Step By Step -- Physician Licensing

The Florida Department of Health is responsible for physician licensing in the state of Florida. Click here to be directly linked to the listing of applications and instructions. Things to Remember:

1. You must be fingerprinted. There is a special fingerpint card that you may request online, BUT this card must be mailed to you (fax or e-mail is not possible since it is a special card that has to be processed by FDLE and the FBI). Processing of this card can take up to 4 to 6 weeks.
2. You must complete three specific CME requirements - a 3-hour course on HIV/AIDS, a 1-hour course on Domestic Violence and a 2-hour course on Prevention/Reducing Medical Errors. The Board will give you a six-month extension to complete these courses if necessary. The FMA offers these courses online. The FMA Education Department is available at education@medone.org or call toll-free 800.762.0233.
3. You must request verification of your degree from your medical school and verification from all states where you hold or have held a medical license. There are special forms in the application on the Department of Health Web site.
4. You must request profiles from the AMA and National Practitioner Database. Instructions are included in the application you download from the Department of Health Web site.
5. If you have any affirmative answers in your application relating to malpractice, criminal convictions, licensure actions, etc. you may be required to make a personal appearance before the Board.
6. The application and ALL supporting materials must be in your application file 30 days before the Board of Medicine meeting in order to be considered for a Florida license. The Board meets every other month. You cannot practice in Florida until the Board issues you a full and active Florida License.