Physician Assistant (PA)

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 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.

Effective July 1, 2012, section 456.0635, Florida Statutes, provides that health care boards or the department shall 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, F.S., (relating to social and economic assistance), Chapter 817, F.S., (relating to fraudulent practices), Chapter 893, F.S., (relating to drug abuse prevention and control) or a similar felony offense(s) in another state or jurisdiction unless the candidate or applicant has successfully completed a 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 the felonies of the first or second degree, more than 15 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
   • For the felonies of the third degree, more than 10 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
   • For the felonies of the third degree under section 893.13(6)(a), F.S., more than five years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
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 issues), unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to 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 five years;
4. Has been terminated for cause, pursuant to the appeals procedures established by the state or Federal Government, 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 five years and the termination occurred at least 20 years before the date of the application;
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.

Applicants with Health History

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

Self-Explanation – Applicants must submit a letter in your own words explaining the medical condition(s) or occurrence(s). Include a description of all treatments and diagnoses you have received for any condition(s)/impairment(s) you are/have been treated for. Include all medications prescribed and all physicians/counselors that have provided treatment.

Physician(s) Letter – Applicants must submit a statement from your treating physician(s)/counselor(s) for each condition you are/were being treated for and whether or not you are currently able to safely practice Medicine. The physician’s statement should include all DSM IIIR/ DSM IV, Axis I, II, and III diagnoses.

Applicants with Disciplinary History

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

Self-Explanation – Applicants who have listed disciplinary action on the application must submit a letter in your own words describing the circumstances of the action.

Agency Records – All relevant documentation regarding the action should be sent to the board office by the licensing agency. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on agency letterhead sent from the licensing agency attesting to their unavailability.

Applicants with Criminal History

Any applicant who has ever 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 the application. Failure to disclose criminal history may result in denial of your application. Each application is reviewed on its own merits.

The Board of Medicine has created guidelines for specific offenses to be cleared in the board office; however, staff cannot make determinations in advance as laws and rules do change over time. Violent crimes and repeat offenders are required to be presented to the Board of Medicine for review. Evidence of rehabilitation is important to the board members when making licensure decisions.

Applicants with prior criminal convictions are required to submit the following documentation to the board:

Self-Explanation – Applicants who have listed offenses on the application must submit a letter in your own words describing the circumstances of the offense.

Final Dispositions/Arrest Records – Final disposition records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on court letterhead sent from the clerk of the court attesting to their unavailability.

Completion of Probation/Parole/Sanctions – Probation and financial sanction records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. Parole records for offenses can be obtained from the Department of Corrections or at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on court letterhead sent from the clerk of the court attesting to their unavailability.

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.

Applicants for a Rear Admiral Leroy Collins Jr. Temporary Certificate Active Duty Military and Veterans license must meet the following:

• Be licensed to practice in any jurisdiction in the United States and whose license is currently valid

AND

• Is serving as a physician on active duty in the United Stated Armed Forces

OR

• Has served as a physician in the United States Armed Forces for at least 10 years and received an honorable discharge from the military

AND

• Only practice in certain designated, approved facilities located in communities of Florida where there is a critical need for physicians

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 applicant. 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. 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.

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 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 at: FLHealthSource.gov/Background-Screening and click on the Livescan Service Providers tab.

Effective July 1, 2012, section 456.0635, Florida Statutes, provides that health care boards or the department shall 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, F.S., (relating to social and economic assistance), Chapter 817, F.S., (relating to fraudulent practices), Chapter 893, F.S., (relating to drug abuse prevention and control) or a similar felony offense(s) in another state or jurisdiction unless the candidate or applicant has successfully completed a 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 the felonies of the first or second degree, more than 15 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
   • For the felonies of the third degree, more than 10 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
   • For the felonies of the third degree under section 893.13(6)(a), F.S., more than five years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
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 issues), unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to 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 five years;
4. Has been terminated for cause, pursuant to the appeals procedures established by the state or Federal Government, 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 five years and the termination occurred at least 20 years before the date of the application;
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.

Applicants with Health History

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

Self-Explanation – Applicants must submit a letter in your own words explaining the medical condition(s) or occurrence(s). Include a description of all treatments and diagnoses you have received for any condition(s)/impairment(s) you are/have been treated for. Include all medications prescribed and all physicians/counselors that have provided treatment.

Physician(s) Letter – Applicants must submit a statement from your treating physician(s)/counselor(s) for each condition you are/were being treated for and whether or not you are currently able to safely practice Medicine. The physician’s statement should include all DSM IIIR/ DSM IV, Axis I, II, and III diagnoses.

Applicants with Disciplinary History

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

Self-Explanation – Applicants who have listed disciplinary action on the application must submit a letter in your own words describing the circumstances of the action.

Agency Records – All relevant documentation regarding the action should be sent to the board office by the licensing agency. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on agency letterhead sent from the licensing agency attesting to their unavailability.

Applicants with Criminal History

Any applicant who has ever 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 the application. Failure to disclose criminal history may result in denial of your application. Each application is reviewed on its own merits.

The Board of Medicine has created guidelines for specific offenses to be cleared in the board office; however, staff cannot make determinations in advance as laws and rules do change over time. Violent crimes and repeat offenders are required to be presented to the Board of Medicine for review. Evidence of rehabilitation is important to the board members when making licensure decisions.

Applicants with prior criminal convictions are required to submit the following documentation to the board:

Self-Explanation – Applicants who have listed offenses on the application must submit a letter in your own words describing the circumstances of the offense.

Final Dispositions/Arrest Records – Final disposition records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on court letterhead sent from the clerk of the court attesting to their unavailability.

Completion of Probation/Parole/Sanctions – Probation and financial sanction records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. Parole records for offenses can be obtained from the Department of Corrections or at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on court letterhead sent from the clerk of the court attesting to their unavailability.

The Florida Board of Medicine general statutes require that you must have a valid Florida medical license to practice medicine in Florida.

If you have been named in any malpractice suits, or have answered “yes” to any of the questions in the application, anticipate the possibility that additional information be requested.

You can check the status of the application by clicking the “Check Status” link.  Once you have submitted your application, it will take up to 10 business days before the information on your status is up to date.  You will need to know your File ID number and your date of birth to access the information.  Your File ID number will be given to you once you start the application.

We recommend that you do not make any commitments based upon expectation of licensure until you are actually licensed.  Some applicants suffer significant costs by signing mortgages and committing to a start date prematurely.

Read instructions before and while you complete the application.  Failure to do so may result in delays in processing your application.

One application is not accelerated at the expense of another, particularly if there is a premature commitment to start practicing medicine.  All applicants are handled equally and fairly.  The application process may take between two to six months to complete depending on your credentials.  You will not be able to start work until you have been granted a full medical license.

Applicants can help expedite the application process by including all relevant materials with their application packets (medical school diploma, residency certificates, etc).  We will mail you a deficiency letter approximately 30 days after receiving your application.  Please refrain from contacting our office until after you have received your initial deficiency letter.  E-mail contact is more efficient.  Time spent on the telephone impacts time available for staff to process applications.  Please direct questions or comments to BOM_InitialApps@flhealth.gov.  We process applications, mail, e-mails, and telephone calls in date order.

Licenses will not be issued without the background check results and will be issued in date order.

When issuing licenses, we have a strict policy of fairness.  One application will not be accelerated at the expense of another.  All applications will be handled equally and fairly.  Also, the less time reviewers spend responding to duplicate e-mails and telephone calls, the faster applications can be reviewed.  The standard procedures for the reviewers are:

Return phone calls within 24 hours.
Check mail within one week from receipt date.
Respond to e-mails within one week.

It could take up to 10 business days to issue your license after completion of your application.  It will take approximately 7 business days to receive your license in the mail after issuance.  To view your license before receiving the actual license in the mail, click LOOKUP. Your license number will appear on the web site 24 to 48 hours after it is issued.

Federal Credentials Verification Services (FCVS) will primary source verify and provide a copy of the medical school transcript(s), medical school diploma, medical school verification, name change document(s), national examination score report, ECFMG certificate, and ECFMG verification.  For more information about FCVS, visit their website at www.fsmb.org/licensure/fcvs.

Note:  If you have not completed the FCVS certification process prior to applying for license in Florida it could take longer to receive your Florida license.

The State of Florida operates under Chapter 286, Florida Statutes, commonly referred to as the “Sunshine Law.”  This law requires that board meetings are public.  All information that you provide to the Department is public record and shall be open to public inspection as required by 119.07 F. S., except financial information, examination records, and patient records.

Personal Appearances before the Credentials Committee or the Board of Medicine may be required for a variety of reasons: e.g., malpractice, medical education, postgraduate training, disciplinary actions, etc.  If an appearance is required, we will notify you by mail including the date, time, location, and reason(s) for the appearance.  The Credentials Committee meets in conjunction with the full Board of Medicine meetings. In order for the Committee members to review all the information that is provided for this committee, other committee meetings at the same time, and for the full board meeting, a deadline for applications must be established and respected. The cut off for a complete application to be considered is six (6) weeks prior to the committee meeting. All Board and Committee meetings dates, click Meetings

Any document submitted in a language other than English must be accompanied by a literal translation.  Acceptable translators are: An employee of a professional translating company, a member of a professional translation company, a member of the American Translators Association, a faculty member of the modern languages or linguistics department of a United States college or university.  Translations must be prepared on letterhead paper or bear the translator’s certification seal. All information appearing on the original document must also appear on the translation each time it appears on the original document.  This includes pre-printed information.  For example, the letterhead of the university, titles, etc.

All stamps and seals must be translated if legible.  If not legible, state that it is not legible and cannot be translated.

All signatures and photos must be identified.

All numbers must be translated unless they appear as follows:  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0.  If they do not appear on the document as they do above, they must be accurately transcribed.

Any other information on the document must be translated.

Note:  Translations prepared in international countries often have certifications on the translation.  If a certification is in a language other than English, it must also be translated.  Omissions or errors will cause a delay in the application process.

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 state of the United States or the District of Columbia.
• 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.

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.