Renewal postcards will be mailed to physicians whose license expires on January 31, 2012. Remember, if your address is not current with the Board of Medicine, you may not receive the postcard. Check your medical license to see if your license expires soon. But don’t procrastinate; go online and see how easy it is to renew.

To begin the renewal process, go to www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa and click the red login button on the right side of the screen. Log in using your user id and pass code. If you cannot remember this information, click the Get Login Help button. In addition, there is a checklist at the bottom of this article that can be used as a tool when renewing your license.

Go online at www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa for assistance. Once there, click on Continuing Education located on the right side of the screen and follow the online prompts for information regarding requirements, help finding courses, and additional ways to obtain CME credit such as serving as a volunteer or a monitor for a physician on probation or by attending a Board of Medicine meeting.

Update Your Practitioner Profile

While logged in be sure to review your profile for updates and changes. Make any necessary changes at this time. Also, make it a regular habit of checking your profile because Section 456.042, FS requires changes be made within 15 days.

Designate Yourself as a Controlled Substance Prescribing Practitioner

While logged on and reviewing your profile, you can designated yourself as a controlled substance prescribing practitioner, as required in Section 456.44(2), Florida Statutes (FS), if applicable. This can be done online by simply checking the designated box. But remember, if this applies to you, this must be done no later than January 1, 2012.

Establish a Relationship with a Pain-Management Clinic

If you have a relationship with a pain management clinic as provided in Section 458.3265(2), FS, be sure to establish that relationship while logged on. Our online services feature makes this easy for you to do. Remember you are required to notify the Board within 10 days of beginning or ceasing practice at a pain management clinic.

Physician Workforce Survey

This survey is required by Section 381.4018, FS so do not skip this part of the online renewal. If you have elected not to renew online, be sure to download a paper copy of the survey from our web site to complete and mail. This information is useful to the Department of Health in determining workforce shortage areas.

Renew Your License

When renewing, you attest that you have completed your CME requirements and you also elect the appropriate financial responsibility. Take one last minute to review for accuracy. When you are done, but sure to print the confirmation page as proof you renewed your license. This is especially important for physicians who wait until the last minute to renew.

For the first time, primary care providers that have posted a schedule of charges for medical services provided to patients can elect a one-time exemption from CME requirements and the renewal fee. When renewing online, physicians will be asked if this exemption applies. Section 381.026, FS outlines specific requirements for the sign, the exemption and also provides a definition of ‘primary care provider’.

Be sure to read the law in its entirety to ensure compliance.

Mailman (Interested Parties)

This is a new feature that allows you to receive important information right to your inbox, such as new laws, rules and meeting information. Go to www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/medical and click on Interested Parties (Mailman) in the blue box on the left side of the screen. Enter your email address and hit Subscribe.

You can use the checklist below as a tool to assist you when renewing your license.

• I have met the CME requirements
• I have checked my Practitioner Profile for updates and changes applicable
• I have established a relationship or removed a relationship with a pain management clinic, if applicable
• I have designated myself as a controlled substance prescribing practitioner as provided in s. 456.44(2), Florida Statutes, if applicable
• I have completed the Physician Workforce Survey
• I have renewed my license and printed confirmation
• I have joined Mailman Remember to renew and renew early.