Nursing License from Rhode Island to Florida: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Florida Board of Nursing ↗
Yes — both Rhode Island and Florida are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If Rhode Island is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Florida now; if you are moving your residence to Florida, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Florida your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
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Verdict
Compact multistate — already covered
This is the move the compact was built for. Both Rhode Island and Florida are NLC members, so the real question is not "does my license transfer" but "is this a relocation or just work". Working in Florida while living in Rhode Island — travel contract, remote monitoring, per-diem across the border — needs nothing: your multistate license already covers it. Relocating to Florida means your primary state of residence changes, and the compact requires you to endorse into Florida and declare it your new home state. You keep practicing on the old privilege the entire time.
What changes, Rhode Island → Florida
| Rhode Island (current) | Florida (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| NLC status | NLC member — multistate license honored | NLC member — multistate license honored |
| Application fee | fee is set in the RIDOH fee schedule (216-RICR-10-05-2); amount could not be verified on an accessible official page (health.ri.gov blocked automated requests) — confirm with RIDOH | $110 ($50 processing + $50 initial licensure + $5 unlicensed activity + $5 student loan forgiveness; Livescan fingerprint fee varies by vendor) |
| Processing time | no processing time stated in the regulation | ~2 weeks (board states initial application review within 10 business days; Livescan results reach the board within 24-72 hours of processing) |
| Licensing authority | Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education | Florida Board of Nursing |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Florida sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm your current license is an active multistate license in good standing (check it in the verification system).
- If you are moving your primary residence to Florida: apply for licensure by endorsement with the Florida Board of Nursing when you move.
- Declare Florida as your new primary state of residence on that application.
- Complete Florida's fingerprint/background check requirement if requested.
- Keep practicing — your multistate privilege remains valid during the transition (do not let the old license lapse before the new one issues).
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Florida accept a Rhode Island nursing license?
Yes — both Rhode Island and Florida are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If Rhode Island is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Florida now; if you are moving your residence to Florida, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Florida your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
Do I retake the NCLEX moving from Rhode Island to Florida?
No — the NCLEX transfers everywhere. NCLEX is not retaken; endorsement rests on your original NCLEX/SBTPE-based licensure (or qualifying practice history) verified with your prior boards.
What does the move cost?
If you are only working across the border, nothing. If you are relocating your residence to Florida: $110 ($50 processing + $50 initial licensure + $5 unlicensed activity + $5 student loan forgiveness; Livescan fingerprint fee varies by vendor) ($50 processing + $50 initial licensure + $5 unlicensed activity + $5 student loan forgiveness; Livescan fingerprint fee varies by vendor).
How long will it take?
Practice can continue immediately on the multistate privilege; the residence-change endorsement processes in the background (~2 weeks (board states initial application review within 10 business days; Livescan results reach the board within 24-72 hours of processing)).
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Florida Board of Nursing — Nursing (RN & LPN) licensure by endorsement ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Florida BON — Nursing Licensure by Endorsement Application DH-MQA 1095 (PDF) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Nursys — participating boards (Florida) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- RI Code of Regulations 216-RICR-40-05-3 — Nurses (licensure by endorsement) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- RI Department of Health — Nurses (licensing) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]