A TRIBUTE FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
The Florida Department of Health is committed to serving members and veterans of the United States Armed Forces and their families. It is important that we recognize and honor their service to our nation. The Department is proud that over 1.5 million veterans call Florida home, and our continued goal is to make Florida the most veteran-friendly state in the nation.
Military veterans and their families face many challenges. The Department is committed to supporting our military veterans by offering several licensure support services to qualified military families. One service the Department offers is the Florida Veterans Application for Licensure Online Response (VALOR) process, which provides expedited licensing for honorably discharged veterans and their spouses seeking licensure in all health care professions. Veterans and spouses who apply through the VALOR process receive a waiver of most licensing fees.
The Department offers additional armed forces licensure support, including opportunities for physicians to receive a temporary certificate to practice in areas of critical need, renewal exemptions for active duty service members holding a health care license in Florida, and temporary licensure for spouses of active duty service members who possess a valid license in another state, the District of Columbia, or any possession or territory of the United States. Through these programs, we are creating a veteran-friendly regulatory environment that encourages veterans and their spouses to choose Florida for their health care practice after their discharge from active duty.
We are thankful for all who serve the people of Florida and the United States.
Florida Veteran Health Heroes
The Florida Department of Health honors veterans, active duty service members and their families by recognizing the 2018 Florida Veteran Health Heroes and highlighting the department’s veterans support services. Over 1.5 million veterans call Florida home and our continued goal is to help make Florida the most veteran-friendly state in the nation.
The 2018 Florida Veteran Health Heroes publication highlights health care practitioners who have served in the United States Armed Forces and the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. This year, we recognize John H. Armstrong, MD, FACS; Paul B. Arthur, PhD, OTR/L, OTA; Paula Clark, MSW, LCSW, USAF (Retired); Derrick C. Glymph, DNAP, CRNA, AN, USAR; Stuart I. Kaplan, O.D.; Cathlene “Cathy” McGinnis, CLS(ASCP); and Carl H. Spear, O.D.
For more information about these exceptional individuals, please visit Florida Veteran Health Heroes.
The department also offers several licensure support services to qualified military families. The Veterans Application for Licensure Online Response (VALOR) System expedites licensing for military veterans who apply six months before or after honorable discharge from active duty, as well as fee waiver eligibility for military veterans and their spouses for health care practitioner licenses up to 60 months after honorable discharge. The department also offers additional armed forces licensure support including an opportunity to receive a temporary certificate to practice in areas of critical need, renewal exemptions and professional examination fee reimbursements.
Florida Veterans Application for Licensure Online Response System (VALOR)
Florida offers expedited licensure processing if you are a member of the United States Armed Forces, the United States Reserve Force, or the National Guard seeking licensure in a health care profession. In order to qualify, you must apply for the license six months before or six months after your honorable discharge and you must hold an active, unencumbered license in a U.S. jurisdiction or serve as a military health care practitioner in a profession for which licensure in a state or jurisdiction is not required to practice in the United States Armed Forces. There is no application fee, licensure fee, or unlicensed activity fee for veterans who qualify for this type of licensure.
To apply, access Florida’s VALOR registration system here.
Temporary Certificate for Active Duty Military Health Care Practitioners
Florida offers a temporary certificate to military health care practitioners who serve on active duty in the United States Armed Forces, the United States Reserve Forces, or the National Guard or a person who serves on active duty in the United States Armed Forces and serves in the United States Public Health Services. In order to qualify, you must practice pursuant to a military platform and hold an active, unencumbered license in a U.S. jurisdiction or serve as a military health care practitioner in a profession for which licensure in a state or jurisdiction is not required to practice in the United States Armed Forces.
To apply, access the PDF located here (PDF).
Temporary Certificate to Practice in an Area of Critical Need
If you are an active duty member or military veteran who served at least ten years in the United States Armed Forces, you may be eligible to practice in an area of critical need.
This certificate limits a physician’s practice to designated areas of critical need, and is only available to physicians who have a license in another jurisdiction of the United States. There is no application fee or licensure fee for physicians seeking this certificate. This certificate is limited to physicians who will not receive compensation for their service.
To apply for a temporary certificate to practice in an area of critical need, please visit the appropriate board website listed below and follow the application instructions:
Medical Doctor
Osteopathic Physician
Renewal Exemption
If you are an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States and you hold a Florida license as a health care practitioner that is in good standing and you were entitled to practice or engage in your profession prior to you joining the Armed Forces, you may be eligible for exemption from certain licensure requirements.
If exempt, you would not be required to renew your license, pay license renewal fees, update your address, or perform any other licensure maintenance act. The exemption extends the duration of your active duty service and for a period of six months after discharge. This license does not permit you to practice your profession in the private sector for profit.
To receive an exemption from the renewal requirements, mail a copy of your orders which provides the beginning and end date of your current enlistment to:
Department of Health
Division of Medical Quality Assurance
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-10
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3260
If you are a Commissioned Officer, you may provide a letter from your commanding officer that reflects the length of your contract with a beginning and end date to fulfill this requirement.
Upon return to civilian life, you will be asked to submit a copy of your DD-214 form to the Department to change your license status from a Military Active status license to a Clear Active status license.
Don Hahnfeldt Veteran and Military Family Opportunity Act
Effective July 1, 2018
Section 250.483, Florida Statutes, was created in 2018 for members of the Florida National Guard or the United States Armed Forces Reserves who are seeking licensure or qualification for a trade, occupation or profession and is ordered to active duty and his or her training is interrupted, or the start is delayed due to military obligation. Florida will accept training and practical experience while in the Florida National Guard or the United States Armed Forces Reserves in place of the interrupted or delayed periods of training, study, apprenticeship or practical experience if the board finds the standard and type of work or training performed to be substantially the same as the standard and type required under the laws of this state. You must request licensure within six months after release from active duty with the Florida National Guard or the United States Armed Forces Reserves. To apply for a license under this method, please visit the appropriate Florida Board website at https://www.flhealthsource.gov.
Florida Veterans Application for Licensure Online Response System (VALOR)
Florida offers expedited licensure processing if you are a member of the United States Armed Forces, the United States Reserve Force, or the National Guard seeking licensure in a health care profession. In order to qualify, you must apply for the license six months before or six months after your honorable discharge and you must hold an active, unencumbered license in a U.S. jurisdiction or serve as a military health care practitioner in a profession for which licensure in a state or jurisdiction is not required to practice in the United States Armed Forces. There is no application fee, licensure fee, or unlicensed activity fee for veterans who qualify for this type of licensure.
To apply, access Florida’s VALOR registration system here.
Military Veteran Fee Waiver
If you are a military veteran, you may be eligible for a waiver of the initial application and licensure fees for all health care professions. Your application must be submitted within 60 months after your honorable discharge from any branch of the United States Armed Forces.
General Information
The initial license fee, initial application fee, and initial unlicensed activity fee will be waived for veterans returning from service, provided that the veteran applies for licensure within 60 months of being honorably discharged. This waiver does not include examination fees.
Application Requirements
The applicant must have served in a branch of the United States Armed Forces.
The applicant must have been honorably discharged in the past 60 months prior to the date of application.
The applicant must provide a DD-214 or NGB-22 form as proof of honorable discharge.
The Military Veteran Fee Waiver Request must be submitted with your application for licensure.
How to Apply
Apply online or by mail by completing the Military Veteran Fee Waiver Request Form and mail your completed application, documentation, and application for licensure to:
Department of Health
Division of Medical Quality Assurance
P.O. Box 6330
Tallahassee, Florida 32314-6330
Florida Veterans Application for Licensure Online Response System (VALOR)
Florida offers expedited licensure processing if you are the spouse of an active member of the United States Armed Forces, the United States Reserve Force, or the National Guard seeking licensure in health care professions. In order to qualify, you must apply for the license while your spouse is serving on active duty and you must hold an active, unencumbered license in a U.S. jurisdiction or serve as a health care practitioner in a profession for which licensure in a state or jurisdiction is not required to practice. There is no application fee, licensure fee, or unlicensed activity fee for military spouses who qualify for this type of licensure.
To apply, access Florida’s VALOR registration system here.
Initial Licensure Fee Waiver *New*
If you are a spouse of a military veteran, you may be eligible for a waiver of the initial application and licensure fees for all health care professions. The application must be submitted within 60 months after your spouse’s honorable discharge from any branch of the United States Armed Forces.
General Information
The initial license fee, initial application fee, and initial unlicensed activity fee will be waived for an applicant who was married to the military veteran at the time of the veteran's discharge, provided the spouse applies for licensure within 60 months after the veteran is discharged from any branch of the United States Armed Forces. This waiver does not include examination fees.
Application Requirements
The applicant's spouse must have served in a branch of the United States Armed Forces.
The applicant's spouse must have been honorably discharged in the past 60 months prior to the date of application.
The applicant must provide a their spouse's DD-214 or NGB-22 form as proof of honorable discharge.
The Military Veteran Fee Waiver Request must be submitted with your application for licensure.
How to Apply
Apply online or by mail by completing the Military Veteran Fee Waiver Request Form and mail your completed application, documentation, and application for licensure to:
Department of Health
Division of Medical Quality Assurance
P.O. Box 6330
Tallahassee, Florida 32314-6330
Temporary License for Military Spouse
Valid for one year: Non-renewable
As a spouse of an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States you may be issued a temporary license to practice your health care profession in Florida.
The purpose of s. 456.024(3), Florida Statutes, is to allow the spouse of an active duty military member that is assigned to a duty station in Florida the opportunity to work in his/her respective profession. If the spouse desires to practice beyond the expiration of the “temporary license,” the Department recommends beginning the regular licensing application process as soon as possible. A temporary military spouse license is valid for one year.
To qualify for a temporary license, your spouse must be on active duty and assigned to a duty station in Florida and you must hold a valid license as a health care professional in another state, the District of Columbia, any United States territory or possession.
Application Requirements Download a printable application
Pay required fees as indicated on the application
Proof of marriage to an active duty member of the Armed Forces – a copy of your military dependent ID card can serve as proof.
Proof of the spouse’s active duty assignment in Florida - a copy of your spouse’s military orders that reflect an active duty assignment in Florida
Proof of current and valid licensure to practice the desired profession in another state
National Practitioner Data Bank Report
Effective January 1, 2013, applicants for initial licensure must use a LiveScan service provider to submit a set of fingerprints to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for the purpose of conducting a search for any Florida and national criminal history records that may pertain to applicants. The results of the search will be returned to the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse and made available to the Department for consideration during the licensure process. FDLE and the Clearinghouse will retain the fingerprints submitted by the applicant. All costs for conducting a criminal history background screening are borne by the applicant. It is important to use the correct Originating Agency Identification (ORI) when submitting fingerprints. If you do not provide an ORI number or if you provide an incorrect ORI number to the service provider, the board office will not receive your fingerprint results, so it is extremely important to use the correct ORI when having your fingerprints scanned. Applicants can use any FDLE approved LiveScan service provider to submit their fingerprints. The applicant is fully responsible for selecting the service provider and ensuring the results are reported to the Department. If you are applying for initial licensure after December 15, 2012, you must print this form (pdf) and take it with you to a Livescan service provider. For more information, FAQs, and a list of all approved Livescan service providers please visit the Department’s website.
Proof the applicant is otherwise qualified to receive a full license in the profession or is eligible to take the Florida licensure examination for that profession. To demonstrate eligibility the applicant must complete the full licensure application for the profession and submit all supporting documentation required by that application (with the exception of fees or other documentation that may be duplicative). The full licensure application may be obtained by using the dropdown list above.
Renewal Exemption
A spouse of an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States may be exempt from all license renewal requirements as long as the licensee is absent from the state because of his/her spouse’s active duty assignment.
To receive an exemption from the renewal requirements, mail a copy of your spouse’s orders which provides the beginning and end date of their current enlistment to:
Department of Health
Division of Medical Quality Assurance
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-10
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3260
If your spouse is a Commissioned Officer, you may provide a letter from his/her commanding officer that reflects the length of their contract with a beginning and end date to fulfill this requirement.
Upon your spouse returning to civilian life, you will be asked to submit a copy of their DD-214 form to department to change your license status from a Military Active status license to a Clear Active status license. For more information on these provisions, please call the department’s Customer Contact Center at (850) 488-0595.
