Florida Continuing Education Requirements

CNAs shall complete a minimum of twenty-four (24) hours of in-service training every two years for licensure renewal.

• In order to renew the CNA license at the end of the two-year renewal cycle, CNAs are required to perform nursing-related services for monetary compensation within the last 24 consecutive months in order to remain on the registry.

In-service training hours shall include, but are not limited to, the following areas:

• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Infection Control
• Domestic Violence
• Medical Record Documentation and Legal Aspects Appropriate to Nursing Assistants
• Resident Rights
• Communication with cognitively impaired clients
• Medical Error Prevention and Safety
• CPR skills

Note: CNAs who administer medication to patients of a home health agency should also be aware of the requirements of s. 464.2035, F.S. which requires two (2) hours of in-service training in medication administration and medication error prevention. This training is in addition to the required twenty-four (24) hours of in-service training.

HHAs are not governed or regulated by the State of Florida at this time. Contact employer or licensing agency for all information regarding renewal of certification.

In-Service Training

• HHAs employed by Medicare and Medicaid home health agencies are required to have a total of twelve (12) hours of in-service training during each twelve (12) month period (this can be a calendar year or based on the date of hire).
• HHAs employed by home health agencies and nurse registries must complete an HIV/AIDS training course. This training may be counted towards meeting the twelve (12) hours of in-service training.
• HHAs shall obtain and maintain a current certificate in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This training may be counted towards meeting the twelve (12) hours of in-service training.

Contact employer or licensing agency for all information regarding renewal of certification.

APRNs shall earn at least 24 contact hours every two-year renewal period

24 contact hours are required for the licensure cycle, including:
 

• 16 general hours
• Two (2) hours of Prevention of Medical Errors - every renewal period.
• Two (2) hours of Florida Laws & Rules - every renewal period.
• Two (2) hours of Human Trafficking - every renewal period.
• Two (2) hours of Impairment in the Workplace - every other renewal period.
• Two (2) hours of Domestic Violence - every third renewal. This course is in addition to the required 24 hours of CE for that renewal period.
• One (1) hour HIV/AIDS - a one-time requirement to be completed prior to the first renewal.

For those advanced registered nurse practitioners certified under s. 464.012: 
 

• Three (3) hours of Safe and Effective Prescription of Controlled Substances - every renewal period.

AUTONOMOUS PRACTICE:

Rule 64B9-4.020(4), FAC, requires that registered Autonomous APRNs complete 10 additional hours of approved courses at the graduate level (Nurse Practitioner or continuing medical education).

These hours must be completed each renewal, in addition to completing the regular contact hours of CE already in place, even if the APRN is exempt from existing CE requirements due to his or her national certification.
 

RNs shall earn at least 24 contact hours every two-year renewal period.

24 contact hours are required for the licensure cycle, including:
 

• Sixteen (16) general hours
• Two (2) hours of Prevention of Medical Errors - every renewal period.
• Two (2) hours of Florida Laws & Rules - every renewal period.
• Two (2) hours of Human Trafficking - every renewal period.
• Two (2) hours of Impairment in the Workplace - every other renewal period.
• Two (2) hours of Domestic Violence - every third renewal. This course is in addition to the required 24 hours of CE for that renewal period.
• One (1) hour HIV/AIDS - a one-time requirement to be completed prior to the first renewal.

First Biennium Renewal only: 

RNs initially licensed by examination, or by endorsement during the current biennium and took the exam in another state during the current biennium, are exempt from the full general CEU requirements for the first renewal. If your Florida license was not issued for the full two-year biennium, you must complete one (1) hour of CE for each month that you hold the license to satisfy the general hour requirement. However, those hours must include at least two (2) hours of Medical Error, two (2) hours in Florida laws and rules, two (2) hours of Human Trafficking, two (2) hours of Recognizing Impairment in the Workplace, and one (1) hour of HIV/AIDS. 

LPNs shall earn at least 24 contact hours every two-year renewal period.

24 contact hours are required for the licensure cycle, including:
 

• Sixteen (16) general hours
• Two (2) hours of Prevention of Medical Errors - every renewal period.
• Two (2) hours of Florida Laws & Rules - every renewal period.
• Two (2) hours of Human Trafficking - every renewal period.
• Two (2) hours of Impairment in the Workplace - every other renewal period.
• Two (2) hours of Domestic Violence - every third renewal. This course is in addition to the required 24 hours of CE for that renewal period.
• One (1) hour HIV/AIDS - a one-time requirement to be completed prior to the first renewal.

First Biennium Renewal only: 

LPNs initially licensed by examination, or by endorsement during the current biennium and took the exam in another state during the current biennium, are exempt from the full general CEU requirements for the first renewal. If your Florida license was not issued for the full two-year biennium, you must complete one (1) hour of CE for each month that you hold the license to satisfy the general hour requirement. However, those hours must include at least two (2) hours of Medical Error, two (2) hours in Florida laws and rules, two (2) hours of Human Trafficking, two (2) hours of Recognizing Impairment in the Workplace, and one (1) hour of HIV/AIDS. 

Medical Assistants are not licensed in Florida; however, a medical assistant may become certified through the American Association of Medical Assistants, 800-228-2262. Please see Section 458.3485, Florida Statute (F.S.), for more information regarding medical assistants.