Continuing Education: Requirements & Licensure Renewal

Any licensee who is a member of the U.S. military on active duty 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 may be eligible to be exempted from renewal requirements for the duration of active duty, and for a period of six months after discharge, but not practicing the profession in the private sector for profit. For more exemptions, visit https://floridasosteopathicmedicine.gov/ renewals.

Physician Assistants

Licenses for physician assistants expire Jan. 31 of even-numbered years. Prescribing physician assistants must complete 10 hours of CME in each specialty area of the supervising physician. These hours are included in the 98 general CME. Effective January 1, 2017, three of the 10 specialty hours must consist of a course on the safe and effective prescribing of controlled substance medications given by a statewide professional association of physicians in this state accredited to provide educational activities designated for the American Medical Association Physician’s Recognition Award Category I credit or designated by the American Academy of Physician Assistants as a Category I credit.

First renewal:

• One hour of HIV/AIDS (Must be Category I.) • Two hours of Prevention of Medical Errors • 97 general CME hours or current National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) certification • Every renewal thereafter: • Two hours of Prevention of Medical Errors • Two hours of Domestic Violence (Required every third biennium, included in the total 100 hours required.) • One hour of Human Trafficking (May be included in the total general hours required and must be completed by Jan. 1, 2021.) • 98 general CME hours

Retirement Status for Licenses

If you are a physician considering retirement but are not ready to give up the practice of medicine, you may be questioning your options. Placing your license in retirement status prohibits you from practicing medicine in any form, but there is another option. Physicians can convert their full medical license to a limited license, in order to practice on a volunteer basis. Physicians with limited licenses who are working without compensation are not required to pay renewal fees. Limited licenses, however, are restricted to areas of critical need.

Nursing

All Florida-licensed registered nurses (RN) and licensed practical nurses (LPN) are in a two-year licensure cycle.

First renewal:

For the first renewal, LPNs and RNs initially licensed by examination during the current biennium are exempt from general CEU requirements. LPNs and RNs initially licensed by endorsement during the current biennium and took the exam in another state within the biennium are also exempt from general CEU hours. Both those licensees must complete two hours of Prevention of Medical Errors, two hours of Florida Laws and Rules, two hours of Recognizing Impairment in the Workplace, two hours of Human Trafficking, and one hour of HIV/AIDS. Initial licenses that were issued for less than 24 months are required to complete one hour for each month that the license was valid for.

First licenses are not generally valid for a full two years. If your Florida license was not issued for the full two-year biennium you must complete one hour of CE for each month that you hold the license.

Every renewal thereafter:

• Two hours of Florida Laws and Rules • Two hours of Prevention of Medical Errors • Two hours of Recognizing Impairment in the Workplace (Required every other renewal.) • Two hours of Human Trafficking (Does not have to be a Florida Board of Nursing approved course. Became effective October 1, 2017. Licenses expiring after Jan. 1, 2019 are required to complete the course every renewal/biennium.)

• Two hours of Domestic Violence (Required every third biennium in addition to the 24 hours required for renewal.) • 16 general CE hours

Dentistry

Dental and dental hygiene licenses must be renewed in even-numbered years. Licenses expire on Feb. 28.

Dentist First renewal:

• Two hours of HIV/AIDS • Two hours of Prescribing Controlled Substances • Every renewal thereafter: • Current CPR certification (Must be a live course.) • Two hours of Prevention of Medical

Errors • Two hours of Safe and Effective

Prescribing Controlled Substances (May be included in the 30 total general hours required.) • Two hours of Domestic Violence (Due every third biennium.) • One hour of Human Trafficking (May be included in the total general hours required and must be completed by Jan. 1, 2021.) • 28 CE hours

Dental Hygienist First renewal:

• Two hours of HIV/AIDS • Every renewal thereafter: • Current CPR certification (Must be a live course.) • Two hours of Prevention of Medical Errors • Two hours of Domestic Violence (Due every third biennium, in addition to the 24 hours required.) • One hour of Human Trafficking (May be included in the total general hours required and must be completed by Jan. 1, 2021.) • 22 CE hours

For more continuing education requirements for licensure renewal of Florida healthcare professionals, please visit www.floridahealth.gov/licensing-and-regulation/index.html and https://floridasdentistry.gov/renewals/dentist.

North Florida Regional Medical Center

The Healthcare Industry is

Thriving in North Central Florida

The healthcare industry in North Central Florida is vibrant and growing. This is made evident by the number of projects and milestones made by our hospitals and medical centers right here in our own backyard. Not only does this expand the access of healthcare for patients in the area, it also provides opportunities for those seeking careers in the medical eld.

North Florida Regional Medical Center Expansions

Patients in Gainesville will have more space for recovery as the hospital is building a new South Tower. This expansion has been in the works for three years and is almost complete as of fall 2020. This expansion will increase the bed count to 510 beds. The new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Postpartum and Antepartum Care Unit, Orthopedic Unit and Intensive Care Unit will have 78 new beds spanning three additional floors. The new NICU is classified as level three, meaning the hospital can care for very small or sick newborns ranging from babies that are 23 to 24 weeks old and even micro-preemies born at 28 weeks or earlier. To provide additional comfort for patients, this exciting growth provides patients with an individual room with complete privacy.

West Marion Community Hospital Developments

Ocala Health announced that West Marion Community Hospital’s State Road 200 campus is adding 39,000 square feet of space to their new in-patient rehabilitation wing. The expansion plans on opening the new wing by August 2022 with an additional 36 patient beds, bringing the total number of private rooms to 222. The hospital’s in-patient orthopaedic treatment and rehabilitation services have been nominated by the Joint Commission, awarding Ocala Health with its Gold Seal of Approval™ for hip and knee replacement as well as spinal fusion. In regards to the hospital expansions, CEO of Ocala Health, Char Christian stated, “With our recent additions of advanced neurological and stroke care capabilities, we recognized the need to offer additional rehab services to our community. This investment reflects our continued commitment to deliver the highest quality of care for the patients of Marion County.”

AdventHealth Centra Care Urgent Care Center Project

AdventHealth has announced their first Centra Care Urgent Care Center located in Marion County. The $538,000 project brings a 5,300-square-foot building to Ocala with care for both adults and a focus on pediatrics. The urgent care center will be open seven days a week with extended evening hours. Both walk-in appointments and online reservations are available to make patients’ experiences as smooth as possible. Other services the center will offer include orthopaedic care, allergies, primary care services and an on-site pharmacy.

Wolfson Children’s Specialty Center New Location

The new 5,400-square-foot Lake City location of Wolfson Children’s Specialty Center will offer space for art therapy and a large gym in addition to outpatient pediatric care. According to their website, this expansion follows Wolfson’s mission “to provide optimal health for the region’s children by providing patient and familycentered care, education, research and child advocacy.” The Art with a Heart in Healthcare program works with the Child Life Team to allow families and patients to relieve stress and provide a creative outlet for all. This gives children an opportunity to express themselves through painting, drawing, photography and more. “Seven days a week, the talented team of artistsin-residence, community volunteers and interns develop art sessions to meet the unique needs of each patient,” states Wolfson’s website. The new gym will offer both physical and occupational therapy treatments, complete with swings and a rock wall.

West Marion Community Hospital