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FMES is an approved ce provider by the Florida Board of Nursing. We offer approved
nursing continuing education for Florida nurses. We hope you find these FAQs helpful.

Oct 12, 2009 - New rule governing contact hours, effective immediately.

Contact Hour definition changes from 50 minutes to 60 minutes. One (1) contact hour equals sixty (60) minutes. One half (1/2 or .5) contact hour equals thirty (30) minutes.

The contact hour definition for all other Florida Department of Health Boards remains 50 minutes. Licensees of other Florida Boards could receive a greater number of contact hours than Nurses.

New programs added to the FMES website after this date will be based on the new contact hour rule.

Florida Board of Nursing Telephone: (850) 488-0595
Important notice for nursing applicants.

Q: I have earned over 100 hours. Can I carry the balance over to the next renewal period?
A: No, all hours must be earned within your renewal period and cannot be carried over.

Q: I have received my renewal notice and have not completed my 24 contact hours or 26 contact hours during renewal when Domestic Violence is required (every third renewal). Can I mail my renewal in and complete my hours later?
A: No, Nurses must complete C.E. requirements within the appropriate biennium. By sending in your renewal and fee you have affirmed that you have complied with all licensure renewal requirements.

Q: How many contact hours can I earn through Home Study?
A: The Board imposes no limit on the number of contact hours earned through Home Study.

Q: Can nurses take courses that offer CME (Continuing Medical Education) credits?
A: Only ARNP?s may earn CME for up to half of the mandatory CE requirements.

Q: Did you know?
Background screening for employment purposes may be required for the Registered Nurse (RN), License Practical Nurse (LPN) or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) depending on place of employment. It is the responsibility of the employer to meet this requirement.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Effective July 1, 2009, Florida Statutes Section 456.0635, health care boards or the department shall refuse to issue a license, certificate or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant has been:

            1. Convicted or plead guilty or nolo contendre to a felony violation of: chapters 409, 817, or 893, Florida Statutes; or 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 or 42 U.S.C. ss 1395-1396, unless the sentence and any probation or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the application.
            2.  Terminated for cause from Florida Medicaid Program (unless the applicant has been in good standing for the most recent five years).
            3.  Terminated for cause by any other State Medicaid Program or the Medicare Program (unless the termination was at least 20 years prior to the date of the application and the applicant has been in good standing with the program for the most recent five years).

Some of the boards, or the department where there is no board, are in the process of updating questions on licensure applications.  Please continue to use the application, as it currently appears online until rules are adopted that will allow the department to replace these applications with updated versions.

Florida Board of Nursing Telephone: (850) 488-0595

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