• About the Board and its Meetings
• Applicants with Prior Criminal History and Disciplinary Action
• Licensee Information
• Pharmacist Licensure
• Electronic Fingerprinting

About the Board and its Meetings

Q:	How can I become a Board member?
A:	Board members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. You may apply by contacting the Governor's Appointment Office at 850-488-2183 or by visiting the website: http://wp.flgov.com/appointments/
Q:	Who can attend Board meetings?
A:	All Board meetings are open to the public and you are encouraged to attend. You may find a schedule of upcoming Board meetings at: http://doh.state.fl.us/mqa/pharmacy/ph_meeting.html
Q:	What are the deadlines to have an item placed on the Board agenda?
A:	Agenda items must be submitted to the Board of Pharmacy no later than 4 weeks before the scheduled meeting date. For more information please visit: http://doh.state.fl.us/mqa/pharmacy/ph_meeting.html
Note: Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.
Q:	How can I get a copy of the Board agenda?
A:	You may submit an email request to be placed on the Board's Interested Parties List.  The board routinely sends out Agenda Outlines to interested parties 7-10 days prior to an upcoming board meeting. Copies of the full "public" agenda are also available, but are subject to a duplication fee. For more information please visit:  http://doh.state.fl.us/mqa/pharmacy/ph_meeting.html

Back to Top

Regarding Prior Criminal History and Disciplinary Actions

The Florida Board of Pharmacy receives numerous questions from applicants regarding prior criminal offenses.  Following are the most frequently asked questions to assist applicants.

Q:	What crimes or license discipline must be reported on the application?
A:	All convictions, guilty please and nolo contendere pleas must be reported, except for minor traffic violations not related to the use of drugs or alcohol.  This includes misdemeanors, felonies, "driving while intoxicates (DWI)" and "driving under the influence (DUI)".  Crimes must be reported even if they are a suspended imposition of sentence.  All prior or current disciplinary action against another professional license must be reported, whether it occurred in Florida or in another state or territory.
Q:	Can a person obtain a license as a Pharmacist if they have a misdemeanor or felony crime on their record?
A:	Each application is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  The Board of Pharmacy considers the nature and severity of offenses and how recently they occurred, as well as rehabilitation and other factors.  The Board cannot make a determination for approval or denial of licensure without evaluating the entire application and supporting documentation.
Q:	Do I have to report changes if I completed a period of probation and the charges were dismissed or closed?
A:	Yes. Offenses must be reported to the Board even if you received a suspended imposition of sentence and the record is now considered closed.
Q:	How can I help facilitate how quickly my application is reviewed?
A:	The Board of Pharmacy strongly encourages all individuals with a criminal or discipline history to be fully prepared with information regarding their background and to start the application process early.

Back to Top

Licensee Information

Q:	How can I file a complaint against a licensee?
A:	Complaint forms can be printed from our website or requested by telephone at 1-888-419-3456 or (850) 245-4339.    Complaint Forms: General Healthcare Professions Complaint form (doc - 244kb) Dental Professions Complaint form (doc - 4mb) Psychiatric/Psychology Complaint form (doc - 261kb) Unlicensed Person Complaint form (doc - 317kb) Mail to: Department of Health Consumer Services Unit 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C75 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3275 To file a complaint on a non-medical related business or profession, please visit the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
Q:	How can I check if someone is licensed?
A:	You may use our  License Look-Up Search Screen.
Q:	How can I get a list of licensee information?
A:	To obtain an electronic listing of active and inactive licensee's mailing addresses and license status for DOH/ MQA regulated professions use our Licensee Data Information service. Please note: The department does not maintain email addresses, fax or telephone numbers in the normal course of business. Section 119.083(4), F.S., requires only that the agency provide electronic data in some common format such as, but not limited to, the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) text format. Therefore, the download files provided on this page are formatted as ASCII text, pipe delimited. Financial information, medical information, school transcripts, examination questions, answers, papers, grades and grading keys, which are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1), F.S.,. will be withheld pursuant to Chapter 456, Florida Statutes. Social Security numbers will also be redacted pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 405(c)(2)(C)(vii)(1).

Back to Top

Pharmacist Licensure

Q:	Do I have to take the NAPLEX exam to become licensed as a pharmacist in Florida?
A:	If you have taken the NAPLEX or a similar nationally recognized exam you may qualify for licensure by endorsement.  This method only requires you to take the MPJE exam.
Q:	Do I have to come to Florida to take the exam?
A:	No. The NAPLEX and the MPJE exam are computerized and may be taken in any State as long as you apply with Florida and choose Florida as your primary jurisdiction.
Q:	If I get licensed in Florida and another state, would it be possible to take the Florida exams and then transfer scores to the other state?
A:	Yes, if that state accepts a score transfer. You would need to apply for the exams in Florida (which are computerized through NABP and may be taken any time in any state that offers it). Scores would then be sent to Florida and you would be licensed in this state. For score transfers, you would need to contact NABP to have your scores transferred to another state.
Q:	Does Florida accept scores from other states?
A:	Yes.  You must go through NABP's score transfer process prior to taking the NAPLEX exam.  NABP will send a copy of your scores to the state(s) of your choice.
Q:	Are the statutes on the Web site all or most of the information covered on the law examination?
A:	Yes, Chapter 465 and 893 and Rules 64B16, Florida Administrative Code are on our web-site. Federal law may be found at: http://uscode.house.gov/search/criteria.shtml
Q:	What is the approximate time frame that I should expect to receive a response regarding the status of my application once it is received by the department?
A:	The Board office will send a letter updating you of the status within 2 - 3 weeks from the date our office receives the application.
Q:	How long from the time I mail in my application will I have to wait to schedule my test date?
A:	Once our office has determined you eligible we will notify NABP.  They will e-mail your Authorization to Test form and you will be able to schedule your test date.
Q:	How do I receive my test scores?
A:	You will receive your test scores in the mail within four (4) weeks from your test date. You can view the results online at http://ww2.doh.state.fl.us/OnlineTestNET/default.aspx?
Q:	If I fail the exam, how long do I have to wait to retake it?
A:	You must wait 90 days to retake the NAPLEX and 30 days to retake the MPJE.

Back to Top

Electronic Fingerprinting

Applicants can use any LiveScan vendor that has been approved by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to submit their fingerprints to the department. Please ensure that the Originating Agency Identification (ORI) number is provided to the vendor when you submit your fingerprints. If you do not provide an ORI number or if you provide an incorrect ORI number to the vendor, the Board of Pharmacy will not receive your fingerprint results. The applicant is fully responsible for selecting the vendor and ensuring submission of the prints to the Department.

Q:	How do I find a LiveScan vendor in order to submit my fingerprints to the department?
A:	The Department of Health accepts electronic fingerprinting service offered by LiveScan device vendors that are approved by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and listed at their site. You can view the vendor options and contact information on the LiveScan Device Vendors List
Q:	What information must I provide to the LiveScan vendor I choose?
A:	a) If you are an applicant seeking a license for any profession regulated by the Department of Health, which requires a criminal background search as a condition of licensure, you must provide accurate demographic information at the time your fingerprints are taken, including your Social Security number. The Department will not be able to process a submission that does not include your Social Security number b) You must provide the correct ORI number.
Q:	Where do I get the ORI number to submit to the vendor?
A:	The ORI number for the pharmacy profession is FL924190Z
Q:	How does the electronic fingerprinting process actually work?
A:	In the traditional method of fingerprinting, ink is applied to each of your fingers which are then “rolled” across a fingerprint card to obtain your prints. With electronic fingerprinting, there is no ink or card. Your fingerprints are “rolled” across a glass plate and scanned. It is faster and cleaner than the traditional method. Electronic fingerprinting reduces the likelihood of illegible fingerprints and will reduce the overall application processing time.
Q:	How long will it take to have my fingerprints scanned?
A:	It should only take approximately 5-10 minutes.
Q:	How much does electronic fingerprinting cost?
A:	The total fee charged by each vendor varies. Please contact the vendor to obtain this information. The fingerprint results are usually received by the department two to four days after your fingerprints are scanned. You can view the vendor options and contact information on the LiveScan Device Vendors List.
Q:	What do I need to bring with me to the Florida electronic fingerprinting site?
A:	All applicants will be required to bring two (2) forms of identification to the electronic fingerprinting site on the day of fingerprinting. One of the two types of identification must bear your picture and signature such as a driver's license, state identification card or passport.
Q:	I submitted my fingerprint through an FDLE approved vendor, but I have now received a deficiency letter regarding my fingerprints? What should I do?
A:	As of the date of the mailing of the deficiency letter, your electronic fingerprinting results have not been transmitted to the Board of Pharmacy. We will not be able to process your application until we have received this information. You should contact your fingerprint vendor to determine if they have submitted the prints to the FDLE for processing. You can view the vendor options and contact information on the LiveScan Device Vendors List.
Q:	What should I do if I am notified by the Department of Health that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement or the Federal Bureau of Investigation determined my electronic fingerprints were illegible?
A:	The electronic fingerprint scanning machines are equipped to determine if your fingerprints scanned successfully; however, if it is determined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation that your prints were not legible, we will send you a notification letter asking you to go back to the same vendor that did your initial prints and schedule a re-roll of your prints. You will be required to bring the notification letter with you as information such as the TCN (Transaction Control Number) and TCR (Transaction Control Reference) must be identified and used at the time of the reroll. You will be responsible for any costs associated with the re-roll of your fingerprints.
Q:	How long are my fingerprints valid for?
A:	FDLE retains the prints for 12 months from the date your digital fingerprints were electronically received by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. If your prints have expired at the time your application is submitted to the department, you will be required to submit new prints again.
Q:	Can I use my recent fingerprints to apply for another professional license?
A:	The prescription department manager may submit prints that are on file with the Agency For Health Care Administration if they were ran within the last year. All officers and owners must submit new prints.
Q:	What kind of assistance can the DOH provide if I have problems with a LiveScan vendor?
A:	As an applicant, you have the choice to select a vendor approved by the FDLE. Since DOH does not approve or regulate LiveScan vendors, you will be fully responsible for the fingerprint submission and for ensuring that the prints have been timely submitted to the FDLE. The DOH retrieves the fingerprint results from the Department of Law Enforcement through a secure web site. We suggest that you ask the vendor for a receipt showing payment date and other pertinent information in case you need to go back to them for assistance. In addition to compliance with FDLE transmission requirements, the LiveScan sites will need the following information in order for AHCA to receive the results appropriately. If the vendor you choose does not have an online registration or appointment system we ask that you please use the “Validation for LiveScan Vendors” form available on the Background Screening Website Validation for LiveScan Vendors. Failure to submit this information may result in the provider's inability to obtain screening results: Full Name Individual's Address Social Security Number (if the SSN is not included, the results will not appear on the Agency's Results website) Date of Birth Race Sex Height Weight Employer Name Employer Address (address information should be separated by commas: street, city, state, zip) FDLE will only retain the criminal results from applicants for a period of one year from the date the fingerprints were rolled. Applicants should submit their applications soon after submitting their fingerprints in order to afford themselves an opportunity to resolve any application deficiencies prior to the expiration of the criminal history results.

Back to Top