New Background Screening Law: The Facts
House Bill 975, concerning background screening and certifications, was passed during the 2024 legislative session. This legislation mandates Level 2 background screenings for healthcare professionals regulated by the Florida Department of Health’s Division of Medical Quality Assurance.
Effective July 1, 2025, any healthcare provider who has not been screened through the state and federal Level 2 review must comply with the background screening requirements stipulated in Section 456.0135, Florida Statutes (F.S.), by their next licensure renewal.
The initial background screening law, introduced in 2013, required all chiropractic physicians – existing and new licensees – to undergo background checks. The recently passed legislation expands these requirements to encompass a wider array of healthcare practitioners, including those previously unregulated.
Consequently, all previously-screened healthcare providers will be impacted by this updated directive. For individuals who have established accounts with the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse and have regularly updated their retained fingerprints every five years at a cost of $43.25, no additional fingerprinting or screening will be required.
However, failure to renew retained fingerprints before their five-year expiration results in their removal from the Clearinghouse. In such cases, re-fingerprinting will be mandatory. Unfortunately, it appears that many chiropractic physicians are unaware of the Clearinghouse’s existence and its retention requirements. As a result, a significant number will likely need to undergo fingerprinting again.
The renewal period begins approximately 90 to 120 days before license expiration. Failure to complete the required background screening within this window may lead to delays in license renewal or even license expiration.
Established by law in 2012 and operational since January 1, 2013, the Florida Fingerprint Clearinghouse System – also known as the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse – was designed to streamline the screening process. By centralizing background screening results, it eliminates the need for redundant screenings. Section 456.0135, F.S., requires applicants/licensees undergoing background screening to bear the cost of fingerprint processing, including the retention of fingerprints.
For a comprehensive explanation of the process or additional details, it is recommended to visit the following website: https://flhealthsource.gov/videos/2025-05-29-Cleared-to-Care-Webinar.mp4.
If you have any further questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact the FCPA.
Sincerely,
Dr. John Davenport
FCPA Compliance & Insurance Director Chief Compliance Officer
For a list of frequently asked questions, instructional materials, and guidance on checking the status of your screening with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, visit