Florida Podiatric License Background Screening

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House Bill 975, Background Screening and Certifications, was passed during the 2024 Florida Legislative Session, establishing background screening requirements for health care professions regulated by the Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance. Effective July 1, 2025, all health care practitioners (with very few exceptions) must comply with new background screening requirements when applying for initial licensure or renewing their license. This includes Podiatric Physicians AND Podiatric X-Ray Assistants.

 

Act Now – Don't Delay!

Know Your Timeline.

  • The background screening process takes time due to multiple steps and processing delays.
  • Waiting too long can result in licensing delays.

What Happens if You Don’t Comply?

  • No background screening = No license.
  • You cannot obtain your license without completing this requirement.

Start the process early to avoid disruptions!

 

Changes as of July 1, 2025

If applying for initial licensure

You must complete the new background screening as part of your license application.

If renewing your license

Be prepared to complete the screening requirements before your license expires, which is March 31, 2026 for Podiatric Physicians AND Certified Podiatric X-Ray Assistants licensed in the state of Florida. Waiting too long will result in licensing delays or expiration.

 

Fingerprinting Process at a Glance

  1. Register with the CHAI system (refer to the User Guide if you experience issues).
  2. Choose 'Initiate New Screening' in CHAI and Create your Profile.
  3. Make an Appointment with a Livescan provider (you can do this in CHAI or simply refer to the Locate a Provider tab).
  4. A form with your prepopulated ORI number is available for printing.
  5. The Originating Agency Identification (ORI) Number for Podiatric Professions (Podiatric Physicians and Certified Podiatric X-Ray Assistants) is EDOH2017Z.
  6. Bring your ORI Number and complete your fingerprinting appointment (ask the Livescan provider for your Transaction Control Number (TCN) before you leave). If you do not provide an ORI number or if you provide an incorrect ORI number to the service provider, the board office will not receive your fingerprint results.
  7. Keep your TCN in a safe place in case the Florida Department of Health (DOH) requests it.
 

Fingerprint Retention Information

All screened professions are required to retain their fingerprints every 5 years and may do so at a cost of $43.25. The window to retain your fingerprints opens 75 days prior to the expiration date and closes 15 days prior to the expiration date. This provides a full 60 days to complete the renewal process. If you do not retain your fingerprints, you are required to complete a new screening. The Florida Department of Health cannot extend your retention window.

The cost of a new screening is almost double the retention cost and set by the LiveScan Provider. You can manage this requirement by registering on the Clearinghouse Applicant Initiated (CHAI) website. After your account is created, you will be able to view the date of your most recent screening and check renewal availability to learn if the window of opportunity to retain your fingerprints is open.

 

Additional Information

 
For detailed information, visit:
https://flhealthsource.gov/background screening