Obtaining a Multi-State License (MSL) through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) in Florida allows a nurse to practice across state lines without securing individual licenses in every compact jurisdiction. This single license, issued by the Florida Board of Nursing (FBON), grants the nurse the privilege to practice in all other NLC states. This provides flexibility for traveling nurses, those practicing telehealth, or those who live near state borders. The process is tied to the nurse’s declared home state and requires meeting uniform national standards.
What the Nurse Licensure Compact Means
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is an agreement among member states allowing nurses to hold one multistate license, which permits them to practice physically or electronically in any NLC jurisdiction. Florida joined the NLC in 2018 for both Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). The license is issued by the nurse’s Primary State of Residency (PSOR), which is their legal home state, not their place of employment.
A nurse can only hold one multistate license at a time, issued by the state where they legally reside. If a nurse moves and establishes residency in another compact state, the Florida license converts to a single-state license, requiring the nurse to apply for a new compact license in the new home state.
Essential Eligibility Requirements for a Compact License
To qualify for a Florida compact license, all applicants must satisfy the 11 Uniform Licensure Requirements (ULRs) mandated by the NLC. These national standards serve as a measure for the multistate privilege. One requirement is having a valid United States Social Security number.
Applicants must have graduated from a board-approved nursing education program or an international program verified by an independent credentials review agency. They must also have passed the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN examination. The applicant must hold an active, unencumbered license, meaning it is not under suspension, probation, or active discipline. Disqualifiers include having a felony conviction or a misdemeanor conviction related to the practice of nursing. Furthermore, the nurse cannot be currently participating in an alternative program, such as Florida’s Intervention Project for Nurses (IPN).
Steps for Florida Residents Seeking a Compact License
Nurses whose Primary State of Residency (PSOR) is Florida begin the process by applying through the Florida Board of Nursing (FBON) portal. New graduates seeking their initial license apply for licensure by examination and receive a multistate license upon passing the NCLEX, provided they meet all 11 ULRs. Nurses who currently hold a single-state Florida license must submit a separate “multistate license upgrade application” to convert their credential.
All applicants must submit to a state and federal fingerprint-based criminal background check using a LiveScan service provider approved by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The results are sent electronically to the FBON, which must receive them before processing the application. This step requires providing the correct Originating Agency Identification (ORI) number for the FBON. The application also involves declaring Florida as the nurse’s PSOR and submitting the required fee.
Changing Primary State of Residency (PSOR) to Florida
A nurse moving to Florida from another compact state must apply for a new Florida compact license by endorsement once residency is established. Compact rules require applying for the new license within 30 to 90 days of moving to prevent a lapse in practice authority. Failure to establish a new PSOR causes the original compact license to automatically convert to a single-state license in the former home state.
The application for licensure by endorsement requires documentation proving Florida residency, as the PSOR is defined as the nurse’s legal domicile. Acceptable forms of proof include a current Florida driver’s license, a voter registration card displaying a Florida address, or a federal income tax return declaring Florida as the primary state of residence. Until the new Florida compact license is issued, the nurse’s authority to practice in Florida relies on the single-state license issued by their former PSOR.
Practical Application Details: Fees and Documentation
The application process requires fees and supporting documentation, regardless of whether the nurse is applying for an initial license, an upgrade, or by endorsement. The application fee for licensure by endorsement is typically $110, and the multistate license upgrade fee is $100. Additional costs include the LiveScan service fee for the background check, which is paid directly to the provider.
Applicants must arrange for official transcripts to be sent directly from their educational institution to the Florida Board of Nursing. They must also provide verification of licensure from all other states where they have held a license, often through the Nursys online verification system. While the FBON aims to review initial applications within 30 days, the overall processing time for a complete application can take between two to six months.
Maintaining and Renewing Your Florida Compact License
Florida nursing licenses operate on a biennial renewal cycle, requiring nurses to complete specific Continuing Education (CE) requirements to maintain active status. The requirement for both RNs and LPNs is 24 hours of appropriate CE during each renewal period. This includes mandatory courses:
- Two hours on the prevention of medical errors.
- Two hours on Florida laws and rules in nursing.
- Two hours on human trafficking.
To maintain the compact status of the Florida license, the nurse must continue to meet all 11 Uniform Licensure Requirements (ULRs). This includes maintaining Florida as their Primary State of Residence and ensuring the license remains active and unencumbered. A two-hour domestic violence CE course must be completed every third renewal, or every six years.