SPACE COAST MILITARY-FRIENDLY GUIDE

• Military OneSource
• US Department of Labor

• James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023

• Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)

• Find your Licensing Agency
• Florida Department of Health
• Florida Department of Education
• Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact
• Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation
• Federal Aviation Administration
• Florida Department of Financial Services
• Florida Department of Education
• Florida Spousal Licensing Reciprocity Matrix
• Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
  • Certification for Waiver of CDL Skills Test for Military Personnel
• The Florida Bar (Military Spouse Rule)

• Air Force
• Army
• Coast Guard
• Marine Corps
• Navy
• Space Force

Eligibility requirements
To be eligible, a military spouse must:

• Provide proof that they married to an active duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces assigned to a duty station in Florida pursuant to official military orders;
• Provide proof of a valid license from another state or jurisdiction to practice the health profession for which they are applying and that such license is not subject to any disciplinary proceedings;
• Submit proof that they would otherwise be entitled to full licensure and is eligible to take the respective licensure examination as required in this state;
• Pass a criminal background screening.

Expedited processing 
Each board, or the Department of Health (DOH) if there is no board, is authorized to issue professional licenses to military spouses to practice their healthcare profession in Florida. You may qualify for licensure, expedited processing if you are either:

• The spouse of an active-duty service member with three years experience in your profession;
• The spouse of an active-duty service member assigned to an active-duty station in Florida;
• The spouse of a United States Armed Forces veteran who was honorably discharged or will be honorably discharged within six months of applying;
• Applications received by the Division that do not contain all required application components and supporting documentation will be considered incomplete. Incomplete applications may result in a delay in processing your application for licensure.

DOH must issue licenses within seven days after receipt of all required documentation.

Waivers
You may qualify for a licensure fee waiver if you meet the criteria above and:

• The initial licensure fee, application fee, and unlicensed activity fee will be waived for an applicant who is or was married to a military veteran at the time of the veteran’s honorable discharge from any branch of the United States Armed Forces;
• Complete the waiver request form here;
• This fee waiver does not waive any fee for any examination that may be required as a condition of licensure.

License transfer process
This typically includes:

• Find the appropriate certifying board through the Florida Department of Health website based on your work industry, attach the necessary documents, and submit them per the instructions;
• Complete application form;
• Proof of marriage to an active-duty Armed Forces member – a copy of your military dependent ID card or your marriage license may serve as proof;
• Proof of your spouse’s active-duty assignment in Florida by providing a copy of their military orders that reflect an active-duty assignment in Florida;
• Proof of current and valid licensure to practice the desired profession in another state, the District of Columbia, or a possession or territory of the United States;
• Proof you are otherwise qualified to receive a full license in the profession with written supporting documentation and submission of a passing score for the appropriate standards examination;
• Provide written confirmation that you are not currently the subject of any disciplinary proceedings related to the profession in the jurisdiction you hold your license;
• Must have practiced in your desired profession for a minimum of three years before submitting your application;
• Submit for electronic fingerprinting with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for background screening, if required by your profession.

Submitting your application

Apply online

• If applying online (recommended), submit the License for the Spouse of an Active-Duty Member of the Armed Forces Application for the appropriate profession;

Apply by mail

• If submitting a paper application, submit the licensure application for your profession and the License for the Spouse of an Active-Duty Member of the Armed Forces Application (PDF). The paper application for each profession may be found on the Resources page of the appropriate Board website. Please allow for additional processing time for paper applications;
• Refer to the expedited certification process in Step 2 and waiver options through the Valor Program to utilize all benefits to the military community.
• If a fee payment accompanies your application, mail completed paper applications and required supporting documentation to:
  • Department of Health
    Division of Medical Quality Assurance
    P.O. Box 6330
    Tallahassee, Florida 32314
• If a fee does not accompany your application, mail completed paper applications and required supporting documentation to:
  • Department of Health
    Division of Medical Quality Assurance
    4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-10
    Tallahassee, Florida 32399

Complete additional requirements

• The Board may require you to fulfill additional requirements such as background checks, interviews, or specific examinations;
• Follow the instructions closely and complete any necessary steps promptly.

Receive your license

• If your application is approved, you will receive your Florida medical license by mail or electronically, depending on the board’s procedures;
• Keep a copy of your license and all supporting documents for your records.

Eligibility requirements
To be eligible, a military spouse must:

• Start by researching the specific requirements for transferring your business and professional license to Florida. Visit the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) website or contact them directly to understand the necessary steps and documentation;
• Provide proof that they married to an active duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces assigned to a duty station in Florida pursuant to official military orders or a copy of your spouse’s DD-214 or NGB-22 if your spouse formally served;
• Applicants must hold a valid license for the profession in another state, the District of Columbia, any United States territory or possession, or a foreign jurisdiction;
• The applicant, where required by the specific practice act, has complied with insurance and bonding requirements;
• A complete set of the applicant’s fingerprints is submitted to the Department of Law Enforcement for a statewide criminal history check (costs of fingerprinting is borne by the applicant);
• Applicants are required to submit a copy of the certificate of licensure and a copy of the statutes and/or rules that define the scope of work for the current license;
• Pass a criminal background screening.

Expedited processing 
SB 562 required the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to expedite professional license applications submitted by spouses of active duty service members of the Armed Forces of the United States. An applicant must include proof that:

• The spouse of an active-duty service member with three years experience in your profession;
• The spouse of an active-duty service member assigned to an active-duty station in Florida;
• The spouse of a United States Armed Forces veteran who was honorably discharged or will be honorably discharged within six months of applying;
• Applications received by the Division that do not contain all required application components and supporting documentation will be considered incomplete. Incomplete applications may result in a delay in processing your application for licensure.

The board, or the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, must issue licenses within seven days after receipt of a complete application that includes all required documentation.

Waivers
Under House Bill 615, which went into effect July 1, 2017, the Department now has the ability to waive the initial licensing fee for any individual that is currently serving or has formerly served, as an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States, or a spouse or surviving spouse of such member that was married to the member during a period of active duty who applies to the Department for a state professional license.

• Applicants that are spouses of a current or former active duty member of the United States Armed Forces must submit a copy of your spouse’s military orders if your spouse is currently serving or a copy of your spouse’s DD-214 or NGB-22 if your spouse formerly served;
• Applicants must submit a copy of your marriage certificate to the military service member;
• Complete the waiver here and submit the request along with your application for licensure.

Note: Fees are waived for all professions with the exception of the federally required $80.00 National Registry fee for Certified General Appraiser and Certified Residential Appraiser applicants.

License transfer process
This typically includes:

• Find the appropriate certifying division through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation based on your work industry, attach the necessary documents, and submit them per the instructions;
• Complete the application form;
• Submit a certificate of licensure;
• Proof of marriage to an active-duty Armed Forces member – a copy of your marriage certificate;
• Proof of your spouse’s active-duty assignment in Florida by providing a copy of their military orders that reflect an active-duty assignment in Florida or a copy of your spouse’s DD-214 or NGB-22 if your spouse formally served;
• Applicants that are surviving spouses of a former active duty service member of the U.S. Armed Forces must provide a copy of your spouse’s DD-1300;
• Proof of current and valid licensure to practice the desired profession in another state, the District of Columbia, or a possession or territory of the United States;
• Proof you are otherwise qualified to receive a full license in the profession with written supporting documentation and submission of a passing score for the appropriate standards examination;
• Provide written confirmation that you are not currently the subject of any disciplinary proceedings related to the profession in the jurisdiction you hold your license;
• An applicant must have a background check as part of the licensing process find a Livescan provider here;
• Applicants must comply with all insurance and/or bonding requirements.

Submitting your application

Apply online

• If applying online (recommended), submit the License for the Spouse of an Active-Duty Member of the Armed Forces Application for the appropriate profession.

Apply by mail

• If submitting a paper application, submit the licensure application for your profession and the License for the Spouse of an Active-Duty Member of the Armed Forces Application (PDF). Please allow for additional processing time for paper applications;
• Refer to the expedited certification process in Step 2 and waiver options through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to utilize all benefits to the military community.
• Mail completed paper applications, applicable fees and required supporting documentation to:
  • Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
    Division of Medical Quality Assurance
    2601 N. Blair Stone Rd.
    Tallahassee, Florida 32301

Complete additional requirements

• The Board may require you to fulfill additional requirements such as background checks, interviews, or specific examinations;
• Follow the instructions closely and complete any necessary steps promptly.

Receive your license

• If your application is approved, you will receive your Florida license by mail or electronically, depending on the board’s procedures;
• Keep a copy of your license and all supporting documents for your records.

Eligibility requirements
To be eligible, a military spouse must:

• Provide proof that they married to an active duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces assigned to a duty station in Florida pursuant to official military orders or a copy of your spouse’s DD-214 or NGB-22 if your spouse formally served; find all acceptable supporting documents here;
• Applicants must hold a valid license for the profession in another state, the District of Columbia, any United States territory or possession, or a foreign jurisdiction;
• A complete set of the applicant’s fingerprints is submitted to the Department of Law Enforcement for a statewide criminal history check (costs of fingerprinting are borne by the applicant);
• If you hold a valid standard certificate from a state other than Florida or a U.S. territory, submit a photocopy of the front and back of your valid certificate with your completed application. The certificate photocopy must include the following:
  • a certificate or license title that designates its stage or level;
  • the subject area(s) and endorsement(s) for which you qualified;
  • the ages and/or instructional grade levels of students for each subject or endorsement;
  • the date(s) the certificate or license is valid; and
  • the educator’s name and unique identification number.

Waivers
The Military Certifications Fees Waiver (MCFW) legislative provision introduces the opportunity for active duty military personnel, honorably discharged veterans, and their spouses or surviving spouses to request a waiver of registration fees for initial attempts on examinations required for Educator Certification and/or application fees for initial evaluations of eligibility for Educator Certification.

• Create an account via the Military Certification Fees Waiver (MCFW) site;
• Submit this online waiver request;
• Applicants that are spouses of a current or former active duty member of the United States Armed Forces must submit a copy of your spouse’s military orders if your spouse is currently serving or a copy of your spouse’s DD-214 or NGB-22 if your spouse formerly served;
• Applicants must submit a copy of your marriage certificate to the military service member;
• Await notification of your MCFW eligibility prior to registering for exams or submitting an application for an Educator’s Certificate.

Fees for the following certification services will be waived for individuals granted MCFWs:

• $75.00 per subject for an initial certification application
• $75.00 for an initial application for certification in athletic coaching
• $75.00 for an application to upgrade from a Temporary to a Professional Certificate
• $75.00 per subject for addition of a subject or endorsement to a valid certificate

An MCFW remains valid for up to five years upon determination of eligibility, after which time an educator may submit a new request according to current eligibility requirements for a new waiver.

License transfer process
This typically includes:

• Complete the initial application package (including appropriate processing fees, official transcripts and copies of U.S. teaching certificate(s));
• If you completed an education program outside the U.S., complete the applicants with foreign academic training application;
• Proof of current and valid standard certificate in another state, the District of Columbia, or a possession or territory of the United States;
• The certificate shall be the valid standard educator’s certificate issued by that state which is comparable to a Florida Professional Certificate; and
• Be issued in a subject comparable to a Florida certification subject; and
• Require the same or higher level of training required for certification in that subject in Florida; and
• The certificate must be currently valid (not expired or revoked);
• The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) must be valid;
• Obtain the Official Statement of Status of Eligibility;
• Each person who seeks certification in Florida must be fingerprinted and screened in accordance with Florida Statutes and must not have been convicted of a disqualifying offense.
  • Employees of Public Schools – processed directly by Brevard Public Schools
  • Employees of Nonpublic Schools

Submitting your application

Submit the application online through the online licensing service site with the Florida Department of Education.

Complete additional requirements

• The Board may require you to fulfill additional requirements such as background checks, interviews, or specific examinations;
• Follow the instructions closely and complete any necessary steps promptly.

Receive your certification

• If your application is approved, you will receive your Florida Educator certification by mail or electronically, depending on the board’s procedures;
• Keep a copy of your license and all supporting documents for your records.