Florida Clinical Nurse Specialist License Requirements
Complete guide to becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Florida
Reduced/collaborative practice: per Fla. Stat. 464.012(3) & (4)(d), a CNS performs all functions within the framework of an established physician supervisory protocol; autonomous practice under s. 464.0123 is limited to primary-care NPs and nurse midwives, so it is unavailable to a CNS. Prescriptive authority (including controlled substances for master/doctoral-prepared CNS) is permitted only within that established protocol framework per 464.012(3)(a).
Prescriptive Authority: Collaborative prescriptive authority within the established physician protocol per Fla. Stat. 464.012(3)(a); a CNS with a master/doctoral degree in a clinical nursing specialty may prescribe controlled substances subject to the s. 464.012(6) formulary. CNS is not eligible for autonomous practice under s. 464.0123 (limited to primary-care NPs and nurse midwives).
1 Education Requirements
Degree Required
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Program Requirements
- Complete accredited Clinical Nurse Specialist program
- Hold active RN license in the state
- Clinical hours as specified by program
2 National Certification
Certification Body
ANCC or AACN
Required
Yes
American Nurses Credentialing Center or American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
3 Fees
Initial Licensure
| Application Fee | $110 |
| Total | $110 |
Renewal
| Renewal Fee (every 2 years) | $60 |
Continuing Education Requirements
Pharmacology: 3 hours required
Prerequisites
To become a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Florida, you must first hold an active RN license. Florida is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so you may hold a multistate RN license.
State Board of Nursing
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Clinically reviewed by Clinical Review Team
Based on 6 official sources • Last verified: June 2026