License application process.

(1) An application for licensure must be made to the agency on forms furnished by the agency, submitted under oath or attestation, and accompanied by the appropriate fee in order to be accepted and considered timely. The application must contain information required by authorizing statutes and applicable rules and must include:

(a) The name, address, and social security number, or individual taxpayer identification number if a social security number cannot legally be obtained, of:

1. The applicant;

2. The administrator or a similarly titled person who is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the provider;

3. The financial officer or similarly titled person who is responsible for the financial operation of the licensee or provider; and

4. Each controlling interest if the applicant or controlling interest is an individual.

(b) The name, address, and federal employer identification number or taxpayer identification number of the applicant and each controlling interest if the applicant or controlling interest is not an individual.

(c) The name by which the provider is to be known.

(d) The total number of beds or capacity requested, as applicable.

(e) The name of the person or persons under whose management or supervision the provider will operate and the name of the administrator, if required.

(f) If the applicant offers continuing care agreements as defined in chapter 651, proof shall be furnished that the applicant has obtained a certificate of authority as required for operation under chapter 651.

(g) Other information, including satisfactory inspection results, that the agency finds necessary to determine the ability of the applicant to carry out its responsibilities under this part, authorizing statutes, and applicable rules.

(h) An attestation, under penalty of perjury, as required in s. 435.05(3), stating compliance with the provisions of this section and chapter 435.

(2)(a) The applicant for a renewal license must submit an application that must be received by the agency at least 60 days but no more than 120 days before the expiration of the current license. An application received more than 120 days before the expiration of the current license shall be returned to the applicant. If the renewal application and fee are received prior to the license expiration date, the license shall not be deemed to have expired if the license expiration date occurs during the agency’s review of the renewal application.

(b) The applicant for initial licensure due to a change of ownership must submit an application that must be received by the agency at least 60 days prior to the date of change of ownership.

(c) For any other application or request, the applicant must submit an application or request that must be received by the agency at least 60 days but no more than 120 days before the requested effective date, unless otherwise specified in authorizing statutes or applicable rules. An application received more than 120 days before the requested effective date shall be returned to the applicant.

(d) The licensee’s failure to timely file a renewal application and license application fee with the agency shall result in a $50 per day late fee charged to the licensee by the agency; however, the aggregate amount of the late fee may not exceed 50 percent of the licensure fee or $500, whichever is less. The agency shall provide a courtesy notice to the licensee by United States mail, electronically, or by any other manner at its address of record or mailing address, if provided, at least 90 days before the expiration of a license. This courtesy notice must inform the licensee of the expiration of the license. If the agency does not provide the courtesy notice or the licensee does not receive the courtesy notice, the licensee continues to be legally obligated to timely file the renewal application and license application fee with the agency and is not excused from the payment of a late fee. If an application is received after the required filing date and exhibits a hand-canceled postmark obtained from a United States post office dated on or before the required filing date, no fine will be levied.

(e) The applicant must pay the late fee before a late application is considered complete and failure to pay the late fee is considered an omission from the application for licensure pursuant to paragraph (3)(b).

(3)(a) Upon receipt of an application for a license, the agency shall examine the application and, within 30 days after receipt, notify the applicant in writing of any apparent errors or omissions and request any additional information required.

(b) Requested information omitted from an application for licensure, license renewal, or change of ownership, other than an inspection, must be filed with the agency within 21 days after the agency’s request for omitted information or the application shall be deemed incomplete and shall be withdrawn from further consideration and the fees shall be forfeited.

(c) Within 60 days after the receipt of a complete application, the agency shall approve or deny the application.

(4)(a) Licensees subject to the provisions of this part shall be issued biennial licenses unless conditions of the license category specify a shorter license period.

(b) Each license issued shall indicate the name of the licensee, the type of provider or service that the licensee is required or authorized to operate or offer, the date the license is effective, the expiration date of the license, the maximum capacity of the licensed premises, if applicable, and any other information required or deemed necessary by the agency.

(5) In accordance with authorizing statutes and applicable rules, proof of compliance with s. 408.810 must be submitted with an application for licensure.

(6) The agency may not issue an initial license to a health care provider subject to the certificate-of-need provisions in part I of this chapter if the licensee has not been issued a certificate of need or certificate-of-need exemption, when applicable. Failure to apply for the renewal of a license prior to the expiration date renders the license void.

(7)(a) An applicant must demonstrate compliance with the requirements in this part, authorizing statutes, and applicable rules during an inspection pursuant to s. 408.811, as required by authorizing statutes.

(b) An initial inspection is not required for companion services or homemaker services providers as provided under part III of chapter 400, for health care services pools as provided under part IX of chapter 400, or for low-risk providers as provided in s. 408.811(1)(c).

(c) If an inspection is required by the authorizing statute for a license application other than an initial application, the inspection must be unannounced. This paragraph does not apply to inspections required pursuant to ss. 383.324, 395.0161(4), and 429.67(6).

(d) If a provider is not available when an inspection is attempted, the application shall be denied.

(8) The agency may establish procedures for the electronic notification and submission of required information, including, but not limited to:

(a) Licensure applications.

(b) Required signatures.

(c) Payment of fees.

(d) Notarization or attestation of applications.

Requirements for electronic submission of any documents required by this part or authorizing statutes may be established by rule. As an alternative to sending documents as required by authorizing statutes, the agency may provide electronic access to information or documents.

(9) A licensee that holds a license for multiple providers licensed by the agency may request that all related license expiration dates be aligned. Upon such request, the agency may issue a license for an abbreviated licensure period with a prorated licensure fee.