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).
Currently, the FBON caters to over 72000 LPNs and over 260000 RNs.
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).
Nurses licensed in other countries by examination can apply for licensure by endorsement.
The FBON is dedicated to ensuring patient safety and verifying 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’re looking to learn about the FBON, its nursing application, licensing process, other requirements, etc.
How Do You Become an LPN or RN in Florida?
Florida Board of Nursing – 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.
If you did your nursing training in the military, you qualify for FBON licensure if the program was assigned an NCLEX (National Council Licensure Exam) code.
If you start a pro nursing program at a higher level, you can be licensed as an LPN if the coursework you did is equivalent to what’s offered in approved LPN programs.
This equivalency method is known as PNEQ (practical nursing equivalency).
Like LPNs, if you’re a prospective RN, you should enroll in nursing programs approved by the FBON or any other suitable organization.
The state of Florida has an authorization process for RN nursing programs within its borders.
Also, you can be accredited by two organizations, namely the ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) and CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education).
LPN and RN License Application Process
Florida Board of Nursing – LPN and RN by Endorsement
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.
Prior to doing the exam, your fingerprints will be taken and submitted to the FBON.
You should ensure you have the correct ORI (Originating Agency Identification) so that 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 $175 for both LPN and RN. This fee should cover the cost of processing the application and the initial licensure.
If you pass the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN, you can expect your license to be processed within a week or a week and a half.
If you don’t pass the exam, you’ll need to reapply for another one. There is a separate application document for reapplication.
Note that you have up to three attempts to pass the exam before you’re required to go through an approved remedial program.
LPN and RN by Endorsement
Florida Board of Nursing – LPN and RN by Endorsement
If you’re applying for FBON licensure and licensed in another US state or territory, you can apply by endorsement.
However, you need to surrender your license verification from the qualifying state and the initial state if they’re different.
Again the fee you pay to the FBON for application and initial licensure is $175. The fingerprinting fees may vary as well as the fee of home state charges for verification.
Military spouses are allowed to apply for temporary licensure. But keep in mind the requirements are the same, but the fee is lower.
In addition to the standard documentation, you must also surrender military orders and proof of marriage.
International Nurses
Florida Board of Nursing – 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 exempted if you’re Canadian and took the CNATS (Canadian Nurses Association Testing Service) before 8th August 1995.
Also, if you’re outside the NCSBN’s jurisdiction, you are responsible for having your academic credentials checked.
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 it all up, it’s our hope that the discussion above helps you understand what the FBON entails, including its contact details, the application process for LPNs and RNs, etc.
You can also check the official FBON website to learn more.
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