Fla. Admin. Code R. 65G-2.002 – License Application and Renewal Procedures

(1) Providers required to be licensed under section 393.067, F.S., to provide services must maintain a valid current license issued by the Agency.
(2) Application. All applications for initial licensure as well licensure renewal must be submitted using License Application Form 65G-2.002-A (December 2025), which is incorporated herein by reference and available at HYPERLINK "https://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-18971"https://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-18971. A copy of this form may also be obtained by contacting the Agency. The Agency shall review license applications in compliance with the requirements of section 120.60, F.S.
(3) Conditional license. The Agency may issue a conditional license to a facility or program if, at the time of license renewal, the facility or program is found to have uncorrected violations that the facility or program has had an opportunity to correct. The issuance of a conditional license does not change the license expiration date.
(4) License renewals. An application for the renewal of the license must be submitted to the Agency at least 45 days prior to the expiration of the current license.
1. (a) A license which has not been renewed prior to the expiration date is terminated and invalid and the facility or program shall be considered unlicensed except as otherwise provided under section 120.60(4), F.S. If a timely and sufficient application for renewal has been received by the Agency, the original license shall remain in effect until the Agency acts upon the application for renewal.
2. (b) If the Agency receives an application to renew a license after its expiration date, the Agency shall consider it to be an application for an initial license rather than an application for license renewal.
3. (c) If an application for renewal has been submitted to the Agency but has not been completed prior to the date of expiration, the Agency may issue a conditional license until the renewal process is completed.
(5) The Agency shall consider the following factors when reviewing an application for an initial license or license renewal.
1. (a) Prior disciplinary action against an applicant or controlling interest including:
  1. the nature and seriousness of any violation for which a sanction was imposed;
  2. the type of disciplinary action imposed, including the amount of any applicable fine imposed;
  3. the number of prior disciplinary actions;
  4. compliance with any conditions or requirements of any disciplinary action;
  5. the length of time the applicant operated a facility or program without any violation since the most recent violation for which a disciplinary action was imposed; and
  6. any failure by the applicant or controlling interest to comply with any settlement agreement with the Agency.
2. (b) If a licensee, applicant, owner, manager, or controlling entity has previously been determined to have operated a facility or program without a license or with an expired license, when a license was required by Florida Statutes or by rule, the length of time the facility or program operated without a license or with an expired license. Operating a facility or program with an expired license constitutes operating a facility or program without a license.
3. (c) If a licensee or controlling entity has had a license to operate a facility or program revoked by a state agency, including the:
  1. license revocation; and
  2. length of time that has passed since license revocation.
4. (d) Whether a licensee or controlling entity has received a bankruptcy order of discharge.
5. (e) Whether the Department of Children and Families has verified that the applicant or employee of the applicant is responsible for abuse, neglect, exploitation, or abandonment of a child or the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult in any health care setting.
6. (f) Whether the Agency has determined that there is clear and convincing evidence that the applicant is unqualified for a license because of a lack of good moral character. For purposes of this paragraph, “good moral character” means a personal history of honesty, fairness, and respect for the rights of others and for state and federal law.
7. (g) Any failure by the licensee to notify the Agency about a change of ownership in accordance with Rule 65G-2.0021, F.A.C.
8. (h) Whether there has been any prior disciplinary action under the license being renewed. This includes any prior disciplinary actions and verified findings against either the licensee or the licensee’s employees. This also includes disciplinary action taken in accordance with section 393.0673(2), F.S.
9. (i) Whether a prior license was relinquished after notification to the licensee of:
  1. an investigation for disciplinary action, or
  2. disciplinary action that has been initiated or pending.
(6) If the applicant has not provided sufficient supporting information with the application, the Agency shall require the applicant to provide additional information regarding the applicant’s qualifications for the types of residents or participants or the level of services the applicant wishes to serve.
(7) A license shall be valid for the dates specified on the license. A license which has not been renewed prior to the expiration date is invalid and the facility or program shall be considered unlicensed except as otherwise provided under section 120.60(4), F.S.
(8) Each facility or program, regardless of whether it is owned or managed under a single individual, partnership, association, joint venture, company, sole proprietorship, corporation, limited liability corporation, or professional limited liability corporation, must operate under a separate and distinct license.
(9) Prior to issuing an initial license or renewing an existing license, the facility or program must be inspected by the Agency in accordance with Rule 65G-2.0032, F.A.C., to ensure that the facility or program meets the physical and safety standards of this chapter. Unless otherwise set forth in a conditional license, any deficiencies identified during the site inspection must be remediated by the applicant and the Agency must have confirmed the successful remediation prior to the issuance of a license or license renewal.
(10) Non-responsive applicant. If certified mail sent to the provider’s address of record, or mailing address if applicable, is returned as unclaimed or undeliverable, the Agency will send a copy of the letter by regular mail to the provider’s address of record, or mailing address if applicable, with a copy to the applicant’s address if different from the provider. The applicant must respond to the request within 21 days of the date of the letter sent by regular mail. If timely response is not received, the applicant will be considered non-responsive, and the application will be subject to withdrawal or denial.
(11) An application is considered complete upon receipt of:
1. (a) All required documents, information and required fees;
2. (b) All required background screening results; and
3. (c) Completion of a satisfactory inspection if required by authorizing statutes or rules. Satisfactory inspection means no regulatory violations exist, or all prior violations found have been determined by the Agency to be corrected.
(12) A licensure inspection will not be authorized until paragraphs (11)(a) and (b) of this rule have been satisfied.
(13) The licensee must give at least 30 days written notice to the Agency prior to the licensee’s intent to close a licensed facility or program.
(14) If the applicant fails to submit a complete application prior to the expiration of the facility’s or program’s existing license, the application shall be considered an initial application rather than a renewal application.
(15) No facility or program licensed under this chapter shall provide services to non-citizens without a legal residency status.

Rulemaking Authority 393.066(8), 393.0662(15), 393.067(1), 393.067(7), 393.501(1) FS. Law Implemented 393.0655, 393.067, 393.0673, 393.13 FS. History–New 7-23-14, Amended 2-27-25, 3-26-26.