(1) The department shall issue a license by endorsement to any applicant who, upon applying to the department and remitting a fee set by the board not to exceed $500, demonstrates to the board that he or she:
(a) Meets one of the following requirements:
1. Holds a valid active license to practice nursing home administration in another state of the United States, provided that the current requirements for licensure in that state are substantially equivalent to, or more stringent than, current requirements in this state; or
2. Meets the qualifications for licensure in s. 468.1695; and
(b)1. Has successfully completed a national examination which is substantially equivalent to, or more stringent than, the examination given by the department;
2. Has passed an examination on the laws and rules of this state governing the administration of nursing homes; and
3. Has worked as a fully licensed nursing home administrator for 2 years within the 5-year period immediately preceding the application by endorsement.
(2) National examinations for licensure as a nursing home administrator shall be presumed to be substantially equivalent to, or more stringent than, the examination and requirements in this state, unless found otherwise by rule of the board.
(3) The department shall not issue a license by endorsement or a temporary license to any applicant who is under investigation in this or another state for any act which would constitute a violation of this part until such time as the investigation is complete and disciplinary proceedings have been terminated.
(4) A temporary license may be issued one time only to an applicant who has filed an application for licensure by endorsement and has paid the fee for the next laws and rules examination offered in this state, and who meets all of the following requirements:
(a) Has filed an application for a temporary license and paid a fee not to exceed $750.
(b) Meets the requirements of subsection (1) or s. 468.1695.
(c) Has worked as a fully licensed nursing home administrator for 2 years within the 5-year period immediately preceding application for a temporary license.
A temporary license shall be valid for the nursing home administrator applicant only at the facility for which it is issued and shall not be transferred to another facility or to another applicant. An applicant shall not be eligible to reapply for a temporary license or an extension of a temporary license. The applicant must take and pass the next laws and rules examination offered in this state following issuance of a temporary license. The temporary license is valid until the results of the examination are certified by the board and the applicant is notified.
History.—ss. 1, 2, ch. 79-227; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; ss. 9, 42, ch. 82-179; s. 91, ch. 83-218; ss. 37, 119, ch. 83-329; ss. 7, 16, 17, ch. 86-223; s. 39, ch. 89-162; s. 24, ch. 90-134; s. 4, ch. 90-345; s. 61, ch. 91-137; s. 10, ch. 91-156; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 273, ch. 97-103.