Continuing Education: Requirements & Licensure Renewal

Physician Assistants

Licenses for physician assistants expire Jan. 31 of even-numbered years. Prescribing physician assistants must complete 10 hours of CME in each specialty area of the supervising physician. These hours are included in the 98 general CME. Effective January 1, 2017, three of the 10 specialty hours must consist of a course on the safe and effective prescribing of controlled substance medications given by a statewide professional association of physicians in this state accredited to provide educational activities designated for the American Medical Association Physician’s Recognition Award Category I credit or designated by the American Academy of Physician Assistants as a Category I credit.

First renewal:

One hour of HIV/AIDS (Must be Category I.) Two hours of Prevention of Medical Errors

97 general CME hours or current National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) certification

Every renewal thereafter:

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Two hours of Prevention of Medical Errors

Two hours of Domestic Violence (Required every third biennium, included in the total 100 hours required.) One hour of Human Trafficking (May be included in the total general hours required and must be completed by Jan. 1, 2021.) 98 general CME hours

Nursing

All Florida-licensed registered nurses (RN) and licensed practical nurses (LPN) are in a two-year licensure cycle.

First renewal:

LPNs and RNs initially licensed by examination during the current biennium are exempt from general CEU requirements. LPNs and RNs initially licensed by endorsement during the current biennium and took the exam in another state within the biennium are also exempt from general CEU hours. Both those licensees must complete two hours of Prevention of Medical Errors, two hours of Florida Laws and Rules, two hours of Recognizing Impairment in the Workplace, two hours of Human Trafficking, and one hour of HIV/AIDS. Initial licenses that were issued for less than 24 months are required to complete one hour for each month that the license was valid for.

First licenses are not generally valid for a full two years. If your Florida license was not issued for the full two-year biennium you must complete 1 hour of CE for each month that you hold the license.

Every renewal thereafter:

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Two hours of Florida Laws and Rules

Two hours of Prevention of Medical Errors

Two hours of Recognizing Impairment in the Workplace (Required every other renewal.) Two hours of Human Trafficking (Does not have to be a Florida Board of Nursing approved course. Became effective October 1, 2017. Licenses expiring after Jan. 1, 2019 are required to complete the course every renewal/biennium.) Two hours of Domestic Violence (Required every third biennium in addition to the 24 hours required for renewal.) 16 general CE hours

Dentistry

Dental and dental hygiene licenses must be renewed in even-numbered years. Licenses expire on Feb. 28.

Dentist

First renewal:

Two hours of HIV/AIDS

Two hours of Prescribing Controlled Substances

Every renewal thereafter:

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Current CPR certification (Must be a live course.) Two hours of Prevention of Medical Errors

Two hours of Safe and Effective Prescribing Controlled Substances (May be included in the 30 total general hours required.)

Retirement Status for Licenses

If you are a physician considering retirement but are not ready to give up the practice of medicine, you may be questioning your options. Placing your license in retirement status prohibits you from practicing medicine in any form, but there is another option. Physicians can convert their full medical license to a limited license, in order to practice on a volunteer basis. Physicians with limited licenses who are working without compensation are not required to pay renewal fees. Limited licenses, however, are restricted to areas of critical need.

Two hours of Domestic Violence (Due every third biennium.) One hour of Human Trafficking (May be included in the total general hours required and must be completed by Jan. 1, 2021.) 28 CE hours

Dental Hygienist

First renewal:

Two hours of HIV/AIDS

Every renewal thereafter:

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Current CPR certification (Must be a live course.) Two hours of Prevention of Medical Errors

Two hours of Domestic Violence (Due every third biennium, in addition to the 24 hours required.) One hour of Human Trafficking (May be included in the total general hours required and must be completed by Jan. 1, 2021.) 22 CE hours

For more continuing education requirements for licensure renewal of Florida healthcare professionals, please visit www.floridahealth.gov/licensingand-regulation/index.html and https:// floridasdentistry.gov/renewals/dentist.