(1) The department shall issue a license by endorsement to practice midwifery to an applicant who, upon applying to the department, demonstrates to the department that she or he:

(a)1. Holds a valid certificate or diploma from a foreign institution of medicine or midwifery or from a midwifery program offered in another state, bearing the seal of the institution or otherwise authenticated, which renders the individual eligible to practice midwifery in the country or state in which it was issued, provided the requirements therefor are deemed by the department to be substantially equivalent to, or to exceed, those established under this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter, and submits therewith a certified translation of the foreign certificate or diploma; or

2. Holds a valid certificate or license to practice midwifery in another state, issued by that state, provided the requirements therefor are deemed by the department to be substantially equivalent to, or to exceed, those established under this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter.

(b) Has completed a 4-month prelicensure course conducted by an approved program and has submitted documentation to the department of successful completion.

(c) Has successfully passed the licensed midwifery examination.

(2) The department may issue a temporary certificate to practice in areas of critical need to any midwife who is qualifying for licensure by endorsement under subsection (1), with the following restrictions:

(a) The Department of Health shall determine the areas of critical need, and the midwife so certified shall practice only in those specific areas, under the auspices of a physician licensed pursuant to chapter 458 or chapter 459, a certified nurse midwife licensed pursuant to part I of chapter 464, or a midwife licensed under this chapter, who has a minimum of 3 years’ professional experience. Such areas shall include, but not be limited to, health professional shortage areas designated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

(b) A temporary certificate issued under this section shall be valid only as long as an area for which it is issued remains an area of critical need, but no longer than 2 years, and shall not be renewable.

(c) The department may administer an abbreviated oral examination to determine the midwife’s competency, but no written regular examination shall be necessary.

(d) The department shall not issue a temporary certificate to any midwife who is under investigation in another state for an act which would constitute a violation of this chapter until such time as the investigation is complete, at which time the provisions of this section shall apply.

(e) The department shall review the practice under a temporary certificate at least annually to ascertain that the minimum requirements of the midwifery rules promulgated under this chapter are being met. If it is determined that the minimum requirements are not being met, the department shall immediately revoke the temporary certificate.

(f) The fee for a temporary certificate shall not exceed $50 and shall be in addition to the fee required for licensure.

History.—ss. 7, 19, ch. 92-179; s. 264, ch. 97-103; s. 227, ch. 99-8; s. 132, ch. 2000-318; s. 79, ch. 2001-62; s. 55, ch. 2003-1; s. 35, ch. 2015-4.