Florida Medical License Process: Everything You Need to Know

How Do I Get a Florida Medical License?

The Florida Board of Medicine requires all applicants who want to become a licensed medical doctor to meet the requirements for Licensure by Endorsement OR Licensure by Examination in order to proceed with the application process.

Let’s familiarize ourselves with the requirements, fees, process and how long it takes to obtain your Florida medical license.

Licensure by Endorsement Requirements (Chapter 458.313 F.S.):

• Be an Allopathic U.S. Medical School graduate, a school recognized and approved by the U.S. Office of Education (AMG) and completed at least 1 year of approved residency training

OR

• Be an Allopathic International Medical School graduate (IMG), have a valid Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certificate and completed at least 2 years of approved residency in one specialty area

OR

• Be an International Medical School graduate whose completed the formal requirements except the internship or social service requirement, passed parts I and II of the NBME or ECFMG equivalent examination, and completed an academic year of supervised clinical training (5th pathway) and completed at least 2 years of approved residency in one specialty area

AND both of the following:

• Passed all parts of a national examination (NBME, FLEX, or USMLE) AND
• Licensed in another jurisdiction and actively practiced medicine in another jurisdiction for at least two of the immediately preceding four years; OR passed a board-approved clinical competency examination within the year preceding filing of the application or; successfully completed a board approved postgraduate training program within two years preceding filing of the application.

Licensure by Examination Requirements (Chapter 458.311 F.S.) – this is primarily for applicants who do not hold a state license or have not passed a national examination:

• Be an Allopathic U.S. Medical School graduate, a school recognized and approved by the U.S. Office of Education (AMG) and completed at least 1 year of approved residency training

OR

• Be an Allopathic International Medical School graduate (IMG), have a valid Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certificate and completed at least 2 years of approved residency in one specialty area

OR

• Be an International Medical School graduate whose completed the formal requirements except the internship or social service requirement, passed parts I and II of the NBME or ECFMG equivalent examination, and completed an academic year of supervised clinical training (5th pathway) and completed at least 2 years of approved residency in one specialty area

AND one of the following:

• Passed all parts of a national examination (NBME, FLEX, or USMLE) or currently licensed in the U.S. or Canada, and has actively practiced pursuant to such licensure for at least 10 years, has passed a state board or LMCC examination, and passed the SPEX examination

OR

• licensed on the basis of a state board exam prior to 1974, and is currently licensed in at least three other jurisdictions in the U.S. or Canada, and practiced pursuant to such licensure for at least 20 years

Effective July 1, 2012 (section 456.0635 of the Florida Statutes) states that the health care boards and/or the department shall refuse to issue a license, certificate or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant:

1. 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;

2. 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;
3. 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;
4. 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;
5. Is currently listed on the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s List of Excluded Individuals and Entities

Florida Medical License Fees and Process:

Section 456.013(1)(a) of the Florida Statutes states that the licensure application and application fee are valid for one year. The application fee is $350 and its non-refundable. Other fees such as the initial licensing fee of $355 and NICA fee which can range from $250 to $5,000 may also apply.

You must have a valid Florida medical license in order to practice medicine in the State of Florida. The licensing process involves the collection of credentials from the applicant and from other sources. The State of Florida does accept the use of the Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS). Once all materials are submitted, an application specialist will review them. If additional information is needed, the application specialist will request this from the applicant.

How Long Does It Takes to Get Your Medical License in Florida?

The entire process can take anywhere from 2-6 months (from the time your application is received).

To expedite the application process, make sure to include all relevant materials with your application packets (medical school transcripts, residency certificates, etc.) The Florida Board of Medicine will then mail you a deficiency letter (approximately 30 days after receiving your application) – do not contact the Florida Board of Medicine office until you’ve received your initial deficiency letter. For questions or comments, email info@flboardofmedicine.gov

Mail all applications, supporting documents, and applicable fee payment(s) to:

Department of Health/ HMQAM
P.O. Box 6330
Tallahassee, Florida 32314-6330

Additional documents or anything without a fee should be mailed to:

Department of Health
Medical Quality Assurance/Board of Medicine
HMQAM
4052 Bald Cypress Way, BIN #CO3
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3253

Make sure all documents have your name as listed on your application to ensure materials reach your application in a timely manner. All applicants are handled equally and fairly, so do not make commitments until you are licensed.

The State of Florida operates under Chapter 286, Florida Statutes, commonly referred to as the “Sunshine Law.” This law requires that board meetings are public. All information that you provide to the Department is public record and shall be open to public inspection as required by 119.07 F. S., except financial information, examination records, and patient records.

To download the application or view more information on background screening, fees, statutes and rules, and other general information, visit the Florida Board of Medicine.

Visit the MASC Medical Medical License Guide for information on how to get your medical license in other states.