64B24-2.004. Licensure by Endorsement

(1)(a) In addition to the application, foreign-trained applicants for licensure as a midwife by endorsement shall submit the following:

1. A valid certificate or diploma from either a foreign institution of medicine or a foreign school of midwifery,

2. A certified translation of the certificate or diploma earned from a foreign institution of medicine or foreign school of midwifery,

3. The document which renders the foreign trained applicant eligible to practice medicine or midwifery in the country in which that document was issued,

4. A certified translation of the certificate, diploma or license which renders the foreign trained applicant eligible to practice medicine or midwifery in the country from which the diploma or certificate was awarded,

5. Explanation of different names on documents submitted with the application,

6. Evidence of successful completion of an approved four-month prelicensure course,

7. Evidence of a passing score on the licensure examination; and,

8. A general emergency care plan which meets the requirements described in section 467.017, F.S.

(b) In determining whether the requirements to hold a certificate or diploma from a foreign institution of medicine or a foreign school of midwifery are substantially equivalent to the requirements established under chapter 467, F.S., and these rules, the department shall consider whether:

1. The applicant has a high school diploma, or its equivalent, and passed the College-Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST), or has taken and received a passing grade in three college level credits each of Math and English, or can demonstrate competencies in communication and computation by passing the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) test in communication and computation.

2. The completed midwifery or medical program equivalent to a three year program, offered the equivalent to 90 credit hours, and included minimum required course work and practicum areas as demonstrated by use of the Form DH-MQA 1111, Foreign-Trained Midwife Applicant Evaluation Tool (08/2015), incorporated by reference and available at https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-06541.

3. The applicant has received a determination of substantial equivalency through the use of this evaluation tool by an approved foreign education credentialing agency.

(2)(a) In addition to the application, persons trained in another state seeking licensure as a midwife by endorsement shall submit the following:

1. Evidence of successful completion of the approved four-month prelicensure course,

2. Evidence of a passing score on the licensure examination; and,

3. A general emergency care plan which meets the requirements described in section 467.017, F.S.

(b) In determining whether the requirements to hold a certificate or license to practice midwifery in another state are substantially equivalent to the requirements established under chapter 467, F.S., and these rules, the applicant shall submit:

1. A current valid unrestricted certificate or license to practice midwifery in another state,

2. A certificate or diploma awarded by a midwifery program which was approved by the certifying body of the state in which it was located, or an authenticated copy of that certificate or diploma,

3. A copy of the other state’s laws and rules under which the applicant’s certificate or license was issued; and,

4. Official transcripts from the midwifery program which document classroom instruction and clinical training equivalent to the requirements in these rules.

(c) In determining whether the requirements to practice midwifery in another state are substantially equivalent to the requirements established under chapter 467, F.S., and these rules, the department shall consider whether:

1. The applicant has a high school diploma, or its equivalent, and passed the College Level Academic Scholastic Test (CLAST), or has taken and received a passing grade in three college level credits each of Math and English, or can demonstrate competencies in communication and computation by passing the College Level Equivalent Proficiency (CLEP) test in communication and computation.

2. The completed midwifery or medical program equivalent to a three-year program, offered the equivalent to 90 credit hours, and included minimum required course work and practicum areas as demonstrated by use of the Form DH-MQA 1112, Out-of-State Midwife Applicant Evaluation Tool (08/2015), incorporated by reference and available at https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-06542.

3. The applicant has received a determination of substantial equivalency through the use of this evaluation tool by an approved education credentialing agency.

(3) A temporary certificate to practice midwifery in areas of critical need may be issued to any applicant who is qualifying for licensure by endorsement. The applicant shall submit to the department a completed application on Form DH-MQA 5013, Application for Temporary Midwifery Certificate in Areas of Critical Need (07/2020), incorporated by reference and available at https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14375; the temporary certificate fee documentation of the area of critical need pursuant to section 467.0125(2)(a), F.S.; and the name of the individual who will serve as the midwife’s supervisor. This individual shall be a physician currently licensed pursuant to chapter 458 or 459, F.S., a certified nurse midwife licensed pursuant to chapter 464, F.S., or a midwife licensed pursuant to chapter 467, F.S., who has a minimum of 3 years of professional experience.

(4) A temporary certificate issued under this section shall be valid only as long as an area for which it is issued remains an area of critical need, but no longer than 2 years. A temporary certificate is not renewable, nor shall a person be granted a temporary certificate more than once.

Rulemaking Authority 456.38, 467.005 FS. Law Implemented 456.38, 467.0125 FS. History–New 1-26-94, Formerly 61E8-2.004, 59DD-2.004, Amended 10-24-02, 2-7-08, 4-22-09, 4-26-16, 6-21-22.