Applying for a Florida Medical Doctor License with a Malpractice History

This is part two of a blog. For part one, please visit Applying for a Florida Medical Doctor License with Prior Discipline.

Lots of physicians apply to become licensed in Florida via licensure by endorsement (click HERE to learn more about this method of licensure). However, a physician who is licensed in another state or jurisdiction may have a prior medical malpractice judgement or have a pending medical malpractice claim. A history of medical malpractice claims can greatly impact your license application with the Florida Department of Health (DOH) and Florida Board of Medicine. Let us help you:

• Complete the 20+ page application for licensure, including the “Report on Professional Liability Claims and Actions.”
• Communicate with the DOH Licensing Unit and Florida Board of Medicine.
• Prepare explanations of your medical malpractice history.
• Prepare a formal letter to the Board of Medicine in support of the application.
• Ensure all necessary documentation is provided to DOH and the Board of Medicine.
• Prepare you for your appearance in front of the Board of Medicine Credentialing Committee.

What documentation do you have to provide?

You will have to disclose all malpractice judgements and pending malpractice suits (called “liability actions”) on your Florida application. You will need to provide a written self-explanation, a complete Report on Professional Liability Claims and Actions, and at least the complaint and disposition for each case. For some cases, DOH requires that you submit the entire case record, including trial transcripts.

You should always consult an experienced health care attorney to determine what documentation needs to be produced to DOH. He or she can also assist in drafting your self-explanation, making sure that it thoroughly explains the malpractice case to the Florida Board.

What happens next?

Once you have submitted the application and all required documentation, you may be required to appear before the Florida Board of Medicine Credentialing Committee. The Committee is the body that decides whether you will be granted a license. Depending on the type of case, the license application may be granted, denied, or granted with conditions.

The members may have questions about the end result of the malpractice suit and the underlying facts of the case. It is important that you answer all questions honestly and tactfully. Our firm thoroughly prepares our clients for their appearance before the Committee and appears with them at the hearing.  

Let us help you. Contact Howell, Buchan & Strong at (850) 877-7776 to set up a FREE no-obligation consultation. Whether you’re already licensed in another jurisdiction or if you’re getting licensed for the first time, the Florida application process can be complex and confusing. Our firm helps physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals from around the world get licensed in Florida.