Fla. Stat. § 467.0125
Licensed midwives; qualifications; endorsement; temporary certificates
Redline — January 1, 2011 → current.View current text →
Current — January 1, 2024
As of January 1, 2011
(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. The department shall determine by rule the content of the prelicensure course.
(c) Has successfully passed the licensed midwifery examination.
(1) The department shall issue a license by endorsement to practice midwifery to an applicant who demonstrates to the department that she or he meets the requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145, submits an application for licensure on a form approved by the department, and pays the appropriate fee.
(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.
(2) The department may issue a temporary certificate to practice in areas of critical need to an applicant qualifying for a midwifery license under subsection (1) who meets all of the following criteria: (a) Submits an application for a temporary certificate on a form approved by the department and pays the appropriate fee, which may not exceed $50 and is in addition to the fee required for licensure by endorsement under subsection (1). (b) Specifies on the application that he or she will practice only in one or more of the following locations: 1. A county health department. 2. A correctional facility. 3. A United States Department of Veterans Affairs clinic. 4. A community health center funded by s. 329, s. 330, or s. 340 of the Public Health Service Act. 5. Any other agency or institution that is approved by the State Surgeon General and provides health care to meet the needs of an underserved population in this state. (c) Will practice only under the supervision of a physician licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459, a certified nurse midwife licensed under part I of chapter 464, or a midwife licensed under this chapter who has a minimum of 3 years’ professional experience.
(3) The department may issue a temporary certificate under this section with the following restrictions:
(a) A requirement that a temporary certificateholder practice only in areas of critical need. The State Surgeon General shall determine the areas of critical need, which include, but are not limited to, health professional shortage areas designated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
(b) A requirement that if a temporary certificateholder’s practice area ceases to be an area of critical need, within 30 days after such change the certificateholder must either:
1. Report a new practice area of critical need to the department; or
2. Voluntarily relinquish the temporary certificate.
(4) The department shall review a temporary certificateholder’s practice at least annually to determine whether the certificateholder is meeting the requirements of subsections (2) and (3) and the rules adopted thereunder. If the department determines that a certificateholder is not meeting these requirements, the department must revoke the temporary certificate.
(5) A temporary certificate issued under this section is valid for 2 years and is not renewable.
Official source: Online Sunshine (Florida Legislature). Reproduced from public-domain Florida statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.