Luis E Puron

What they do

Medical Doctors (MDs) in Florida diagnose illness, order and interpret diagnostic studies, prescribe medication, perform surgery within their training, and manage long-term patient health. They work across every clinical setting in the state — from large academic medical centers in Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Orlando to rural primary care offices, urgent care centers, hospital systems, and private specialty practices. Florida licenses MDs in dozens of specialties, including family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, psychiatry, cardiology, oncology, and emergency medicine.

Physicians are the most highly regulated category of healthcare practitioner in Florida because of the breadth of their authority. Beyond direct patient care, many Florida MDs hold supervisory responsibilities over physician assistants, nurse practitioners (when not autonomous), medical assistants, and residents in training. They are required to maintain malpractice coverage or financial responsibility documentation and are subject to continuous oversight by the Florida Board of Medicine.

Licensing in Florida

Physicians earn an MD from an accredited medical school, complete the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) three-step series, and finish at least one year of accredited graduate medical education (more for unrestricted licensure). Florida applicants submit verified credentials, fingerprints, and disclosure of any prior disciplinary history. International medical graduates may need additional training. Licenses are renewed every two years with documented continuing medical education, including state-mandated courses. The Florida Board of Medicine, under the Department of Health, sets and enforces standards.

How to verify or report

Verify an MD license, board actions, and malpractice history through the Florida MQA license search. Complaints about negligence, misconduct, or unprofessional behavior can be submitted through the Florida Department of Health complaint form or by calling 850-488-0796.