According to the Florida State Department of Health, effective July 1, 2025, HB 975 (2024) requires all physicians to complete electronic fingerprinting prior to their next license renewal. The background screening process takes time due to multiple required steps and processing. While many Florida-licensed physicians have previously submitted to the state’s background screening
requirements when applying for initial licensure, physicians licensed prior to January 2013 were exempt from this process.
Employer considerations
If you are an employer of other healthcare providers, it is important to ensure that your staff is also in compliance with the new requirements. Physicians, physician assistants, midwives, dieticians, occupational and physical therapists, psychologists, and several other licensed professionals who were previously exempt are likely now required to submit fingerprints as part of the background screening process. Failure to comply could result in employees being unable to renew their licenses and, consequently, an interruption in patient care.
We understand these new requirements create additional administrative burdens, costs, and inconvenience and stand ready to serve our community. Call us at 772.202.2213 today to schedule your appointment at our office at 2845 20th Street, Vero Beach, Florida. In true Hummingbird Care Services community support, we are able to accommodate large groups AND also visit with the service in your office.
Retention of fingerprints
Once the fingerprints are submitted, a new set will not have to be submitted upon future renewals – the information is stored in Florida’s Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. However, the licensee must retain the stored fingerprints every five years. The Department will notify physicians by mail and e-mail approximately 60 days in advance of the retention deadline. If the fingerprints are not retained, the information will be deleted automatically and a new set of fingerprints will have to be submitted. Unfortunately, there is no way to extend the retention window. Once the information has been deleted, failure to submit new fingerprints within 30 days of notification will result in disciplinary action.
To see if it is time to retain fingerprints, professionals may access the Clearinghouse Applicant Initiated (CHAI) Website https://chaiflclearinghouse.com at any time.
