, probationary status, specialized nursing accreditation and institutional accreditation are different checks.
Compare retention and NCLEX data
Review recent passage rates, number of testers and the national average—not only one unusually strong quarter.
Verify legal authority to operate
Where applicable, separately check the Florida Commission for Independent Education before paying tuition.
Check Florida CIEFor a closed or terminated program, use the general MQA License Verification search and enter the program name in the Business Name field. Available historical information may be limited; additional dates can be requested from MQA.Nursing@flhealth.gov.
MQA login, electronic license and profile changes
First-time MQA applicant
Create a new applicant account using a valid email, then use the emailed temporary credentials to establish a permanent password.
Existing license missing
Add the existing license or pending application using identifying information such as Social Security number, date of birth and mailing ZIP code.
Download the electronic license
After issuance or renewal, open License Documents in MQA Online Services. Florida says the PDF is generally available within two business days.
Online name or address update
Online requests are generally processed within 48 hours. Legal-name changes require appropriate supporting documentation.
Mailed profile change
Florida’s FAQ asks users to allow approximately five to seven business days for a mailed change request.
Unexpected payment request
Verify payment demands through MQA Online Services or the official contact center before disclosing personal or financial information.
Keep the MQA email, mailing address and legal name current. Renewal messages, deficiency letters and electronic-license access depend on accurate account information.
Florida Board of Nursing phone, email and address
Use the Customer Contact Center for general MQA account and licensing help. Use the Board Office or application-status email when the question is specific to a nursing application or Board requirement.
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Board hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Use the official directory to confirm the best department for your issue.
Use for a specific nursing application, deficiency or reactivation requirement.
General Board and education-program questions.
NewsMedia@flhealth.gov for official press inquiries.
“I am contacting the Florida Board of Nursing about my _____ license or application. My license/application number is _____. The MQA portal currently shows _____. The document or payment was submitted on _____ by _____. Please confirm the exact remaining requirement and whether it must be sent directly by the issuing organization.”
General Board mailing address
Department of Health
Board of Nursing
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-02
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3252
Applications and fees only
Department of Health
Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 6330
Tallahassee, FL 32314-6330
Do not mail every document to the payment address. Follow the application’s specific instructions and retain tracking information when sending original or agency-issued records.
Florida Board of Nursing FAQ
How do I verify a Florida nursing license?
Open the Florida MQA License Verification system, search by license number or legal name and review the full profession, status, expiration, qualification, discipline and public-complaint record.
Is the Florida MQA license search a primary source?
Yes. Florida identifies the MQA verification record as a secure primary source maintained by Division of Medical Quality Assurance staff.
How much is Florida RN or LPN renewal?
The published active-to-active fee before expiration is $75. Late, inactive, retired and notified-delinquent transactions have different fees.
When does a Florida RN license expire in 2026?
Florida’s RN renewal page lists groups expiring April 30, 2026 and July 31, 2026, with another group expiring April 30, 2027. Check your own MQA record for the exact deadline.
How many CE hours do Florida nurses need?
A normal RN or LPN biennium generally requires 24 hours, including applicable mandatory subjects. Domestic-violence education is an additional two hours every third biennium.
Why is CE Broker blocking my renewal?
A course may be missing, reported under the wrong license, outside the cycle or not accepted for the required subject. Review the transcript and contact the provider before paying for duplicate education.
How do I check a Florida nursing application?
Sign in to the original MQA Online Services account, open the submitted application and read each deficiency and correspondence item.
How long does Florida endorsement take?
The MOBILE page asks applicants to allow up to 10 business days for initial review. Total time depends on receipt of verification, scores, fingerprints and supporting records. Incomplete applications can take considerably longer.
What does MOBILE endorsement stand for?
MOBILE means Mobile Opportunity by Interstate Licensure Endorsement. It is Florida’s statutory endorsement pathway and is not a mobile-phone service.
What is the Florida MOBILE endorsement fee?
The published Florida application and licensing fee is $110. Livescan and license-verification charges are separate.
Should I use Florida MQA or Nursys?
Use MQA for Florida’s public practitioner record and your private renewal account. Use Nursys for multistate authority and RN/LPN verification sent to another nursing board.
How do I verify a Florida nursing school?
Use Compare Florida Prelicensure Nursing Education Programs. Match the exact campus and review status, accreditation, retention and NCLEX performance.
How do I get a copy of my Florida nursing license?
Sign in to MQA Online Services and open License Documents. Florida issues electronic PDF licenses, generally available within two business days after processing.
What is the Florida Board of Nursing phone number?
The MQA Customer Contact Center is (850) 488-0595, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Florida sources checked for this guide
Fees, renewal groups, CE requirements and portal procedures can change. Recheck the applicable official page before submitting a renewal, application, document or payment.
For employers and the public
Use the live MQA record, match the exact person and profession, separate complaints from discipline, verify compact authority and record the data date.
For nurses and applicants
Use MQA Online Services for renewal, application status, profile changes and electronic licenses. This independent guide cannot access or alter a private Florida licensing account.