Titles and abbreviations; restrictions; penalty.

(1) Only a person who holds a license in this state or a multistate license pursuant to s. 464.0095 to practice professional nursing or who performs nursing services pursuant to the exception set forth in s. 464.022(8) may use the title “Registered Nurse” and the abbreviation “R.N.”

(2) Only a person who holds a license in this state or a multistate license pursuant to s. 464.0095 to practice as a licensed practical nurse or who performs practical nursing services pursuant to the exception set forth in s. 464.022(8) may use the title “Licensed Practical Nurse” and the abbreviation “L.P.N.”

(3) Only persons who are graduates of prelicensure nursing education programs listed in s. 464.008(1)(c) may use the term “Graduate Nurse” and the abbreviation “G.N.,” pending the results of the first licensure examination for which they are eligible.

(4) Only persons who are graduates of prelicensure nursing education programs listed in s. 464.008(1)(c) may use the term “Graduate Practical Nurse” and the abbreviation “G.P.N.,” pending the results of the first licensure examination for which they are eligible.

(5) Only persons who hold valid licenses to practice as clinical nurse specialists in this state may use the title “Clinical Nurse Specialist” and the abbreviation “C.N.S.”

(6) Only persons who hold valid certificates to practice as certified registered nurse anesthetists in this state may use the title “Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist” and the abbreviations “C.R.N.A.” or “nurse anesthetist.”

(7) Only persons who hold valid certificates to practice as certified nurse midwives in this state may use the title “Certified Nurse Midwife” and the abbreviations “C.N.M.” or “nurse midwife.”

(8) Only persons who hold valid licenses to practice as advanced practice registered nurses in this state may use the title “Advanced Practice Registered Nurse” and the abbreviation “A.P.R.N.”

(9) A person may not practice or advertise as, or assume the title of, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, clinical nurse specialist, certified registered nurse anesthetist, certified nurse midwife, certified nurse practitioner, or advanced practice registered nurse or use the abbreviation “R.N.,” “L.P.N.,” “C.N.S.,” “C.R.N.A.,” “C.N.M.,” “C.N.P.,” or “A.P.R.N.” or take any other action that would lead the public to believe that person was authorized by law to practice as such or is performing nursing services pursuant to the exception set forth in s. 464.022(8) unless that person is licensed, certified, or authorized pursuant to s. 464.0095 to practice as such.

(10) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.