Florida Nursing CE Requirements (2026): 24 Hours Every 2 Years

Requirements Overview

Florida requires registered nurses to complete 24 contact hours of continuing education each biennial renewal period. Of those, 8 hours are allocated to four mandatory topics: prevention of medical errors, Florida laws and rules, recognizing impairment in the workplace, and human trafficking. The remaining 16 hours are general CE.

Every third renewal cycle, an additional 2-hour domestic violence course is required, bringing the total to 26 hours. A one-time 1-hour HIV/AIDS course must be completed before the first renewal. First-time renewals after initial licensure by exam require only 9 hours covering the mandatory topics.

Nurses holding specialty certification from an NCCA or ABSNC-accredited program are exempt from general CE but must still complete the 2-hour human trafficking course each cycle. All CE is tracked electronically through CEBroker, and mandatory topic courses must come from Florida Board of Nursing approved providers.

Mandatory Topics

Renewal Pathways

Exemptions

• ✓
  First Renewal Exemption — RNs initially licensed by examination during the current biennium are exempt from general CE requirements for the first renewal.

  Must still complete mandatory topics: 2 hrs medical errors, 2 hrs Florida laws, 2 hrs impairment, 2 hrs human trafficking, 1 hr HIV/AIDS.
• ✓
  Specialty Certification Exemption — Nurses certified by a health care specialty program accredited by NCCA or ABSNC are exempt from CE requirements.

  The CE exemption does not apply to the 2 hr Human Trafficking course requirement.

How You Can Complete Your CE

Florida CE Rules & Limits

Details specific to Florida that generic CE guides tend to miss:

• Carry-over — No carry-over provisions specified. CE hours must be completed within the two-year renewal period.
• Florida is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) since January 19, 2018. Compact rules do not allow a license to be maintained or renewed if the nurse has a license in another party state.
• Domestic violence training (2 hours) is required every third renewal in addition to the standard 24 hours, bringing the total to 26 hours in those renewal periods.
• RNs must keep records of completed CE courses for four years.
• CE reporting is tracked through CEBroker (www.cebroker.com). The Department reviews CE records electronically at renewal time.
• Starting July 1, 2025, all health care providers must undergo electronic fingerprinting/background screening at renewal (Florida House Bill 975).
• Renewal fee is $75.00.
• If the first renewal license was not issued for the full two years, the nurse must complete one (1) hour of CE for each month the license was held.

Provider Requirements

All mandatory courses must be offered by a Florida Board of Nursing approved provider (except Human Trafficking). CE tracking and reporting is through CEBroker (www.cebroker.com). Approved providers include ANCC-accredited organizations, accredited educational institutions, professional nursing organizations, and healthcare facilities.

Tips for Florida RNs

• Register with CEBroker (cebroker.com) early — the Board verifies CE compliance electronically at renewal, and mismatched records can delay your renewal.
• Track which renewal cycle you're in for the every-third-renewal domestic violence requirement. Missing it means 26 hours instead of the usual 24.
• If you hold a national specialty certification (NCCA or ABSNC-accredited), you only need 2 hours of human trafficking training — significant savings over the full 24-hour requirement.
• Keep CE records for at least 4 years. Florida conducts audits, and certificates are your only proof of compliance.
• Starting July 1, 2025, electronic fingerprinting and background screening are required at renewal under House Bill 975 — plan for this added step.

Sources

RN Requirements in Nearby States

Other Professions in Florida

All Nursing CE Requirements by State

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