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Florida (FL)

Florida Medical License

Get licensed to practice medicine in Florida. 3rd largest state by population. IMLC member state for expedited licensure.

Population
22,610,726
Difficulty
Medium
  • IMLC Compact member (joined 2024-09-01)
  • Telehealth: Allowed
  • CME: 38 hours per 2-year cycle (NOT counting 2-hour medical errors course)

Last updated 2025-12-30 · verified

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MD board

Florida Board of Medicine

3-5 business days for general inquiries

Official Website ↗

Quick answer

Quick Answer: Florida Medical License

Time to License
8-12 weeks
Total Cost
$943-$1,200
CME Requirements
38 hours per 2-year cycle (NOT counting 2-hour medical errors course)
IMLC Compact
Yes - expedited licensing available

Difficulty: Medium Telehealth: Allowed

Board-specific requirements

Florida MD and DO Board Details

Florida maintains separate licensing boards for MD (allopathic) and DO (osteopathic) physicians. Both boards have similar CME requirements (38-40 hours/2 years) but different fees and CME category breakdowns.

MD physicians

Florida Board of Medicine

3-5 business days for general inquiries

Time To Approval
8-12 weeks (standard), 4-6 weeks (IMLC)
Total Cost Range
$943-$1,200
Application Fee
$350
Initial License Fee
$350
Nica Fee
$250 (non-participating) or $5,000 (participating)
Fingerprint Fee
$43.25
State Specific Exam Required
No
Reciprocal Licensing
No
Cme Requirements
38 hours per 2-year cycle (NOT counting 2-hour medical errors course)
License Renewal Period
2
Renewal Cost
$280
Renewal Deadline
Biennial renewal based on birth month
Late Fee
Renewal increases to $729 after expiration
Note
MD physicians: Application $350, Initial license $350, NICA $250-$5,000, Fingerprints $43.25. Renewal $280 biennially. CME: 38 hours/2 years (NOT counting 2-hour medical errors).

CME details

38 hours per 2 years

Total Required
38 hours per 2-year cycle (NOT counting 2-hour medical errors course)
Note
MD board does not specify category requirements like Category 1
  • 1 hour HIV/AIDS (one-time for initial licensure)
  • 2 hours prevention of medical errors (required but NOT counted toward 38-hour total)
  • 2 hours domestic violence (one-time for initial licensure, every 3rd renewal thereafter)
  • 2 hours Florida laws and rules (per cycle)
  • 2 hours controlled substance prescribing (one-time)
  • 1 hour human trafficking (one-time)

Reporting: Self-certification upon renewal; maintain documentation for 4 years for audit

Official Website ↗

DO physicians

Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine

3-5 business days for general inquiries

Time To Approval
8-12 weeks (standard), 4-6 weeks (IMLC)
Total Cost Range
$755-$5,555
Application Fee
$200
Initial License Fee
$305
Nica Fee
$250 (non-participating) or $5,000 (participating)
Fingerprint Fee
$43.25
State Specific Exam Required
No
Reciprocal Licensing
No
Cme Requirements
40 hours per 2-year cycle (20 AOA Category 1-A)
License Renewal Period
2
Renewal Cost
$379
Renewal Deadline
Biennial renewal based on birth month
Late Fee
Renewal increases to $729 after expiration
Note
DO physicians: Application $200, Initial license $305, NICA $250-$5,000, Fingerprints $43.25. Renewal $379 biennially. CME: 40 hours/2 years with 20 AOA Category 1-A required.

CME details

40 hours per 2 years

Total Required
40 hours per 2-year cycle
Category1A
Minimum 20 hours must be AOA Category 1-A
Specific Topics
5 hours in specific required topics
  • 20 hours AOA Category 1-A required
  • Risk management course (hours included in 40-hour total)
  • Florida laws and rules (hours included in 40-hour total)
  • Controlled substance prescribing (hours included in 40-hour total)
  • Prevention of medical errors (hours included in 40-hour total)
  • Domestic violence course (hours included in 40-hour total)
  • HIV/AIDS education (hours included in 40-hour total)

Reporting: Self-certification upon renewal; maintain documentation for audit

Official Website ↗

Board Comparison

Shared requirements

  • Both boards participate in IMLC (joined September 2024)
  • Both require ECFMG certification for international medical graduates
  • Both require electronic fingerprinting through approved vendor
  • Both require 3 professional references
  • Both require Florida-specific CME courses (HIV/AIDS, medical errors, domestic violence)
  • Both have strict E-FORCSE (PDMP) requirements
  • Both require 2 years ACGME-accredited postgraduate training

Key differences

  • Different total CME hours: MD (38 hours NOT counting medical errors) vs DO (40 hours with 20 AOA Category 1-A)
  • Different application fees: MD $350 vs DO $200
  • Different initial license fees: MD $350 vs DO $305
  • Different renewal fees: MD $280 vs DO $379
  • Different CME category requirements: MD (no specific category breakdown) vs DO (20 hours AOA Category 1-A required)
  • Different board contact information and websites
  • DO board requires specific osteopathic CME categories

Healthcare market

Florida Healthcare Market

Key market data for physicians considering Florida.

Healthcare Market

$150+ billion annually

Physician Demand

High

Primary Care Avg.

$245,000

Unique Opportunities in Florida

  • 3rd largest state by population - massive healthcare market
  • Separate MD and DO licensing boards with different fee structures
  • NO STATE INCOME TAX - major financial advantage
  • IMLC member since Fall 2024 - brand new for both boards
  • Rapidly growing population with high healthcare demand
  • Large elderly population driving specialist demand

Application path

Florida License Requirements

Complete requirements for your FL medical license.

Medical Education

Must graduate from LCME-accredited (MD) or AOA-accredited (DO) medical school, or international equivalent listed in World Directory. Both boards accept both types of degrees.

  • Official transcripts sent directly to Florida Board or through FCVS for both boards

Postgraduate Training

Minimum 2 year(s) required

  • MD Board: Minimum of 2 years ACGME-accredited training. DO Board: Minimum of 2 years ACGME or AOA-accredited training

Licensing Exams

MD Board: Must pass USMLE Steps 1, 2 CK, and 3

  • COMLEX accepted: DO Board accepts COMLEX-USA or USMLE. MD Board accepts USMLE.

Background Check

Fingerprinting required

  • Electronic fingerprinting through approved vendor; results sent directly to FDLE and FBI for both boards

Professional References

3 references required

  • Licensed physicians who have observed applicant's clinical work
  • Residency program directors

Avoid delays

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Don't let these common issues delay your Florida license.

Applying to Wrong Board

Florida has separate MD and DO boards. Physicians may not realize they need to apply to the board corresponding to their degree type.

Solution: MD graduates apply to Florida Board of Medicine (flboardofmedicine.gov). DO graduates apply to Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine (floridasosteopathicmedicine.gov). Different websites, fees, and CME requirements.

Missing Florida-Specific CME Requirements

Florida requires specific courses (HIV/AIDS, medical errors, domestic violence) that other states don't require. Both MD and DO boards have these requirements.

Solution: Complete all required Florida-specific CME courses before or during application process. Courses are available online.

CME Counting Confusion (MD Board)

MD board requires 38 hours NOT counting the 2-hour medical errors course. Physicians often think they need 40 total.

Solution: Track 38 hours of CME PLUS the 2-hour medical errors course separately. The medical errors course does not count toward the 38-hour total.

Different Fee Structures

MD and DO boards have different application, initial license, and renewal fees. DO board is cheaper upfront but more expensive to renew.

Solution: MD: $350 app + $350 license = $700. DO: $200 app + $305 license = $505. But DO renewal is $379 vs MD $280.

Common questions

Florida Licensing FAQ

Common questions about getting licensed in Florida.

I'm an MD - which Florida board do I apply to?

MD (allopathic) physicians apply to the Florida Board of Medicine (flboardofmedicine.gov). Application fee is $350, initial license $350, NICA $250-$5,000. Renewal is $280 biennially. You'll need 38 CME hours per 2-year cycle (NOT counting the 2-hour medical errors course).

I'm a DO - which Florida board do I apply to?

DO (osteopathic) physicians apply to the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine (floridasosteopathicmedicine.gov). Application fee is $200, initial license $305, NICA $250-$5,000. Renewal is $379 biennially. You'll need 40 CME hours per 2-year cycle with 20 hours AOA Category 1-A.

How long does it take to get a Florida medical license?

Both MD and DO boards: 8-12 weeks standard processing, 4-6 weeks via IMLC. Both boards joined IMLC in Fall 2024. Florida processes applications thoroughly which can take longer than some states.

Is Florida part of the IMLC?

Yes! Both the MD and DO boards joined IMLC in Fall 2024 (September 1) via Senate Bill 7016. Florida can serve as State of Principal Licensure (SPL) for both MD and DO physicians. This is brand new!

What are Florida's CME requirements?

MD Board: 38 hours per 2-year cycle (NOT counting 2-hour medical errors). DO Board: 40 hours per 2-year cycle with 20 hours AOA Category 1-A. Both boards require Florida-specific courses: HIV/AIDS, medical errors, domestic violence, laws and rules, controlled substances, human trafficking.

What is the total cost for a Florida medical license?

MD Board: $350 app + $350 license + $250-$5,000 NICA + $43.25 fingerprints = $943-$5,643. Renewal $280. DO Board: $200 app + $305 license + $250-$5,000 NICA + $43.25 fingerprints = $755-$5,555. Renewal $379.

Why does Florida have two separate medical boards?

Florida is one of 12 states that maintains separate regulatory boards for allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) physicians. Both boards operate under the Florida Department of Health. Both have equivalent licensing authority.

What is the NICA fee?

NICA (Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association) fee is $250 for non-participating physicians or $5,000 for participating physicians. Visit nica.com to determine which applies. Required by both MD and DO boards.

Does Florida have state income tax?

No, Florida has no state income tax, which significantly increases take-home pay for physicians compared to high-tax states. This is a major financial advantage of practicing in Florida for both MD and DO physicians.

Why is the DO board renewal fee higher than MD?

The DO board renewal fee ($379) is higher than the MD board ($280), likely reflecting different board operating costs. However, the DO board has lower application fees ($200 vs $350) and lower initial license fees ($305 vs $350).

Related states

Also Considering These States?

Many providers licensed in Florida also practice in these states.

Texas License

Similar no-income-tax advantage; IMLC member; large growing healthcare market

View state guide

California License

Also has separate MD/DO boards; largest healthcare market; coastal comparison

View state guide

Georgia License

Neighboring state; IMLC member; growing Atlanta healthcare market

View state guide

Pennsylvania License

Also has separate MD/DO boards; IMLC member; major academic centers

View state guide

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