Physician Assistant

The following are the requirements for an applicant seeking licensure as a physician assistant in Florida:

• An applicant must be at least 18 years of age.
• An applicant must be a graduate of an approved program. An approved program is a physician assistant program in the United States or in its territories or possessions which is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant or, for programs before 2001, accredited by its equivalent or predecessor entities the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs formally approved by the boards for the education of physician assistants.
• An applicant who graduated after December 31, 2020, must have received a master’s degree in accordance with the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant or, before 2001, its equivalent or predecessor organization.
• An applicant who graduated on or before December 31, 2020, must have received a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an approved program.
• An applicant who graduated before July 1, 1994, must have graduated from an approved program of instruction in primary health care or surgery.
• An applicant who graduated before July 1, 1983, must have received a certification as a physician assistant from the Board of Medicine or the Board of Osteopathic Medicine.
• The Board of Medicine may also grant a license to an applicant who does not meet the educational requirements noted above but who has passed the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
• An applicant must obtain a passing score on a proficiency examination administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants or its equivalent or successor organization and has been nationally certified. If an applicant does not hold a current certificate issued by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants or its equivalent or successor organization and has not actively practiced as a physician assistant within the immediately preceding four years, the applicant must retake and successfully complete the entry-level examination of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants or its equivalent or successor organization to be eligible for licensure.
• The applicant must submit a complete application and appropriate fee to the Department of Health.

A completed application for licensure includes all the following:

• Application for licensure and applicable fees of $305, $100 of which is non-refundable.
• Criminal Background Screening. Applicants must use an approved Livescan service provider.
• Copy of diploma from an approved physician assistant program.
• Primary source verification of completion of an approved physician assistant program.
• Primary source verification of certification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants or its equivalent or successor organization.
• Supporting documentation regarding all affirmative responses on the application for licensure.

The Department may issue a temporary license to a recent graduate of an approved program who is registered to take the next administration of the proficiency examination administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. A temporary license expires 30 days after receipt of scores of the proficiency examination. Full licensure as a physician assistant may be granted after passing the proficiency examination.

If a temporary license holder fails the proficiency examination, the temporary license holder may reapply for a 1-year extension of the temporary license.

A temporary license may not be granted more than two (2) times.

Effective July 1, 2012, section 456.0635, Florida Statutes (F.S.), provides that health care boards must refuse to issue a license, certificate, or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant:

1. Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under chapter 409 (relating to social and economic assistance), chapter 817 (relating to fraudulent practices), or chapter 893 (relating to drug abuse prevention and control), Florida Statutes (F.S.), or a similar felony offense committed in another state or jurisdiction, unless the candidate or applicant has successfully completed a pretrial diversion or drug court program for that felony and provides proof that the plea has been withdrawn or the charges have been dismissed. Any such conviction or plea shall exclude the applicant or candidate from licensure, examination, certification, or registration unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or plea ended:

• • For felonies of the first or second degree, more than 15 years before the date of application.
  • For felonies of the third degree, more than 10 years before the date of application, except for felonies of the third degree under section 893.13(6)(a), F.S.
  • For felonies of the third degree under section 893.13(6)(a), F.S., more than 5 years before the date of application;

2. Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 (relating to controlled substances), or 42 U.S.C. ss. 1395-1396 (relating to public health, welfare, Medicare, and Medicaid), unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or plea ended more than 15 years before the date of the application;
3. Has been terminated for cause from the Florida Medicaid program pursuant to section 409.913, F.S., unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with the Florida Medicaid program for the most recent 5 years;
4. Has been terminated for cause, pursuant to the appeals procedures established by the state, from any other state Medicaid program, unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with a state Medicaid program for the most recent 5 years and the termination occurred at least 20 years before the date of the application; or
5. Is currently listed on the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s List of Excluded Individuals and Entities, except when such applicant is listed solely based on a default or delinquency on a student loan as provided in section 120.82, F.S.

Applicants who answer “Yes” to any Health History question on the application are required to submit the following documentation to the Board office:

Self-Explanation – Applicants must provide a self-explanation identifying the medical condition(s) or occurrence(s) and the current status of each.

Physician(s) Letter – Applicants must provide a letter from a licensed health care practitioner who is qualified by skill and training to address the condition(s) identified. The letter must explain the impact the condition(s) may have on the ability of an applicant to practice their profession with reasonable skill and safety. The letter must specify that the applicant is safe to practice their profession without restrictions or specifically indicate the restrictions that are necessary. All documentation provided must be dated within one year of the application date.

Applicants who at any time have been denied licensure, have had disciplinary action taken against their license, or have action pending against their license to practice any health care related profession by any licensing authority are required to submit the following documentation to the Board office:

Self-Explanation – Applicants who have listed disciplinary action(s) on their application must submit a written explanation describing in detail the circumstances related to all actions.

Agency Records – All documentation regarding all actions, including the Administrative Complaint(s), Final Order(s), and current licensure status, must be sent to the Board office by the licensing agency.

Applicants who at any time have been found guilty of or pled guilty or no contest/nolo contendere to any charge other than a minor traffic offense must list each offense on their application. Each application is reviewed on its own merits. In some cases, applicants may be required to appear before the Council on Physician Assistants to address issues related to criminal history. Failure to disclose criminal history may result in denial of an application.

Applicants with prior criminal offenses are required to submit the following documentation to the Board office:

Self-Explanation – Applicants who have listed criminal offenses on their application must submit a written self-explanation describing in detail the circumstances of the offense, including the date, the city and state, the charges, and the final resolution.

Final Disposition/Arrest Records – Final disposition and arrest records for offenses can be obtained from the Clerk of the Court in the arresting jurisdiction. The unavailability of documents must be demonstrated by submission of a letter to that effect from the Clerk of the Court.

Completion of Sentence Documents – Documents can be obtained from the Clerk of the Court in the arresting jurisdiction or the Department of Corrections. Documents submitted must include the start and end dates of any sanction(s) and must demonstrate that all conditions have been satisfied. If any documents are not available, applicants must have a letter on court letterhead sent from the Clerk of the Court to the Board office attesting to their unavailability.

Effective July 1, 2012, section 456.0635, Florida Statutes (F.S.), provides that health care boards must refuse to issue a license, certificate, or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant:

1. Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under chapter 409 (relating to social and economic assistance), chapter 817 (relating to fraudulent practices), or chapter 893 (relating to drug abuse prevention and control), F.S., or a similar felony offense committed in another state or jurisdiction, unless the candidate or applicant has successfully completed a pretrial diversion or drug court program for that felony and provides proof that the plea has been withdrawn or the charges have been dismissed. Any such conviction or plea shall exclude the applicant or candidate from licensure, examination, certification, or registration unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or plea ended:
   • For felonies of the first or second degree, more than 15 years before the date of application.
   • For felonies of the third degree, more than 10 years before the date of application, except for felonies of the third degree under section 893.13(6)(a), F.S.
   • For felonies of the third degree under section 893.13(6)(a), F.S., more than 5 years before the date of application;
2. Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 (relating to controlled substances), or 42 U.S.C. ss. 1395-1396 (relating to public health, welfare, Medicare, and Medicaid), unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or plea ended more than 15 years before the date of the application;
3. Has been terminated for cause from the Florida Medicaid program pursuant to section 409.913, F.S., unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with the Florida Medicaid program for the most recent 5 years;
4. Has been terminated for cause, pursuant to the appeals procedures established by the state, from any other state Medicaid program, unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with a state Medicaid program for the most recent 5 years and the termination occurred at least 20 years before the date of the application; or
5. Is currently listed on the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s List of Excluded Individuals and Entities, except when such applicant is listed solely based on a default or delinquency on a student loan as provided in section 120.82, F.S.

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 the applicant. The results of the search will be returned to the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse and made available to the Department of Health for consideration during the licensure process. The fingerprints submitted by the applicant will be retained by FDLE and the Clearinghouse. All costs for conducting a criminal history background screening are borne by the applicant.

Please ensure that the Originating Agency Identification (ORI) number is provided to the Livescan service provider when you submit your fingerprints. If you do not provide an ORI number or if you provide an incorrect ORI number to the Livescan service provider, the Board office will not receive your fingerprint results. The applicant is fully responsible for selecting the Livescan service provider and ensuring submission of the prints to the Department of Health.

You can find an approved Livescan service provider at https://www.flhealthsource.gov/background-screening.

Please take this form with you to the Livescan service provider. Please check the Livescan service provider’s requirements to see if you need to bring any additional items. Also verify that the ORI number submitted by the Livescan service provider matches the information provided.

Applicants are encouraged to review all laws and rules relating to the licensure of physician assistants in Florida before completing an application for licensure. Links to the Florida Statutes and the Florida Administrative Code are available on the Board of Medicine’s website at Florida Board of Medicine » Links and Resources. Applicants are also encouraged to read all instructions before and during the application process. Failure to do so may result in delays in the processing of your application.

All applications and supporting documents are reviewed in the order in which they are received by Board staff.

Once an applicant’s initial submissions are reviewed, a letter will be provided to the applicant by Board staff outlining the application’s status and noting any documents still needed to complete the licensure file. Once all requested documents and information are received, the completed application will be submitted for a final review prior to the issuance of a license.

Some applicants are required to appear before the Council on Physician Assistants to discuss affirmative responses on the application or to address an applicant’s failure to satisfy a statutory requirement. Council meetings are held every other month.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to refrain from making any personal or professional commitments dependent upon licensure prior to being fully licensed.

Temporary Physician Assistant Licensure

A temporary physician assistant license may only be issued to an applicant before the applicant sits for the proficiency examination administered by National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. If an applicant takes the examination prior to completing the application process, the applicant no longer qualifies for a temporary physician assistant license.

If a temporary physician assistant license is issued and the applicant subsequently passes the proficiency examination, the temporary license will be automatically upgraded to a full license at no additional cost.

If a temporary physician assistant license is issued and the applicant fails the proficiency examination, the applicant may reapply for a one-year extension of the temporary license. To receive an extension, the applicant must complete the Extension of Temporary Physician Assistant Licensure Application (Extension of Temporary Licensure Application.docx), submit a copy of the NCCPA examination score report, and provide proof that the applicant has registered to retake the proficiency examination.

Any questions or concerns regarding a physician assistant’s initial licensure requirements or the application process should be directed to the Board office at BOM_InitialApps@flhealth.gov.

General Licensure Requirements

Requirements for a physician assistant to practice in an approved area of critical need include the following:

• Complete and submit an application for licensure.
• Complete a background screening with an approved Livescan provider. Visit flhealthsource.gov/background-screening for additional information.
• Hold a current and valid license to practice as a physician assistant in any jurisdiction of the United States.
• Must practice medicine only in approved areas of critical need. Review section 458.315, Florida Statutes, for additional information.
• Must demonstrate the active licensed practice of medicine as a physician assistant during the three-year period immediately preceding the application for licensure.

If a “Yes” response was provided to any of the health history questions on your application for licensure, provide the following documents:

A letter from a Licensed Health Care Practitioner, who is qualified by skill and training to address the condition identified, which explains the impact the condition may have on the ability to practice the profession with reasonable skill and safety. The letter must specify that the applicant is safe to practice the profession without restrictions or specifically indicate the restrictions that are necessary. Documentation provided must be dated within one year of the application date.

A written self-explanation, identifying the medical condition(s) or occurrence(s); and current status.

If you have ever been denied a license, had disciplinary action taken against a license, or have had other action taken against you by a licensing agency, you will need to submit the following for each denial and action:

• Written self-explanation describing in detail the circumstances surrounding the circumstances of the action.
• Agency records of that action, including all administrative complaints and final orders.

If you are currently under investigation or prosecution in any jurisdiction for an act that would constitute a violation under section 456.072, Florida Statutes or section 458.331, Florida Statutes, please submit the following:

• Written self-explanation describing in detail the circumstances surrounding the investigation or prosecution.
• A letter from the state board/entity explaining the results of the investigation or prosecution.

Failure to disclose disciplinary history on your application may result in the denial of your application for licensure.

All actions are reviewed by the Chair of the Council on Physician Assistants to determine whether a personal appearance is required at a council meeting. If you are required to appear, you will be notified in writing by Board staff within 30 days of the scheduled meeting.

If you have ever been found guilty of or had adjudication withheld for, or pled guilty or nolo contendere (no contest) to a crime in any jurisdiction other than a minor traffic offense, submit the following for each conviction:

• Written self-explanation describing in detail the circumstances surrounding the arrest and conviction.
• Arrest records from the arresting jurisdiction.
• Final disposition of the case.
• Documents showing completion of sentence (probation, parole, sanctions, fines, etc.).

If arrest, disposition, or completion of sentencing records are unavailable, the clerk of courts or other agency responsible for those records may submit documentation attesting to the unavailability of those records.

Failure to disclose criminal history on your application that impacts the practice of medicine or your ability to practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety may result in the denial of your application for licensure.

Some criminal history may require a review by the Chair of the Council on Physician Assistants to determine whether a personal appearance is required at a council meeting. If you are required to appear, you will be notified in writing by Board staff within 30 days of the scheduled meeting.

Important Notice:  Applicants for licensure, certification, or registration and candidates for examination may be excluded from licensure, certification, or registration if their felony convictions fall into certain timeframes as established in section 456.0635(2), Florida Statutes.

If a “Yes” response was provided to any of the criminal and Medicaid/Medicare fraud questions on your application for licensure, provide the following documents:

• Written self-explanation for each question including the county and state of each termination or conviction, date of each termination or conviction, and copies of supporting documentation.
• Supporting documentation including court dispositions or agency orders where applicable.

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 the applicant. The results of the search will be returned to the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse and made available to the Department of Health for consideration during the licensure process. The fingerprints submitted by the applicant will be retained by FDLE and the Clearinghouse. All costs for conducting a criminal history background screening are borne by the applicant.

Please ensure that the Originating Agency Identification (ORI) number is provided to the Livescan service provider when you submit your fingerprints. If you do not provide an ORI number or if you provide an incorrect ORI number to the Livescan service provider, the Board office will not receive your fingerprint results. The applicant is fully responsible for selecting the Livescan service provider and ensuring submission of the prints to the Department of Health.

You can find an approved Livescan service provider at https://www.flhealthsource.gov/background-screening.

Please take this form with you to the Livescan service provider. Please check the Livescan service provider’s requirements to see if you need to bring any additional items. Also verify that the ORI number submitted by the Livescan service provider matches the information provided.

Licensees requesting to reactivate their license from inactive or retired status are required to pay additional fees and comply with specific continuing education requirements. Please contact the board office at BOM_PostLicensure@flhealth.gov to request your reactivation requirements.

The department will renew your license upon receipt of:

1. Completed Renewal application
   a. Including acknowledgment of no felony convictions in the previous two years
2. Required fees
3. Your current primary place of practice address
4. Confirmation of required continuing education hours reported into the continuing education tracking system, CE Broker.
5. Complete a mandatory background screening or retain* your current fingerprints. To learn more, please visit https://flhealthsource.gov/background-screening/.

*Required by section 456.0135(6)(1), Florida Statutes, a $43.25 fee is required for FDLE to retain your fingerprint for background screening during this licensure cycle. This fee is collected at the time of license renewal if your fingerprint retention is expiring this licensure period. If your fingerprint retention expires in the next 60 days, you will need to pay separately through the Clearinghouse Applicant Initiated (CHAI) System.

To ensure you receive notification from the department regarding the renewal, you must have on file with the department your current mailing address. Failure to renew an active or inactive license by the expiration date will result in the license being placed in delinquent status. Failure by a delinquent licensee to become active or inactive before the expiration of the current licensure cycle renders the license null and void without any further action by the board or the department.

A licensee who remains on inactive status for more than two consecutive biennial licensure cycles and who wishes to reactivate, must:

1. Submit original inactive license
2. Provide licensure verification from each state licensed in, or if only licensed in Florida submit a statement affirming the licensee is only licensed in Florida
3. Provide a statement of medical activities from the date becoming inactive to the present or if have not practiced at least two of the four years preceding application for reactivation, the licensee must: a. Successfully complete a 16 credit hour Graduate Clerkship program approved by the council and b. Practice under the direct supervision of a supervising physician approved by the council for one year. In lieu of proof of completion of the Graduate Clerkship or the equivalent, may submit proof of recertification by the NCCPA
4. Acknowledgment of no felony convictions in the previous two years
5. Submit proof of completion of the CME requirements in compliance with paragraphs 64B8-30.005(2)(c), (d), (e), and (f), F.A.C., for each biennium in which the license was inactive
6. Pay the appropriate fees

If you are a member of the Armed Forces of the United States on active duty not practicing in the private sector for profit, who was in good standing with the board at the time of becoming active and was entitled to practice or engage in the practice of medicine in Florida, you may be eligible to be exempted from renewal requirements for the duration of active duty, and for a period of six months after discharge.

If you are the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, you may be eligible to be exempted from licensure renewal requirements, but only in cases of absence from the state because your spouses’ duties with the Armed Forces.

If you volunteer 160 hours of medical services to the indigent residents of Florida with incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level during the previous biennium, you may be eligible for a waiver of your biennial renewal fee and some of the continuing education hours (no more than 25%) required for license renewal; however, the continuing education requirements for domestic violence, HIV and AIDS, and medical errors cannot be waived.