Florida Requirements at a Glance
Practice Authority
Florida is a Reduced Practice state (per AANP classification). Although a 2020 law established a defined pathway to autonomous practice, supervisory requirements still apply outside that limited scope. As a result, most APRNs practice under a supervisory protocol with a physician.
Path to Independence
Yes, but only for primary care (family medicine, general pediatrics, general internal medicine) and certified nurse-midwifery. APRNs in other specialties, including psychiatric-mental health, remain subject to a supervisory protocol indefinitely.
Hours Required for Independence
3,000 supervised clinical practice hours within the preceding 5 years, plus 3 graduate-level semester hours (or equivalent) each in differential diagnosis and pharmacology.
Physician-to-APC Provider Ratio Cap
There is no fixed ratio cap on the number of APCs a physician can supervise. However, Florida law (Fla. Stat. § 458.348(3)) limits the number of practice locations a physician can be associated with, with the limit tiered by practice type (4 / 2 / 1).
Chart Review Requirements
No fixed statutory percentage. The protocol must specify the degree and method of general supervision as agreed by the APRN and physician.
Meeting Requirements
No fixed statutory cadence; the supervising physician must be available by telephone or other communication device when not physically present.
Geographic Requirements
The protocol must be maintained on-site at each location where the APRN practices. Florida does not impose a fixed mileage or proximity requirement for the supervising physician.
Prescriptive/Delegation Authority Agreement
For 103/104 NPs: no agreement is required once certified. A one-time attestation of completed “transition to practice” is filed with the BRN instead
no longer filed with the Board of Nursing following the enactment of HB 453 in 2017.
For autonomous: No supervisory protocol is required once the APRN is registered. The ARNP may practice independently under Florida § 464.0123.
Schedule II Prescribing
ARPNs who graduated from a program with specialized practitioner skills training may prescribe Schedule II controlled substances within the framework of a supervisory protocol. These prescriptions are generally limited to a 7-day supply, with an exception for psychiatric medications prescribed by a psychiatric nurse. Only psychiatric nurses may prescribe Schedule II psychiatric-mental-health medications to patients under 18. Autonomous APRNs remain subject to these same prescribing limits – autonomous registrations removes the requirement for a supervisory protocol but does not expand Schedule II authority.
Physician Collaboration Eligibility Requirements
A collaborating physician in Florida must:
- Be licensed under Florida Statutes chapter 458 as an MD or chapter 459 as a DO. For certain delegated acts, a dentist licensed under chapter 466 may also qualify.
- Provide sufficient supervision to direct the specific course of medical treatment.
DEA Requirements / Application Process
The ARNP must hold an active Florida APRN license and, to prescribe controlled substances, register individually with the DEA. The APRN’s DEA number must be listed in the supervisory protocol alongside the supervising physician’s DEA number.
Boards, Trade Associations & Authoritative Links
Disclaimer: This page for general informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. Florida requirements are set by state law and board rule and may change; consult your own counsel before relying on this information. CollabDocs facilitates physician-APC introductions and does not practice medicine or guarantee outcomes except as stated in a signed services agreement.
Reviewed by the CollabDocs Compliance Team | Last reviewed August 5,2026
Florida Requirements at a Glance
Practice Authority
Florida is a Reduced Practice state (per AANP classification). Although a 2020 law established a defined pathway to autonomous practice, supervisory requirements still apply outside that limited scope. As a result, most APRNs practice under a supervisory protocol with a physician.
Path to Independence
Yes, but only for primary care (family medicine, general pediatrics, general internal medicine) and certified nurse-midwifery. APRNs in other specialties, including psychiatric-mental health, remain subject to a supervisory protocol indefinitely.
Hours Required for Independence
3,000 supervised clinical practice hours within the preceding 5 years, plus 3 graduate-level semester hours (or equivalent) each in differential diagnosis and pharmacology.
Physician-to-APC Provider Ratio Cap
There is no fixed ratio cap on the number of APCs a physician can supervise. However, Florida law (Fla. Stat. § 458.348(3)) limits the number of practice locations a physician can be associated with, with the limit tiered by practice type (4 / 2 / 1).
Chart Review Requirements
No fixed statutory percentage. The protocol must specify the degree and method of general supervision as agreed by the APRN and physician.
Meeting Requirements
No fixed statutory cadence; the supervising physician must be available by telephone or other communication device when not physically present.
Geographic Requirements
The protocol must be maintained on-site at each location where the APRN practices. Florida does not impose a fixed mileage or proximity requirement for the supervising physician.
Prescriptive/Delegation Authority Agreement
For non-autonomous: A written supervisory protocol must be maintained on-site. It is no longer filed with the Board of Nursing following the enactment of HB 453 in 2017.
For autonomous: No supervisory protocol is required once the APRN is registered. The ARNP may practice independently under Florida § 464.0123.
Schedule II Prescribing
ARPNs who graduated from a program with specialized practitioner skills training may prescribe Schedule II controlled substances within the framework of a supervisory protocol. These prescriptions are generally limited to a 7-day supply, with an exception for psychiatric medications prescribed by a psychiatric nurse. Only psychiatric nurses may prescribe Schedule II psychiatric-mental-health medications to patients under 18. Autonomous APRNs remain subject to these same prescribing limits – autonomous registrations removes the requirement for a supervisory protocol but does not expand Schedule II authority.
Physician Collaboration Eligibility Requirements
A collaborating physician in Florida must:
- Be licensed under Florida Statutes chapter 458 as an MD or chapter 459 as a DO. For certain delegated acts, a dentist licensed under chapter 466 may also qualify.
- Provide sufficient supervision to direct the specific course of medical treatment.
DEA Requirements / Application Process
The ARNP must hold an active Florida APRN license and, to prescribe controlled substances, register individually with the DEA. The APRN’s DEA number must be listed in the supervisory protocol alongside the supervising physician’s DEA number.
Boards, Trade Associations & Authoritative Links
Disclaimer: This page for general informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. Florida requirements are set by state law and board rule and may change; consult your own counsel before relying on this information. CollabDocs facilitates physician-APC introductions and does not practice medicine or guarantee outcomes except as stated in a signed services agreement.
Reviewed by the CollabDocs Compliance Team | Last reviewed August 5,2026
