Most important takeaways…
- Tampa Bay universities offer FNP, PMHNP, AGNP, PNP, WHNP, and AGACNP specialties across MSN and DNP levels.
- Annual tuition at area public universities ranges from roughly $6,100 to over $21,000 depending on the institution.
- Most Tampa NP programs use a hybrid format, pairing online coursework with locally arranged clinical rotations.
- Florida APRN licensure requires passing a national certification exam and applying through the Board of Nursing.
Online versus on-campus format is not the only choice Tampa-area nurses face. The deeper tension is specialty selection, degree level, and cost, all at once, across a metro that now hosts several accredited NP pathways within commuting reach.
The Tampa Bay region draws students from St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Lakeland, Sarasota, and Bradenton, giving working nurses access to programs at public universities, private institutions, and hybrid-format schools without relocating. Specialties available locally include the Family NP, Adult-Gerontology NP, Psychiatric-Mental Health NP, Pediatric NP, Women's Health NP, and the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP track. Degree options span the MSN, the DNP, and post-master's FNP certificates for nurses already holding a graduate degree.
Florida continues to expand NP scope, and health systems across the Tampa Bay area are increasingly listing DNP preparation as a preferred credential in hiring postings, a shift that makes the degree-level decision more consequential than it was even five years ago.
NP Programs in the Tampa Bay Area
Tampa Bay sits within reach of more accredited nurse practitioner programs than most metro areas, which matters if you plan to keep working while you earn an advanced degree. Below are the schools that regularly enroll nurses from Tampa and the surrounding region, along with the specialties, degree levels, and delivery formats each one offers. Tuition shown here reflects graduate-level rates rather than undergraduate sticker prices, and any net price figure is an institution-wide average, not a personalized estimate of what you would pay.
Factors considered
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- Earnings ten years after entry
- Graduate tuition and net price
- Breadth of NP specialties offered
- Delivery formats for working nurses
- Program-level records maintained in house
- Independent editorial research
- National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) — nces.ed.gov
- Federal College Scorecard outcomes data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- State cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities — bea.gov
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida is the in-market public option for Tampa-area nurses, with its NP tracks housed at the USF Health College of Nursing on the Tampa campus. One college listing spans several specialties, including family, adult-gerontology primary care, adult-gerontology acute care, pediatric primary care, and an occupational health subspecialty, at both the master's and BSN-to-DNP levels. Because the college sits inside a large academic health system, students have a strong shot at clinical placements close to home rather than across the state. In-state graduate tuition keeps this among the lower-cost routes for Florida residents.
- Hybrid format, 60 credit hours
- Comprehensive examination required before graduation
- Prepares for ANCC or AANPCB certification
- Coursework in clinical judgment, research, policy, and leadership
- Campus-based, 57 credit hours
- Prepares for the Pediatric Primary Care certification exam
- Lock-step program plan available
- Care for children in health promotion within a family context
- Campus-based, 57 credit hours
- Comprehensive exam required
- Prepares for national certification
- Primary care for adolescents through older adults
- Campus-based, 74 credit hours
- Combines nursing and public health coursework
- Grant funding may cover costs
- Prepares for ANCC or AANPCB certification
- Hybrid doctoral pathway
- Prepares for ANCC or AANPCB certification
- Practice in ambulatory care settings
- Comprehensive care across the lifespan
- Campus-based doctoral pathway
- Prepares for ANCC or AANPCB certification
- Patient-centered primary care for adults and older adults
- Financial aid and scholarships available
- Campus and hybrid delivery options
- Prepares for ANCC or AACN certification
- Manage acute and complex health conditions
- Practice in acute and outpatient settings
- Campus-based, combines two concentration areas
- Prepares for ANCC, AANPCB, or ABOHN credentials
- NIOSH-funded opportunities available
- Manage work-related injuries and illnesses
- Campus-based doctoral track
- Prepares for PNCB certification
- Family-centered care with well-child and preventive services
- Clinical practice in ambulatory settings
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), MSN — Hybrid
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, MSN — On-Campus
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, MSN — On-Campus
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner with Occupational Health Nursing Subspecialty, MSN — On-Campus
Family Health Concentration, BSN to DNP — Hybrid
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, BSN to DNP — On-Campus
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, BSN to DNP — Hybrid
Occupational Health and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, BSN to DNP — On-Campus
Pediatric Health Concentration, BSN to DNP — On-Campus
Ana G. Mendez University
Ana G. Mendez University offers an on-site Master of Science in Nursing in Family Nurse Practitioner with a Tampa Bay campus option, making it one of the few listings here with a physical Tampa-area classroom. Coursework covers pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, biomedical ethics, health policy, and management of common primary care concerns. There is no thesis or capstone requirement, and graduates sit for national FNP certification. The program leans on patient-centered, culturally responsive care, which fits the bilingual communities across the region.
- On-site delivery at multiple Florida campuses
- Tampa Bay campus option available
- Coursework includes pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment
- Covers health policy and biomedical ethics
- No thesis or capstone required
- Prepares for national FNP certification
Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida runs its NP programs on a hybrid model with limited on-campus intensives rather than a full residential schedule, which makes the roughly ninety-minute drive from Tampa workable for required visits. The doctoral tracks cover adult-gerontology primary care and adult-gerontology acute care. Post-master's certificates let practicing APRNs add a new population focus in fewer than two dozen credit hours, an unusually compressed route for nurses who already hold a graduate degree. Clinical placements are arranged in Central Florida by a program coordinator.
- Hybrid post-master's certificate, 23 credit hours
- Open to certified APRNs holding an MSN or DNP
- Prepares for acute care practice and state licensure
- Includes clinical hours and diagnostic reasoning coursework
- Hybrid post-master's certificate, 19 credit hours
- Up to 660 clinical hours
- Requires BSN and MSN degrees plus Florida APRN licensure
- Includes a women's health course
- Hybrid, 73 to 74 credit hours over nine semesters
- About 1,140 clinical hours
- Twice-yearly on-campus intensives
- Clinical sites assigned by a coordinator
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate — Hybrid
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate — Hybrid
Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, DNP — Hybrid
University of Florida
The University of Florida's NP offerings are hybrid BSN-to-DNP tracks built around family, psychiatric-mental health, and adult-gerontology acute care practice. Several tracks state that students may need to travel anywhere in Florida for clinical placements, so Tampa-based nurses should plan for windshield time rather than counting on a local preceptor. The acute care track asks for at least one year of critical care experience and recommends CCRN certification. Full-time and part-time pacing is available in every track, and each carries CCNE accreditation.
- Hybrid, full-time and part-time options
- Eligible for ANCC and AANP certification
- Primary care across the lifespan
- Clinical placements in Florida, with travel required
- Hybrid doctoral track
- Advanced health assessment and psychotropic prescribing
- Clinical placements in rural, community, and urban settings
- Eligible for ANCC certification
- Requires one year of critical care experience
- CCRN certification recommended
- High-acuity inpatient focus
- Clinical sites in Florida only, with travel required
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), BSN to DNP — Hybrid
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, BSN to DNP — Hybrid
Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, BSN to DNP — Hybrid
Florida International University
Florida International University runs one of the widest NP menus in the state, with post-master's certificates, master's tracks, and BSN-to-DNP pathways covering family, pediatric primary care, psychiatric-mental health, and adult-gerontology primary care. A single graduate nursing listing covers several of these tracks, so nurses can compare certificate, master's, and doctoral entry points without bouncing between applications. Clinical placements can be arranged outside the local area for several tracks when contracts allow, which matters for students who do not want to relocate. The NP tracks hold CCNE accreditation.
- Online, 32 credits
- Requires an MSN from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program
- Clinicals may be arranged outside Florida
- Students identify their own clinical sites
- Leads to national certification eligibility
- Hybrid format, 36 credits
- Requires an MSN degree
- Family care across the lifespan
- Fall application deadline in early March
- Hybrid, 35 credits
- Psychopharmacology course required
- Prepares for national psychiatric certification
- Fall term admission
- Fully online, 32 credits
- Builds on an existing MSN
- Clinicals may be allowed outside the local area
- Fall application deadline in early March
- Predominantly online, 45 credit hours
- Six-semester plan starting in fall
- Cares for adolescents through older adults
- Option to add a Nurse Educator certificate
- Hybrid format, 45 credits over six semesters
- Fall admission with a March 1 deadline
- Clinical sites include psychiatric units and community clinics
- Prepares for state APRN licensure
- Online post-BSN to DNP route
- One of four DNP concentrations
- Flexible clinical site options for online students
- Prepares for national certification
- Post-BSN to DNP with fall and spring starts
- Hybrid delivery for the family track
- Clinical placements in ambulatory settings
- Family-centered primary care across the lifespan
- Online DNP concentration
- Fall deadline March 1 and spring deadline August 1
- Clinicals can be arranged outside traditional areas
- Prepares for national certification
- Direct BSN-to-DNP pathway
- Two start dates per year
- Hybrid format with psychiatric clinical placements
- Graduates eligible for national certification
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate — Online
Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate — Hybrid
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate — Hybrid
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate — Online
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, MSN — Online
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, MSN — Hybrid
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Post-BSN to DNP — Online
Family Nurse Practitioner, Post-BSN to DNP — Hybrid
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, DNP — Online
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Post-BSN to DNP — Hybrid
Florida State University
Florida State University builds its NP portfolio around online and hybrid delivery, with synchronous Zoom classes and a small number of campus visits for skills checks and objective clinical exams. The DNP tracks cover family and psychiatric-mental health practice plus adult-gerontology acute care, and post-master's certificates let current APRNs add a family or acute care focus. For the family certificate, program coordinators help secure preceptors rather than leaving placement entirely to the student. Admission generally expects a 3.0 GPA and letters of recommendation, and entrance exams may be waived for applicants with strong grades.
- Online certificate for nurses who already hold an MSN
- 585 clinical hours in family practice settings
- Three graduate-level prerequisite courses required
- Coordinators help secure preceptors
- Online, 22 credit hours
- Synchronous course components
- Prepares for acute care practice with complex illness
- Clinical rotations and simulation exercises included
- Hybrid with synchronous online classes
- Three on-campus visits for clinical skills exams
- BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP pathways
- Prepares for ANCC or AANPCP certification
- Online didactic with campus visits
- Clinical placements arranged across the country
- Focus on mental health across the lifespan
- Prepares for ANCC certification
- Four on-campus day sessions required
- Recommends one to two years of acute care RN experience
- Prepares for ANCC and AACN certification
- BSN to DNP and post-master's entry pathways
Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate — Online
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Graduate Certificate — Online
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
University of North Florida
The University of North Florida offers a fully online psychiatric-mental health NP certificate for nurses who already hold a master's degree, plus DNP tracks in family and psychiatric-mental health practice. The certificate is a post-master's credential with demanding entry standards: an active APRN license, national NP certification, a 3.5 GPA, and at least a year of RN experience. Because coursework is online, Tampa-area nurses can complete the academic portion from home, though the certificate does not qualify for federal financial aid. The family DNP track is campus-based and prepares graduates for Florida APRN licensure.
- Fully online, 36 credit hours
- Requires an MSN, active APRN licensure, and national certification
- Minimum 3.5 GPA and one year of RN experience
- No federal financial aid available for the certificate
- Campus-based, full-time and part-time options
- Prepares for FNP certification and Florida APRN licensure
- Open to BSN and MSN graduates
- Tuition waivers available
- Online, 68 credit hours
- About 1,100 clinical hours
- Starts in spring
- Prepares for Florida licensure
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate — Online
Family Nurse Practitioner, DNP — On-Campus
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, DNP — Online
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University shapes its NP programs around part-time, hybrid study for working nurses, with clinical hours concentrated in South Florida rather than the Tampa region. Master's concentrations include family and adult-gerontology primary care, and a post-graduate psychiatric-mental health certificate serves nurses who already hold a graduate nursing degree. The BSN-to-DNP tracks run about eleven semesters and program materials note that holding a full-time job while enrolled is difficult. On-campus portions are hosted across three South Florida campuses.
- Part-time hybrid, 52 credit hours over about 2.5 years
- 780 clinical hours required
- No GRE or MAT required
- Fall admission only
- Hybrid, 52 credit hours over eight semesters
- 780 clinical hours
- Part-time study with a fall start
- Prepares for ANCC or AANP certification
- Online, 28 credit hours
- 780 clinical practice hours
- Requires an MSN and Florida RN licensure
- No GRE required
- Campus-based certificate for MSN-prepared nurses
- Requires a 3.0 GPA and Florida RN licensure
- Includes an advanced nursing practice course
- Not a degree program
- Hybrid, 77 credit hours over 11 semesters
- 1,000 clinical hours plus a capstone
- Master's Along the Way option available
- Work discouraged during full-time study
- Hybrid, 72 credit hours
- Prepares for psychiatric mental health certification
- Annual criminal background checks required
- Clinical placements arranged by the program
- Hybrid, 77 credit hours
- Clinical placements in South Florida
- Classes one weekend per month
- Master's Along the Way option available
Family Nurse Practitioner, MSN — Hybrid
Adult/Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, MSN — Hybrid
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate — Online
Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate — On-Campus
Family Nurse Practitioner, BSN to DNP — Hybrid
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, BSN to DNP — Hybrid
Adult/Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, BSN to DNP — Hybrid
University of Miami
The University of Miami runs its NP offerings through a school of nursing and health studies that mixes master's, post-master's certificate, and BSN-to-DNP routes in family, adult-gerontology primary care, and adult-gerontology acute care. Clinical hours are completed with regional academic health partners, and DNP cohorts move through the curriculum together in a lock-step sequence. Faculty in the DNP tracks remain engaged in clinical practice. Tuition runs well above the public options in this list, and financial aid, scholarships, and payment planning resources are available.
- Campus-based, 38 credit hours
- Finish in one year full-time or two years part-time
- At least 616 clinical hours
- Lock-step cohort model
- Campus-based, 37 credit hours
- One to one and a half years of study
- Clinical experiences in South Florida hospitals
- Prepares for ANCC and AACN certification
- Campus-based, 20 to 23 credit hours
- Requires an MSN or DNP plus national certification
- Lock-step curriculum with an individual gap analysis
- Advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and assessment prerequisites
- Campus-based, 16 to 19 credit hours
- Individual gap analysis determines required courses
- Courses completed sequentially in a lock-step plan
- Designed for current MSN or DNP graduates
- Campus-based, 71 credit hours
- Two-year or four-year completion plans
- About 1,000 clinical hours
- Clinical partnerships with regional academic health systems
- Campus-based, 68 credit hours
- Two-year or four-year completion plans
- About 1,000 clinical hours
- Multicultural clinical settings across South Florida
- Campus-based, 70 credit hours
- Fall start only
- About 1,000 clinical hours
- Prepares for ANCC and AACN certification
Family Nurse Practitioner, MSN — On-Campus
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, MSN — On-Campus
Post-Masters Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
Post-Graduate Certificate in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
Family Nurse Practitioner, BSN to DNP — On-Campus
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, BSN to DNP — On-Campus
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, BSN to DNP — On-Campus
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Gulf Coast University offers BSN-to-DNP tracks in family and psychiatric-mental health practice, delivered hybrid with on-campus days on the southwest coast. The program runs 81 credit hours over three years full-time or four part-time and requires about 1,000 clinical hours, with a faculty advisor assigned to every student and a clinical coordinator helping with placements. Federal grant funding and the Nurse Faculty Loan Program help offset costs, and no entrance exam is required. Clinical sites are concentrated across five Southwest Florida counties, so Tampa-based students should expect a drive.
- Hybrid, 81 credit hours over three years full-time
- About 1,000 clinical hours with placement assistance
- Faculty advisor assigned to each student
- Federal grant funding and Nurse Faculty Loan Program support
- Hybrid, 81 credit hours
- About 1,000 clinical hours plus a DNP project
- Clinical sites across five Southwest Florida counties
- No GRE required, fall admission only
Family Nurse Practitioner, BSN to DNP — Hybrid
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, BSN to DNP — Hybrid
NP Specialties You Can Study in the Tampa Metro
The growing variety of nurse practitioner specialties reflects how deeply the profession has diversified over the past decade, and Tampa-area programs now cover most of the major tracks. Which specialty you choose shapes the patient population you serve, the settings you work in, and the clinical skills you build. Here is what is available in and around the Tampa metro.
Primary Care and Family-Focused Tracks
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): The most widely offered specialty in the region, FNP programs prepare you to care for patients across the lifespan, from pediatrics through geriatrics, in outpatient and community settings. Nearly every local school with an NP program includes this track.
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (AGNP): This track narrows the focus to adolescents, adults, and older adults in primary care. It is offered at select Tampa-area universities, though fewer programs carry it compared to FNP.
- Pediatric NP (PNP): PNP programs train you to manage acute and chronic conditions in infants, children, and adolescents. Availability locally is more limited, and some students enroll in hybrid or online programs based outside the region.
Acute Care and Psychiatric Tracks
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (AGACNP): Designed for inpatient, emergency, and critical care environments, AGACNP programs prepare you to manage complex, rapidly changing conditions in adult and older adult patients. If you are weighing this track against AGNP, a closer look at the differences between AGNP vs AGACNP can help clarify which path fits your clinical goals. A handful of Tampa-area schools offer this track.
- Psychiatric Mental Health NP (PMHNP): PMHNP programs Tampa students can access are growing in number, driven by surging demand for psychiatric providers both locally and nationwide. This specialty focuses on diagnosing and treating mental health conditions across the lifespan. Because demand outpaces the number of local seats, many Tampa nurses pursue PMHNP training through accredited online or hybrid programs headquartered elsewhere.
Women's Health
- Women's Health NP (WHNP): WHNP programs center on reproductive health, prenatal care, gynecologic conditions, and menopause management. This is one of the less commonly offered specialties in the Tampa area, so students often look to online programs or institutions within a one- to two-hour commuting radius, including NP programs in Sarasota Florida or nurse practitioner programs in Orlando.
If your preferred specialty is not available at a convenient local campus, online and hybrid options from accredited programs elsewhere in Florida or nationally can fill the gap, and many are designed specifically for nurses who are still working full time.
MSN, DNP, and Post-Master's Pathways in Tampa
Tampa-area nurses have three main degree pathways into nurse practitioner practice. The MSN is the entry-level NP degree and the fastest route to certification. The DNP is the practice doctorate, increasingly preferred by employers and health systems. Post-master's certificates let current MSN-prepared NPs add a new specialty without repeating an entire graduate program. Some Tampa programs also offer BSN-to-DNP direct-entry tracks that fold both degrees into a single, streamlined curriculum.
What Tampa NP Programs Actually Cost
Tuition varies significantly across Florida's public universities, and the figures below reflect annual institutional rates reported to federal databases. Keep in mind that the net price column represents an institution-wide average for all undergraduates receiving financial aid, so it does not directly reflect what you will pay as a graduate nursing student. Your actual out-of-pocket cost depends on your credit load, residency status, program length, and any graduate assistantships or employer tuition reimbursement you secure.
| School | Location | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Avg. Net Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton | $6,693 | $18,482 | $8,752 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando | $8,872 | $28,657 | $10,411 |
| Florida Gulf Coast University | Fort Myers | $8,961 | $31,216 | $12,568 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola | $9,062 | $24,894 | $9,364 |
| Florida A&M University | Tallahassee | $9,876 | $24,669 | $13,739 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa | $10,428 | $21,126 | $9,812 |
| University of North Florida | Jacksonville | $10,364 | $21,930 | $10,154 |
| Florida State University | Tallahassee | $10,553 | $26,707 | $11,297 |
| Florida International University | Miami | $11,334 | $24,439 | $9,288 |
| University of Florida | Gainesville | $12,737 | $30,130 | $6,541 |
Online, Hybrid, and On-Campus Options for Working Nurses
Most nurse practitioner programs in the Tampa metro area now use a hybrid delivery format, combining online didactic courses with in-person clinical training arranged near your community.
Three Format Paths in Tampa
Fully online programs deliver all coursework remotely, but you still complete clinical hours at local healthcare facilities. Hybrid programs mix online classes with occasional on-campus intensives, often one or two weekends per semester. Traditional on-campus programs require weekly attendance, which can be challenging if you work full time. In Tampa, on-campus NP programs are the exception; most schools have shifted to hybrid or online-first designs.
Balancing Work and Coursework
Many Tampa-area programs explicitly welcome part-time students. Evening and weekend clinical shifts are common at partner hospitals like Tampa General and BayCare, allowing you to keep a nursing job while advancing. When comparing programs, ask about the typical weekly schedule and whether synchronous virtual classes are held during business hours or in the evening.
Clinical Placement: Who Finds Your Preceptor?
The biggest logistical difference among Tampa NP programs is clinical placement. Some schools, such as USF, operate a shared-responsibility model. The program coordinates placements through a large network of Florida clinical partners and works with you to identify a preceptor, but placement is not guaranteed if you cannot meet partner requirements like background checks, drug screening, or immunization mandates.12 Most other area programs place the responsibility squarely on you, meaning you must locate and secure your own clinical site and approved preceptor.3 If you choose a program that expects you to find your own preceptor, start networking early with nurses and advanced practice providers at your current workplace or through professional associations. For a deeper look at how students navigate this process, see our guide on online programs and local clinical placements.
Related Articles
Tampa NP Salary and Job Demand at a Glance
Nurse practitioner salaries in Florida reflect strong demand across the state, and the Tampa Bay metro area is no exception. The figures below draw from published Bureau of Labor Statistics data. For the most current Tampa-specific numbers, visit BLS.gov and search for Nurse Practitioners (SOC 29-1171) in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater MSA. You can also cross-reference those figures with Florida Department of Economic Opportunity reports and job postings on sites like Indeed or Glassdoor, adjusting for your experience level and practice setting.
| Metric | Florida Statewide |
|---|---|
| Total NP Employment | 18,530 |
| Employment per 1,000 Jobs | 2.01 |
| Mean Annual Wage | $110,310 |
| 10th Percentile Annual Wage | $100,540 |
| 90th Percentile Annual Wage | $155,490 |
Earning Your Florida APRN License After Graduation
Once you complete an accredited NP program, a clear series of steps stands between you and independent practice in Florida. First, you will pass a national certification exam matched to your specialty. Family NP graduates sit for the ANCC FNP-BC or AANP FNP-C. Psychiatric-mental health NP candidates take the ANCC PMHNP-BC, pediatric NP graduates take the PNCB CPNP-PC or CPNP-AC, and women's health NP graduates sit for the NCC WHNP-BC. With certification in hand, you apply to the Florida Board of Nursing for your APRN license, which requires an active Florida RN license, proof of your graduate degree, and a background screening (currently $43.25). You then apply separately for prescriptive authority. Florida's autonomous practice law, originally enacted in 2020, allows APRNs to practice independently after completing a supervised transition period of at least 3,000 hours under a supervising physician or experienced APRN. As of 2026, no major legislative changes have altered that transition requirement, so graduates should plan for roughly two years of supervised practice before gaining full autonomy. Once licensed, you renew every two years ($60 renewal fee) and complete continuing education requirements that include hours in controlled substances, human trafficking awareness, and medical error prevention.
