Credential reviews tied to closed Florida programs continue, with nurses still facing board inquiry years later.
AUSTIN, TX / ACCESS Newswire / February 17, 2026 / Bertolino LLP is urging nurses and healthcare employers to stay informed about Operation Nightingale, a multi-state federal enforcement action tied to an alleged scheme involving fraudulent nursing diplomas and transcripts connected to now-closed Florida-based schools.
Attorneys at Bertolino LLP reviewed the ongoing public updates around the operation and the resulting credential scrutiny that still affects nurses today, including those who have already passed the NCLEX and received licensure.
Operation Nightingale was launched on Jan. 25, 2023, by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and law enforcement partners.
Federal authorities have stated that the operation led to search warrants in Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Texas, and Florida, and that 25 individuals were charged for alleged involvement in the scheme. Officials have also stated that the overall fraud involved the distribution of more than 7,600 fake diplomas and transcripts.
According to federal summaries, the alleged conduct centered on selling fraudulent nursing degree diplomas and transcripts tied to Florida-based nursing schools.
Authorities have stated that individuals who obtained these credentials used them to qualify to sit for the national nursing board exam and, after passing, became eligible to seek licensure in various states and to pursue employment as Registered Nurses (RN) and Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPN/VN).
For working nurses, the lasting risk can surface through credential review. A nurse may face questions about education history, requests for documentation, or a board inquiry linked to a school named in the investigation.
Those letters can create immediate professional pressure, since licensing boards can escalate from paperwork requests to formal action based on what the record shows and what a nurse can verify.
Bertolino LLP also notes that the enforcement story did not end in 2023. Federal authorities have continued to announce developments related to Operation Nightingale, including additional cases classified as Phase II in 2025.
State nursing boards and employers have continued to conduct credential checks tied to the same group of schools, keeping the issue current for license holders nationwide.
In Texas, public information from the Texas Board of Nursing reflects continued attention to Operation Nightingale-related credential concerns, including guidance that intersects with employer verification and board review activity.
Nurses who receive a board letter or documentation request should treat it as time-sensitive and fact-driven, with careful attention to records, timelines, and school documentation.
About Bertolino LLP
Founded in 2007, Bertolino LLP represents Texas professionals when a license complaint, investigation, or eligibility question puts their work at risk. They have assisted thousands of clients across the state, including nurses, physicians, pharmacists, teachers, real estate agents, and insurance professionals.
They appear before licensing and regulatory agencies throughout Texas, including the Texas Medical Board, Texas Board of Nursing, Texas Real Estate Commission, and the Texas Department of Insurance. Their approach centers on board rules, record-based advocacy, and a clear plan for each stage of the process.
Bertolino LLP was recognized as a Law Firm 500 Honoree from 2017 through 2019, reflecting sustained growth and a focused commitment to defending licensed professionals.
Bertolino LLP focuses on protecting a client's ability to keep practicing and preserve professional standing. More information is available at: https://www.belolaw.com.
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SOURCE: Bertolino LLP
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