Florida Veteran Health Heroes

11 2021 Florida Veteran Health Heroes LICENSURE RENEWAL PROVISIONS You may be able to keep your license in good standing and be exempted from certain license renewal provisions if you meet the following criteria: • You are an active duty member of the US Armed Forces of the United States • You hold a Florida health care practitioner license in good standing with your profession’s administrative board or the Department at the time of your enlistment • You are entitled to practice or engage in your profession prior to joining the US Armed Forces If you meet these criteria, your license will be kept in good standing without your having to register, pay renewal fees, or perform any other license maintenance act. This provision remains in effect through the duration of your active duty service and for six months after discharge, provided you are not actively engaged in your licensed profession in the private sector for profit. Spouses of members of the Armed Forces of the United States who hold a Florida health care practitioner license in good standing may also be exempted from license renewal provisions, but only in cases of absence from the state because of their spouses’ active duty assignment. TO OUR MILITARY AND VETERAN COMMUNITY The Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) seeks to create a veteran-friendly regulatory environment to encourage military service members to choose Florida for their health care practice after active duty. A fee waiver program began in Fiscal Year (FY) 2013-14 to ease most of the financial burden of applying for licensure, and participation has steadily grown. During the FY 2020-21, 352 military veterans and spouses were licensed through VALOR, a 7.65 percent increase from the FY 2019-20. VALOR expedites the licensure process and is designed to issue licenses for all qualified initial applicants within one day. MQA is committed to helping ease the transition of military health professionals into civilian life and seeks to encourage them to practice in Florida by making the licensure process one that reflects our gratitude for their service. FY 2020-2021 352 FY 2019-2020 327 FY 2018-2019 332 FY 2017-2018 FY 2016-2017 299 FY 2015-2016 150 FY 2014-2015 137 359