Hello everyone. I just passed my ANCC board certification exam and received my certification letter in the mail. However, my FNP program was not very clear on the steps needed to be able to practice and work once graduated. They only told us we needed to pass the boards and then submit for drug prescribing lisence, but nothing else. So, I had some questions on the next steps required to practice in Florida and renewal requirements.
1) What do I need to be lisenced to practice as an FNP? Does the ANCC board certification grant us our lisence number? Do I still need my RN license and the FNP-BC is tacked on? I ask because I was under the assumption that once passed the boards we receive a license in similar fashion to passing NCLEX. Because of poor communication I let my RN license lapse a month ago because I thought it would become redundant and I'd receive a new one for NP.
2) Our program said that once we were board certified we need to apply for our DEA license in order to prescribe. However, they gave no further information about how to go about doing that, the site to apply through, or what info is required in order to be approved.
3) Finally, Florida's website concerning FNP renewals was a bit confusing, and other classmates weren't sure exactly on requirements either. I know every 5 years you need to complete CMEs in order to renew, but wasn't clear if CME were the only requirement or if we needed to teach/mentor/patient hours in addition to the required CME. The website gives a bunch of subsections, but didn't make it clear if they were other options for renewal or they were required to renew as well.
I am both excited at becoming board certified, but panicking because due to poor communication with program and our final semester being interrupted due to pandemic that I may not currently have the requirements to practice since I thought we only needed to maintain RN license if we intended to practice at that level.
Yes, the FNP classes do count towards your CME for the general requirements, but of course you still need to take the usual HIV, Domestic Violence, Medical Errors, Laws, Human Trafficking, etc. in addition to general requirements.
At the end of the day, it is just a minor inconvenience. I need to complete these quick CME and pay the fee to renew RN license and once that has happened apply for APRN. I thank the people who were able to let me know this.
Yes, I feel your pain but you are still a nurse and have to complete all RN requirements. I took ACLS 20 times in a long career. I eventually decided that I couldn't do it one more time. It's just part of the job repeating the same courses.......over and over:(
So, am I correct that in Florida you need to renew your APRN license every 2 years (same CME requirements as RN) and then renew your board certification every 5 years? That would mean every other re-certification you would need to renew license 3 times within that period.
Also, want to make sure I am not reading this wrong. To renew your board certification with ANCC it is not just CMEs that are required but an additional requirement must be met as well?
I just passed the AANP exam. I am also in Florida. Once you get a certification num,ber from either certifying body and they have sent it to the Board of nursing you can then apply for the NP license. Once you get the license, you can go ahead and apply for the DEA number at https://deadiversion.usdoj.gov/online_forms_apps.html
Once you have obtain all the above mentioned you are pretty set. The next step would be to get a job as NP so your employer can apply for your Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance (credentials). Otherwise, you need to see at least one patient before you can apply to Medicare and Medicaid yourself.
That is so far what I know. To maintain the NP license I suggest you look up the requirements on the Boards page. I assume you have a CEbroker account to track your CEU progress. Your certifying body (ANCC) has other requirements. I hope this helps. Good luck
Copied and pasted from the Board page: Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses, and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses are required to complete 24 hours of appropriate CE during each renewal period, including two (2) hours relating to prevention of medical errors, two (2) hours in Laws and Rules in Nursing, (2) hours in Human Trafficking, and (2) hours in Recognizing Impairment in the Workplace every other biennium (every 4 years). In addition to these 24 hours of general CE, every third renewal two (2) hours of domestic violence CE must be completed for a total of 26 hours. APRN must also complete (3) hours in Safe and Effective Prescription of Controlled Substances. See Sections 456.013, 456.031, and 456.033, Florida Statutes, and Rule 64B9-5, Florida Administrative Code (FAC) for more information about continuing education requirements.
A nurse who is certified by a health care specialty program accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies or the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification is exempt from continuing education requirements. This exemption includes general and mandatory nursing continuing education with the exception of Human Trafficking and Safe and Effective Prescription of Controlled Substances.
Nurses who hold both a RN and APRN license may use the same credit hours toward both licenses but must make sure to report them under both licenses for CE compliance."
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
Good place to state is to READ your states board of nursing regulations to understand licensing requirements and APRN scope of practice regs as each state board is different. Links to BON found bottom every page.
AANP: State Practice Environment
Practice Environment Details -learn if your state has full, reduced or restricted practice
Quote
It’s essential that NPs have a clear understanding of how their state laws and regulations impact their practice. AANP’s interactive State Practice Environment map provides an overview of NP licensure for all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and U.S. territories. For details about the practice environment in a specific state, simply hover your mouse over a state on the map here: https://www.AANP.org/advocacy/state/state-practice-environment
Practice Information by State
Quote
You need to know all the details about NP practice in your state—from signature authority to the number of CE hours required for licensure and beyond. Learn the specifics of practicing in your state, and explore AANP’s regional structure, leadership and recognition opportunities as well. Includes COVID-19 changes
Hello everyone. I just passed my ANCC board certification exam and received my certification letter in the mail. However, my FNP program was not very clear on the steps needed to be able to practice and work once graduated. They only told us we needed to pass the boards and then submit for drug prescribing lisence, but nothing else. So, I had some questions on the next steps required to practice in Florida and renewal requirements.
1) What do I need to be lisenced to practice as an FNP? Does the ANCC board certification grant us our lisence number? Do I still need my RN license and the FNP-BC is tacked on? I ask because I was under the assumption that once passed the boards we receive a license in similar fashion to passing NCLEX. Because of poor communication I let my RN license lapse a month ago because I thought it would become redundant and I'd receive a new one for NP.
2) Our program said that once we were board certified we need to apply for our DEA license in order to prescribe. However, they gave no further information about how to go about doing that, the site to apply through, or what info is required in order to be approved.
3) Finally, Florida's website concerning FNP renewals was a bit confusing, and other classmates weren't sure exactly on requirements either. I know every 5 years you need to complete CMEs in order to renew, but wasn't clear if CME were the only requirement or if we needed to teach/mentor/patient hours in addition to the required CME. The website gives a bunch of subsections, but didn't make it clear if they were other options for renewal or they were required to renew as well.
I am both excited at becoming board certified, but panicking because due to poor communication with program and our final semester being interrupted due to pandemic that I may not currently have the requirements to practice since I thought we only needed to maintain RN license if we intended to practice at that level.
Thanks for the help.
These are great questions. I am looking at NP schools now. Do you mind me asking which one you attended? Would you recommend it or something else? Any tips you have are greatly appreciated!
You will also need to have identified a physician who will be your "collaborator" in Florida before you can apply for your DEA since IP is only for NP's who have several thousand hours of experience. In addition, in Florida you will need to have Liability Insurance in place before applying for your NP (at least that was my understanding of the statute). You should also get your "multistate" compact RN license as this will save you one step in many other states should you decide to get your NP license in those states (only those who are part of the compact).
Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.
On 9/15/2020 at 11:32 AM, DizzyJ DHSc PA-C said:
Wow...PA looking in from outside perspective, but how can someone become an NP without a clue about any of this? Yes, some states are confusing when applying for a license, but to become an NP without any knowledge you must still maintain your RN license?!? And I believe the nursing profession refers to maintaining CEs/CEUs and not CMEs.
Either OP did not pay attention during their Professional Development class, or OP's school definitely dropped the ball.
subee, MSN, CRNA
1 Article; 6,116 Posts
Yes, I feel your pain but you are still a nurse and have to complete all RN requirements. I took ACLS 20 times in a long career. I eventually decided that I couldn't do it one more time. It's just part of the job repeating the same courses.......over and over:(