Florida

Board

of

Optometry

No, Florida offers licensure by examination only.

If a PDF file fails to download, shows up blank, or freezes your internet browser, the file was most likely corrupted during the download process. To correct the problem, you will need to first clear your browser’s cache, then close and restart the browser, which entails logging back into MQA Services to continue downloading the document. If the cache is not cleared the cached version of the document, which is likely damaged, will still appear.

Verify that you are using the email address: MedicalQualityAssurance@flhealth.gov

Also, If you have SPAM blocker on your computer, you will not be able to receive emails from Licensure Services without updating your SPAM blocker to allow emails from the Department.
Please update your SPAM blocker to receive emails from @doh.state.fl.us or contact our Licensure Support Services at (850)-488-0595, for Account ID and Password renewal information.

To view a list of actively licensed practitioners, use the License Verification Search and select the county and profession from the drop-down list.

You can request a practitioner’s disciplinary history from our Public Records website under Disciplinary Records.

By visiting the board’s meetings page. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on either past or upcoming meetings. Review the meeting dates to locate the agenda you need, and the board’s agenda should be posted on the right under Materials.

Profiles can be accessed by on our License Verification screen. If the health professional is licensed in one of profiled professions, a “Practitioner Profile” tab will be available.

LICENSEES:

UPDATE ADDRESS ONLINE:

• Login to online services by selecting your profession from the drop down menu and entering your User ID and Password

• Your User ID and Password were mailed with your initial license. Please look at the center section and refer to the Online Services Instructions, item #5.

• If you do not have your User ID and Password, click on “Get Login Help“.

• Select “Update Addresses” on the left side of the page

• Enter the new address information

• Once you have entered your new address, click on “Process”. You will receive a confirmation page that displays the updated address.

UPDATE ADDRESS BY MAIL: Please complete the Change of Address form. Written requests for address changes must include your name, profession, license number, old address, new address, date of birth, last four digits of your social security number, and your signature.

Please Note: An updated license will not be automatically sent. A duplicate license request must be submitted.

About Your Practice Location Address

The practice location address will display on the Internet and your license. Your practice location must be a physical location address and must not include a Post Office box. The mailing address will only display on the Internet if you have not provided a practice location address to us.

Establishment/Facility Name or Address

If the name or address change is for a facility that has changed location, a licensure application must be submitted. See your profession’s web page for additional information.

APPLICANTS:

UPDATE ADDRESS BY MAIL: Please complete the Change of Address form. Written requests for address changes must include your name, profession, old address, new address, date of birth, last four digits of your social security number, and your signature.

PROCESSING TIME: If you are submitting an address change request by mail, please allow 5-7 business days for processing. Online requests will be processed within 48 hours.

Board members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. You may apply by contacting the Governor’s Appointment Office, LL10 The Capitol, Tallahassee FL 32399-0001; or by calling (850) 488-2183.

Once you are logged into Online Services, select Update Address link from the side navigational menu.

Yes, Florida health care professionals can seek assistance for impairment through the Department’s Impaired Practitioner Programs – the Intervention Project for Nurses (IPN) or the Professionals Resource Network (PRN). Impairment may be as a result of misuse or abuse of alcohol or drugs, or both, or due to a mental or physical condition which could affect the licensee’s ability to practice with skill and safety. Intervention Project for Nurses, Inc. (IPN) (Contract Number: COMV5) Linda L. Smith, ARNP, M.Div, CAP, Chief Executive Officer P.O. Box 49130 Jacksonville Beach, FL 32240-9130 Toll Free: (800) 840-2720 Telephone Number: (904) 270-1620 FAX: (904) 270-1633 E-Mail: lsmith@ipnfl.org Professionals Resource Network, Inc. (PRN) (Contract Number: COMW3) P.O. Box 1020 Fernandina Beach, Florida 32035-1020 Toll Free: (800) 888-8PRN (8776) Telephone Number: 904-277-8004 Fax: 904-261-3996 E-Mail: admin@flprn.org

You are required to report all criminal activities after you receive your license. You may report the criminal offense(s) online via Online Services, by e-mail MQAOnlineService@flhealth.gov, or by mail:

Florida Department of Health
Licensure Support Services Unit, Bin #C-10
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3267

If reporting by e-mail or mail, provide the date of the offense, a description of the crime, and the county and state of jurisdiction.

Yes, Florida health care professionals can seek assistance for impairment through the Department’s Impaired Practitioner Programs – the Intervention Project for Nurses (IPN) or the Professionals Resource Network (PRN). Impairment may be as a result of misuse or abuse of alcohol or drugs, or both, or due to a mental or physical condition which could affect the licensee’s ability to practice with skill and safety.

Intervention Project for Nurses, Inc. (IPN)
(Contract Number: COMV5)
Linda L. Smith, ARNP, M.Div, CAP
Chief Executive Officer
P.O. Box 49130
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32240-9130
Toll Free: (800) 840-2720
Telephone Number: (904) 270-1620
FAX: (904) 270-1633
E-Mail: lsmith@ipnfl.org

Professionals Resource Network, Inc. (PRN)
(Contract Number: COMW3)
P.O. Box 1020 Fernandina Beach, Florida 32035-1020
Toll Free: (800) 888-8PRN (8776)
Telephone Number: 904-277-8004
Fax: 904-261-3996
E-Mail: admin@flprn.org

License Verification

Information regarding the licensure status of a practitioner. This is for use by persons or organizations that do not require a document certifying this information under seal.

Licensure Certification

Specific document certifying licensure status and disciplinary history, prepared by a representative of the Division of Medical Quality Assurance and bearing a seal. This document is generally required for applicants seeking licensure in other states and for use in court proceedings. There is a $25 fee for this service in accordance with Rule 64B-4.001, F.A.C.

All board meetings are open to the public.

Board members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. You may apply by contacting the Governor’s Appointment Office, LL10 The Capitol, Tallahassee FL 32399-0001; or by calling (850) 488-2183.

Print the Complaint Form with the Authorization for Release of Patient Records from ourEnforcement site or call 1-888-419-3456 or (850)414-1976 to request one by phone. Complete the form and mail it to the address given on the form.

Five business days.

All medical doctors, osteopathic physicians, chiropractic physicians, podiatrists, and advanced registered nurse practitioners have profiles that list this information.

No. There is no additional cost for making a credit card payment online.

Verify that you are using the email address: MedicalQualityAssurance@doh.state.fl.usAlso, If you have SPAM blocker on your computer, you will not be able to receive emails from Licensure Services without updating your SPAM blocker to allow emails from the Department. Please update your SPAM blocker to receive emails from @doh.state.fl.us or contact our Licensure Support Services at (850)-488-0595, for Account ID and Password renewal information.

If you are an allopathic physician, osteopathic physician or dentist, licensed in another state but do not hold a Florida medical license, and you plan to provide expert witness testimony in Florida, you must register for an Expert Witness Certificate. If you are interested in becoming an Expert Witness, please complete this survey.

Each year the Department of Health contracts with experts to review cases against medical professionals who may have failed to provide appropriate medical care such as is expected of a medical practitioner in the State of Florida. Being an expert witness for the Department not only helps to improve the efficiency of the disciplinary process, but also allows you to play an active role in helping to regulate your profession. Experts must:

• Have a current Florida license;
• Be actively practicing in Florida;
• Shall not have ever been the subject of any disciplinary action by the medical licensing authority of any state or jurisdiction, and is currently; and
• Shall remain in good standing with the respective healthcare profession for which his or her services are required. The Department offers two types of expert witness contracts.

If you wish to provide your services pro bono, Board rules provide an official recognition for time spent in the review of a case and written opinion by awarding Continuing Medical Education (CME) Credits of 5.0 hours per case, up to a maximum of 15 hours per biennial license renewal period towards risk management. For services other than case review and written opinion, such as deposition and trial services, you will be compensated at a modest rate of $160.00 per hour.

If you wish to be a paid expert, you will be compensated at a modest rate of $125.00 per hour for time spent in the review of a case and written opinion and $160.00 for deposition and trial services. Your deposition testimony would typically be paid by the opposing counsel at your requested fee. Additionally, the Department reimburses travel expenses in accordance with the Department of Health 40-1 (Official Travel of Department of Health Employees and Non-Employees.) If you are interested in becoming an expert witness for the Department and your board, please click on the link below to fill-out and submit your application: Board Expert Witness Application (PDF)

Once you are logged into Online Services, select Update Address link from the side navigational menu.