Applying for nursing reciprocity in FL

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Specializes in Huntingtons, LTC, Ortho, Acute Care.

I am a RN from Massachusetts, and I am applying for reciprocity in the state of Florida, all I can say is wow! The application process is very long drawn out and above all costly. I have two RN licenses (MA, CT) and two LPN license (MA, NY) so I will need to have those 4 verified, as they require any and all nursing licenses be verified. I also have to go to a live scan provider and get fingerprinted! Another unfortunate thing is I need to submit court documents and a self explanation. As well as taking a CE class on medical errors.

Long story short a year ago I gotten a DWI it was reduced to driving while ability impaired, I was not convicted of a DWI but at the same time driving while ability impaired is still considered an alcohol charge so I answered yes to criminal history. I plan to call the board to make sure I in fact need the court documents and self explanation because it wasn't a DWI but a DWAI. I don't want semantics or what they consider criminal or not to bite me in the ass. The offense happened in NY and DWAI there is considered a traffic violation not a crime. I am so scared I will not be granted a license because of a stupid mistake, my car was seen parked at a bar and I honestly had two drinks but I weigh 100 pounds I learned through a mandatory class I had to take to get back my drivers license that just one drink can put a 100 pound person over the limit (word of wisdom to other tiny nurses).

Any other nurses out there with similar circumstances that got their license in Florida despite this charge? I have to move to FL to care for my declining father, so I Need my FL license and a job. Also I was wondering how can I do the mandatory CE class when I don't have a license? These classes are not letting me register cause I don't have a license number to give them.

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You're quite wrong about Florida requirements: they require verification from your original state of licensure (your exam state) and from a state in which you have a current active license. Only one verification is required if your original state is current/active.

Moreover, everything for Florida except fingerprinting can be done online: the application, payment of fees, Nursys verification, and the medical errors course. All states in which you have a license participate in Nursys; you'll only pay one $30 fee.

Take the medical errors course using your MA or CT license number. You don't have to have a FL license to take the medical errors course. It's offered online by a number of providers. It's sort of unbelievable that you couldn't figure this out.

Yes, you correctly reported your criminal charge and you'll have to provide documentation. You'll likely be granted a license but required to participate in an oversight mechanism for a period of time, perhaps with alcohol testing.

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I have recently finished applying for a license in Florida via reciprocity and it took a significant amount of time, effort, and attention to sort through all the requirements. I didn't have to get fingerprinted for my original license and I found the process much more complicated than I expected. I can completely understand how you found it difficult to navigate the system. Unfortunately I can't offer any other experience that will help you. Hoping it turns out well for you!

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Specializes in Huntingtons, LTC, Ortho, Acute Care.

Well I got semi navigated, I had to provide the information for all of my nursing licenses but only needed to verify my RN for MA so the person whom posted first was correct in me only needing one verification, I am a little unappreciative of the undertone stating they couldn't believe I couldn't figure out how to take the med class without a FL license, I figured that but I'm attentive to detail and did not for a second want to have something be written off as wrong. My apologies for being OCD on such things. And as far as the criminal charges information go, so far I haven't heard anything back. I am allowed a copy of my rap sheet if you will, so I can at least look at it and make sure the facts are correct, which is good. I am hoping the problem won't show up because in NY what I was charged with is considered a traffic violation/crime, and was never asked about it for other jobs. Now is just the waiting game. I highly encourage any and all people interested in Florida licensure. Especially if you have a past that can haunt. I will update when I hear back. Good luck to all applying.

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Specializes in ICU, SICU.

Hello,

as I have the same infraction from NY i would really like to know how this process went.... i want to get licensed in other states, but am dreading the fact of having to go get all the paperwork etc.... as they have the court documents/arrest documents all stored in other places since it happened such a long time ago.. also i'm afraid to apply if i think they will say no because then you have to report to other states when you get denied... PS did you have an easy time getting all the court documents from NY? thanks for the info in advance!

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Hello Mhdrnbsn,

I'm going through a similar situation. Can you please give an update on how the process went with having a dwai? Thanks in advance

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