Temporary certificate for active duty military and veterans practicing in areas of critical need.

(1) A certificate issued pursuant to this section may be cited as the “Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr., Temporary Certificate for Practice in Areas of Critical Need.”

(2) The board may issue a temporary certificate to a physician who complies with subsection (3) and who will:

(a) Practice in an area of critical need;

(b) Be employed by or practice in a county health department; correctional facility; Department of Veterans’ Affairs clinic; community health center funded by s. 329, s. 330, or s. 340 of the United States Public Health Services Act; or other agency or institution that is approved by the State Surgeon General and provides health care to meet the needs of underserved populations in this state; or

(c) Practice for a limited time to address critical physician-specialty, demographic, or geographic needs for this state’s physician workforce as determined by the State Surgeon General.

(3) To be eligible for a temporary certificate, a physician must submit to the board:

(a) A complete application.

(b) Proof of an active and valid license to practice in a jurisdiction of the United States.

(c) If on active duty, a letter from the physician’s military command authorizing the physician to practice medicine at an approved entity in an area of critical need.

(d) Documentation demonstrating the physician is serving on active duty in the United States Armed Forces as a commissioned medical officer or has served as a commissioned medical officer in the United States Armed Forces for at least 10 years and received an honorable discharge from the military.

(4) The board shall use a simplified application for a temporary certificate for practice in areas of critical need to reduce administrative impediments and maximize participation.

(5) The application fee and all licensure fees, including neurological injury compensation assessments, shall be waived for a physician obtaining a temporary certificate to practice in areas of critical need for the purpose of providing volunteer, uncompensated care for low-income residents. The applicant must submit an affidavit from the employing agency or institution stating that the physician will not receive any compensation for any service involving the practice of medicine.

(6)(a) Within 60 days after receipt of a complete application for a temporary certificate, the board shall review the application and associated documentation and:

1. Issue the temporary certificate;

2. Deny the temporary certificate; or

3. Require the applicant to complete additional assessment, training, education, or other requirements as a condition of certification. The board shall issue a temporary certificate upon receipt of documentation demonstrating that the requirements of the board have been met.

(b) If an applicant has not actively practiced medicine during the prior 3 years and the board determines the applicant may lack clinical competency, possess diminished or inadequate skills, lack necessary medical knowledge, or exhibit patterns of deficits in clinical decisionmaking, the board may, within 60 days after receipt of a complete application:

1. Deny the application;

2. Issue a temporary certificate having reasonable restrictions, including, but not limited to, a requirement that the applicant practice under the supervision of a physician approved by the board; or

3. Issue a temporary certificate upon receipt of documentation confirming that the applicant has met any reasonable conditions of the board, including, but not limited to, completing continuing education or undergoing an assessment of skills and training.

(c) The board may not issue a temporary certificate for practice in areas of critical need to a physician who is under investigation in any jurisdiction of the United States for an act that would constitute a violation of this chapter until such time as the investigation is complete, at which time the provisions of s. 458.331 apply.

(7) The recipient of a temporary certificate for practice in areas of critical need shall, within 30 days after accepting employment, notify the board of all approved institutions in which the licensee practices and of all approved institutions where practice privileges have been denied. A physician holding a temporary certificate for practice in areas of critical need may enter into a contract to provide volunteer health care services pursuant to s. 766.1115.

(8) A temporary certificate issued under this section is valid only so long as the State Surgeon General determines that the reason for which it was issued remains a critical need to the state. The board shall review each temporary certificateholder at least annually to ascertain compliance with the minimum requirements of this chapter, including this section, and rules adopted thereunder. If it is determined that such minimum requirements are not being met, the board shall revoke such certificate or shall impose restrictions or conditions, or both, as a condition of continued practice under the certificate.