14 / 22
MQA Q1 2014 - 2015
VALOR
This section demonstrates
how MQA is making
licensing in Florida easier for
military veterans and their
families. The Department
implemented fee waivers for
military service members
in 2013, extended the
eligibility for waivers in
2014, including expanding
the benefit to military
spouses, and added an
online expedited application
process.
11
Florida is home to more than 1.5 million veterans, many of whom retired after years of service. Many served
during wartime. After their service ends, veterans face a sometimes difficult transition to civilian life. In Florida,
we embrace the military personnel actively serving on our bases and veterans who retire or relocate here.
The Department of Health wants to persuade veterans with health care licenses to bring their practices to
Florida. In addition to eliminating or reducing license fees for veterans, the Department on July 1 started offering
an expedited, online licensing system called VALOR: Veterans Application for Licensure Online Response.
On July 3, 2014, Colonel Joyce Fiedler, M.D., received the first health care license issued under Florida’s VALOR
System (Florida Veterans Application for Licensure Online Response System). Governor Rick Scott and State Surgeon
General Dr. John Armstrong presented the license to Dr. Fiedler at a Veterans Service Award Ceremony in Pensacola.
The department shall waive the initial licensing fee, the initial application fee, and the initial unlicensed activity fee for a military
veteran or his or her spouse at the time of discharge, if he or she applies to the department for an initial license within 60 months
after the veteran is honorably discharged from any branch of the United States Armed Forces.
Section 456.013(13), F.S. states:
Military Fee Waivers
2013-2014
2014-2015
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
Q1
30
55
97
120
235
Q2
Q3
Q4
APPLICATIONS APPROVED IN Q1: 23
VALOR
Fees eliminated, applications eased