How to Become an LPN in Florida 2026
Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse in Florida requires completing a state-approved practical nursing program, passing the NCLEX-PN exam, and applying to the Florida Board of Nursing for licensure. Programs typically run 12 to 18 months. Florida is a member of the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact, which provides multistate practice privileges.
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Florida licenses its LPNs through the Florida Board of Nursing, which sets program approval standards, determines exam eligibility, and issues licenses. The process follows the same general structure as most states: an approved program, the NCLEX-PN, and a Board application. Florida has specific requirements worth understanding before you begin. For the broader state licensing picture covering both LPNs and RNs, see Florida nursing license requirements.
On this page:
- Education Requirements
- The NCLEX-PN Exam
- Applying for Your Florida LPN License
- License Renewal
- Nurse Licensure Compact
- Where Florida LPNs Work
- Florida LPN Salary and Career Outlook
Education Requirements
To qualify for NCLEX-PN eligibility in Florida, candidates must graduate from an eligible nursing education program. The Florida Board of Nursing recognizes three primary pathways under Section 464.008, F.S.:
- A program approved by the Florida Board of Nursing
- A program holding national accreditation from ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) or CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) with an NCLEX code issued by NCSBN
- A program approved or recognized by the jurisdiction in which it is based and issued an NCLEX code by NCSBN (covers out-of-state and military programs)
For a list of approved options, see LPN programs in Florida.
Most Florida LPN programs run 12 to 18 months and award a certificate or diploma. Coursework covers pharmacology, anatomy, medical-surgical nursing, and patient care fundamentals, combined with supervised clinical rotations. Community colleges, technical schools, and some private institutions offer these programs across the state.
Florida does not permit fully online LPN programs. Licensure requires hands-on clinical training that must be completed in person. Some general coursework may be offered in a hybrid format, but clinical hours cannot be fulfilled remotely.
The NCLEX-PN Exam
After graduating, candidates register for the NCLEX-PN through Pearson VUE. The Florida Board of Nursing must first verify and approve the application to test, confirming program completion and reviewing the applicant’s background before authorizing a test date.
Florida permits candidates to take the NCLEX-PN up to three times. After a third failure, a Florida Board of Nursing-approved remedial training program is required before another attempt. That program includes both classroom and clinical components, and proof of completion must be submitted with the re-examination application. The exam uses computerized adaptive testing, which adjusts question difficulty based on each response and concludes when it can determine with 95% confidence whether the candidate meets the passing standard. The test can end after as few as 85 questions or continue to a maximum of 150.
Applying for Your Florida LPN License
After passing the NCLEX-PN, candidates apply to the Florida Board of Nursing for initial licensure at floridasnursing.gov. The application requires official transcripts from the nursing program, the NCLEX-PN passing score report from Pearson VUE, results of a Level 2 criminal background check, and the applicable fee. Check the Board’s current fee schedule directly — fees are subject to change.
Florida requires all new applicants to pass a Level 2 fingerprint-based background check through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FBI. Certain criminal convictions can disqualify an applicant. The Board reviews disqualifying offenses on a case-by-case basis. Applicants with concerns about their background should contact the Board before enrolling in a program.
License Renewal
Florida LPN licenses renew on a 24-month cycle. The standard renewal requires 24 hours of CE, tracked through CE Broker. Within those 24 hours, the Florida Board of Nursing mandates specific topic areas each renewal period: 2 hours on Prevention of Medical Errors, 2 hours on Florida Laws and Rules, and 2 hours on Human Trafficking. The remaining 16 hours are general content from any board-approved subject area.
Two additional requirements operate on staggered schedules. Recognizing Impairment in the Workplace (2 hours) is required every other renewal. Domestic Violence (2 hours) is required every third biennium and is in addition to the standard 24-hour total, bringing that cycle to 26 hours. HIV/AIDS (1 hour) is a one-time requirement completed at the first renewal only.
CE must be completed during the 2-year period preceding the renewal date and reported to CE Broker. The Florida Board may update requirements. Verify the current breakdown at floridasnursing.gov before each renewal period closes.
Nurse Licensure Compact
Florida joined the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) in 2018. The compact covers both RNs and LPNs. A nurse whose primary state of residence is Florida receives a multistate license that allows practice in any of the other 41 NLC member states without applying separately in each one. The current list is maintained at ncsbn.org.
The compact ties to residency, not employment location. A Florida-licensed nurse working in another compact state is practicing under the Florida license, with no second license required. If that nurse moves and declares a new compact state as their primary residence, they must obtain a new multistate license from that state. The eNLC does not cover Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. APRNs follow a separate compact framework.
Where Florida LPNs Work
Long-term care is the largest employment sector for LPNs in Florida. Skilled nursing facilities and assisted living centers employ a significant share of the state’s LPN workforce, driven partly by Florida’s older population. The state has one of the highest concentrations of residents over 65 in the country.
Home health is another major sector, along with physician offices and outpatient ambulatory care settings. Hospital roles are less common for LPNs in Florida than they once were. Facilities have increasingly moved toward BSN-prepared RNs for clinical positions over the past decade. Corrections facilities, school health programs, and community health organizations also employ LPNs across the state.
LPNs who want to expand their scope of practice can pursue LPN-to-RN bridge programs. Several Florida institutions offer these pathways, which allow LPNs to complete an ADN or BSN and sit for the NCLEX-RN.
Florida LPN Salary and Career Outlook
Florida LPNs earned a median annual wage of $61,770 as of May 2025, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. That is below the national median of $64,400 for licensed practical and vocational nurses. Wages vary across the state’s major metro areas:
| Area | Median Annual Wage | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Florida (statewide) | $61,770 | $62,150 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | $62,610 | $63,610 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | $62,490 | $62,860 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | $61,030 | $60,970 |
| Jacksonville | $62,070 | $62,030 |
| United States (national) | $64,400 | $67,050 |
Florida’s LPN workforce is projected to grow from 37,770 positions in 2022 to 42,580 by 2032, a 12.7% increase, according to Projections Central. That growth generates approximately 3,520 average annual job openings, accounting for both new positions and turnover replacements. Demand is expected to remain strongest in long-term care and home health, consistent with current workforce patterns.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an LPN in Florida?
Most Florida LPN programs run 12 to 18 months. A student who enrolls full-time can typically complete the program, pass the NCLEX-PN, and receive licensure within two years, depending on program pacing and how quickly the Florida Board of Nursing processes the application.
Does Florida require a background check for LPN licensure?
Yes. Florida requires a Level 2 fingerprint-based background check through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FBI as part of the licensure application. Certain criminal convictions can disqualify an applicant. The Board reviews these situations individually. Anyone with a concern about their record should contact the Board before enrolling in a program.
Can I use my Florida LPN license in other states?
If Florida is your primary state of residence, your LPN license is a multistate license under the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact. That license is valid in all other NLC member states (41 as of 2026, with the current list at ncsbn.org) without applying for a separate license in each one. Practice in each state is still governed by that state’s Nurse Practice Act.
What are the continuing education requirements for Florida LPN renewal?
Florida requires 24 CE hours per 2-year renewal period, tracked through CE Broker. Mandatory topics every renewal includes: Prevention of Medical Errors (2 hrs), Florida Laws and Rules (2 hrs), and Human Trafficking (2 hrs). Recognizing Impairment in the Workplace (2 hrs) is required every other renewal. Domestic Violence (2 hrs) is required every third biennium and adds to the 24-hour total. HIV/AIDS (1 hr) is a one-time requirement at first renewal only. Confirm the current requirements with the Florida Board of Nursing before each renewal period closes.
How many times can I take the NCLEX-PN in Florida?
Florida permits up to three NCLEX-PN attempts. After a third failure, candidates must complete a Florida Board of Nursing-approved remedial training program before they can test again. That program includes both classroom and clinical components, and proof of completion must be submitted with the re-examination application. Candidates should confirm current retake procedures with the Board.
Key Takeaways
- Board-approved program is required — Florida accepts state-approved and nationally accredited programs with NCLEX codes. Fully online programs do not qualify for licensure.
- NCLEX-PN is the licensing exam — Administered by Pearson VUE. Florida limits candidates to three attempts before a remedial refresher course is required.
- Level 2 background check required — All applicants must pass a fingerprint-based check through FDLE and the FBI before the Florida Board of Nursing will issue a license.
- 24-month renewal cycle — 24 CE hours required per period, with mandatory topics including Medical Errors, Florida Laws and Rules, and Human Trafficking each renewal.
- Florida is an eNLC compact state — LPNs with a Florida primary residence hold a multistate license valid in 40-plus other compact states.
Find Florida-approved LPN programs, compare accreditation status, and access application resources for the Florida Board of Nursing.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and Projections Central 2022-2032 job growth forecasts for Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurses, Registered Nurses, and Advanced Practice Nurses across roles, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.