Obtaining Your Florida Medical License: Practicing Medicine in Florida

Licensure is the final step to becoming a practicing physician in Florida. New physicians entering the medical profession, those seeking renewal, or licensed in other states or foreign jurisdictions, are obligated to licensing with the state under law. Physicians obtaining a license to practice in Florida register with the Florida Board of Medicine. The Board is responsible for physician compliance with state guidelines and professional standards of practice. All applicants for licensure must demonstrate adherence with state guidelines criteria to be eligible for consideration. 

Florida Board Requirements 

To become a medical doctor in Florida, an applicant must file with the Board of Medicine for review. The Board was established to license physicians, monitors, disciplines, and oversee continuing education, as well as rehabilitation practitioners, where appropriate. Applicants to the MD license, must fulfill board requirements (Chapter 458.311 -13 F.S.: 1) of Licensure by Endorsement, or 2) Licensure by Examination to be eligible for approval.  

Licensure by Endorsement 

Trained medical doctors pursuant of a license to practice in Florida meet the eligibility criteria for endorsement by demonstrating:  

• Existing licensure in another jurisdiction, and active record of medical practice medicine a minimum of two years preceding the past four years. 
• Pass of a board-approved, clinical competency examination within the year prior to application. 
• Pass all parts of the FLEX, NBME, or USMLE national examination. 
• Successful matriculation from a board approved postgraduate training program two years preceding board application. 
• A graduate from a US Office of Education (AMG) approved Allopathic US Medical School of a school with record of at least one year completion of approved residency training. 

• A graduate of an allopathic international medical school (IMG) and hold a valid Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certificate. Completion of two years of residency in one or more specialty areas is required. 
• A graduate of an international medical program with official record of NBME or ECFMG examination (parts I and II) pass seeking reciprocity must demonstrate 1-year supervised clinical training; and two years or more residency training in at least one specialization.  

Licensure by Examination 

Florida Board of Medicine licensure applicants without a record of national or state examination pass, are subject to the educational criteria required for under the endorsement process. In addition, applicants must meet the following requirements for the board exam:  

• FLEX, NBME or USMLE national examination; 
• Valid licensure in the U.S. or Canada, and actively practiced pursuant to application for a minimum of 10 years. 
• Passed a state board or LMCC and SPEX examination; or 
• State board exam licensure prior to 1974 and in 3 or more other jurisdictions in the U.S. or Canada, with evidence of 20 years of practice. 

Statutory Denial 

Florida Statutes, section 456.0635, effective July 1, 2012, provides that board refusal to issue a license, certificate, or register a candidate for admission to the licensure examination is permissible if the applicant has been convicted of a felony, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere under Chapter 409, F.S., regardless of adjudication. Termination for cause of Florida Medicaid program violation, or other medical malpractice abuse is reason for statutory denial. 

Florida Health Care License Defense Attorneys 

Applying for Florida Medical License | What You Need to Know 

Our law firm represents physicians who have application issues with their Florida Medical License and who need help understanding the application requirements.

Let Us Help You:

• Understand the process 
• Navigate the system 
• Review employment contracts with hospital and health care systems 
• Prepare a Board of Medicine’s Credentials Committee presentation 
• Knowledge of PRN options and strategies 
• Criminal background check process 
• Letter of explanation about case representation for future employers 

Representing physicians throughout Florida 

Consult with an experienced health care practice lawyer to determine whether an application for physician licensure is on course. Howell, Buchan & Strong, Attorneys at Law assist health care industry clients with the board licensing process. 

Contact Howell, Buchan & Strong, Attorneys at Law for a free consultation: 

Orlando (407) 717-1773 |Tallahassee (850) 877-7776 | Tampa (813) 833-6726 | Sarasota (941) 779-434