When you visit a doctor for the flu, your physical therapist for a nagging injury, or the ER for an emergency, you expect every healthcare professional you encounter to be thoroughly vetted. Your safety, and that of your loved ones, depends on it. While many providers in Florida have long been subject to background checks, a surprising number of healthcare roles were not.
That is now changing.
Florida’s Previous Screening System
Historically, Florida’s healthcare background screening system relies on two screening options: a Level 1 or Level 2 background check.
A Level 1 background check requires a name-based check, which is conducted only at the state level. While a Level 2 background check requires fingerprint submission and compares records across both state and national criminal databases. An applicant would be disqualified for offenses, including violent crimes and charges involving vulnerable populations such as children or the elderly.
While many licensed professionals, including physicians, nurses, and massage therapists, were already required to undergo Level 2 screening, numerous licensed healthcare roles were not.
Previously unscreened professionals in Florida included dentists, optometrists, pharmacists, dietitians, psychologists, speech-language pathologists, clinical social workers, and additional specialized providers.
Despite holding licenses to provide care, individuals in these roles were not legally required to complete fingerprint-based background checks.
What The New Law Changes
Effective July 1, 2025,HB 975 significantly expands screening requirements across the healthcare sector in Florida.
- Mandatory Fingerprinting: Under the new legislation, anyone seeking or renewing a healthcare license is required to undergo a Level 2 background check. This includes submitting fingerprints to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the FBI.
This requirement is retroactive: even those already licensed must comply at their next renewal. Applicants are responsible for the live-scan costs. - Expanded Disqualifying Offenses: Eight new offenses, including fraud-related crimes, drug offenses, domestic violence, lewd and lascivious behavior conduct, and other offenses reflecting threats to patient safety. This broader list enhances patient protection by capturing a wider range of harmful conduct.
- Ongoing Monitoring: All healthcare providers must undergo background screening every time they renew their license, with fingerprint retention required every 5 years to remain in the system. Failure to comply will prevent healthcare professionals from renewing their license after July 1, 2025.
What HB 975 Means for Patients and Providers
These expanded background screening requirements are designed to increase public trust in healthcare providers, maintain consistent safety standards across the medical profession in the state, and reduce the likelihood of individuals with a history of criminal offenses gaining or retaining a healthcare license.
Are You Ready for HB 975?
Whether you’re a healthcare facility, staffing agency, or solo practitioner, compliance with the new Florida background screening law isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Partner with Shield Screening for fast, accurate, and compliant fingerprint-based background checks. We help you:
- Meet Level 2 screening standards;
- Stay up to date with state and federal regulations.
- And get cleared for licensure renewals without delay.
Get started now to protect your practice, patients and license.
About the Guest Author
Jennifer Gladstone is a news anchor and journalist with more than 25 years of experience in front of the camera. During her broadcasting years, she worked in several local news markets, including Atlanta and Baltimore, and was the National News Anchor for Sinclair Broadcasting’s NewsCentral operation. She is now the owner of Gladstone Creative Media, allowing her to represent a broad group of clients in the energy, banking, technology, and human resources sectors.
Jennifer has been working in the Background Screening space since 2013, helping employers navigate and better understand this very complex yet essential piece of the hiring process.
