Effective July 1, 2025, all licensed health care providers in Florida must comply with a new background screening requirement. Florida HB 975 implemented the “Cleared to Care” initiative, which requires almost all health care providers to undergo an AHCA Level 2 background screening upon application for licensure or during the 90-day licensure renewal period.

Unless applying for licensure through the military active-duty spouse pathway, providers who are exempt from the new background screening requirements include: emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics, pharmacy interns, registered pharmacy technicians, and radiologic technologists. All other providers must undergo the background screening upon renewal if they have not already.

Certain criminal offenses can disqualify a health care provider from passing the background check, particularly if the charges involved allegations of a violent or sexual nature. Providers who do not pass the background screening may apply for an AHCA exemption in certain cases.

Additional information regarding the background screening requirements and procedures can be found on flhealthsource.gov.

The attorneys of Nicholson & Eastin routinely advise health care providers in connection with licensure renewal and AHCA exemption applications. If you have questions regarding this or any other health care regulatory matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.