Florida Board of Nursing (FBON) - Grants for Medical

What Does the Florida Board of Nursing (FBON) Do?

One of the main tasks of the FBON (Florida Board of Nursing) is licensing both LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurses) and RNs (Registered Nurses).

If you studied in Florida, you apply by exam, and the same applies to those who studied in another state but haven’t done the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Exam).

International nurses must apply for licensure by examination. They may need to meet additional requirements, such as a credentials evaluation and English proficiency testing, unless they are from a Canadian province and passed the CNATS before 8th August 1995.

The FBON ensures patient safety and verifies competent nurses who tend to their patients and families.

The FBON protects the public from unsafe nursing practices and unbecoming conduct among nursing professionals.

This article will be helpful if you want to learn about the FBON, its nursing application, licensing process, other requirements, etc.

How Do You Become an LPN or RN in Florida

LPN and RN Education

If you’re a prospective LPN, you should enroll in nursing programs approved by the FBON or any other suitable organization.

LPN nursing programs approved by the ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) and other state boards are accepted.

Military-trained healthcare professionals must meet specific criteria and may need their training evaluated for equivalency to civilian nursing programs.

If you start a pro nursing program at a higher level, you can be licensed as an LPN if your coursework is equivalent to what’s offered in approved LPN programs.

This equivalency method is known as PNEQ (practical nursing equivalency).

Prospective RNs in Florida must complete a nursing program approved by the FBON or accredited by the ACEN or CCNE.

Florida has an authorization process for RN nursing programs within its borders.

You can also be accredited by two organizations, the ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) and the CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education).

LPN and RN License Application Process

Whatever your educational background, you will need to take and pass the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN exam, depending on what type of nurse you want to be.

Before the exam, your fingerprints will be taken and submitted to the FBON.

You should ensure the correct ORI (Originating Agency Identification) so the FBON can accept your prints. Nowadays, fingerprints can be done online via Livescan.

Now, you can create an account and apply for the exam online.

Also, you’ll need to register with Pearson Vue, the examination vendor.

When it comes to fees, you pay $200 for both LPN and RN. This fee should cover processing the application and the initial licensure.

If you pass the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN, your license will be processed within a week or a week and a half.

If you don’t pass the exam, you must reapply for another one. There is a separate application document for reapplication.

If a candidate fails the NCLEX three times, they must complete a Florida Board-approved remedial program before retesting.

LPN and RN by Endorsement

You can apply by endorsement if you’re applying for FBON licensure and licensed in another US state or territory.

However, if your license verification from the qualifying state and the initial state are different, you need to surrender them.

Again, the fee you pay to the FBON for application and initial licensure is $110. The fingerprinting fees may vary, as may the fee your home state charges for verification.

Military spouses may apply for licensure by endorsement and be eligible for expedited processing, but specific requirements and fees should be confirmed with the FBON.

In addition to the standard documentation, you must surrender military orders and proof of marriage.

International Nurses

If you’re an applicant from another country or a US territory not under the jurisdiction of the NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing), you must apply for the NCLEX exam.

You may be exempt if you are Canadian and took the CNATS (Canadian Nurses Association Testing Service) before 8 August 1995.

All international nursing program graduates, except those exempted (e.g., certain Canadian nurses), must have their credentials evaluated by a credentialing service approved by the FBON.

Note that it can take the FBON several months to complete this process.

In addition, if you didn’t do your nursing coursework in English, you must prove your English language competency via an exam or another route.

Fortunately, the FBON accepts several English language examinations and several kinds of academic programs as proof of competency.

If you have taken a college course credit in the United States, you’re considered proficient in English.

Final Thought

To sum up, we hope that the discussion above helps you understand the FBON, including its contact details, the application process for LPNs and RNs, and more.

You can also check the official FBON website to learn more.