Eligible Occupations
The complete official list of Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program eligible occupations. Healthcare workers, K-12 teachers, first responders, law enforcement, and other critical professions — but the requirements are more specific than many buyers realize.
Do you work in an essential profession in Florida? The eligible occupations list is specific, and the requirements are non-negotiable. This guide provides the official list, explains the full-time employment requirement, and answers common questions about who qualifies.
Quick Navigation
Critical Eligibility Requirements
Before reviewing the eligible occupations, understand these essential requirements:
✓ Full-Time Employment Required
ALL participants must be employed FULL-TIME and CURRENTLY employed by a Florida-based employer. This is non-negotiable. Part-time workers, even in eligible occupations, do not qualify.
✓ Only One Borrower Must Qualify
Good news for couples: Only ONE borrower on the loan needs to work in an eligible occupation. If you're buying with a spouse or co-borrower who doesn't work in an eligible field, you can still qualify as long as one of you does.
✓ Florida-Based Employer Required
You must be employed by a Florida-based employer. Remote workers for out-of-state companies typically do not qualify, even if performing work in Florida.
✓ Current Employment at Application AND Closing
You must be actively employed in your eligible occupation at time of application, time of loan closing, and all points in between.
Healthcare Workers
Healthcare professionals represent the largest category. You must be employed full-time by a Florida-based healthcare provider, physician practice, hospital, assisted living facility, mental health facility, or healthcare facility.
Nursing Positions
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Nurse Anesthetist
- Nurse Midwife
- Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Nursing Technician
- Registered Nurse (RN)
Medical Therapists
- Audiology Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Physical Therapist
- Respiratory Therapist
- Speech Therapist
Doctors, Physicians & Pharmacists
- Anesthesiologist
- Anesthesiologist Assistant
- Dentist
- Nuclear Pharmacist
- Pharmacist
- Physician (all specialties)
- Physician Assistant
Medical Technicians
- Anesthesia Support Technician
- Cardiology Technician
- Clinical Technician
- CT Technician
- ER Technician
- Laboratory Technician (incl. Phlebotomist)
- Music Technician
- Neurology Technician
- Nuclear Medicine Technician
- Monitor Technician
- Orthopedic Technician
- Pharmacy Technician
- Radiation Technician
- Rehabilitation Technician
- Sonographer
- Surgical Technician
- X-ray Technician
Mental Health Workers
- Behavioral Health Specialist
- Behavioral Health Technician
- Behavioral Health Therapist
- Case Manager (healthcare/mental health)
- Mental Health Specialist
- Mental Health Technician
- Mental Health Therapist
- Psychiatrist
- Psychologist
- Social Worker (healthcare settings)
Other Healthcare Workers
- Dental Assistant
- Dental Hygienist
- Medical Assistant (CMA or MA)
- Patient Care Assistant
- Patient Transporter (Orderly)
- Phlebotomist
School Staff Members (K–12 Only)
Education professionals working in K-12 schools. You must be employed full-time by a Florida-based K-12 public, private, charter, or magnet school.
All School Staff Positions
- Assistant Principal
- Career Specialist (Guidance Counselor)
- Classroom Teacher (all grades/subjects)
- Food Service / Cafeteria Staff
- Librarian / Media Specialist
- Maintenance / Janitorial Staff
- Principal
- School Counselor
- School Psychologist
- Social Worker (employed by school)
- Teacher Aide
- K-12 ONLY — college professors and university staff do NOT qualify
- Must be employed by the school (not contract workers through outside agencies)
- Includes private, charter, and magnet schools — not just public
- Does NOT include preschools (see Childcare category)
First Responders
Emergency medical professionals. You must be employed full-time by a Florida-based fire department, ambulance service, or hospital.
First Responder Positions
- Certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Certified Paramedic
- Firefighter
Public Safety Workers
Law enforcement and corrections professionals. You must be employed full-time by a Florida-based local, county, state, or federal law enforcement department, juvenile detention facility, correctional facility, or emergency operations center.
Public Safety Positions
- 911 Public Safety Communicator (911 Operator/Dispatcher)
- Correctional Officer
- Correctional Probation Officer
- Juvenile Detention Officer
- Juvenile Probation Officer
- Sworn Law Enforcement Officer (Local, State, Federal)
Childcare Workers
Childcare professionals. You must be employed full-time by a Florida-based licensed childcare facility pursuant to Florida Statutes S.402.301-402.305 or exempt from licensure pursuant to S.402.313 and 402.316.
Childcare Positions
- Any worker at a licensed childcare facility
- Any worker at a licensed or registered home daycare
Military & Veterans
Military service members have special status, but with important distinctions.
Active Duty Service Members
All active duty or reserve service members of all branches qualify:
- United States Army
- United States Navy
- United States Air Force
- United States Marine Corps
- United States Coast Guard
- United States Space Force
- Florida National Guard
Veterans — Critical Requirement
Veterans must meet two criteria simultaneously:
- Discharge status of "other than dishonorable"
- Currently employed full-time by a Florida-based employer (in any occupation)
This means:
- ✅ Veteran working full-time in Florida = Qualifies
- ❌ Retired veteran not currently employed = Does NOT qualify
- ❌ Veteran working part-time = Does NOT qualify
- ❌ Veteran with dishonorable discharge = Does NOT qualify
"Other than dishonorable" includes: Honorable, General, Medical discharge (if not dishonorable). Does NOT include: Dishonorable, Bad conduct discharge.
Occupations That Do NOT Qualify
The following are NOT eligible occupations despite common misconceptions:
❌ Education (Non-Qualifying)
- College professors and university staff
- Preschool teachers (unless at licensed childcare facilities)
- Private tutors, Educational consultants, Student teachers
❌ Healthcare (Non-Qualifying)
- Veterinarians and veterinary staff
- Chiropractors, Massage therapists
- Alternative medicine practitioners, Fitness trainers
- Nutritionists (unless employed by hospitals/clinics)
❌ Government (Non-Qualifying)
- General government office workers, DMV employees
- Postal workers (USPS)
- Public works employees, Building inspectors, Code enforcement officers
❌ Other Non-Qualifying Professions
- Retired professionals (unless employed full-time)
- Part-time workers in eligible occupations
- Self-employed professionals (even in healthcare/education)
- Contract workers through staffing agencies
- Volunteers (even firefighters, unless also employed full-time)
- Business owners, real estate professionals, retail workers
- Restaurant/hospitality workers, transportation workers
- Sanitation and public transit employees
How to Verify Your Eligible Occupation
To confirm you work in one of the eligible occupations, you'll need proper documentation:
Employment Verification Letter
From your employer on company letterhead confirming your full name, job title (matching eligible occupation list), full-time employment status, hire date, and Florida address.
Recent Paystubs (30 days)
Showing employer's name and Florida address, your position/title, hours worked demonstrating full-time status, year-to-date earnings.
Professional License or Certification
For licensed professions: Florida RN/LPN license, Florida teaching certificate, law enforcement certification, EMT/Paramedic certification, or medical license.
For Active Duty Military
Current military ID, Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), orders showing Florida station assignment.
For Veterans
DD Form 214 showing discharge status as "other than dishonorable", PLUS employment verification showing current full-time employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can retired teachers/nurses/police officers qualify?
No — not based on their retired status alone. Eligible occupations require current full-time employment. However:
- ✅ Retired teacher returns to full-time teaching = Qualifies
- ✅ Retired nurse works full-time at a hospital = Qualifies
- ❌ Retired and not currently employed full-time = Does NOT qualify
Exception: Veterans with qualifying discharge status who are employed full-time (in any occupation) do qualify.
Do substitute teachers qualify?
Only if you're employed full-time as a substitute teacher by a school district. Most substitute teachers are part-time or on-call and would not meet the full-time requirement.
Do college professors qualify?
No. The eligible occupations list specifically states "K-12 public, private, charter or magnet school." University and college staff are not included.
Can my spouse's occupation qualify our household?
Yes! Only ONE borrower on the loan needs to work in an eligible occupation.
Do travel nurses working in Florida qualify?
Possibly, but it's complex. You must be employed full-time by a Florida-based healthcare facility (not just an out-of-state agency), meet all documentation requirements, and maintain employment through closing.
Do school bus drivers qualify?
No. School bus drivers are not listed. Only the specific school staff positions listed qualify.
Do hospital administrative staff qualify?
Only if they fall into one of the listed categories. General administrative workers, billing staff, and office workers typically do NOT qualify even if employed by hospitals.
Do private practice physicians qualify?
Yes, if they're employed full-time by a Florida-based medical practice.
Can self-employed people in eligible occupations qualify?
The official documentation does not address self-employment. The emphasis on "employed by a Florida-based employer" suggests W-2 employment is required.
Do 911 dispatchers qualify?
Yes! 911 Public Safety Communicators are specifically listed under Public Safety Workers.
Do correctional officers qualify?
Yes! Correctional officers, correctional probation officers, juvenile detention officers all qualify.
What if I work for a federal agency?
Federal employees can qualify if they're in eligible occupations:
- ✅ Federal law enforcement officers stationed in Florida
- ✅ Active duty military stationed in Florida
- ✅ Federal court employees (in eligible positions)
- ❌ General federal office workers
Can I qualify if I just started my job?
Yes, as long as you're currently employed full-time at the time of application and closing. No minimum tenure requirement.
Do VA hospital employees qualify?
Yes, VA hospital employees in clinical and eligible healthcare roles qualify if their specific position is on the eligible occupations list.