Eligibility Requirements:

• Graduate from medical school    
• 1 year US training required for US Grads – 2 years required (in same specialty) for foreign grads.
• Completion of exam (NBME, State Board, USMLE, FLEX, LMCC) – There are no restrictions/limitations on USMLE. For State Board: Any applicant who was licensed on the basis of a state board exam prior to 1974, and is licensed in at least 3 other jurisdictions in the US or Canada and practiced pursuant to such licensure for at least 20 years is eligible to apply.
• To applying based on endorsement of another license: Physician must hold or have held a license and actively practiced medicine in another jurisdiction for at least 2 of the immediately preceding 4 years.
• ECFMG Certificate required for Foreign Medical Graduates.

Board Specifics:

• $1,231 for physicians (includes application fee, registration fee, background check fee, NICA (non-participating) fee / $757 for resident physicians - in training.
• Must send application to PO Box – All other documents go to street address.
• Processing times: 3-5 days for us to turn app around, 3-6 weeks for verification stage, board’s processing time (after all documents are received) = 6-10 weeks
• Appearance may be required at a credentials committee to explain any “red flags” (i.e. malpractice issues, disciplinary issues, education issues). Meetings are held every other month beginning in January.
• Board meetings are held once per month. Files must be complete at the Board 30 days prior to meeting.
• FCVS is acceptable for collecting core credentials.
• Board performs background check. Fingerprint cards required.
• CME Course Requirements: complete a 2 hour course on the prevention of medical errors, complete a 3 hour educational course on HIV/AIDS, complete a 1 hour educational course on Domestic Violence.  To take courses: Contact the Florida Medical Association at 850- 224-6496 or www.fmaonline.org for a list of providers of CME. Other resources are the American Medical Association 312- 464-4952, or Medical Educational Group Learning Systems 800-547-0308. NOTE: Doc has 6  months (after license is issued) to complete courses.
• Board requires all documents in foreign language to be translated into English by a certified translation source.
• Dispensing practitioners:  Licensee’s who dispense medicinal drugs for a fee or remuneration of any kind, whether direct or indirect in Florida, are required to register with the Board and pay a fee of $100.
• Board will request evaluation of training/employment

Malpractice disclosure requirements:

• An affidavit, from yourself, stating the number of cases in which you have been named.
• An affidavit, from yourself, explaining the details of each case and your involvement.
• A copy of the initial Complaint and any amended complaints filed at the County Court in which the case took place.
• For each closed case, a copy of the Disposition with Terms of Settlement which was filed at the County Court. For example, if the case was dismissed, submit a certified copy of the Dismissal. If money was paid, submit a copy of the Judgment with Satisfaction of Payment.
• For each pending case, submit an original letter from the attorney, addressed to the Florida Board of Medicine, indicating the current litigation status.

Convictions: 

• An affidavit, from yourself, explaining in detail the reason(s) and
• A certified copy of the charge, indictment and/or judgment.

Treatment:

• An affidavit, from yourself, explaining in detail the reason(s) and dates of treatment.
• An affidavit, from yourself, listing all physicians / therapists/ counselors/ hospitals/institutions/clinics where treatment was received.
• Each physician/therapist/counselor is required to submit a report directly to the Florida Board of Medicine regarding such treatment and indicating dates of said treatment. If applicable, include all DSM III R/DSM IV, Axis I and II diagnoses and Codes.
• If applicable, a letter from the current treating physician indicating your current diagnosis(es) and prognosis and/or condition(s).
• Each hospital/institution/clinic must submit directly to the Florida Board of Medicine, a copy of the admission and discharge summary(s).
• In addition, such applicants may be required to undergo a current evaluation by a Board approved physician independent of the current treating physician.

 Required documentation:

HLS                                         Physician                                Board