Get Help from an Experienced Florida Medical License Attorney When Applying for Licensure by Endorsement
Obtaining a Florida medical license can be a long, complicated process, whether you are new to the profession, licensed in another state or attended a foreign medical school. For physicians who have a difficult past issue they need to explain, the process can be especially arduous.
If you are applying to the Florida Board of Medicine for licensure by endorsement, an experienced Florida medical license defense attorney can help you overcome some of the challenges involved in the licensure process. I have more than twenty-one years of legal experience and have helped many doctors successfully navigate Florida Board of Medicine processes successfully. Let me help you understand the requirements for licensure by endorsement and advise you on the optimal strategy for explaining past issues so you can obtain your Florida medical license as quickly as possible.
What Are the Requirements for Licensure by Endorsement in Florida?
The Florida medical licensure process is purposefully complicated to protect medical licensed practitioners and the public. Applicants from other states might have an issue because they must meet one of the following criteria delineated in section 458.313 of the Florida Statutes:
- Have been actively practicing medicine for at least two of the last four years,
- Have successfully completed either a board-approved postgraduate training program within the past two years, or
- Have passed a board-approved clinical competency exam within the past year.
Can I Obtain a Florida Medical License If I Have Previously Had Disciplinary Action against My License?
Physicians often encounter problems obtaining a Florida medical license if they have had disciplinary action taken against their license in another state. If you have ever had action taken against your license, have action pending against a license to practice any health care profession or have ever been denied licensure, you have to list information about the action(s) on your application and submit:
- A letter explaining the circumstances of the action.
- Records from the applicable licensing board regarding the action, or, if the records are not available, a letter on board letterhead sent to the Florida Board of Medicine.
Applicants may struggle to describe the circumstances of a prior or pending disciplinary action and end up seriously delaying their Florida license or jeopardizing their chances of ever obtaining one. A Florida license defense attorney with experience protecting physician’s rights and successfully navigating the Board of Medicine’s administrative processes can help you craft an appropriate response to obtain your Florida medical license as quickly as possible.
Can I Obtain a Florida Medical License If I Have Been Convicted of a Crime?
Physicians who have ever been convicted of a crime encounter other hurdles when applying for licensure by endorsement in Florida. All offenses other than minor traffic offenses must be listed on the application. In addition, you must submit:
- A letter describing the circumstances of the offense.
- Final disposition records from the court in the arresting jurisdiction, or, if records are not available, a letter on court letterhead from the clerk of the court attesting to the unavailability of the records.
- Probation and financial sanction records from the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction, or, if records are not available, a letter on court letterhead from the clerk of the court attesting to their unavailability.
Failure to disclose criminal offenses can result in denial of your application, so you need to be honest and forthcoming. However, your explanatory letter should be written very carefully to help your chances of getting the offense(s) cleared. If applicable, evidence of rehabilitation should be highlighted. An attorney who specializes in medical license defense and knows the ins and outs of the licensure process is in the best position to help ensure that your application and letter work in your favor.
Why Do I Need Help from an Attorney?
The requirements for obtaining a Florida medical license may seem strenuous, but they are not out of reach for most applicants. With guidance and advice from a qualified Florida medical license attorney, you may be able to obtain your license within a reasonable amount of time.
If you have had disciplinary action taken against your license in another state or if you have been convicted of a crime, getting help from an experienced Florida license defense attorney is definitely in your best interest. Jonathan Rose has more than twenty-one years of legal experience and has helped many Florida doctors successfully obtain their licenses and challenge administrative complaints.
Call 407.392.9298 or submit the “Tell Us What Happened” form on this page to get the help you need.