Can I work in Florida as an RN if I have a Florida RN license number but just havent

cna23 · Mar 6, 2011

I'm not too sure, I know some places do photocopy it during the application/hiring process. You might be ok as long as you get it sent to your new address.

elkpark · Mar 6, 2011

Some places do still photocopy licenses, simply because they always have, but CMS, JCAHO, and the state licensing agencies no longer consider that adequate proof of having verified someone's license. The standard now is to verify licensure directly with the source, the licensing agency's (in the case, the BON) website. Also, many states no longer even issue paper or plastic licenses.

I haven't been asked to actually produce a physical license in years.

Also, I used to work as a Federal and state hospital surveyor in my state, and, if a hospital had photocopies of licenses in their personnel files but didn't have documentation of having checked the website(s), we cited them for not having verified the licenses -- and this was ten years ago.

As long as the BON website says you have a valid license, you should be fine.

dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I · Mar 6, 2011

Many states no longer give a paper license. Instead, licensure is confirmed via the internet. TX, NM, NH, and ME do this. Perhaps Florida? I miss the paper copies, though.

ticklemenita · Mar 6, 2011

Yes you can work and you can log into the doh website and they have one you can print off the website. The employer is going to go online and verify your license anyway as well. Good Luck

Simply Complicated · Mar 6, 2011

Totally depends on your place of employment. I lived in FL for years. Some places will let you start without, some others it's mandatory it's on file. I had one agency wouldn't let me work until I handed in a physical copy. The copy they had my maiden name, I just hadn't turned in one with my married, even though the BON and my license were correct.

agldragonRN · Mar 6, 2011

it depends on the company. my job wanted to wait for my paper license so they could see it and verify it. nj was very slow at a time so i kept telling them to please look at the nj bon website and search for my rn license. i told them it's there and i even brought a copy. the hr person went online and printed the license info herself. i was upgraded to an rn in a couple of weeks. it would have been months if i had waited for the paper license.

print a copy for yourself so when you fill out an application, you can put all the license info.

j621d · Mar 6, 2011

You should be able to work. You can go to MyFlorida.com and do a licensee search and it will provide your license number.