Pediatric Residency Program: JAX



APPLYING FOR A FLORIDA MEDICAL LICENSE: UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS AND HOW TO MAKE IT SUCCESSFUL.The practice of medicine is a privilege granted by the State of Florida.To best understand the licensure process, it is important to first understand that the mission of the Florida Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. The critical importance of the Florida Board of Medicine is to ensure that every physician practicing in this state meets minimum requirements for safe practice. The Board staff is comprised of seven processors. The processor is responsible for reviewing the application for licensure and supporting documentation as it relates to the current statutory requirements. Through efficiency and dedication, the processor will assure that every applicant meets all statutory requirements prior to ratification.What is ratification? Ratification simply means having the ability to issue a license number to an applicant who has demonstrated that he/she satisfactorily meets all current statutory requirements prior to approval by the Florida Board of Medicine. Once the license number has been issued, the Board will approve the list of ratification at the following full board meeting.To maneuver successfully through the licensure process, it is imperative that you answer all questions on the application accurately. All “yes” responses should accompany an explanation providing accurate details and supporting documentation to authenticate your response. However, if you are unsure how to respond to questions on the application, we recommend that you seek assistance. Staff will not provide guidance as to how to respond to questions on the application but what is required if you respond affirmatively.DO I QUALIFY FOR A LICENSE AND HOW CAN I APPLY?You may apply online at or you may download a copy of the Medical Doctor licensure application and mail it to the Department of Health. An application without fees will not be processed. Please mail your application with fees, and any supporting documentation to the following address:Department of HealthP.O. Box 6330Tallahassee, Florida 32314-6330To determine if you qualify for a license, please review the online requirements for licensure by examination and endorsement prior to completing the application. For additional assistance, please contact Wendy Alls, Program Operations Administrator, at Wendy.Alls@ or (850) 245-4135.IS THERE MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF LICENSE?Absolutely. There are several medical licensure avenues available to qualified applicants. Resident Physician Registration – Section 458.345, Florida Statutes – A physician in training may only practice medicine in an approved program of training designed to increase knowledge of the clinical disciplines of medicine, surgery, or other special fields which provide advanced training in preparation for the practice of a specialty. A physician in training may prescribe legend and controlled substance medication under certain requirements. House Physician Registration – Section 458.345, Florida Statutes – A House Physician has limited medical practice. They may only practice while employed by a Florida licensed hospital under the direct supervision of an MD or DO. Limited License – Section 458.317, Florida Statutes – Physicians must have been licensed to practice medicine in any jurisdiction for at least ten (10) years, and may only practice in the employment of public agencies or institutions or nonprofit agencies or institutions meeting the requirements of s.501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, located in areas of critical medical need as determined by the Board.Temporary Certificate for Practice in Areas of Critical Need – Section 458.315, Florida Statutes - Physicians must have a current, valid license from any jurisdiction in the United States and may only practice in certain designated, approved facilities located in communities of Florida where there is a critical need for physicians.Rear Admiral Leroy Collins Jr. Temporary Certificate for Active Duty Military and Veterans –Section 458.315, Florida Statutes – Physicians must have a current, valid license from any jurisdiction in the United States and is serving as a physician on active duty in the Unites States Armed Forces or has served as a physician in the United States Armed Forces for at least ten (10) years and received an honorable discharge from the military and may only practice in certain designated, approved facilities located in communities of Florida where there is a critical need for physicians.Temporary Certificate for Visiting Physicians to Practice in Approved Cancer Centers – Section 458.3135, Florida Statutes - Physicians may practice medicine as a medical doctor only for a one (1) year period under direct supervision of a medical doctor in a board-approved cancer center under the International Cancer Center Visiting Physician Program.Temporary Certificate for Visiting Physicians to obtain Medical Privileges for Instructional Purposes in Conjunction with Certain Plastic Surgery Training Programs and Plastic Surgery Educational Symposiums – Section 458.3137, Florida Statutes - Physicians may practice medicine as a medical doctor with limited privileges for instructional purposes in conjunction with certain plastic surgery training programs and plastic surgery in approved locations. The certificate expires after one (1) year and may not be used for more than five (5) days during that one (1) year period.Medical Faculty Certificate – Section 458.3145, Florida Statutes – Physicians may only practice medicine in conjunction with a full time faculty position at an accredited medical school in the State of Florida and its affiliated clinical facilities or teaching hospitals.Medical Doctor Visiting Faculty Certificate – Section 458.3145(6), Florida Statutes – Physicians may only practice medicine pursuant to a certificate issued for a single period of time, not to exceed 180 days to practice medicine in connection with the education of students, residents, or faculty at the request of the dean of an accredited medical school or teaching hospital in the State of Florida.Public Health Certificate – Section 458.316, Florida Statutes – Physicians who hold a master of public health degree or is board eligible or certified in public health or preventive medicine to practice medicine as an employee of the Department of Health.Public Psychiatry Certificate – Section 458.3165, Florida Statutes – Physicians who are psychiatrists certified by the American Board of Psychiatry to practice medicine in a public mental health facility or program funded in part or entirely by state funds.Restricted License – Section 458.310, Florida Statutes – Physicians may only practice for no more than two (2) years while under contract to work solely in the employ of the state or certain federally funded projects.VALOR – Florida Veterans Application for Licensure Online Response System - If you are a military veteran seeking licensure in a health care profession, Florida now offers expedited licensure processing. In order to qualify, you must apply for the license six months before or six months after your honorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces. There is no application fee, licensure fee, or unlicensed activity fee for veterans who qualify for this type of licensure. For additional information, please contact Wendy Alls, Program Operations Administrator, at Wendy.Alls@ or (850) 245-4135.WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR APPLICATION WHEN IT ARRIVES AT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH?The application for licensure as a medical doctor may be completed online or mailed to the Department of Health. Fees must accompany the application.Once the application is received, the application is released and assigned electronically to a processor within 4 business days for review. Once the application and supporting documentation are reviewed, a deficiency letter will be generated and mailed to you. Statutorily, the processor must provide you with a deficiency letter within thirty (30) days after the Department has received your application.All applications must be processed in date order. Therefore, depending on how many applications have been submitted prior to your application determines when you can expect to receive your deficiency letter.The deficiency letter will outline all of the supporting documentation required to complete your application. In addition, it will reflect instructions, a user ID and a password to allow you to periodically check your application status online. The letter will also reflect the name of your processor and contact information. Feel free to contact your processor regarding concerns pertaining to your status. However, we encourage you to utilize the online system to track your status. Telephone calls will be responded to within 24 hours and e-mails and mail will be processed daily. Although mail is processed daily, once mail is delivered to the Department, please allow 3-4 business days before contacting your processor concerning mail updates.HOW QUICKLY CAN I OBTAIN MY LICENSE?Good question. You determine how quickly your medical license can be issued. For example, once you receive your initial deficiency letter you are aware of the required documentation to complete your application. Thereafter, once the processor receive your last documentation, your license number can be issued within 3-4 days considering there are no issues that will need to be addressed by the Credentials Committee of the Florida Board of Medicine. In other words, this process may not apply to you if you have responded affirmatively to any questions on the application. The Credentials Committee of the Florida Board of Medicine meets six times a year, usually every other month. Your appearance may be required or your application may be under consideration for the following:State Board Actions – regardless of when the actions occurredStaff privileges actions and/or actions during employment or postgraduate trainingSpecialty Board ActionsCriminal Background History - Misdemeanor or Felony ConvictionsPetitions for Variance and WaiverMalpractice or Civil JudgmentTreatment of a diagnosed mental disorder/impairment; treatment of a diagnosed physical disorder/impairment; treatment of a diagnosed substance-related (alcohol/drug) disorder that has impaired your ability to practice medicine during the last five years of applying.Failure to meet a statutory requirementExclusions of Medicaid/MedicareActions by DEAActions by US MilitaryFailure to disclose an issue on your applicationOnce it has been determined that you will be required to make a personal appearance before the Credentials Committee or if your application will be considered for discussion at the meeting, it is crucial for you to submit all required documentation to complete your application within 45 days prior to the upcoming meeting to be placed on the agenda. The outcome of the meeting will determine if or when a license number can be issued.WHAT CAN PREVENT YOU FROM RECEIVING A LICENSE?Effective July 1, 2012, section 456.0635, Florida Statutes, provides that health care boards or the department shall refuse to issue a license, certificate or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant:Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under Chapter 409, F.S., (relating to social and economic assistance), Chapter 817, F.S., (relating to fraudulent practices), Chapter 893, F.S., (relating to drug abuse prevention and control) or a similar felony offense(s) in another state or jurisdiction unless the candidate or applicant has successfully completed a drug court program for that felony and provides proof that the plea has been withdrawn or the charges have been dismissed. ?Any such conviction or plea shall exclude the applicant or candidate from licensure, examination, certification, or registration, unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or plea ended: For the felonies of the first or second degree, more than 15 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;For the felonies of the third degree, more than 10 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;For the felonies of the third degree under section 893.13(6)(a), F.S., more than five years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 (relating to controlled substances) or 42 U.S.C. ss. 1395-1396 (relating to public health, welfare, Medicare and Medicaid issues), unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the date of the application;Has been terminated for cause from the Florida Medicaid program pursuant to section 409.913, F.S., unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with the Florida Medicaid program for the most recent five years;Has been terminated for cause, pursuant to the appeals procedures established by the state or Federal Government, from any other state Medicaid program, unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with a state Medicaid program for the most recent five years and the termination occurred at least 20 years before the date of the application;Is currently listed on the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s List of Excluded Individuals and Entities.The section above does not apply to candidates or applicants for initial licensure or certification who were enrolled in an educational or training program on or before July 1, 2009, which was recognized by a board or, if there is no board, recognized by the department, and who applied for licensure after July 1, 2012.MOST IMPORTANT WAYS TO GET YOUR APPLICATION PROCESSED QUICKLYRead the laws and rules and requirements for licensure prior to completing the application.Read the instructions on the application carefully and answer all questions accurately.Apply online and in a timely manner if you have made a commitment or accepted a position in Florida.When applying online, be on the lookout for the required forms to complete your application. Expect to receive an email within 24-48 hours of applying. If you do not receive the forms, you may download the forms from the paper application online at .Use your deficiency letter as your guide to successfully complete the licensure process. Notify your processor in advance if your documentation may reflect any name other than what you have indicated on your application. This could reduce time spent searching for your supporting documentation.If you decide to use the Federal Credentials Verification Services (FCVS), please complete the FCVS certification process prior to applying for a license in Florida. If you begin the process simultaneously, it could delay your licensure process.Refrain from mailing your documentation. Once you have been assigned to a processor, submit all supporting documentation electronically.Follow up with sources that are sending documentation on your behalf. In addition, track the status of your application online using your user ID and password.E-mail your concerns to your processor and/or the program operations administrator.Use only an approved Livescan service provider to submit your fingerprints to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). A list of all approved Livescan service providers is located on the Department’s website at OF THE APPLICANTYour application will not be accelerated due to any commitments or accepting a position in Florida and a physician may not practice medicine in Florida prior to obtaining a valid license.The application for licensure as a medical doctor has been condensed and less documentation is required to allow you to complete your application. The applicant is responsible for requesting the following documentation:Verification of your medical degree - A copy of the medical degree verification form is enclosed in the application. The applicant should submit a copy of the form to the medical school for completion. The medical degree verification form must be sent directly from the medical school to the Florida Board of Medicine to be deemed acceptable.Examination score report – The examination score report must come directly from the entity to the Florida Board of Medicine. You may request scores to be sent electronically.ECFMG Verification – The ECFMG verification must come directly from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates to the Florida Board of Medicine.State License Verification(s) - Regardless of the status of the medical license, the applicant must request verification of all medical licenses from the licensing entity to be forwarded to the Florida Board of Medicine. A copy is unacceptable and training licenses should not be requested.Postgraduate Training Verification Form - The applicant must send a copy of the postgraduate training verification form to all training programs regardless if you did not complete the program. The training form must be sent directly from the training program to the Florida Board of Medicine. Verification of your 5th Pathway program (if applicable) - Verification must come directly from the program to the Florida Board of Medicine. If you did not complete a 5th pathway program, please disregard.Verification of NBME I & II examination, USMLE or ECFMG examination equivalent score reports, if you completed a 5th pathway program - Must be sent directly from the entity to the Florida Board of Medicine.The applicant is responsible for providing the following documentation:Copy of your military discharge document if you were in the US military.Copy of your National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) query report - Once you receive a copy of your NPDB query report, send a copy to the Florida Board. The original is not required.Copy of your undergraduate degree (5th pathway applicants only)Statement for all “yes” responses on your application and supporting documentation (if applicable) If you plan to use FCVS, do not submit the following documentation unless you have been instructed otherwise by FCVS.Medical Degree Verification FormExamination Score ReportECFMG Verification Postgraduate Training Verification FormUnderstanding the licensure process is the key component to success. Staff work collaboratively as a team to assure your licensure experience is rewarding. We are dedicated to continuous improvement and excellent customer service.If you have any questions, concerns or comments, please feel free to contact Wendy Alls, Program Operations Administrator, at Wendy.Alls@ or (850) 245-4135. NOTE: To request verification of FL licensure from the State of Florida, submit your online request from their website: Select “Provider Services” from the top ribbon. Under Get Started list, select “Request License Certification” Click the certification form link and complete the request online, paying the $25.00 fee. Have the name and address of the agency you want the verification sent to. ................
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