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How to Become a Nurse in Florida

How to Become a Nurse in Florida

Are you interested in becoming a nurse in Florida? Florida has one of the largest nursing workforces in the country. At the end of its 2024-25 fiscal year (30 June 2025), the Florida Department of Health counted 347,857 registered nurses (RNs) holding an active in-state license, 423,104 RN licenses in all once out-of-state, military, inactive and retired licenses are included, and another 50,378 active in-state advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs): certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners (NPs). Florida has a vast amount of opportunities available to become a nurse and, if desired, to expand your knowledge and schooling to become an APRN. Here are some Florida nursing facts from the state's own reports:

  • Florida also licenses 62,230 active in-state licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and 152,738 active in-state certified nursing assistants (CNAs), two common first steps toward an RN license
  • Florida has been a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) since 19 January 2018, so a Florida multistate RN license lets you practice in every other compact state, and 4,195 nurses licensed elsewhere practiced in Florida on a multistate license in 2024-25
  • Florida ranked first in the nation for the number of NCLEX-RN test takers in 2025, ahead of Texas and California
  • Nurse practitioners are the fastest-growing occupation in the state's 2026-2034 employment projections, up 41.6% over the period

Educational Requirements

The first step to becoming a Florida RN is to obtain your high school diploma or equivalent. The next step is to decide what type of nursing school to attend. The Florida Department of Health lists 314 approved or accredited pre-licensure RN programs in Florida (174 associate degree, 123 bachelor's degree, 13 diploma and 4 direct-entry master's programs as of October 2026), plus 193 practical nursing programs, with varying tuitions and requirements. If possible, try not to limit yourself by applying to one program. Sometimes the wait lists can be extensive and seats limited.

Choose carefully. In the 2024-2025 academic year, 55.5% of Florida's pre-licensure RN programs held nursing specialty accreditation, and Florida's first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2025 was 81.82%, below the national average of 86.71% and 47th among the 50 states. The state's program comparison tool shows each program's retention rate and NCLEX pass rate, so check them before you enroll.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

An ADN is offered at many state and community colleges and takes approximately 2-3 years. Obtaining an ADN is a great start to your nursing career in a cost-efficient way.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

A BSN is a 4-year program that is offered at many Florida state universities and colleges and some private colleges. While an ADN can open most doors for prospective nurses, obtaining your BSN may provide a higher earning potential or better opportunities for career advancement.

State Licensing Requirements

The Florida Board of Nursing is a key resource to completing all necessary tasks to be a Florida RN. To be licensed by examination, the Board asks you to complete the following steps in this order:

  • Submit proof of education. Graduates of a Florida-approved program, an out-of-state program with an NCLEX code, or an international program each have their own documentation requirements; the Board's Fast-Track Examination Guide walks through them.
  • Complete a Level 2 background screening. Since House Bill 975 (2024), fingerprints must be submitted electronically: book an appointment with an FDLE-approved Livescan service provider, use the Board of Nursing's ORI number so the results reach the Board, and keep your Transaction Control Number. Results are good for 90 days before you apply or a year after. The Livescan fee is set by the provider.
  • Submit the online application through the Department of Health's online services portal and pay the fees: $110 to the Board of Nursing for the application and license, and $200 to the testing vendor for the NCLEX.
  • Answer any screening questions with supporting documents. Once the Board confirms your eligibility, it tells the testing vendor to authorize you to test. Florida law requires an initial application to be reviewed within 30 days.

NCLEX-RN Examination

Regardless of the nursing program you graduated from, all nursing graduates take the same National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX)-RN. This is a computerized test that is offered year-round at Pearson Professional Centers, in Florida or anywhere else. It is recommended to take this exam as soon as you can after graduation as this is when you have the most knowledge retention and are likely to have a better success rate. Visit the NCLEX Test Centers website for locations. Once you pass and every other requirement is met, the Board issues your license.

If you are interested in taking NCLEX prep classes, there are many options available online. Some are listed below. Before signing up for one, talk with your instructors and classmates to see if they have had success with a previous program or recommend one.

Job Outlook and Opportunities

Florida is one state that will always be in demand for nurses. FloridaCommerce's 2026-2034 employment projections put registered nurse employment at 228,467 jobs in 2026, growing 8.6% to 248,062 by 2034, with about 114,200 openings over those eight years once nurses who retire or change careers are counted. Registered nurses rank sixth among all Florida occupations for new jobs added. The Florida Center for Nursing's 2022-2037 projections, published in August 2025, estimate a statewide shortage of about 19,840 RNs in 2022 (supply at 93% of demand) that stays near that level through 2037, with the biggest gaps in the Northwest (41% of demand met) and North Central regions and more nurses than demand in the Northeast and South.

Pay follows the market. FloridaCommerce reports a 2025 median hourly wage of $40.48 for registered nurses statewide. However, certain areas in Florida pay more than others. If you want to maximize your salary, the Tampa Bay and South Florida markets lead: Hillsborough County ($45.20 an hour), Collier County ($44.87), Broward County ($44.77), Miami-Dade County ($44.27) and Palm Beach County ($42.77), while the Panhandle pays the least, from $37.45 in Escambia County to $36.32 in the Gulf Coast region around Panama City. Many employers also offer shift differentials, which are certain shifts that pay more than others (e.g., evening or night shifts, weekends).

Resources and Support

There are many state and national resources available for nurses as you navigate through schooling and the difficulties of working in this new field.

Nursing is a rewarding career that has countless opportunities to both advance your career or specialize. You will always be in demand and can find the nursing niche that provides the most personal and professional rewards, whether that is working in the hospital in an inpatient unit, as an APRN, or even behind the scenes with an insurance company. Becoming a nurse in all these career opportunities have the same timeline:

  • Graduate with a high school diploma or equivalent
  • Apply and complete a nursing program
  • Fill out the application for the Florida Board of Nursing and complete their requirements
  • Take the NCLEX-RN
  • Find a job!

Nursing is a work of heart – become a part of the nursing community today.

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