Scope of Practice Expansions in Florida

Continuing Education: Requirements & Licensure Renewal

NOTE: Licensees of the Florida Board of Medicine are required to renew their licenses biennially in order to maintain the right to practice.

Allopathic (MD)

The Department of Health (DOH) divides MDs into two groups. One group holds licenses that expire in even-numbered years, while the other group expires in odd-numbered years. All 40 continuing medical education (CME) hours (needed for second and subsequent renewals) must be American Medical Association (AMA) Category I or accepted American Medical Association Physicians Recognition Award. The Domestic Violence course and Prevention of Medical Errors course must be approved by any state or federal government agency, or nationally affiliated professional association, or any provider of Category I or II AMA Continuing Education. For other methods of obtaining continuing medical education per biennium, visit https://flboardofmedicine. gov/renewals.

First renewal:

• One hour of HIV/AIDS • Two hours of Prevention of Medical Errors (Course must include information regarding the five most misdiagnosed conditions.)

Every renewal thereafter:

• Two hours of Prevention of Medical Errors (Course must include information regarding the five most misdiagnosed conditions.) • Two hours of Controlled Substance Prescribing (Required for medical doctors who are registered with the U.S. DEA. Must have been completed prior to Jan. 31, 2019 and each subsequent renewal.) • One hour of Human Trafficking (May be included in the total general hours required and must be completed by Jan. 1, 2021.) • 38 general CME hours, including two hours of Domestic Violence for every third biennium

Exemptions:

Licensed physicians on active duty in the U.S. military who were in good standing with the board at the time of becoming active and were entitled to practice or engage in the practice of medicine in Florida may be eligible for exemption from renewal requirements for the duration of active duty, and for six months after discharge, but not to practice in the private sector for profit. For additional exemptions, visit https://flboardofmedicine.gov/ renewals.

Osteopathic (DO) First renewal for licenses issued subsequent to July 1 of the second year of the biennium:

• One hour of Florida Laws and Rules/Professional and Medical Ethics (live/participatory) • Two hours of Prevention of Medical Errors (live/participatory) • One hour of Human Trafficking (Only required to be taken one time, however it must be taken prior to Jan. 1, 2021. Counts towards total hours.)

• 40 total continuing medical education (CME) hours, including the required hours above. Of those hours, 20 must be American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Category 1-A hours. These hours may include any required course above if the required course is certified in Category 1-A by the AOA. Only eight total home study hours may be used for renewal requirements. No more than six hours of CME can be used per biennium for attendance at a board meeting.

First renewal for licenses issued prior to July 1 of the second year of the biennium:

• One hour of Florida Laws and Rules/Professional and Medical Ethics (live/participatory) • Two hours of Prevention of Medical Errors (live/participatory) • Two hours of Prescribing of Controlled Substances (Only applies to licensees registered with the DEA and authorized to prescribe controlled substances.)

• One hour of HIV/AIDS • One hour of Human Trafficking (Only required to be taken one time, however it must be taken prior to Jan. 1, 2021. Counts towards total hours.) • 40 total continuing medical education (CME) hours, including the required hours above. Of those hours, 20 must be American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Category 1-A hours. These hours may include any required course above if the required course is certified in Category 1-A by the AOA. Only eight total home study hours may be used for renewal requirements. No more than six hours of CME can be used per biennium for attendance at a board meeting.

Every renewal thereafter:

• One hour of Florida Laws and Rules/Professional and Medical Ethics (live/participatory) • Two hours of Prescribing Controlled Substances (Only applies to licensees registered with the DEA and authorized to prescribe controlled substances.) • Two hours of Prevention of Medical Errors (live/participatory) • Two hours of Domestic Violence (Required every third biennium renewal.) • One hour of Human Trafficking (Only required to be taken one time, however it must be taken prior to Jan. 1, 2021. Counts towards total hours.) • 40 total continuing medical education (CME) hours, including the required hours above. Of those hours, 20 must be American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Category 1-A hours. These hours may include any required course above if the required course is certified in Category 1-A by the AOA. Only eight total home study hours may be used for renewal requirements. No more than six hours of CME can be used per biennium for attendance at a board meeting.