Frequently Asked Questions

NICA is a Florida no‑fault program that compensates families of children with birth‑related neurological injuries without the need for litigation. The fee is applicable to all licensed physicians, regardless of specialty, and is part of the annual assessments that fund the NICA Plan.

At the time of applying for initial Compact licensure, physicians select one of three statuses: non-participating (pay a $250 fee and do not receive NICA malpractice protections); participating (pay a $5,000 annual assessment and receive malpractice liability protections); or exempt (no fee). The Florida board collects the appropriate NICA fee when issuing an expedited license. After initial licensure, annual NICA assessments must be paid directly to NICA for satisfaction of renewal requirements.

For information regarding renewal, see information under IMLC Renewal Requirements tab.

Note: The Florida license renews on the same biennial cycle as a regular license, and continuing medical education hours and other renewal requirements apply. Applicants are encouraged to renew online.

If you apply online, you will be prompted to enter a valid credit card number to submit your payment for all fees.  If you are mailing a paper application, please send one cashier’€™s check or money order for your total payment made payable to:

Department of Health
P.O. Box 6330
Tallahassee, Florida 32314-6330.

Only the initial license fee and the NICA fee will be applied to the new application. The application fee will not be applied to the new application.  However, the application fee is only valid for one year and is non-refundable.

The Board of Medicine will refund your initial license fee and NICA fee.  However, you will not receive a refund for your application fee.

There is a three year statute of limitation for refunds so if the overpayment was made less than three years ago you are eligible for a refund.

You must submit your request in writing. Mail your request to:

Department of Health
Board of Medicine
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C03
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3253.

You may also fax your request to (850) 412-1268.

Once your request is received, it can take up to four weeks to receive your refund.

Your Financial Responsibility status may be changed through your Practitioner Profile.

Financial Responsibility is outlined in Section 458.320, Florida Statutes.  The options are divided into two categories: coverage and exemptions.  You are required to provide the Board of Medicine with information regarding your Financial Responsibility under the following circumstances:

– when applying for initial licensure;
– upon licensure renewal; or
– when there is a change in your Financial Responsibility status.

For more information regarding the Financial Responsibility requirements, you may review the following:
– s. 458.320, F.S. (medical doctors)
– Rule 64B8-12, F.A.C.

The person filing the complaint and the healthcare practitioner will be notified periodically in writing of the status of the complaint. (It is important that the department be advised of any address change.)

Only physicians licensed in Florida can include or offer alternative medicine to their patients. The definition of “practice of medicine” is listed in s. 458.305, Florida Statutes: the diagnosis, treatment, operation, or prescription for any human disease, pain, injury, deformity or other physical or mental condition.