Key West The Newspaper

Tallahassee, Fla.—As our nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day, the Florida Department of Health recognizes the men and women who protect our freedom and keep us safe. More than 1.5 million veterans call Florida home, making the Sunshine State the third largest veteran-populated state in the nation. The department is proud to offer several licensure support services to qualified military families to help them find employment in health-related fields. One of the services offered is the Veterans Application for Licensure Online Response (VALOR) system, which provides an expedited licensing process for honorably discharged veterans.

“It is important that we honor the service of our military members and their families to our country and also recognize them as a valuable resource to fill critical health care jobs,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. Celeste Philip. “We are committed to continued outreach and communication with veterans and veteran organizations to ensure the licensure experience is one that reflects our gratitude and helps veterans connect with great employment opportunities in health care.”

During the 2016 Legislative Session, Florida lawmakers passed House Bill 941, which extends the eligibility of applying for licensure through the VALOR system to spouses of active duty service members practicing in most regulated health care professions. Spouses of active duty service members who apply for a license through the VALOR system must either hold an active, unencumbered license in another state in the profession for which they are applying or must meet the minimum requirements for licensure in the profession for which they are applying.

Since July 1, 2014, more than 200 military veterans have been licensed through VALOR in more than 20 different health care professions. In addition, since July 1, 2013, over 2,200 military fee waivers have been issued saving Florida’s veterans and their families nearly $300,000. Thanks to the newly extended eligibility, the department is committed to increasing these numbers in the coming years. For more information on VALOR or other military licensure support services, visit www.flhealthsource.gov/valor.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.