The Florida Osteopathic Physician License Application is the official form filed with the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine that every Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) must submit before practicing osteopathic medicine in the state, and it is governed by Chapter 459, Florida Statutes. Filers complete the application through the MQA Online Services Portal operated by the Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance.
Roughly 6,500 DOs hold active Florida licenses, and the Board reports that more than one in three first-time applications gets stuck in deficiency status because of incomplete fingerprints, missing training verifications, or unanswered background questions on the official application. A single missed checkbox can stall your file for 90 days and cost you the non-refundable application fee.
- 📋 The exact line-by-line walkthrough of every box, signature, and disclosure on the DO licensure application
- 🧾 The full pre-filing checklist of documents, scores, and verifications you must gather before logging in
- 💳 The current fees, payment methods, and processing windows under Rule 64B15-6, Florida Administrative Code
- ⚠️ The most common deficiencies that delay or deny applications and how to dodge each one
- 🩺 Three named-applicant scenarios covering exam, endorsement, and international graduate pathways
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Florida Osteopathic Physician License Application is the gateway document the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine uses to decide if a DO meets the education, training, examination, and character standards in Section 459.0055, Florida Statutes. The form opens the licensing file, triggers the fingerprint background check, and starts the 90-day clock the Board has to act on a complete application under Section 120.60, Florida Statutes.
Anyone who wants to practice osteopathic medicine in Florida must file. That includes new DO graduates from COCA-accredited colleges, out-of-state DOs moving to Florida, international osteopathic graduates with ECFMG certification, and physicians seeking faculty certificates, temporary certificates for areas of critical need, or limited licenses for retired volunteer practice. The Board offers five distinct pathways under Rule 64B15-13, F.A.C., and each pathway uses the same core application with different supplemental sections.
Federal law interacts with the form in three places. The Drug Enforcement Administration issues the DEA registration that Florida cross-checks before granting prescribing authority. The National Practitioner Data Bank feeds malpractice and disciplinary data the Board pulls during review. The Federation of State Medical Boards supplies disciplinary alerts through its FCVS credentialing service.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Florida rejects incomplete files faster than any other state in the Southeast, and the Board’s deficiency report shows that missing attachments cause more delays than wrong answers. Gather every item below before you open the portal, because the system times out after 30 minutes of inactivity and will not save partial uploads.
- Social Security Number. Required by Section 559.79, Florida Statutes for licensure; missing this number stops processing on day one.
- Government-issued photo ID. A passport or driver’s license is needed to verify identity at the fingerprint vendor and on the application.
- Medical school diploma and transcript. The Board verifies COCA accreditation directly, but you must list the school, dates, and degree exactly as printed on the diploma.
- AOA, NBOME, or USMLE score reports. COMLEX-USA Levels 1, 2, and 3 or USMLE equivalents must be released directly to Florida by the testing agency.
- Postgraduate training verifications. AOA, ACGME, or ACGME-OPTI program directors must complete the Form DH-MQA 1184 verification for every year of training.
- FCVS profile (recommended for endorsement). A completed FCVS packet shortcuts medical school and exam verification.
- Malpractice claim history. Names, dates, court, allegations, and outcomes for every claim filed in any state.
- Disciplinary history records. Final orders, consent agreements, and any agency letters from other state boards or the DEA.
- Fingerprints through an FDLE-approved Livescan vendor. The state requires electronic prints submitted under ORI number FL920010Z.
- Recent passport-style photo. A 2×2 color photo taken within six months, white background.
- HIV/AIDS and domestic violence CE certificates. First-time Florida applicants must complete the one-time courses required by Section 456.013, Florida Statutes.
- Financial responsibility plan. Proof of $100,000/$300,000 malpractice coverage or a qualifying exemption under Section 459.0085, Florida Statutes.
- ECFMG certificate (if international). Required for any DO trained outside the U.S. or Canada.
- Payment method. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or electronic check for the $355 application fee plus the $5 unlicensed activity fee.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The current application lives on the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine licensing page and is filed electronically through the MQA Online Services Portal. The PDF version, Form DH-MQA 1182, carries a revision date in the lower-left corner; confirm you are on the current revision before filing because the Board rejects superseded versions.
To start, click Apply for a License on the portal home screen, create a single-sign-on account using a personal email you will keep for years, and select Osteopathic Physician from the profession menu. The portal walks you through pathway selection (Examination, Endorsement, Temporary Certificate, Limited License, or Faculty Certificate). Choose carefully, because switching pathways mid-application requires a full restart and a second fee.
Paper filers can request a printed application by calling the Board office at (850) 245-4161 or by mailing a written request to 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-06, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3256. Paper takes longer, costs the same, and still requires electronic fingerprints, so the Board strongly prefers online filing. Anyone with a documented disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting the ADA Coordinator before opening the file.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Florida Osteopathic Physician License Application Line by Line
The application is divided into eight numbered sections plus signature pages. Work each section in order, save after every page, and keep a PDF print of each screen for your records. The portal will not let you submit until every required field is green.
Section 1, Box 1 – Application Type
This box asks which licensure pathway you are applying under.
You answer by selecting one option from a drop-down menu: Licensure by Examination, Licensure by Endorsement, Temporary Certificate for Practice in Areas of Critical Need, Limited License, or Faculty Certificate.
For example, Maria Lopez, a 2025 graduate of Nova Southeastern KPCOM, selects Licensure by Examination because she has not yet held a full license elsewhere.
A common edge case arises when an applicant holds an active license in another state but has fewer than two years of practice; that filer must still pick Examination rather than Endorsement because endorsement requires two active years.
The most common mistake here is choosing Endorsement without meeting the two-year practice requirement under Rule 64B15-13.0035, F.A.C., which forces the Board to deny the file and pocket the fee.
A frequent misconception is that Faculty Certificate is a shortcut to full licensure; it is not, because it limits practice to the sponsoring institution.
Section 1, Box 2 – Full Legal Name
This box asks for the name printed on your Social Security card.
Enter your last name, first name, middle name, and suffix (Jr., Sr., II) in the order shown on the screen, in mixed case, with no nicknames.
For example, Carlos M. Rivera, Jr. writes Rivera, Carlos, Manuel, Jr. exactly as it appears on his SSA record.
If you have legally changed your name, attach a certified copy of the marriage license, divorce decree, or court order in the document upload section.
A common mistake is entering a professional or maiden name that does not match SSA, which triggers an automatic identity hold that adds 10–14 days.
A frequent misconception is that “Dr.” or “DO” belongs on this line; titles never go in the legal name field.
Section 1, Box 3 – Other Names Used
This box asks about every name you have ever used.
List maiden names, prior married names, court-ordered changes, and professional aliases in the table provided.
For example, Janet Park-Nguyen lists Park, Janet (maiden) and Nguyen, Janet (first marriage) in addition to her current legal name.
If you have never used another name, you must check None rather than leaving the box blank.
The most common mistake is omitting a maiden name that appears on a medical school diploma, which causes the diploma verification to fail.
A misconception is that aliases used socially must be reported; only legal names and names used on professional records are required.
Section 1, Box 4 – Date of Birth
This field asks for your birth date in MM/DD/YYYY format.
Type the date with slashes, no dashes, no spaces, exactly as it appears on your passport or birth certificate.
For example, Marcus Bell writes 07/14/1992.
If your birth certificate uses a different calendar (e.g., a foreign Julian date), convert to the Gregorian date and attach the original document.
The most common mistake is transposing month and day, which the system flags only at fingerprint matching, costing weeks of delay.
A misconception is that the field accepts two-digit years; it does not, and the system rejects 07/14/92.
Section 1, Box 5 – Social Security Number
The form requires your full nine-digit SSN.
Enter the number with dashes (e.g., 123-45-6789) in the secure field.
For example, Aisha Diallo enters her SSN as printed on her SSA card; the field encrypts the entry on submission.
Federal law under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act lets Florida collect this number for license enforcement and child support cross-checks.
A common mistake is entering an ITIN instead of an SSN; only an SSN is accepted, and applicants without one must submit a sworn affidavit explaining why.
A misconception is that SSNs are public record on the license; the number is exempt from disclosure under Section 119.071, Florida Statutes.
Section 1, Box 6 – Mailing Address and Practice Address
These two boxes ask where the Board sends mail and where you will practice.
Enter street, city, state, ZIP, and country for each address; PO boxes are allowed for mailing only, not practice.
For example, Carlos Rivera lists 2200 SW 12th Ave, Miami, FL 33129 as his practice address and a separate PO box as his mailing address.
If you do not yet have a Florida practice address, enter To Be Determined and update the address through the portal within 60 days of license issuance, as required by Section 456.035, Florida Statutes.
The most common mistake is using a PO box as the practice address, which the Board rejects because patients must be able to locate the licensee.
A misconception is that out-of-state addresses are not allowed; they are, as long as the practice address updates once Florida practice begins.
Section 2 – Medical Education
This section asks for every osteopathic and allopathic medical school you attended.
List the school name, city, country, dates of attendance, and degree awarded; the portal pre-populates COCA-accredited school names from a drop-down.
For example, Maria Lopez selects Nova Southeastern University KPCOM, lists dates 08/2021–05/2025, and degree DO.
If you transferred between schools, list both with overlapping dates and explain the transfer in a typed addendum.
A common mistake is leaving off a school you attended for even one semester, which is treated as material omission and grounds for denial under Section 459.015(1)(a), Florida Statutes.
A misconception is that only the degree-granting school must appear; every school where you took medical coursework must appear.
Section 3 – Postgraduate Training
This section asks for every internship, residency, fellowship, and clinical training program.
Enter program name, ACGME or AOA program ID, specialty, dates, and program director’s name and email.
For example, Carlos Rivera lists his Internal Medicine residency at Larkin Community Hospital, ACGME #1401021058, 07/2021–06/2024, Director Dr. James Soto.
If you left a program before completion, list the program anyway and attach a typed explanation; failing to list incomplete training is a top-five reason for denial.
The most common mistake is using the hospital’s general email instead of the program coordinator’s, which delays the verification request by weeks.
A misconception is that observerships and externships count as postgraduate training; they do not, but they should be listed separately if asked.
Section 4 – Examination History
This section asks for every medical licensing exam attempt.
Enter exam name (COMLEX-USA Level 1, Level 2-CE, Level 2-PE, Level 3, USMLE Step 1, 2, 3), date, score, pass/fail, and number of attempts.
For example, Marcus Bell lists COMLEX Level 1, 06/15/2022, Pass, 1 attempt; Level 2-CE, 09/10/2023, Pass, 1 attempt; Level 3, 04/05/2025, Pass, 1 attempt.
If you failed any attempt, list it and attach a typed explanation; the Board does not penalize failures alone but penalizes omissions every time.
A common mistake is reporting only the passing score; every attempt must be listed under Rule 64B15-13.001, F.A.C..
A misconception is that USMLE alone qualifies a DO; Florida accepts USMLE for DOs only when paired with documented osteopathic training.
Section 5 – Work History
This section asks for every job, position, or gap from medical school graduation to today.
List employer, position, address, dates, and supervisor for each entry; explain any gap longer than 30 days in a typed addendum.
For example, Janet Park-Nguyen lists her hospitalist position at Memorial Healthcare, 03000 W Oakland Park Blvd, Hollywood FL, 07/2018–present, Dr. Lee Chen.
If you took maternity leave, military leave, or a sabbatical, list it as a gap and attach orders or HR letters where available.
The most common mistake is glossing over locum or moonlighting work, which the Board flags through NPDB cross-checks and treats as material omission.
A misconception is that work performed before graduation is irrelevant; it is required if it overlapped with medical training.
Section 6 – Background Questions
This section asks 14 yes/no questions about criminal history, discipline, malpractice, drug or alcohol treatment, and physical or mental conditions affecting practice.
Answer each question honestly; for every Yes, attach a typed explanation, certified court records, final orders, or treatment letters as instructed.
For example, Marcus Bell answers Yes to a 2018 misdemeanor DUI in Georgia and uploads the certified disposition plus a 500-word personal statement.
If a record was sealed or expunged, you still answer Yes under Section 943.0585, Florida Statutes, which requires disclosure to licensing boards.
The single most common mistake on the entire application is answering No to a question that should be Yes; the Board treats this as fraud under Section 459.015(1)(c), F.S., and it is the leading cause of denial.
A misconception is that out-of-country offenses don’t count; they do, and the Board cross-checks Interpol notices through the FBI background channel.
Section 7 – Financial Responsibility
This section asks how you will meet Florida’s malpractice coverage rule.
Choose one of three options: maintain $100,000/$300,000 coverage, post a $250,000 escrow or letter of credit, or claim an exemption (e.g., full-time employment by the state, residency program, or non-clinical practice).
For example, Aisha Diallo selects exemption code 4 because she works full-time as a federal VA hospitalist.
If you change practice settings later, you must update this section within 30 days under Section 459.0085, F.S., or face administrative penalty.
The most common mistake is claiming an exemption you don’t qualify for, which the Board verifies and treats as a discipline trigger.
A misconception is that residents are uncovered; residents are exempt while in an accredited program because the program carries them.
Section 8 – Affidavit and Signature
This is the sworn statement that everything you’ve entered is true.
Type your full legal name, the date, and click the e-signature checkbox; for paper, sign before a notary public.
For example, Maria Lopez types Maria Elena Lopez, dates the line 09/03/2026, and clicks the affirmation box.
If you discover an error after signing, file an amendment immediately rather than waiting; the Board credits good-faith corrections but punishes silence.
A common mistake is signing before completing every section; the portal locks the file at signature, and reopening costs a $25 amendment fee.
A misconception is that an electronic signature is less binding than ink; under Section 668.50, Florida Statutes, the e-signature carries identical legal weight.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three scenarios below show how three different DOs complete the same form with very different facts. Each table presents the most important entries for that filer.
Scenario 1 – Maria Lopez, Recent DO Graduate Applying by Examination
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Section 1, Box 1 (Application Type) | Licensure by Examination |
| Section 1, Box 2 (Legal Name) | Lopez, Maria, Elena |
| Section 1, Box 4 (Date of Birth) | 03/14/1998 |
| Section 2 (Medical Education) | Nova Southeastern KPCOM, 08/2021–05/2025, DO |
| Section 3 (Training) | Jackson Memorial Family Medicine, ACGME #1201021124, 07/2025–present |
| Section 4 (Exams) | COMLEX Level 1, 2-CE, 2-PE, and 3 — all passed first attempt |
| Section 6 (Background) | No to all 14 questions |
| Section 7 (Financial Responsibility) | Exemption — PGY-1 resident |
| Section 8 (Signature) | Maria Elena Lopez, 09/03/2026 |
Scenario 2 – Carlos Rivera, Out-of-State DO Applying by Endorsement
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Section 1, Box 1 (Application Type) | Licensure by Endorsement |
| Section 1, Box 2 (Legal Name) | Rivera, Carlos, Manuel, Jr. |
| Section 1, Box 6 (Practice Address) | 2200 SW 12th Ave, Miami, FL 33129 |
| Section 2 (Medical Education) | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, 08/2014–05/2018, DO |
| Section 3 (Training) | Larkin Community Hospital IM Residency, 07/2018–06/2021 |
| Section 4 (Exams) | COMLEX Levels 1–3 passed; FCVS profile attached |
| Section 5 (Work History) | Texas DO license #J1234, 2021–2026, no gaps |
| Section 6 (Background) | Yes to one prior malpractice settlement, $75,000, 2023 |
| Section 7 (Financial Responsibility) | $100,000/$300,000 coverage with The Doctors Company |
| Section 8 (Signature) | Carlos Manuel Rivera, Jr., 09/12/2026 |
Scenario 3 – Aisha Diallo, International Osteopathic Graduate with Disclosure
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Section 1, Box 1 (Application Type) | Licensure by Examination |
| Section 1, Box 2 (Legal Name) | Diallo, Aisha, Fatou |
| Section 1, Box 3 (Other Names) | Bah, Aisha (maiden) |
| Section 2 (Medical Education) | University of Health Sciences Antigua, 08/2015–05/2019; ECFMG certified 11/2019 |
| Section 3 (Training) | Mount Sinai IM Residency, 07/2020–06/2023; Cardiology Fellowship 07/2023–06/2026 |
| Section 4 (Exams) | USMLE Steps 1, 2-CK, 2-CS, 3 — all passed |
| Section 5 (Work History) | VA Medical Center hospitalist, 07/2026–present |
| Section 6 (Background) | Yes — 2017 New York Board investigation closed without action |
| Section 7 (Financial Responsibility) | Exemption code 4 — federal employee |
| Section 8 (Signature) | Aisha Fatou Diallo, 10/01/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
Florida accepts three filing channels, but the MQA Online Services Portal is the fastest and the channel the Board prefers.
Online portal. Submit through the MQA portal at https://mqa-internet.doh.state.fl.us. The fee is $355 application + $5 unlicensed activity assessment + a $5 portal convenience charge, paid by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or electronic check. Average processing time is 30–45 days for clean files. Save the PDF receipt and the application confirmation number as proof of filing.
Mail. Send the completed paper Form DH-MQA 1182, supporting documents, and a cashier’s check or money order for $360 payable to the Florida Department of Health to: Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-06, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3256. Mail filings take 60–90 days because staff scan paper into the portal manually. Keep the certified-mail return receipt as proof of filing.
In person. Walk-in filing is accepted at the Tallahassee office at the same address, Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. ET. Payment by cashier’s check or money order only; no cash. The receptionist date-stamps your copy and returns it to you, which serves as proof of filing.
Fingerprints must reach the Florida Department of Law Enforcement through an FDLE-approved Livescan vendor under ORI number FL920010Z; without electronic prints, the Board cannot run the background check, and the file sits in deficiency status indefinitely.
What Happens After You File
Once you submit, the portal generates an application number beginning with the prefix OS and emails confirmation to the address on file. Within 7–10 business days the Board’s licensing analyst opens your file and runs a completeness review. If anything is missing, you receive a deficiency letter listing every item; you have 12 months from filing to cure deficiencies under Rule 64B15-13.0035, F.A.C., or the application expires and the fee is forfeited.
Clean files move to the Credentials Committee, which meets monthly. Files with disclosures, malpractice claims, or score concerns may be referred to the full Board, which meets every other month and may require an in-person appearance. The Board has 90 days from a complete application to grant or deny under Section 120.60, F.S.; silence at day 90 is automatic approval.
Once approved, you receive a wall certificate by mail and an email with your DO license number, which begins with OS. You may then register with the DEA for prescribing authority and apply for hospital privileges. Renewal occurs every two years on the last day of your birth month under Rule 64B15-12.001, F.A.C., and requires 40 CME hours including specific Florida-mandated courses.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
These ten errors cause more than 80% of all Florida DO application delays and denials.
- Answering “No” to a background question that should be “Yes.” Treated as fraud under Section 459.015(1)(c), F.S.; leads to outright denial.
- Omitting a medical school you attended for even one semester. Counts as material omission and grounds for refusal.
- Listing only passing exam attempts. Failures are public via FSMB; omitting them is fraud.
- Missing or expired fingerprints. Florida prints expire after 12 months; old prints freeze the file.
- Wrong ORI number on Livescan. Using anything other than FL920010Z routes prints to the wrong agency.
- Using a maiden or nickname mismatched with SSA. Triggers automatic identity verification hold.
- PO box listed as practice address. Rejected on completeness review every time.
- Failure to list a 30-day or longer work gap. Treated as omission; the Board cross-checks NPDB.
- Choosing endorsement without two years of post-license practice. Forces denial and forfeiture of the fee.
- Submitting without the HIV/AIDS or domestic violence CE. First-time applicants must complete these one-time courses before issuance.
- Forgetting to release scores from NBOME or NBME. Without direct release, scores never reach the Board.
- Paying with a personal check on a paper file. Only cashier’s checks or money orders are accepted by mail.
Do’s and Don’ts
These rules will keep your file moving and prevent the most common Board pushback.
- Do complete the FCVS profile early; it cuts endorsement processing by three weeks because verifications arrive in one packet.
- Do answer every background question truthfully and attach a clear, typed personal statement to every Yes; honesty wins, omission ends careers.
- Do print and save every page of the portal at submission; the system purges drafts and you cannot retrieve them later.
- Do call the Board at (850) 245-4161 about deficiency letters within 5 business days; analysts move responsive files faster.
- Do use a personal email you will keep for 5+ years; the Board sends license renewal notices to the email on file.
- Do order Livescan fingerprints under ORI FL920010Z within 60 days of submission; older prints expire.
- Don’t apply under endorsement when you don’t yet meet the two-year practice rule; pick examination instead.
- Don’t assume sealed or expunged records are exempt from disclosure; Florida law requires disclosure to licensing boards.
- Don’t mail original diplomas or transcripts; the Board accepts certified copies and verifies through the school.
- Don’t wait until the last week of your residency to apply; allow 90 days for processing before your start date.
- Don’t pay the fee twice trying to “speed things up”; duplicate payments take 60+ days to refund.
- Don’t ignore the financial responsibility section even if you’re a resident; mark exemption rather than leaving blank.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Most DOs file pro se, but applicants with disclosure issues often benefit from a Florida health care attorney.
Pros of filing on your own:
- Saves $1,500–$5,000 in attorney fees; clean files don’t need legal help.
- Forces you to know your record; you’ll need this knowledge at every credentialing event for life.
- Faster on simple files; portal is straightforward without disclosures.
- Direct portal access; no middleman delays in document uploads.
- Builds rapport with the licensing analyst; analysts remember responsive applicants.
Cons of filing on your own:
- Disclosure questions are easy to answer wrong; one mistake can trigger denial.
- No second set of eyes on background materials; missing pages cost weeks.
- No advocate at Credentials Committee; the file speaks only for itself.
- No experience reading deficiency letters; analysts use legal terms that confuse first-time filers.
- No coaching for in-person Board appearance; nervous applicants make poor witnesses.
Pros of using a Florida health care attorney:
- Attorney drafts disclosure narratives that satisfy Board concerns the first time.
- Pre-application audit catches missing documents before submission.
- Direct Board communication on your behalf if file goes to full hearing.
- Experience with similar fact patterns; attorneys see hundreds of files per year.
- Privilege protects strategy discussions; analysts can’t subpoena attorney communications.
Cons of using an attorney:
- Cost ranges from $1,500 for a basic review to $10,000+ for full hearing representation.
- Adds time to the front end; attorney review can add 2–4 weeks before submission.
- Attorney does not control Board timelines; even good lawyers wait 90 days.
- Some attorneys overpromise outcomes; the Board, not counsel, decides licensure.
- Communication delays if attorney handles too many files.
Florida DO License vs. Florida MD License at a Glance
| Feature | Osteopathic (DO) | Allopathic (MD) |
|---|---|---|
| Governing statute | Chapter 459, F.S. | Chapter 458, F.S. |
| Board | Board of Osteopathic Medicine | Board of Medicine |
| Application fee | $355 | $355 |
| Required exam | COMLEX-USA or USMLE | USMLE |
| Required training | AOA or ACGME | ACGME |
| License prefix | OS | ME |
| Renewal cycle | Biennial, birth month | Biennial, January 31 |
| HIV/DV course | Required first renewal | Required first renewal |
FAQs
Is the Florida Osteopathic Physician License Application the same form as the MD application?
No. The DO application is filed with the Board of Osteopathic Medicine under Chapter 459, while MDs file with the Board of Medicine under Chapter 458; the forms, statutes, and review committees are separate.
Do I need to disclose a sealed or expunged arrest in Section 6?
Yes. Section 943.0585, Florida Statutes, requires disclosure to licensing agencies even when records are sealed or expunged elsewhere; non-disclosure is treated as fraud and grounds for denial.
Can I list a PO box as my practice address in Box 6?
No. Practice address must be a physical street address where patients can locate you; PO boxes are accepted only on the mailing address line.
Should I use my maiden name or married name in Box 2?
No to using only one if both have been legal. Use the legal name on your current SSA card in Box 2 and list every prior legal name in Box 3.
Do I write COMLEX scores or just the pass/fail in Section 4?
Yes, list every attempt with the actual numeric score, date, and outcome; partial answers cause score-release delays from NBOME.
Can residents skip the financial responsibility section?
No, residents must still complete Section 7 by selecting the residency exemption rather than leaving the section blank or unmarked.
Does Florida accept USMLE for DOs?
Yes, Florida accepts USMLE for DOs who completed osteopathic-recognized training, but COMLEX is the standard pathway and far more common.
Can I edit my application after I sign in Section 8?
No, the portal locks at signature; corrections require a $25 amendment request and add 7–14 days to processing.
Do I need an FCVS profile for examination applicants?
No for first-time exam applicants, Yes is recommended for endorsement applicants because it bundles every verification into one package.
What if I had a malpractice settlement under $50,000?
Yes, you must still report it; Florida requires disclosure of every claim regardless of amount, and the National Practitioner Data Bank report will show it anyway.
Will the Board interview me if I have a disclosure?
Yes, applicants with significant disclosures may be required to appear before the Credentials Committee or the full Board, usually by video conference.
Is the application fee refundable if I am denied?
No, the $355 application fee and $5 unlicensed activity fee are non-refundable under Rule 64B15-6, regardless of outcome.
How long is a complete application valid before it expires?
Yes, applications expire 12 months after filing; deficiencies must be cured within that window or you must refile and pay again.
Can I practice on a temporary basis while my application is pending?
No, you may not practice in Florida until the license is issued, except under a Temporary Certificate for Practice in Areas of Critical Need approved separately.
Do I need to complete the HIV/AIDS course before applying?
Yes, the one-time HIV/AIDS and domestic violence courses required by Section 456.013, F.S., must be completed before initial license issuance and uploaded with the application.
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