(1) As used in this section, the term:

(a) “Military health care practitioner” means:

1. A person practicing as a health care practitioner as defined in s. 456.001, as a person licensed under part III of chapter 401, or as a person licensed under part IV of chapter 468 who is serving on active duty in the United States Armed Forces, the United States Reserve Forces, or the National Guard; or

2. A person who is serving on active duty in the United States Armed Forces and serving in the United States Public Health Service.

(b) “Military platform” means a military training agreement with a nonmilitary health care provider that is designed to develop and support medical, surgical, or other health care treatment opportunities in a nonmilitary health care provider setting to authorize a military health care practitioner to develop and maintain the technical proficiency necessary to meet the present and future health care needs of the United States Armed Forces. Such agreements may include Training Affiliation Agreements and External Resource Sharing Agreements.

(2) The department may issue a temporary certificate to an active duty military health care practitioner to practice in a regulated profession in this state if the applicant:

(a) Submits proof that he or she will be practicing pursuant to a military platform.

(b) Submits a complete application and a nonrefundable application fee.

(c) Holds an active, unencumbered license to practice as a health care professional issued by another state, the District of Columbia, or a possession or territory of the United States or is a military health care practitioner in a profession for which licensure in a state or jurisdiction is not required for practice in the United States Armed Forces and provides evidence of military training and experience substantially equivalent to the requirements for licensure in this state in that profession.

(d) Attests that he or she is not, at the time of submission of the application, the subject of a disciplinary proceeding in a jurisdiction in which he or she holds a license or by the United States Department of Defense for reasons related to the practice of the profession for which he or she is applying.

(e) Has been determined to be competent in the profession for which he or she is applying.

(f) Submits a set of fingerprints for a background screening pursuant to s. 456.0135, if required for the profession for which he or she is applying.

The department shall verify information submitted by the applicant under this subsection using the National Practitioner Data Bank.

(3) A temporary certificate issued under this section expires 6 months after issuance but may be renewed upon proof of continuing military orders for active duty assignment in this state and evidence that the military health care practitioner continues to be a military platform participant.

(4) A military health care practitioner applying for a temporary certificate under this section is exempt from ss. 456.039-456.046. All other provisions of this chapter apply to such military health care practitioner.

(5) An applicant for a temporary certificate under this section is deemed ineligible if he or she:

(a) Has been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, any felony or misdemeanor related to the practice of a health care profession;

(b) Has had a health care provider license revoked or suspended in another state, the District of Columbia, or a possession or territory of the United States;

(c) Has failed to obtain a passing score on the Florida examination required to receive a license to practice the profession for which he or she is applying; or

(d) Is under investigation in another jurisdiction for an act that would constitute a violation of the applicable licensing chapter or this chapter until the investigation is complete and all charges against him or her are disposed of by dismissal, nolle prosequi, or acquittal.

(6) The department shall, by rule, set an application fee not to exceed $50 and a renewal fee not to exceed $50.

(7) Application shall be made on a form prescribed and furnished by the department.

(8) The department shall adopt rules to implement this section.

History.—s. 12, ch. 2016-230.