Getting your unrestricted medical license in Florida requires passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States (COMLEX-USA).
However, to qualify for these exams, you must pass an accredited medical school and complete at least one year of residency. This guide breaks down the basics of getting a medical license in Florida.
Key Takeaways
- Florida medical license requires USMLE or COMLEX-USA exam and at least one year of residency.
- Accredited medical school graduation and ECFMG certification are necessary for international graduates.
- Licensure fees total $705, with additional specialty-based NICA fees.
- Renewal requires CME credits and costs $379 before, or $729 after, expiration.
Table of Contents
Getting Your Medical License in Florida: A Step By Step Guide
Step 1: Finish an Accredited Med School
You must be a graduate of a recognized medical school. Recognized medical schools are accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
If you’re an international medical school graduate, you must have a valid Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certification.
To get the certification, you must provide the ECFMG with documentation of your medical education credentials, including your medical degree and transcripts. These credentials are then verified with the issuing medical school.
Once you get everything verified, you’ll move to step 2, just like a national student.
Related: How to Get a Medical License in Nebraska
Step 2: Complete a Minimum of One Year Residency
Both national and international students must complete at least one year of residency before they’re eligible to apply for their license.
This might seem like an additional hassle, but Florida is actually one of the more forgiving states in this aspect, as the average requirement in many other states is two years of residency.
Note, however, that the medical facility you reside in must be approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
Step 3: Take the Exam
We mentioned two exams earlier, the USMLE and the COMLEX-USA. Now, to break them down:
The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
USMLE is a 3-step exam series required for the medical licensure of MDs throughout the U.S. It assesses a physician’s knowledge and skills to see whether they’re fit for practice.
The first step (Clinical Knowledge or CK) covers basic medical sciences, like physiology, anatomy, microbiology, and so on.
Step two (Clinical Skills or CS) evaluates clinical knowledge and problem-solving skills in various medical specialties, or at least it used to. As of 2021, the USMLE program discontinued this step.
The final step assesses whether the examinee can apply medical knowledge and clinical science in unsupervised practice.
The Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA)
The COMLEX has a fairly similar overall process to the USMLE. However, the exam requires additional knowledge of the musculoskeletal system, to be more suitable for osteopathic medicine. It’s composed of three levels.
The first level assesses basic osteopathic medical knowledge and clinical skills required for osteopathy generalist physicians.
Level two is divided into two parts:
- The first part (cognitive evaluation or CE) assesses osteopathic medical knowledge of problem-solving in a clinical setting. In other words, it assesses your knowledge of how to care for your patients.
- The second part (performance evaluation or PE) evaluates clinical skills through observed clinical encounters with standardized patients.
The last level is a blend of the first two, with the questions requiring a broader range of knowledge and skills expected of osteopathic generalist physicians.
Step 4: Apply for Your License
Applying for your license is a straightforward step. If you’re an M.D., go to the Florida Board of Medicine, create an account, and then apply. Alternatively, a D.O. should go to the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine and follow the same steps.
In addition to your personal information, you’ll be required to provide soft copies of all your educational training information. This includes your med school transcript, residency documentation, and exam scores.
Step 5: Pay the Fees
The fees for licensure in Florida are a bit more complex than in many other states. There’s the initial, non-refundable application processing fee, which will set you back by $350. You don’t get a refund if your application is rejected.
If your application is approved, you pay an additional fee of $355 for the license.
There’s also the NICA (Neurological Injury Compensation Association) fee, which can start as low as $250 and go up to $5,000. The exact number depends on your specialty. Visit NICA’s official website to learn more.
Note that if you’re enrolled in a residency or fellowship program, you qualify for reduced fees. The application fee remains the same, but the initial license fee is reduced to $205. Additionally, you are exempt from the NICA fee during this time.
Lastly, you may choose to pay an additional dispensing practitioner fee of $100. This allows you to legally dispense medications directly from your practice.
Related: How to Get Licensed With a Maine Medical Board
How Do I Renew My Medical License in Florida?
Medical licenses in Florida are typically renewed every two years. It’s always good practice to double-check the specific renewal cycle for your license, as some variations may be present depending on your circumstances.
You get a renewal notification by mail 90 days before your license expires. You are also allowed to legally practice for 90 days post the renewal date. However, on day 91, your license is no longer legal.
As for the renewal process itself, you need to go to Florida Health and choose the license renewal option. Enter your information and continue. The process is pretty self-explanatory. However, you should update your profile regularly through here.
You also need continuous medical education (CME) as follows:
- 38 accredited hours of general knowledge (including two of domestic violence knowledge)
- A minimum of two hours of studying common medical errors. The course you take must include information regarding the top 5 most misdiagnosed cases.
- Two hours of controlled substance prescribing course.
The cost of renewing your medical license in Florida can greatly vary. If you renew before your license expires, you pay $379. If after, the number increases to $729.
The fees can change even further depending on various circumstances. Refer to the official website for the most accurate information.
Related: How to Get a Maryland Medical License
FAQs
How Long Is the Application Process?
You should get a response within 1–3 days whether you’re an M.D. or a D.O. The only exception is if you’re an anesthesiologist assistant, in which case your application processing time can range between 7–9 days.
How Long Should I Wait for My License After Approval?
The average waiting time between approval and licensure in Florida is 2–6 months. If you have a criminal record or malpractice claims, the licensure process may take longer.
Do I Need a Background Check Before Applying?
Yes, all applicants must undergo a criminal background check and provide fingerprints. The verification of the background check is included in the application form. Note that you pay additional fees for federal credentials verification services.
What If I Have a History?
If you have a disciplinary or criminal history, you need to explain the incident(s) in detail in the application form. You should also include all relevant documents regarding the incident(s). If you’ve been arrested, you should also provide arrest records.
Note: Any details must be accurate. Failure to provide exact information, even if not intentional, can lead to application rejection.
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