RN License Endorsement= Confusion!

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Hello! I am a newly licensed nurse in the State of NY, fresh out of school and just passed the NCLEX (2 days ago!)

Although I'm licensed in NY, I just moved to south FL and am seeking work here. I was wondering if anyone can shed some light or personal experience on the endorsement process of FL? I was reading up on the FL BON website about it and it was mentioning Livescan Service for fingerprints? (never heard of anything like that before) Where do you find a place that does it and how much? Also some requirement to take a 2 hour Prevention of Medication Error course? Where do you take that? Hoping to find work as soon as possible but need to get this FL license handled first! Thank you to anyone who may have some information!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

the information you seek is on the BON website...http://ce.nurse.com/state-nurse-ce-requirements/florida.....For more information, FAQs, and a list of all approved Livescan service providers please visit the Department’s website.

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Yes thank you! The BON helped me answer questions for the most part. No information on if there's something like a temporary license available or anything but I think I will call them today and hopefully speak to someone. They listed some numbers on the site so thank you! :)

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Specializes in Community Health/School Nursing.

The Prevention of Medication course you can take online. It won't take you 2 hrs. When I applied for my FL RN lic. it was pretty quick and it didn't take but 2 or 3 weeks to get my license. Since that time I have moved so my license has expired. It cost me I think a little under $200 for everything. Good luck.

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Oh cool thank you so much! Relieved to hear the course isn't so long and can be accessed online! I hope it's as quick as 2-3 weeks for me to retrieve my license as well! Thank you for your information!

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Oh cool thank you so much! Relieved to hear the course isn't so long and can be accessed online! I hope it's as quick as 2-3 weeks for me to retrieve my license as well! Thank you for your information!

This doesn't mean you can't apply for work now, though. Tell the places you apply that your FL license is pending, and you've taken the online course and sent in your prints (when you have, of course). They see this all the time and will understand.

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Absolutely! I was hoping they offered like a temporary license to have while you wait so I could start work immediately but unfortunately they don't. I will deff apply as soon as possible so then maybe I'll have a job lined up and ready as soon as the FL license is available. Now just have to figure out which hospitals here are good to work at. Thank you for your advice!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

To find LiveScan in Florida (or if you're still in NY, in New York), check your local directory or Google it. If you don't have LiveScan in your area, you should be able to send in a fingerprint card--those you can usually have done at your local courthouse. But check with the FL BON first.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Yes thank you! The BON helped me answer questions for the most part. No information on if there's something like a temporary license available or anything but I think I will call them today and hopefully speak to someone. They listed some numbers on the site so thank you! :)

They do not issue temporary license in FL that I know of.

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Yes you're right I called and asked but they do not offer a temp license. I did some research and learned that often the local police dept offers livescan service so that might work. Just wish my license could be transferred by reprocity (sp?) rather than endorsement. Seems like an easier process.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

only if you were licensed in a compact state does reciprocity apply and Florida isn't one of them. apply by endorsement is reciprocity as they are not making you take another test. Florida does take a bit longer and have a few more requirements as they have such a transient seasonal population and have had problems in the past with licensure and transient/seasonal nurses with discipline on their license.

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What is a compact state? I will do anything to avoid taking another test, that was torture! I've read from others as well that FL can be slow about endorsements.

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