New York races to find the nurses that may have obtained their licenses using fake documents. It’s a measure taken after several Florida schools that have come under fire in recent months. They’re accused of selling thousands of bogus diplomas and transcripts. Regulators requested the nurses “surrender their licenses or prove” their qualifications.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 7,600 students each paid $15,000 for fake credentials. The healthcare scam took place between 2016 to 2022. The students were “seeking licensure in New York and other states.” Twenty-five defendants face wire fraud charges. Among those charged are school owners and alleged recruiters. Though their cases are pending, New York and other states have taken steps to find and remove the nurses.

The Associate Press reported that students paid “$114 million” for the phony documents. With them, nurses certified in New York can practice in Florida and many other states. “About 2,400 of the 7,600” passed licensing exams—most of them here in New York, says federal officials.

Markenzy Lapointe is the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. He says, “this is a public safety concern.” It “tarnishes the reputation of nurses who actually” worked hard for their credentials. Lapointe believes they earned their professional licenses for employment the right way. By completing the “demanding clinical and course work required.”

Some lawyers feel it is more complex than the accusations imply. Attorneys in other cities, like Atlanta, contend their clients have legitimate credentials. Their schools were—in fact—accredited at the time. One New York attorney says his clients “deserve due process now.” They attended classes at one of the schools to finish their R.N. degrees. Then, they went on to find work even through the pandemic.

But everyone agrees on finding and removing any illegitimate nurses.