The Florida Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) License Application is the official form every advanced practice nurse must submit to the Florida Board of Nursing before practicing as a nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, certified registered nurse anesthetist, or clinical nurse specialist in Florida. The application is filed under Florida Statutes Chapter 464 and Rule 64B9-4, F.A.C., and the agency that processes it is the Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA).
Florida licenses more than 32,000 ARNPs, and the Board reports that nearly 1 in 5 applications is delayed because of incomplete background-check submissions or missing national certification verification. This article walks you through every box, signature line, and attachment using the current 2026 revision of the application available through the MQA Online Services portal.
- 📝 How to fill in every line of the ARNP application without triggering a deficiency letter
- 📂 Which documents, transcripts, and certifications to gather before you start
- 🧑⚕️ Three real filer walkthroughs (new-grad FNP, out-of-state CRNA, psychiatric NP adding autonomous practice)
- 💵 Exact fees, processing times, and payment methods for online and paper filing
- ⚖️ How to disclose criminal history, malpractice claims, and prior discipline the right way
What the ARNP License Application Is and Who Must File It
The ARNP License Application is a state form that converts a Florida Registered Nurse (RN) license into an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse license. It is required by §464.012, Florida Statutes, which states that no person may use the title ARNP, APRN, nurse practitioner, CNM, CRNA, or CNS in Florida without first obtaining this license. The form is processed by the Florida Board of Nursing under the Department of Health.
You must file the application if you hold a current Florida RN license (or a multistate compact RN privilege) and you have completed a graduate-level advanced practice program accredited by the CCNE or ACEN. You also need a current national certification from a Board-recognized body such as the ANCC, AANP, NBCRNA, AMCB, or PNCB.
Failing to hold the ARNP license while practicing in an advanced role is a third-degree felony under §464.016, F.S., and it can also trigger discipline against your underlying RN license. A common misconception is that national certification alone allows Florida practice. It does not. Florida requires both the national credential and the state ARNP license before you can write your first prescription or bill under an APRN NPI.
If you want to practice without a supervising physician protocol, you must also file a separate Autonomous APRN Registration under §464.0123, F.S.. That registration is reviewed separately and requires 3,000 clinical hours within the prior five years.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather every document below before you open the application. The MQA portal times out after 30 minutes of inactivity, and a missing transcript or certification can stall your file for 60 to 90 days.
- Active Florida RN license number — the Board cross-references your RN file, and a name mismatch with your application freezes the review.
- Official graduate transcript — must be sent directly from your school to the Board showing the conferred MSN, DNP, or post-master’s certificate; faxed or applicant-carried copies are rejected.
- National certification verification — ordered through your certifying body (for example, AANP’s verification service); a screenshot of your wallet card is not accepted.
- Livescan fingerprint receipt — fingerprints must be submitted through an FDLE-approved Livescan vendor using ORI number FL924010Z and the Board’s OCA code.
- Government-issued photo ID — used to validate the Livescan submission and the signed affidavit.
- Proof of Florida-approved CE — including 3 hours of HIV/AIDS, 2 hours of human trafficking, 2 hours of prevention of medical errors, and 2 hours of Florida laws and rules; missing CE is the single most common deficiency cited by the Board.
- Malpractice insurance certificate or financial responsibility form — required by §458.320, F.S. once you begin practice; you may attach a written exemption affidavit if you qualify.
- Court records for any criminal history — certified dispositions for every arrest, charge, or diversion, even if sealed or expunged in another state.
- Name-change documents — marriage certificates, divorce decrees, or court orders if your transcript or certification carries a different name.
- Protocol with supervising physician — required for prescribing under Rule 64B9-4.010, F.A.C.; not required for autonomous APRNs.
- Application fee payment method — Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx, or e-check for online filing; cashier’s check or money order for paper filing.
A common misconception is that Florida will accept a NURSYS verification in place of an official transcript. It will not. The Board requires the school registrar to send transcripts directly, and the document must show the degree conferral date.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The current revision of the ARNP License Application (revised 02/2026) is hosted on the Florida Board of Nursing forms page under “Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.” You can complete the form one of two ways. The fastest route is the MQA Online Services portal, where you create a single sign-on account, upload attachments, and pay by card.
The second route is the paper PDF, DH-MQA 1188, which you print, complete in black ink, sign, and mail to the Department of Health, P.O. Box 6330, Tallahassee, FL 32314-6330. Paper applications take roughly 30 days longer because each page is hand-scanned and routed.
If you applied to a Florida RN license through the NCLEX route or by endorsement, log in with the same MQA credentials. Creating a duplicate account is a common mistake that splits your file across two records and forces a manual merge by Board staff.
The consequence of using an outdated form revision is automatic rejection without refund. Always download the form the same week you intend to file, and check the bottom-right footer for the revision date. A misconception is that a previous version will be honored if you started filling it out months ago. The Board only accepts the revision listed on its current forms page.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Florida ARNP License Application Line by Line
The application is divided into eight numbered parts. Complete every part in order, even if a section seems not to apply. Writing “N/A” where required prevents the Board from treating a blank as an unanswered question.
Part 1, Box 1: Legal Name
This field asks for your full legal name as it appears on your Social Security card and your Florida RN license. Enter last name, first name, middle name, and suffix in the printed boxes, all capital letters, no nicknames.
For example, Maria Elena Rodriguez-Vega writes RODRIGUEZ-VEGA, MARIA, ELENA in Box 1. If your name on your transcript is different from your Social Security record, you must attach a certified copy of your marriage certificate or court order.
The most common mistake on this field is entering a maiden name on the application but a married name on the Livescan submission, which causes the FDLE result to fail to match. The direct consequence is a 4 to 6 week delay while the Board requests a corrected Livescan. A misconception is that the Board will pick the “right” name from your supporting documents. It will not. The name you enter in Box 1 is the name printed on your license.
Part 1, Box 2: Other Names Used
This field asks for every prior legal name, alias, maiden name, or hyphenated combination you have used. Enter each former name on its own line in MM/YYYY ranges showing when each name was used.
For example, James Patrick O’Connor, who legally changed his surname from Murphy in 2014, enters MURPHY, JAMES, PATRICK 01/1990 — 06/2014 in the prior-name area.
A nuance arises if your name varied across states because of marriage, divorce, or remarriage. List every variation, because the FDLE and FBI background checks query under all known aliases. The common mistake is omitting a brief former-married name, which surfaces as a hit on the federal record and triggers a Board investigative hold. A misconception is that sealed name changes do not need to be disclosed. They do, because the Board’s authority under §456.013, F.S. reaches sealed records.
Part 1, Box 3: Social Security Number
This field asks for your nine-digit SSN, required by §456.013(1)(a), F.S. and federal child-support enforcement law. Enter the number with no dashes in the boxes provided.
For example, Maria Rodriguez-Vega writes 123456789 with one digit per box. If you do not have an SSN because you are a foreign-trained applicant on a visa, attach a sworn affidavit and a copy of your I-94 or visa stamp.
The common mistake is transposing two digits, which creates an instant mismatch with the Department of Revenue child-support database and stalls licensure. A misconception is that the SSN appears on your printed license. It does not, but it is required for cross-agency matching.
Part 1, Box 4: Date of Birth
This field asks for your DOB in MM/DD/YYYY format. Use leading zeros for single-digit months and days.
For example, an applicant born on March 4, 1992 writes 03/04/1992. Make sure the date matches your Livescan and your transcript exactly.
The common mistake is European-style day-month-year ordering, which is read as an impossible date and rejected by the system. A misconception is that the DOB is optional if the SSN is provided. It is not, because the FBI fingerprint return cross-checks DOB independently of SSN.
Part 1, Box 5: Mailing Address
This field asks for the address where you want all Board correspondence, including your wall license, sent. Enter street, city, state, ZIP+4, and country if outside the U.S.
For example, Carlos Nguyen in Tampa enters 4502 W KENNEDY BLVD, APT 12, TAMPA, FL 33609-2210. A P.O. Box is acceptable, but you must also list a physical residence in Box 6 because the Board cannot deliver investigative subpoenas to a P.O. Box.
The common mistake is using a clinic or employer address, which routes confidential discipline notices to your boss. The misconception is that updating your address on your RN license updates it on the ARNP application. It does not. Each application carries its own address until the licenses merge after issuance.
Part 2, Box 6: Practice Specialty
This field asks which advanced practice role you are licensing under. Check exactly one box: Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse Midwife, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Clinical Nurse Specialist, or Psychiatric Nurse.
For example, Maria Rodriguez-Vega, a family nurse practitioner, checks Nurse Practitioner — Family. If you hold dual certifications (FNP plus PMHNP), you must file two applications and pay two fees.
The common mistake is checking both NP and CNS when an applicant has a dual specialty MSN, which causes both applications to bounce. A misconception is that you can change specialty later by writing a letter. You must instead file a new application and pay the full fee under Rule 64B9-4.002, F.A.C.
Part 2, Box 7: National Certification Information
This field asks for the name of your certifying body, your certification number, the issue date, and the expiration date. Enter the certifying organization’s full name, not its acronym, on the first line.
For example, Aisha Bell, an AANP-certified FNP, enters AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS CERTIFICATION BOARD, F0123456, 06/15/2025, 06/15/2030. You must also request that the certifying body send a primary-source verification directly to the Board.
The common mistake is entering the test date instead of the certification issue date, which creates a mismatch with the verification document. The misconception is that an AANPCB wallet card or PDF download is “primary source.” It is not. The Board only accepts a verification sent through the certifying body’s online portal directly to MQA.
Part 3, Box 8: Educational Program
This field asks for the name and address of the graduate program that conferred your advanced practice degree, the degree type (MSN, DNP, post-master’s certificate), the program track, and the date of conferral.
For example, Carlos Nguyen enters UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA COLLEGE OF NURSING, 12901 BRUCE B DOWNS BLVD, TAMPA FL 33612, DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE, NURSE ANESTHESIA, 05/06/2025. The transcript must arrive directly from the registrar.
The common mistake is listing the date you walked at graduation rather than the official conferral date printed on the transcript, which can mismatch by weeks. The misconception is that an unaccredited certificate program counts. Only CCNE or ACEN accredited programs satisfy Rule 64B9-4.001, F.A.C.
Part 3, Box 9: Clinical Hours
This field asks for total supervised clinical hours completed during your APRN program. Enter the numerical total and the breakdown by rotation.
For example, Maria Rodriguez-Vega enters 720 total clinical hours with rotations in primary care, women’s health, pediatrics, and adult-gerontology. CRNA applicants typically enter 2,000 or more.
The common mistake is reporting only didactic hours and excluding clinical, which causes the Board to reject the educational evaluation. The misconception is that preceptor hours from before enrollment count. They do not. Only hours logged under the program’s clinical course numbers qualify.
Part 4, Box 10: Florida RN License Number
This field asks for your active Florida RN license number, beginning with RN followed by seven digits.
For example, Aisha Bell enters RN9301122. If you are licensed in another compact state and rely on multistate privilege, enter your home-state RN number and check the compact box.
The common mistake is entering the temporary permit number instead of the permanent RN number, which causes the system to reject the cross-reference. The misconception is that an inactive RN license can support an ARNP application. It cannot. Your RN license must be active and unencumbered at the time of ARNP issuance.
Part 5, Box 11: Criminal History Disclosure
This field asks whether you have ever been convicted of, found guilty of, entered a plea to, or had adjudication withheld for any crime other than a minor traffic violation. Check Yes or No.
For example, James O’Connor, who entered a plea to a 2009 misdemeanor DUI in Ohio, checks Yes and attaches a typed personal statement plus the certified court disposition. Sealed and expunged records must still be disclosed under §456.0635, F.S.
The common mistake is checking No because the record was expunged, which is treated as fraud on the application and is a separate ground for denial. The misconception is that out-of-state convictions are invisible to Florida. They are not. The FBI return surfaces them within seven days.
Part 5, Box 12: Health and Discipline Disclosure
This field asks whether you have ever been disciplined by another licensing board, denied a license, or been treated for a substance use disorder or mental health condition that impaired your ability to practice. Answer Yes or No to each subpart.
For example, Carlos Nguyen checks Yes to a 2022 letter of concern from the Texas Board of Nursing and attaches the closing order plus a personal statement.
The common mistake is omitting a non-disciplinary letter of concern, which the Board still treats as reportable under §456.039, F.S. The misconception is that mental health treatment alone must be disclosed. It must only be disclosed if the condition currently impairs your ability to practice safely.
Part 6, Box 13: Protocol and Supervising Physician
This field asks for the name, license number, and Florida medical license type of the physician who will supervise your protocol, plus the practice address. Leave this blank only if you are filing a separate Autonomous APRN Registration.
For example, Maria Rodriguez-Vega enters DR. SOPHIA PATEL, ME98762, MD, 1450 SAN MARCO BLVD, JACKSONVILLE FL 32207. The protocol itself is uploaded as an attachment.
The common mistake is naming a physician who does not hold a Florida ME or DO license, which voids the protocol on its face. The misconception is that telehealth supervision from out of state qualifies. It does not, unless the physician is also Florida-licensed.
Part 6, Box 14: Controlled Substance Prescribing
This field asks whether you intend to prescribe controlled substances under §893.05, F.S. Check Yes or No, and if Yes, attach proof of a 3-hour Board-approved course on safe and effective prescribing of controlled substances.
For example, Aisha Bell checks Yes and uploads her CE certificate from the Florida Nurses Association controlled-substance course.
The common mistake is checking Yes without attaching the CE certificate, which prevents the Board from issuing prescribing privileges. The misconception is that the federal DEA registration substitutes for the Florida CE. It does not.
Part 7, Box 15: Continuing Education Affirmation
This field asks you to affirm completion of the four mandated CE topics: 3 hours HIV/AIDS, 2 hours human trafficking, 2 hours prevention of medical errors, and 2 hours Florida laws and rules.
For example, Carlos Nguyen checks each affirmation box and attaches the four CE certificates dated within the prior 24 months.
The common mistake is using an out-of-state CE provider not on the CE Broker approved list, which voids the credit. The misconception is that the Board accepts CE backdated to the application date. It does not. CE must be completed before the affirmation is signed.
Part 8, Box 16: Affidavit and Signature
This field is the sworn statement that everything in the application is true. Sign in blue or black ink, print your full legal name, and date the signature in MM/DD/YYYY format.
For example, Maria Rodriguez-Vega signs Maria E. Rodriguez-Vega, prints MARIA ELENA RODRIGUEZ-VEGA, and dates 03/15/2026. Online filers click an electronic affirmation, which carries identical legal weight under §668.50, F.S.
The common mistake is signing in pencil or with a stamped signature, which is rejected as facially invalid. The misconception is that a power of attorney can sign for you. It cannot. The applicant must sign personally.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1: Maria Rodriguez-Vega, New-Grad FNP
Maria graduated from a Florida MSN-FNP program in May 2026, passed the AANP exam, and is filing her first ARNP application online.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 Legal Name | RODRIGUEZ-VEGA, MARIA, ELENA |
| Box 4 Date of Birth | 07/22/1994 |
| Box 6 Specialty | Nurse Practitioner — Family |
| Box 7 Certification | AANPCB, F0998877, 06/01/2026, 06/01/2031 |
| Box 8 Education | USF College of Nursing, MSN, FNP track, 05/06/2026 |
| Box 10 Florida RN | RN9512488 |
| Box 11 Criminal History | No |
| Box 13 Protocol Physician | Dr. Sophia Patel, ME98762, MD |
| Box 14 Controlled Substances | Yes with CE certificate uploaded |
| Box 16 Signature | Maria E. Rodriguez-Vega, 06/14/2026 |
Scenario 2: Carlos Nguyen, Out-of-State CRNA Endorsing Into Florida
Carlos is a Texas-licensed CRNA with seven years of experience moving to Tampa for a hospital position.
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 Legal Name | NGUYEN, CARLOS, MINH |
| Box 2 Other Names | None |
| Box 5 Mailing Address | 4502 W KENNEDY BLVD, TAMPA FL 33609 |
| Box 6 Specialty | Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist |
| Box 7 Certification | NBCRNA, 67890123, 08/01/2018, 08/01/2026 |
| Box 8 Education | Texas Wesleyan DNAP, 12/15/2018 |
| Box 10 Florida RN | RN9601177 (issued by endorsement) |
| Box 12 Discipline | Yes — Texas letter of concern, 2022 |
| Box 13 Protocol | Dr. Lila Reyes, ME88991, anesthesiologist |
| Box 16 Signature | Carlos M. Nguyen, 04/02/2026 |
Scenario 3: Aisha Bell, PMHNP Adding Autonomous Practice
Aisha already holds a Florida ARNP license and is now applying for Autonomous APRN Registration after logging 4,200 clinical hours.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 Legal Name | BELL, AISHA, RENEE |
| Box 6 Specialty | Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner |
| Box 7 Certification | ANCC, PMH123456, 09/15/2020, 09/15/2025 (renewed) |
| Box 8 Education | Vanderbilt MSN, PMHNP track, 08/10/2020 |
| Box 10 Florida ARNP | APRN1234567 |
| Box 11 Criminal History | No |
| Clinical Hours Affidavit | 4,200 hours, 2021–2026 |
| Autonomous Add-On | Yes — separate application + $100 fee |
| Liability Insurance | Attached, $1M/$3M policy |
| Box 16 Signature | Aisha R. Bell, 02/28/2026 |
A fourth example worth noting is James O’Connor, a second-career CNM with a 2009 DUI, who must attach a personal statement and certified court disposition. A fifth is Sarah Whitfield, a Canadian-trained NP whose foreign transcript must run through a CGFNS credential evaluation before the Board accepts it.
How to File the Completed Form
You may file online or by mail. The online channel is faster and cheaper to track, and roughly 78 percent of Florida ARNP applicants file through MQA Online Services.
Online filing. Log into the MQA Online Services portal, upload PDFs of every attachment, and pay the $100 application fee plus the $5 unlicensed activity fee by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx, or e-check. Processing takes 30 to 60 days once the file is complete. Keep the confirmation email and the application reference number, which is your proof of filing.
Paper filing. Mail the completed DH-MQA 1188 form, attachments, and a cashier’s check or money order payable to the Department of Health to: Department of Health, Board of Nursing, P.O. Box 6330, Tallahassee, FL 32314-6330. Processing runs 60 to 90 days. Send by certified mail with return receipt, and keep the green card as proof of filing.
Fingerprints. Submit Livescan separately through an FDLE-approved vendor using ORI FL924010Z. The vendor charges roughly $50 to $75. Keep the Transaction Control Number receipt.
Status checks. Track your file at the License Verification portal using your application reference number. Do not call the Board before day 30.
What Happens After You File
The Board’s intake unit performs a 10-business-day completeness review. If anything is missing, you receive a deficiency letter through your MQA inbox listing the exact items needed. You then have 90 days to cure deficiencies before the file expires.
If your application is clean, the file moves to the credential evaluator, who verifies education, certification, and Livescan. Most clean applications are approved within 30 days. Files with criminal history, malpractice, or discipline disclosures are routed to the Credentials Committee, which meets monthly and may issue a Notice of Intent to Deny or a Settlement Stipulation under Chapter 120, F.S.
Once approved, your ARNP license is issued electronically and posted to your MQA account within 48 hours. The wall certificate arrives by mail in roughly 2 weeks. You may begin advanced practice the moment the license number appears in the License Verification portal.
A misconception is that issuance triggers automatic federal DEA registration. It does not. You must separately apply through the DEA Diversion Control Division and obtain a state-controlled substance privilege endorsement.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Entering a maiden name on the application but a married name on Livescan, which causes the FDLE return to fail to match and adds 4 to 6 weeks of delay.
- Omitting an expunged or sealed criminal record, which is treated as fraud under §456.072(1)(h), F.S. and is its own ground for denial.
- Uploading a wallet card instead of a primary-source national certification verification, which results in an automatic deficiency notice.
- Listing the graduation ceremony date instead of the official degree-conferral date on the transcript, creating a date mismatch.
- Naming a supervising physician without a Florida ME or DO license, which voids the protocol on its face.
- Skipping the controlled-substance CE upload while still checking Yes in Box 14, which prevents prescribing privileges from issuing.
- Using out-of-state CE that is not CE Broker approved, which voids the four mandatory Florida CE affirmations.
- Submitting a paper application on an outdated revision, which is rejected with no refund of the $100 fee.
- Paying with a personal check on a paper application, which is returned because the Board only accepts cashier’s checks or money orders.
- Forgetting to include the $5 unlicensed activity fee, which forces the Board to reissue an invoice and adds 7 to 10 days.
- Listing a clinic address as the mailing address, which routes confidential discipline notices to your employer.
- Creating a duplicate MQA account instead of logging in under your existing RN credentials, which splits your file across two records.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do download the form fresh from the Board of Nursing forms page the same week you intend to file, because revisions update without notice.
- Do request your transcript and certification verification two weeks before you file, since both arrive by mail and lag the application.
- Do schedule Livescan immediately after starting the application, because fingerprint results expire at 90 days.
- Do save a PDF copy of every uploaded attachment, since the MQA portal does not allow downloads after submission.
- Do disclose every criminal, civil, or administrative matter, because the Board treats omission as separate misconduct.
- Do enter your full legal name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card, since the agency cross-checks SSA records.
Don’ts
- Don’t use pencil, white-out, or correction tape on the paper form, because the Board returns altered applications without processing.
- Don’t pay the application fee with a personal check, since only cashier’s checks or money orders are accepted on paper.
- Don’t list a P.O. Box without also listing a physical residence, because investigative subpoenas cannot be served to a P.O. Box.
- Don’t sign the affidavit before all CE is complete, because the date of signature must postdate the most recent CE certificate.
- Don’t rely on multistate compact privilege alone if you intend to practice in advanced roles, because compact privilege only covers RN practice.
- Don’t skip the autonomous registration if you plan to practice without a protocol, because doing so is unlicensed advanced practice under §464.0123, F.S.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Pros of Filing Pro Se
- Saves the $500 to $1,500 typical fee charged by a professional license consultant or healthcare attorney.
- Forces you to learn the Florida Nurse Practice Act, which you must follow daily once licensed.
- Gives you direct control over every disclosure and attachment, reducing miscommunication risk.
- Shortens turnaround for clean applications, since you can respond to deficiency letters the same day.
- Builds a direct relationship with MQA staff that helps with future renewals and additions.
Cons of Filing Pro Se
- Increases the risk of mishandling criminal history, malpractice, or discipline disclosures, which can lead to denial.
- Requires you to read and apply Chapter 464 and Rule 64B9-4 without legal training.
- Exposes you to the consequences of the §456.072, F.S. fraud provisions if you misanswer in good faith.
- Removes a buffer between you and the Credentials Committee if your file is flagged for review.
- Provides no privileged communication, since anything you tell MQA staff can be used in a future investigation.
Comparing Online Filing vs. Paper Filing
| Filing Channel | Key Differences |
|---|---|
| Online via MQA Portal | Faster 30 to 60 day processing, card or e-check payment, instant upload of attachments, automatic deficiency notices through MQA inbox |
| Paper via DH-MQA 1188 | Slower 60 to 90 day processing, cashier’s check or money order only, mailed deficiency letters, requires certified-mail proof of filing |
FAQs
Do I need an active Florida RN license before I file the ARNP application?
Yes. The Board cannot issue an ARNP license unless your underlying Florida RN license or compact privilege is active and unencumbered at the time the file is reviewed.
Can I practice as an ARNP while my application is pending?
No. Florida does not issue temporary or graduate APRN permits, so you must wait for the official license number to post in the License Verification portal.
Do I disclose a criminal charge that was sealed or expunged?
Yes. Section 456.0635, F.S. requires disclosure of every charge, even sealed or expunged, and omission is treated as fraud on the application.
Is national certification by itself enough to practice in Florida?
No. You must hold both a current national certification and a Florida ARNP license issued by the Board before practicing in any advanced role.
Do I write my maiden name or my married name in Box 1?
Yes, write the legal name on your Social Security card. List the other name in Box 2 and attach a marriage certificate or court order.
Do I leave Box 13 blank if I plan to practice autonomously?
Yes, but only if you simultaneously file a separate Autonomous APRN Registration under §464.0123, F.S.; otherwise a Florida-licensed supervising physician must be named.
Do I check Yes in Box 14 if I do not yet have a DEA number?
Yes, if you intend to prescribe controlled substances after issuance. The Florida controlled-substance privilege is independent of federal DEA registration and only requires the Florida CE.
Is the $100 application fee refundable if my application is denied?
No. Application fees are non-refundable under Rule 64B9-4.002, F.A.C., even if the Board issues a Notice of Intent to Deny.
Do I need malpractice insurance before the license is issued?
No. Financial responsibility is required only when you begin practice, but you must comply with §458.320, F.S. before seeing your first patient.
Can a foreign-trained NP file this application?
Yes, but the foreign transcript must first be evaluated by a Board-approved agency such as CGFNS, and English-language proficiency may be required.
Is the Livescan fingerprint result transferable from another agency?
No. Each Florida professional licensure board requires its own ORI-coded Livescan, so a previous DOH or law-enforcement print does not satisfy ARNP requirements.
Do I list every former clinical preceptor in Box 9?
No. Box 9 asks only for your total program clinical hours, not preceptor names. Preceptor lists are part of your transcript and program verification, not the application itself.
Can I switch specialty after the license is issued without a new application?
No. Adding or changing specialty requires a new application, new certification verification, and a new fee under Rule 64B9-4.002, F.A.C.
Do I have to upload my CE certificates with the application?
Yes. The Board requires CE certificates for HIV/AIDS, human trafficking, medical errors, Florida laws and rules, and controlled-substance prescribing as part of the file.
Can I update my address after submitting?
Yes. Update your mailing address through your MQA account immediately, because all official notices, including license issuance and discipline letters, route to the address on file.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Florida LPN License Application (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Medical License Application (MD) (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Osteopathic Physician License Application + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Pharmacy Permit Application (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida RN License Application (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Washington DOH ARNP License Application + FAQs