64B9-5.002. Continuing Education Requirement

(1) During each biennium, one contact hour must be earned for each calendar month of the licensure cycle.

(2) The following continuing education courses are a mandatory part of the hours required in subsection (1), at the stated time periods:

(a) A two hour course in prevention of medical errors each biennium;

(b) A one hour course in HIV/AIDS in the first biennium only;

(c) A two hour course in Florida laws and rules each biennium;

(d) A two hour course in recognizing impairment in the workplace every other biennium thereafter;

(e) For biennial renewal on or after January 1, 2019, a two hour course on human trafficking, and each biennium thereafter;

(f) A course in domestic violence every third biennium.

(3) Those persons licensed by examination within a biennium are exempt from the continuing education requirement for that biennium. This exemption shall apply to a person who is licensed by endorsement during a biennium if such person was licensed in the original state of licensure by successful completion of an acceptable licensure examination during that biennium. A licensee who has endorsed into this State during a biennium or whose license was reactivated or reinstated during a biennium shall be required to accrue one (1) contact hour for each calendar month remaining in the biennium after licensure, reactivation, or reinstatement (however, no hours are required if the time remaining in the biennium is six months or less). This exemption or limitation shall only apply if the license is timely renewed at the end of the biennium, and does not apply if the license is suspended, revoked, or is (or becomes) inactive at the end of the biennium.

(4) A registered nurse who also holds a current license as a licensed practical nurse may satisfy the continuing education requirement for renewal of both licenses by completing appropriate continuing education for a registered nurse. A registered nurse who also holds a current APRN license may satisfy the continuing education requirement for both licenses by completing appropriate continuing education for a registered nurse, or may satisfy up to 50% of the continuing education requirement by completing continuing medical education coursework equivalent to the contact hours required by these rules.

(5) A nurse who is the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces and was caused to be absent from Florida due to the spouse’s duties with the Armed Forces shall be exempt from continuing education requirements. The licensee must show satisfactory proof of the absence and the spouse’s military status.

Rulemaking Authority 464.006, 464.013 FS. Law Implemented 456.013, 456.024, 456.031, 456.033, 464.013 FS. History–New 9-12-79, Amended 11-27-80, 10-8-81, 10-6-82, 11-24-83, 2-27-84, Formerly 21O-13.07, Amended 3-3-87, 10-21-87, Formerly 21O-13.007, 61F7-5.002, Amended 5-2-95, 7-5-95, 1-1-96, 4-29-96, 11-13-96, Formerly 59S-5.002, Amended 2-18-98, 1-4-15, 11-5-15, 10-16-16, 11-8-17, 7-30-19.