Florida S254: Nursing Education Programs

What the bill says

An act relating to nursing education programs; amending s. 464.008, F.S.; requiring applicants for nurse licensure seeking to take the licensing examination more than 6 months after graduation to first complete a remedial course approved or developed by the Board of Nursing; requiring the board to develop the course in consultation with the Florida Center for Nursing and make it available on its website for free to applicants experiencing hardship…

From the introduced text, February 27, 2026:

A bill to be entitled An act relating to nursing education programs; amending s. 464.008, F.S.; requiring applicants for nurse licensure seeking to take the licensing examination more than 6 months after graduation to first complete a remedial course approved or developed by the Board of Nursing; requiring the board to develop the course in consultation with the Florida Center for Nursing and make it available on its website for free to applicants experiencing hardship; requiring the Department of Health to issue temporary provisional licenses to graduate professional nurses and graduate practical nurses meeting certain criteria; specifying requirements for the temporary provisional license; providing that temporary provisional licensees may practice only under direct supervision and subject to a written protocol with a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse, as applicable; requiring the board to adopt rules; amending s. 464.019, F.S.; revising application requirements for nursing education program approval; specifying preceptorship requirements; requiring the Florida Center for Nursing to develop graduate nursing preceptorship standards by a specified date; requiring the board to incorporate the standards into rule; authorizing the board to consider certain adverse actions in determining program approval; requiring program directors to notify the board of certain adverse actions within a specified timeframe; requiring the board to deny a program’s application under certain circumstances; authorizing the board to investigate the …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Harrell, Gayle (R, SD-031) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. March 13, 2026: Died in Fiscal Policy
2. March 6, 2026: Now in Fiscal Policy
3. March 3, 2026: CS by Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services read 1st time
4. February 27, 2026: Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
5. February 25, 2026: CS by Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services; YEAS 6 NAYS 0
6. February 20, 2026: On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, 02/25/26, 10:00 am, 412 Knott Building
7. January 13, 2026: Introduced
8. November 18, 2025: Now in Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services
9. November 18, 2025: Favorable by Health Policy; YEAS 7 NAYS 1
10. November 10, 2025: On Committee agenda-- Health Policy, 11/18/25, 10:00 am, 412 Knott Building

Votes

• Senate: S 254 Filed (February 25, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate: S 254 Filed (November 18, 2025): 7 yea, 1 nay, passed

Common questions

What is S254?

S254 is a bill in the Florida Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Nursing Education Programs.

What does S254 do?

In its own words: An act relating to nursing education programs; amending s. 464.008, F.S.; requiring applicants for nurse licensure seeking to take the licensing examination more than 6 months after graduation to first complete a remedial course approved or developed by the Board of Nursing; requiring the board to develop the course in consultation with the Florida Center for Nursing and make it available on its website for free to applicants experiencing hardship…

What is the status of S254?

Failed as of March 13, 2026. Latest action: Died in Fiscal Policy (March 13, 2026).

Who sponsored S254?

Harrell, Gayle (R, SD-031).

Where is the official record for S254?

On the Florida Legislature website: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/254