Expedited Partner Therapy in Florida: Can Your Partner Get Treated Without a Visit?
Written by Naurah Gaspard, DNP, FNP-C, FNP-BC · Medically reviewed by Cherlie Joseph, MSN, FNP-BC · Updated November 2026
Yes. Since July 1, 2016, Florida law (Fla. Stat. 384.27) has allowed expedited partner therapy (EPT): when you are diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection, your provider may prescribe treatment for your partner without examining them, if that partner is unlikely to get care quickly. EPT is used most often for chlamydia, and sometimes for gonorrhea and trichomoniasis.
In this guide
What expedited partner therapy is
When one person is treated for an STI but their partner is not, the infection often bounces right back. EPT closes that gap. Instead of asking your partner to book their own appointment, your provider writes a prescription for them, or gives you medicine to pass along, at the same time you are treated.
CDC supports EPT as a useful option for partners of people with chlamydia or gonorrhea who are unlikely to be seen promptly, and it can be considered for trichomoniasis. Studies behind the CDC guidelines found that EPT lowers reinfection rates compared with simply telling partners to get checked.
What Florida law allows
Florida's EPT provision is part of Fla. Stat. 384.27. According to CDC's summary of state law, a Florida practitioner may provide EPT when:
- You have a lab-confirmed or suspected clinical diagnosis of a sexually transmissible disease,
- You report having sex with the partner before your diagnosis, and
- You indicate that your partner is unable or unlikely to seek care in a timely way.
The law also lets Florida pharmacists fill a prescription written for a partner who was not personally examined. In practice, your provider will ask for the partner's name and, ideally, date of birth and any drug allergies, so the pharmacy can label and fill it.
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Start a visit →Which infections EPT covers, and which it doesn't
| Infection | EPT used? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia | Yes, most common use | Oral antibiotic |
| Gonorrhea | Yes, in some cases | The preferred treatment is a shot, so partners get an oral alternative; an in-person visit is still best, especially for throat infections |
| Trichomoniasis | Can be considered | Oral antibiotic |
| Syphilis | No | Partners need blood testing and an exam |
| HIV, herpes, hepatitis | No | Partners need their own testing and care |
CDC is more cautious about EPT for men who have sex with men, because these partners have a higher chance of other infections, including undiagnosed HIV or syphilis, that EPT would miss. Your provider will use shared decision-making in that situation.
What your partner should know
EPT treats one likely infection. It does not replace a full checkup. Anyone receiving EPT should:
- Read the information sheet that comes with the medicine, including allergy warnings. Someone allergic to the antibiotic should not take it and should see a provider instead.
- Avoid sex for 7 days after treatment, and until all partners are treated.
- Get tested for other STIs, including HIV and syphilis, when they can.
- Seek care in person if they have symptoms such as pelvic or belly pain, testicle pain, fever, or are pregnant, since these need an exam.
You should also plan to retest about 3 months after your own treatment, because reinfection is common even when partners are treated.
Telling a partner is hard. Here's what helps
Many people dread this conversation. Keep it short and factual: you tested positive, the infection is common and treatable, and you have medicine or a prescription for them. Some people prefer a text. If telling a partner directly isn't safe, say so to your provider; the Florida Department of Health's county STD programs can notify partners confidentially without using your name.
Get in-person care or call 911 if you have:
- Severe pelvic, belly or testicle pain
- Fever with pelvic pain, or pain during sex that is getting worse
- Signs of an allergic reaction after taking medicine: swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing, widespread hives
- Pregnancy with a known or suspected STI exposure (contact your OB or prenatal clinic)
Frequently asked questions
Is expedited partner therapy legal in Florida?
Yes. Florida has permitted EPT since July 1, 2016 under Fla. Stat. 384.27. A provider may prescribe treatment for a partner they have not examined when the patient has an STI diagnosis and the partner is unlikely to get timely care.
Can my partner pick up their prescription at any pharmacy?
Your provider sends the prescription to a pharmacy you choose. Florida law allows pharmacists to fill it even though the partner was not examined. Calling ahead helps, since not every pharmacist handles EPT prescriptions often.
Does EPT work for syphilis?
No. Syphilis needs blood testing, staging and usually an injection, so partners of someone with syphilis should be tested and evaluated in person.
Sources
- CDC: Legal Status of Expedited Partner Therapy in Florida
- CDC: Expedited Partner Therapy
- CDC: Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021
Keep reading
- Chlamydia Treatment: Doxycycline, What to Expect and When to Retest
- Gonorrhea Treatment: The Ceftriaxone Shot, New Oral Options and Retesting
- Trichomoniasis (Trich): Symptoms, Treatment and Why Retesting Matters
- How Soon Can You Test for STDs After Exposure?
- Browse all conditions and treatments A to Z
Questions about STI testing or treatment? Get care from a nurse practitioner online.
$79 visit, no appointment needed. Adults 18+ in FL, NM, OR and WA.
Start a visit →
Naurah Gaspard, DNP, FNP-C, FNP-BC
Board-certified family nurse practitioner licensed in Florida, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington, caring for adults online at OurTopClinic. Meet our providers.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice. Treatment, including any prescription, is decided by a licensed provider after reviewing your health history. OurTopClinic is not for emergencies; if you have a medical emergency, call 911. OurTopClinic serves adults located in Florida, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington. Learn more at ourtopclinic.com.
