Florida made a significant shift in July 2020 by passing legislation that allows nurse practitioners (NPs) to secure an autonomous practice license and reduce reliance on physician oversight. Despite this progress, claiming independent practice in Florida requires meeting rigorous standards, so tapping into autonomy isn’t automatic.
This article explains how nurse practitioners in Florida can open their own practice by understanding the autonomous license, managing the key scope-of-practice regulations, and navigating legal and compliance frameworks.
Can a Nurse Practitioner Open Their Own Practice in Florida?
Yes, IF you obtain an autonomous practice license. Florida does not grant full practice authority by default. Instead, it offers a pathway to practice autonomously only for those NPs who qualify under Florida Board of Nursing regulations. Not all nurse practitioners automatically qualify to practice independently. You must meet standards in clinical hours, education, and licensure.
What Is an Autonomous Practice License in Florida?
An autonomous practice license in Florida is a special designation that allows qualified NPs to establish independent practice without ongoing physician supervision. This license grants full practice authority, empowering NPs to evaluate patients, diagnose conditions, interpret diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications, all without needing a collaborative practice agreement with a supervising physician.
This license is particularly important for NPs looking to open their own primary care practice, med spa, or telehealth clinic. It positions the NP as a qualified health professional capable of delivering medical care to patients independently, in compliance with Florida’s practice regulations.
Steps to Open Your Own Practice as an NP in Florida
Below are the essential steps for launching a private practice in Florida:
1. Hold an Active and Unencumbered Florida NP License
You must already be licensed in Florida as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) with a clean and active professional license. Your NP license must be in good standing with the state board and meet all practice authority and licensure standards.
2. Complete at Least 3,000 Clinical Practice Hours
Florida requires 3,000 clinical hours of direct patient care under the oversight of a licensed physician or supervising physician within the last 5 years. These hours are crucial to prove real-world competency and fulfill statutory training expectations outlined in practice regulations.
3. Meet Educational Requirements
You must provide official documentation showing completion of graduate-level coursework in:
- Advanced pharmacology
- Differential diagnosis
- Clinical management of patient care
These courses must be from an accredited institution and meet federal continuing education requirements for nursing practice. This ensures you are prepared to prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, and manage chronic conditions effectively.
4. Ensure a Clean Disciplinary Record
To qualify for an autonomous license, you must have no disciplinary action on your nursing license within the previous five years. A clean history demonstrates professionalism, safety, and readiness to treat patients independently.
5. Apply for Autonomous Practice Recognition
Submit your application for autonomous practice along with all supporting documentation and pay the necessary fees to the Florida Board of Nursing. Once approved, you’ll receive the official designation, giving you the legal right to operate a healthcare business without entering into a collaborative practice agreement with a physician.
6. Register Your Practice Legally
After you’re licensed for independent practice, register your entity (LLC, PLLC, or other structure) with the Florida Department of State. Be sure to address all compliance requirements, including HIPAA, OSHA, and applicable laws. This step ensures your practice is fully legitimate and ready to deliver medical care to patients independently.
How Medical Director Co. Helps Florida NPs
At Medical Director Co., we specialize in helping nurse practitioners open and grow independent practices with confidence, especially in complex regulatory environments like Florida. If you’re pursuing full practice authority through an autonomous practice license or navigating physician oversight under a collaborative practice agreement, our team is here to simplify the process.
We support Advanced Practice Registered Nurses across Florida in launching clinics with a clear focus on compliance, documentation, and reducing legal risk.
Here’s how we make it easier for you to practice independently.
- Physician Matching: We connect NPs with licensed physicians who understand your specialty, treatment offerings, and scope of practice. If you need a supervising physician or a medical director, we ensure the match supports your long-term goals and meets Florida Board of Nursing requirements.
- Agreement and Documentation Setup: We draft compliant, state-specific contracts that define responsibilities, ensure transparency, and align with your scope of practice. These documents help protect your license and reduce liability exposure.
- Insurance and Risk Mitigation: Every placement includes malpractice insurance coverage, eliminating extra costs and helping you meet regulatory expectations around liability coverage, especially for clinics offering diagnostic tests, controlled substances, or aesthetic procedures.
- Regulatory Compliance Support: We ensure your clinic’s protocols, training, and operations align with all applicable laws set by the Florida Department of Health and Florida Board of Nursing so you stay audit-ready and protected.
As a nurse-owned business, we understand the challenges and responsibilities of stepping into leadership. Whether you’re an NP in general internal medicine, family medicine, or specialty services, Medical Director Co. is here to help you treat patients independently, serve your community, and run a safe, compliant, and thriving practice.
Ready to Launch Your Independent NP Practice in Florida?
Opening your own practice as a nurse practitioner in Florida is absolutely possible but it comes with important legal and licensing steps. With the state now offering autonomous practice licensure, NPs have more freedom than ever before to provide high-quality, independent care in med spas, primary care clinics, mental health centers, and more.
Still, the process can feel overwhelming without the right support. From qualifying clinical hours to applying with the Board of Nursing and managing regulatory compliance, every step matters.
That’s where we come in.
At Medical Director Co., we help Florida-based NPs navigate the process with confidence. Be it finding a collaborating physician or structuring your clinic legally, our nurse-led team is here to support you every step of the way.
Book a free consultation today and let’s take the next step toward your independent nurse practitioner practice in Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can a nurse practitioner open their own practice in Florida without physician oversight?
Yes, but only if they hold an autonomous practice license. Florida does not offer default full practice authority. To operate an independent practice, nurse practitioners must meet strict state-defined criteria to remove physician supervision requirements.
2. What are the requirements to qualify for autonomous NP practice in Florida?
To apply, a nurse practitioner must complete 3,000 clinical hours under physician oversight, hold an active and unencumbered RN license, have graduate-level coursework in differential diagnosis and pharmacology, and have no disciplinary action in the last 5 years.
3. Does Florida recognize full practice authority for all nurse practitioners?
No. While Florida passed House Bill 607 in 2020 to expand NP authority, only those with an autonomous license may practice independently. All other NPs remain under restricted practice authority, requiring a collaborating physician to deliver or supervise care, including prescribing medications.
4. Can a nurse practitioner in Florida prescribe controlled substances independently?
Only NPs with an autonomous practice license may prescribe controlled substances without physician oversight. Standard NPs must follow a collaborative practice agreement, which can limit their ability to prescribe based on state scope-of-practice laws.
5. Do NPs in Florida need a medical director for a med spa?
Yes, in most situations. Even autonomous NPs often require a medical director in Florida for aesthetic services, invasive procedures, or prescription-based treatments. A medical director ensures the clinic meets compliance, supervision, and malpractice insurance requirements, especially when offering services beyond routine primary care.
Written By:
Kiara DeWitt, BSN, RN, CPN
Kiara DeWitt is a nationally recognized Registered Nurse, Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN), and founder of InjectCo—a rapidly expanding medical aesthetics brand with eight thriving clinic locations across Texas. With over a decade of clinical experience, Kiara began her career in pediatric neurology, serving as the Lead Clinical Educator for the Neurosurgery and Neurology Unit at Cook Children’s Pediatric Hospital, one of the most respected children’s hospitals in the country. There, she specialized in training nurses and clinicians in high-stakes neurological care, combining clinical rigor with compassionate patient advocacy.
Her transition into the aesthetics field was fueled by a passion for ethical care and a vision to transform the patient experience in cosmetic medicine. Since launching InjectCo in 2021, Kiara has grown it into a multi-location business—spanning six clinics in Dallas–Fort Worth, one in Houston, and one in Austin—anchored by her commitment to safety, education, and integrity.
As the founder of the Texas Academy of Medical Aesthetics, she also leads one of the most comprehensive hands-on training programs in the country, offering a 100+ hour injector internship where students shadow across all InjectCo clinics. Her approach has earned acclaim not only from patients but also from providers who see her as a mentor and reliable voice in a growing industry.
Kiara’s unique combination of pediatric neurological expertise, clinical leadership, and entrepreneurial success makes her a trusted authority in both medical and aesthetics circles. She is frequently sought after for insight on clinical operations, patient safety, and scaling compliant, ethics-driven practices.
