Who We Are
The Unlicensed Activity (ULA) program protects Florida residents and visitors from the potentially serious and dangerous consequences of receiving medical and health care services from an unlicensed person. The ULA unit investigates and refers for prosecution all unlicensed health care activity complaints and allegations.
- Section 456.065, Florida Statute was passed in 1984 due to the influx of people posing as healthcare practitioners
- Section 456.065, Florida Statutes states:
- Prohibits the unlicensed practice of a health care profession or the performance or delivery of medical or health care services to patients in Florida without a valid, active license.
- Establishes penalties for unlicensed practice
- Notices to cease and desist
- Citations
- Civil penalties
- Arrests
- Imposes a special fee of $5.00 per license upon initial licensure and each license renewal to fund efforts to combat unlicensed activity.
- Section 456.065, Florida Statutes states:
- Florida Department of Health’s first ULA office was established in Hollywood, Florida in September 1998.
- The program has since expanded statewide, with a total of 19 ULA investigators located in 11 field offices throughout the state.
- ULA investigative staff are non-sworn criminal investigators – many have previous law enforcement / criminal justice experience.