Florida Senate - 2024 SB 1008
By Senator Grall
29-01094A-24 20241008__
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to background screening requirements
3 for health care practitioners; amending s. 456.0135,
4 F.S.; expanding certain background screening
5 requirements to apply to all health care
6 practitioners, rather than specified practitioners;
7 requiring health care practitioners licensed before a
8 specified date to comply with the background screening
9 requirements by a specified date; amending ss.
10 457.105, 463.006, 465.007, 465.0075, 465.013, 465.014,
11 466.006, 466.0067, 466.007, 467.011, 468.1185,
12 468.1215, 468.1695, 468.209, 468.213, 468.355,
13 468.358, 468.509, 468.513, 468.803, 478.45, 483.815,
14 483.901, 483.914, 484.007, 484.045, 486.031, 486.102,
15 490.005, 490.0051, 490.006, 491.0045, 491.0046,
16 491.005, and 491.006, F.S.; revising licensure,
17 registration, or certification requirements, as
18 applicable, for acupuncturists; optometrists;
19 pharmacists; pharmacist licenses by endorsement;
20 registered pharmacy interns; pharmacy technicians;
21 dentists; health access dental licenses; dental
22 hygienists; midwives; speech-language pathologists and
23 audiologists; speech-language pathology assistants and
24 audiology assistants; nursing home administrators;
25 occupational therapists and occupational therapy
26 assistants; occupational therapist and occupational
27 therapy assistant licenses by endorsement; respiratory
28 therapists; respiratory therapist licenses by
29 endorsement; dietitian/nutritionists;
30 dietitian/nutritionist licenses by endorsement;
31 practitioners of orthotics, prosthetics, or
32 pedorthics; electrologists; clinical laboratory
33 personnel; medical physicists; genetic counselors;
34 opticians; hearing aid specialists; physical
35 therapists; physical therapist assistants;
36 psychologists and school psychologists; provisional
37 licenses for psychologists; psychologist and school
38 psychologist licenses by endorsement; intern
39 registrations for clinical social work, marriage and
40 family therapy, and mental health counseling;
41 provisional licenses for clinical social workers,
42 marriage and family therapists, and mental health
43 counselors; clinical social workers, marriage and
44 family therapists, and mental health counselors; and
45 clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist,
46 and mental health counselor licenses by endorsement,
47 respectively, to include background screening
48 requirements; making conforming and technical changes;
49 amending ss. 486.025, 486.0715, 486.1065, and 491.003,
50 F.S.; conforming cross-references; providing an
51 effective date.
52
53 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
54
55 Section 1. Subsection (1) of section 456.0135, Florida
56 Statutes, is amended to read:
57 456.0135 General background screening provisions.—
58 (1) An application for initial licensure received on or
59 after January 1, 2013, under chapter 458, chapter 459, chapter
60 460, chapter 461, chapter 462, chapter 463, chapter 464, chapter
61 465 s. 465.022, chapter 466, chapter 467, part I, part II, part
62 III, part V, part X, part XIII, or part XIV of chapter 468,
63 chapter 478, or chapter 480, chapter 483, chapter 484, chapter
64 486, chapter 490, or chapter 491 must shall include fingerprints
65 pursuant to procedures established by the department through a
66 vendor approved by the Department of Law Enforcement and fees
67 imposed for the initial screening and retention of fingerprints.
68 Fingerprints must be submitted electronically to the Department
69 of Law Enforcement for state processing, and the Department of
70 Law Enforcement shall forward the fingerprints to the Federal
71 Bureau of Investigation for national processing. Each board, or
72 the department if there is no board, must shall screen the
73 results to determine whether if an applicant meets licensure
74 requirements. For any subsequent renewal of the applicant’s
75 license which that requires a national criminal history check,
76 the department shall request the Department of Law Enforcement
77 to forward the retained fingerprints of the applicant to the
78 Federal Bureau of Investigation unless the fingerprints are
79 enrolled in the national retained print arrest notification
80 program.
81 Section 2. Health care practitioners as defined in s.
82 456.001, Florida Statutes, who were licensed before July 1,
83 2024, must comply with the background screening requirements of
84 s. 456.0135, Florida Statutes, by July 1, 2025.
85 Section 3. Subsection (2) of section 457.105, Florida
86 Statutes, is amended to read:
87 457.105 Licensure qualifications and fees.—
88 (2) A person may become licensed to practice acupuncture if
89 the person applies to the department and meets all of the
90 following criteria:
91 (a) Is 21 years of age or older, has good moral character,
92 and has the ability to communicate in English, which is
93 demonstrated by having passed the national written examination
94 in English or, if such examination was passed in a foreign
95 language, by also having passed a nationally recognized English
96 proficiency examination.;
97 (b) Has completed 60 college credits from an accredited
98 postsecondary institution as a prerequisite to enrollment in an
99 authorized 3-year course of study in acupuncture and oriental
100 medicine, and has completed a 3-year course of study in
101 acupuncture and oriental medicine, and effective July 31, 2001,
102 a 4-year course of study in acupuncture and oriental medicine,
103 which meets standards established by the board by rule, which
104 standards include, but are not limited to, successful completion
105 of academic courses in western anatomy, western physiology,
106 western pathology, western biomedical terminology, first aid,
107 and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, any person who
108 enrolled in an authorized course of study in acupuncture before
109 August 1, 1997, must have completed only a 2-year course of
110 study which meets standards established by the board by rule,
111 which standards must include, but are not limited to, successful
112 completion of academic courses in western anatomy, western
113 physiology, and western pathology.;
114 (c) Has successfully completed a board-approved national
115 certification process, is actively licensed in a state that has
116 examination requirements that are substantially equivalent to or
117 more stringent than those of this state, or passes an
118 examination administered by the department, which examination
119 tests the applicant’s competency and knowledge of the practice
120 of acupuncture and oriental medicine. At the request of any
121 applicant, oriental nomenclature for the points must shall be
122 used in the examination. The examination must shall include a
123 practical examination of the knowledge and skills required to
124 practice modern and traditional acupuncture and oriental
125 medicine, covering diagnostic and treatment techniques and
126 procedures.; and
127 (d) Pays the required fees set by the board by rule not to
128 exceed the following amounts:
129 1. Examination fee: $500 plus the actual per applicant cost
130 to the department for purchase of the written and practical
131 portions of the examination from a national organization
132 approved by the board.
133 2. Application fee: $300.
134 3. Reexamination fee: $500 plus the actual per applicant
135 cost to the department for purchase of the written and practical
136 portions of the examination from a national organization
137 approved by the board.
138 4. Initial biennial licensure fee: $400, if licensed in the
139 first half of the biennium, and $200, if licensed in the second
140 half of the biennium.
141 (e) Submits to background screening in accordance with s.
142 456.0135.
143 Section 4. Subsection (1) of section 463.006, Florida
144 Statutes, is amended to read:
145 463.006 Licensure and certification by examination.—
146 (1) Any person desiring to be a licensed practitioner under
147 pursuant to this chapter must apply to the department, submit to
148 background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135, and must
149 submit proof to the department that she or he meets all of the
150 following criteria:
151 (a) Has completed the application forms as required by the
152 board, remitted an application fee for certification not to
153 exceed $250, remitted an examination fee for certification not
154 to exceed $250, and remitted an examination fee for licensure
155 not to exceed $325, all as set by the board.
156 (b) Is at least 18 years of age.
157 (c) Has graduated from an accredited school or college of
158 optometry approved by rule of the board.
159 (d) Is of good moral character.
160 (e) Has successfully completed at least 110 hours of
161 transcript-quality coursework and clinical training in general
162 and ocular pharmacology as determined by the board, at an
163 institution that:
164 1. Has facilities for both didactic and clinical
165 instructions in pharmacology; and
166 2. Is accredited by a regional or professional accrediting
167 organization that is recognized and approved by the Commission
168 on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation or the United
169 States Department of Education.
170 (f) Has completed at least 1 year of supervised experience
171 in differential diagnosis of eye disease or disorders as part of
172 the optometric training or in a clinical setting as part of the
173 optometric experience.
174 Section 5. Subsection (1) of section 465.007, Florida
175 Statutes, is amended to read:
176 465.007 Licensure by examination.—
177 (1) Any person desiring to be licensed as a pharmacist
178 shall apply to the department to take the licensure examination.
179 The department shall examine each applicant who the board
180 certifies has met all of the following criteria:
181 (a) Completed the application form and remitted an
182 examination fee set by the board not to exceed $100 plus the
183 actual per applicant cost to the department for purchase of
184 portions of the examination from the National Association of
185 Boards of Pharmacy or a similar national organization. The fees
186 authorized under this section shall be established in sufficient
187 amounts to cover administrative costs.
188 (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
189 456.0135.
190 (c) Submitted satisfactory proof that she or he is not less
191 than 18 years of age and:
192 1. Is a recipient of a degree from a school or college of
193 pharmacy accredited by an accrediting agency recognized and
194 approved by the United States Office of Education; or
195 2. Is a graduate of a 4-year undergraduate pharmacy program
196 of a school or college of pharmacy located outside the United
197 States, has demonstrated proficiency in English by passing both
198 the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test
199 of Spoken English (TSE), has passed the Foreign Pharmacy
200 Graduate Equivalency Examination that is approved by rule of the
201 board, and has completed a minimum of 500 hours in a supervised
202 work activity program within this state under the supervision of
203 a pharmacist licensed by the department, which program is
204 approved by the board.
205 (d)(c) Submitted satisfactory proof that she or he has
206 completed an internship program approved by the board. No such
207 board-approved program shall exceed 2,080 hours, all of which
208 may be obtained prior to graduation.
209 Section 6. Subsection (1) of section 465.0075, Florida
210 Statutes, is amended to read:
211 465.0075 Licensure by endorsement; requirements; fee.—
212 (1) The department shall issue a license by endorsement to
213 any applicant who applies to the department and remits a
214 nonrefundable fee of not more than $100, as set by the board,
215 and who whom the board certifies has met all of the following
216 criteria:
217 (a) Has Met the qualifications for licensure in s.
218 465.007(1)(b), and (c), and (d).;
219 (b) Has Obtained a passing score, as established by rule of
220 the board, on the licensure examination of the National
221 Association of Boards of Pharmacy or a similar nationally
222 recognized examination, if the board certifies that the
223 applicant has taken the required examination.;
224 (c)1. Has Submitted evidence of the active licensed
225 practice of pharmacy, including practice in community or public
226 health by persons employed by a governmental entity, in another
227 jurisdiction for at least 2 of the immediately preceding 5 years
228 or evidence of successful completion of board-approved
229 postgraduate training or a board-approved clinical competency
230 examination within the year immediately preceding application
231 for licensure; or
232 2. Has Completed an internship meeting the requirements of
233 s. 465.007(1)(d) s. 465.007(1)(c) within the 2 years immediately
234 preceding application.; and
235 (d) Has Obtained a passing score on the pharmacy
236 jurisprudence portions of the licensure examination, as required
237 by board rule.
238 Section 7. Section 465.013, Florida Statutes, is amended to
239 read:
240 465.013 Registration of pharmacy interns.—The department
241 shall register as pharmacy interns persons certified by the
242 board as being enrolled in an intern program at an accredited
243 school or college of pharmacy or who are graduates of accredited
244 schools or colleges of pharmacy and are not yet licensed in the
245 state. Applicants for registration must submit to background
246 screening in accordance with s. 456.0135. The board may refuse
247 to certify to the department or may revoke the registration of
248 any intern for good cause, including grounds enumerated in this
249 chapter for revocation of pharmacists’ licenses.
250 Section 8. Subsection (2) of section 465.014, Florida
251 Statutes, is amended to read:
252 465.014 Pharmacy technician.—
253 (2) Any person who wishes to work as a pharmacy technician
254 in this state must register by filing an application with the
255 board on a form adopted by rule of the board and submit to
256 background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135. The board
257 shall register each applicant who has remitted a registration
258 fee set by the board, not to exceed $50 biennially; has
259 completed the application form and remitted a nonrefundable
260 application fee set by the board, not to exceed $50; has
261 submitted to background screening; is at least 17 years of age;
262 and has completed a pharmacy technician training program
263 approved by the Board of Pharmacy. Notwithstanding any
264 requirements in this subsection, any registered pharmacy
265 technician registered pursuant to this section before January 1,
266 2011, who has worked as a pharmacy technician for a minimum of
267 1,500 hours under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist or
268 received certification as a pharmacy technician by certification
269 program accredited by the National Commission for Certifying
270 Agencies is exempt from the requirement to complete an initial
271 training program for purposes of registration as required by
272 this subsection.
273 Section 9. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
274 466.006, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
275 466.006 Examination of dentists.—
276 (1)
277 (b)1. Any person desiring to be licensed as a dentist shall
278 apply to the department to take the licensure examinations and
279 shall verify the information required on the application by
280 oath. The application must shall include two recent photographs.
281 There shall be an application fee set by the board not to exceed
282 $100 which shall be nonrefundable and. There shall also be an
283 examination fee set by the board, which shall not to exceed $425
284 plus the actual per applicant cost to the department for
285 purchase of some or all of the examination from the American
286 Board of Dental Examiners or its successor entity, if any,
287 provided the board finds the successor entity’s clinical
288 examination complies with the provisions of this section. The
289 examination fee may be refunded refundable if the applicant is
290 found ineligible to take the examinations.
291 2. Applicants for licensure must also submit to background
292 screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
293 Section 10. Section 466.0067, Florida Statutes, is amended
294 to read:
295 466.0067 Application for health access dental license.—The
296 Legislature finds that there is an important state interest in
297 attracting dentists to practice in underserved health access
298 settings in this state and further, that allowing out-of-state
299 dentists who meet certain criteria to practice in health access
300 settings without the supervision of a dentist licensed in this
301 state is substantially related to achieving this important state
302 interest. Therefore, notwithstanding the requirements of s.
303 466.006, the board shall grant a health access dental license to
304 practice dentistry in this state in health access settings as
305 defined in s. 466.003 to an applicant who meets all of the
306 following criteria:
307 (1) Files an appropriate application approved by the
308 board.;
309 (2) Pays an application license fee for a health access
310 dental license, laws-and-rule exam fee, and an initial licensure
311 fee. The fees specified in this subsection may not differ from
312 an applicant seeking licensure pursuant to s. 466.006.;
313 (3) Has submitted to background screening in accordance
314 with s. 456.0135 and has not been convicted of or pled nolo
315 contendere to, regardless of adjudication, any felony or
316 misdemeanor related to the practice of a health care
317 profession.;
318 (4) Submits proof of graduation from a dental school
319 accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the
320 American Dental Association or its successor agency.;
321 (5) Submits documentation that she or he has completed, or
322 will obtain before licensure, continuing education equivalent to
323 this state’s requirement for dentists licensed under s. 466.006
324 for the last full reporting biennium before applying for a
325 health access dental license.;
326 (6) Submits proof of her or his successful completion of
327 parts I and II of the dental examination by the National Board
328 of Dental Examiners and a state or regional clinical dental
329 licensing examination that the board has determined effectively
330 measures the applicant’s ability to practice safely.;
331 (7) Currently holds a valid, active dental license in good
332 standing which has not been revoked, suspended, restricted, or
333 otherwise disciplined from another of the United States, the
334 District of Columbia, or a United States territory.;
335 (8) Has never had a license revoked from another of the
336 United States, the District of Columbia, or a United States
337 territory.;
338 (9) Has never failed the examination specified in s.
339 466.006, unless the applicant was reexamined pursuant to s.
340 466.006 and received a license to practice dentistry in this
341 state.;
342 (10) Has not been reported to the National Practitioner
343 Data Bank, unless the applicant successfully appealed to have
344 his or her name removed from the data bank.;
345 (11) Submits proof that he or she has been engaged in the
346 active, clinical practice of dentistry providing direct patient
347 care for 5 years immediately preceding the date of application,
348 or in instances when the applicant has graduated from an
349 accredited dental school within the preceding 5 years, submits
350 proof of continuous clinical practice providing direct patient
351 care since graduation.; and
352 (12) Has passed an examination covering the laws and rules
353 of the practice of dentistry in this state as described in s.
354 466.006(4)(a).
355 Section 11. Subsection (1) of section 466.007, Florida
356 Statutes, is amended to read:
357 466.007 Examination of dental hygienists.—
358 (1)1. Any person desiring to be licensed as a dental
359 hygienist shall apply to the department to take the licensure
360 examinations and shall verify the information required on the
361 application by oath. The application must shall include two
362 recent photographs of the applicant. There shall be a
363 nonrefundable application fee set by the board not to exceed
364 $100 and an examination fee set by the board which shall not to
365 exceed be more than $225. The examination fee may be refunded if
366 the applicant is found ineligible to take the examinations.
367 2. Applicants for licensure must also submit to background
368 screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
369 Section 12. Subsection (5) is added to section 467.011,
370 Florida Statutes, to read:
371 467.011 Licensed midwives; qualifications; examination.—The
372 department shall issue a license to practice midwifery to an
373 applicant who meets all of the following criteria:
374 (5) Submits to background screening in accordance with s.
375 456.0135.
376 Section 13. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 468.1185,
377 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
378 468.1185 Licensure.—
379 (2) The board shall certify for licensure any applicant who
380 has met all of the following criteria:
381 (a) Satisfied the education and supervised clinical
382 requirements of s. 468.1155.
383 (b) Satisfied the professional experience requirement of s.
384 468.1165.
385 (c) Passed the licensure examination required by s.
386 468.1175.
387 (d) For an applicant for an audiologist license who has
388 obtained a doctoral degree in audiology, has satisfied the
389 education and supervised clinical requirements of paragraph (a)
390 and the professional experience requirements of paragraph (b).
391 (e) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
392 456.0135.
393 (3) The board shall certify as qualified for a license by
394 endorsement as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist an
395 applicant who:
396 (a) Holds a valid license or certificate in another state
397 or territory of the United States to practice the profession for
398 which the application for licensure is made, if the criteria for
399 issuance of such license were substantially equivalent to or
400 more stringent than the licensure criteria which existed in this
401 state at the time the license was issued; or
402 (b) Holds a valid certificate of clinical competence of the
403 American Speech-Language and Hearing Association or board
404 certification in audiology from the American Board of Audiology;
405 and
406 (c) Submits to background screening in accordance with s.
407 456.0135.
408 Section 14. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 468.1215,
409 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
410 468.1215 Speech-language pathology assistant and audiology
411 assistant; certification.—
412 (1) The department shall issue a certificate as a speech
413 language pathology assistant to each applicant who the board
414 certifies has met all of the following criteria:
415 (a) Completed the application form and remitted the
416 required fees, including a nonrefundable application fee.
417 (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
418 456.0135.
419 (c) Earned a bachelor’s degree from a college or university
420 accredited by a regional association of colleges and schools
421 recognized by the Department of Education which includes at
422 least 24 semester hours of coursework as approved by the board
423 at an institution accredited by an accrediting agency recognized
424 by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
425 (2) The department shall issue a certificate as an
426 audiology assistant to each applicant who the board certifies
427 has met all of the following criteria:
428 (a) Completed the application form and remitted the
429 required fees, including a nonrefundable application fee.
430 (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
431 456.0135.
432 (c) Earned a high school diploma or its equivalent.
433 Section 15. Present subsections (2), (3), and (4) of
434 section 468.1695, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
435 subsections (3), (4), and (5), respectively, a new subsection
436 (2) is added to that section, and present subsection (2) of that
437 section is amended, to read:
438 468.1695 Licensure by examination.—
439 (2) Applicants for licensure must also submit to background
440 screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
441 (3)(2) The department shall examine each applicant who the
442 board certifies has completed the application form, submitted to
443 background screening, and remitted an examination fee set by the
444 board not to exceed $250 and who:
445 (a)1. Holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited
446 college or university and majored in health care administration,
447 health services administration, or an equivalent major, or has
448 credit for at least 60 semester hours in subjects, as prescribed
449 by rule of the board, which prepare the applicant for total
450 management of a nursing home; and
451 2. Has fulfilled the requirements of a college-affiliated
452 or university-affiliated internship in nursing home
453 administration or of a 1,000-hour nursing home administrator-in
454 training program prescribed by the board; or
455 (b)1. Holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited
456 college or university; and
457 2.a. Has fulfilled the requirements of a 2,000-hour nursing
458 home administrator-in-training program prescribed by the board;
459 or
460 b. Has 1 year of management experience allowing for the
461 application of executive duties and skills, including the
462 staffing, budgeting, and directing of resident care, dietary,
463 and bookkeeping departments within a skilled nursing facility,
464 hospital, hospice, assisted living facility with a minimum of 60
465 licensed beds, or geriatric residential treatment program and,
466 if such experience is not in a skilled nursing facility, has
467 fulfilled the requirements of a 1,000-hour nursing home
468 administrator-in-training program prescribed by the board.
469 Section 16. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 468.209,
470 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
471 468.209 Requirements for licensure.—
472 (1) An applicant applying for a license as an occupational
473 therapist or as an occupational therapy assistant shall apply to
474 the department on forms furnished by the department. The
475 department shall license each applicant who the board certifies
476 meets all of the following criteria:
477 (a) Has completed the file a written application form and
478 remitted, accompanied by the application for licensure fee
479 prescribed in s. 468.221.
480 (b) Has submitted to background screening in accordance
481 with s. 456.0135., on forms provided by the department, showing
482 to the satisfaction of the board that she or he:
483 (c)(a) Is of good moral character.
484 (d)(b) Has successfully completed the academic requirements
485 of an educational program in occupational therapy recognized by
486 the board, with concentration in biologic or physical science,
487 psychology, and sociology, and with education in selected manual
488 skills. Such a program shall be accredited by the American
489 Occupational Therapy Association’s Accreditation Council for
490 Occupational Therapy Education, or its successor.
491 (e)(c) Has successfully completed a period of supervised
492 fieldwork experience at a recognized educational institution or
493 a training program approved by the educational institution where
494 she or he met the academic requirements. For an occupational
495 therapist, a minimum of 6 months of supervised fieldwork
496 experience is required. For an occupational therapy assistant, a
497 minimum of 2 months of supervised fieldwork experience is
498 required.
499 (f)(d) Has passed an examination conducted or adopted by
500 the board as provided in s. 468.211.
501 (2) An applicant who has practiced as a state-licensed or
502 American Occupational Therapy Association-certified occupational
503 therapy assistant for 4 years and who, before January 24, 1988,
504 completed a minimum of 24 weeks of supervised occupational
505 therapist-level fieldwork experience may take the examination to
506 be licensed as an occupational therapist without meeting the
507 educational requirements for occupational therapists made
508 otherwise applicable under paragraph (1)(d) (1)(b).
509 Section 17. Subsection (3) is added to section 468.213,
510 Florida Statutes, to read:
511 468.213 Licensure by endorsement.—
512 (3) Applicants for licensure by endorsement must submit to
513 background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
514 Section 18. Section 468.355, Florida Statutes, is amended
515 to read:
516 468.355 Licensure requirements.—To be eligible for
517 licensure by the board, an applicant must be an active
518 “certified respiratory therapist” or an active “registered
519 respiratory therapist” as designated by the National Board for
520 Respiratory Care, or its successor, and submit to background
521 screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
522 Section 19. Subsection (4) of section 468.358, Florida
523 Statutes, is amended to read:
524 468.358 Licensure by endorsement.—
525 (4) Applicants for licensure shall not be granted by
526 endorsement under as provided in this section must submit
527 without the submission of a proper application, remit and the
528 payment of the requisite application fee, and submit to
529 background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135 fees
530 therefor.
531 Section 20. Present subsections (2), (3), and (4) of
532 section 468.509, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
533 subsections (3), (4), and (5), respectively, a new subsection
534 (2) is added to that section, and present subsection (2) of that
535 section is amended, to read:
536 468.509 Dietitian/nutritionist; requirements for
537 licensure.—
538 (2) Applicants for licensure must also submit to background
539 screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
540 (3)(2) The department shall examine any applicant who the
541 board certifies has completed the application form, submitted to
542 background screening, and remitted the application and
543 examination fees specified in s. 468.508 and who:
544 (a)1. Possesses a baccalaureate or postbaccalaureate degree
545 with a major course of study in human nutrition, food and
546 nutrition, dietetics, or food management, or an equivalent major
547 course of study, from a school or program accredited, at the
548 time of the applicant’s graduation, by the appropriate
549 accrediting agency recognized by the Commission on Recognition
550 of Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department
551 of Education; and
552 2. Has completed a preprofessional experience component of
553 not less than 900 hours or has education or experience
554 determined to be equivalent by the board; or
555 (b)1. Has an academic degree, from a foreign country, that
556 has been validated by an accrediting agency approved by the
557 United States Department of Education as equivalent to the
558 baccalaureate or postbaccalaureate degree conferred by a
559 regionally accredited college or university in the United
560 States;
561 2. Has completed a major course of study in human
562 nutrition, food and nutrition, dietetics, or food management;
563 and
564 3. Has completed a preprofessional experience component of
565 not less than 900 hours or has education or experience
566 determined to be equivalent by the board.
567 Section 21. Subsection (1) of section 468.513, Florida
568 Statutes, is amended to read:
569 468.513 Dietitian/nutritionist; licensure by endorsement.—
570 (1) The department shall issue a license to practice
571 dietetics and nutrition by endorsement to any applicant who
572 submits to background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135
573 and the board certifies as qualified, upon receipt of a
574 completed application and the fee specified in s. 468.508.
575 Section 22. Subsection (2) of section 468.803, Florida
576 Statutes, is amended to read:
577 468.803 License, registration, and examination
578 requirements.—
579 (2) An applicant for registration, examination, or
580 licensure must apply to the department on a form prescribed by
581 the board for consideration of board approval. Each initial
582 applicant shall submit fingerprints to the department in
583 accordance with s. 456.0135 and any other procedures specified
584 by the department for state and national criminal history checks
585 of the applicant. The board shall screen the results to
586 determine if an applicant meets licensure requirements. The
587 board shall consider for examination, registration, or licensure
588 each applicant whom the board verifies meets all of the
589 following criteria:
590 (a) Has submitted the completed application and completed
591 the fingerprinting requirements and has paid the applicable
592 application fee, not to exceed $500. The application fee is
593 nonrefundable.;
594 (b) Is of good moral character.;
595 (c) Is 18 years of age or older.; and
596 (d) Has completed the appropriate educational preparation.
597 Section 23. Subsection (1) of section 478.45, Florida
598 Statutes, is amended to read:
599 478.45 Requirements for licensure.—
600 (1) An applicant applying for licensure as an electrologist
601 shall apply to the department on forms furnished by the
602 department. The department shall license each applicant who the
603 board certifies meets all of the following criteria:
604 (a) Has completed the file a written application form and
605 remitted, accompanied by the application for licensure fee
606 prescribed in s. 478.55.
607 (b) Has submitted to background screening in accordance
608 with s. 456.0135., on a form provided by the board, showing to
609 the satisfaction of the board that the applicant:
610 (c)(a) Is at least 18 years old.
611 (d)(b) Is of good moral character.
612 (e)(c) Possesses a high school diploma or a high school
613 equivalency diploma.
614 (f)(d) Has not committed an act in any jurisdiction which
615 would constitute grounds for disciplining an electrologist in
616 this state.
617 (g)(e) Has successfully completed the academic requirements
618 of an electrolysis training program, not to exceed 120 hours,
619 and the practical application thereof as approved by the board.
620 Section 24. Section 483.815, Florida Statutes, is amended
621 to read:
622 483.815 Application for clinical laboratory personnel
623 license.—An application for a clinical laboratory personnel
624 license shall be made under oath on forms provided by the
625 department and shall be accompanied by payment of fees as
626 provided by this part. Applicants for licensure must also submit
627 to background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135. A
628 license may be issued authorizing the performance of procedures
629 of one or more categories.
630 Section 25. Present paragraphs (b) through (k) of
631 subsection (4) of section 483.901, Florida Statutes, are
632 redesignated as paragraphs (c) through (l), respectively, a new
633 paragraph (b) is added to that subsection, and paragraph (a) of
634 that subsection is amended, to read:
635 483.901 Medical physicists; definitions; licensure.—
636 (4) LICENSE REQUIRED.—An individual may not engage in the
637 practice of medical physics, including the specialties of
638 diagnostic radiological physics, therapeutic radiological
639 physics, medical nuclear radiological physics, or medical health
640 physics, without a license issued by the department for the
641 appropriate specialty.
642 (a) The department shall adopt rules to administer this
643 section which specify license application and renewal fees,
644 continuing education requirements, background screening
645 requirements, and standards for practicing medical physics. The
646 department shall require a minimum of 24 hours per biennium of
647 continuing education offered by an organization approved by the
648 department. The department may adopt rules to specify continuing
649 education requirements for persons who hold a license in more
650 than one specialty.
651 (b) Applicants for a medical physicist license must submit
652 to background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
653 Section 26. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 483.914,
654 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
655 483.914 Licensure requirements.—
656 (2) The department shall issue a license, valid for 2
657 years, to each applicant who meets all of the following
658 criteria:
659 (a) Has completed an application.
660 (b) Has submitted to background screening in accordance
661 with s. 456.0135.
662 (c) Is of good moral character.
663 (d)(c) Provides satisfactory documentation of having
664 earned:
665 1. A master’s degree from a genetic counseling training
666 program or its equivalent as determined by the Accreditation
667 Council of Genetic Counseling or its successor or an equivalent
668 entity; or
669 2. A doctoral degree from a medical genetics training
670 program accredited by the American Board of Medical Genetics and
671 Genomics or the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists.
672 (e)(d) Has passed the examination for certification as:
673 1. A genetic counselor by the American Board of Genetic
674 Counseling, Inc., the American Board of Medical Genetics and
675 Genomics, or the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors; or
676 2. A medical or clinical geneticist by the American Board
677 of Medical Genetics and Genomics or the Canadian College of
678 Medical Geneticists.
679 (3) The department may issue a temporary license for up to
680 2 years to an applicant who meets all requirements for licensure
681 except for the certification examination requirement imposed
682 under paragraph (2)(e) (2)(d) and is eligible to sit for that
683 certification examination.
684 Section 27. Subsection (1) of section 484.007, Florida
685 Statutes, is amended to read:
686 484.007 Licensure of opticians; permitting of optical
687 establishments.—
688 (1) Any person desiring to practice opticianry shall apply
689 to the department, upon forms prescribed by it, to take a
690 licensure examination. The department shall examine each
691 applicant who the board certifies meets all of the following
692 criteria:
693 (a) Has completed the application form and remitted a
694 nonrefundable application fee set by the board, in the amount of
695 $100 or less, and an examination fee set by the board, in the
696 amount of $325 plus the actual per applicant cost to the
697 department for purchase of portions of the examination from the
698 American Board of Opticianry or a similar national organization,
699 or less, and refundable if the board finds the applicant
700 ineligible to take the examination.;
701 (b) Submits to background screening in accordance with s.
702 456.0135.
703 (c) Is not less than 18 years of age.;
704 (d)(c) Is a graduate of an accredited high school or
705 possesses a certificate of equivalency of a high school
706 education.; and
707 (e)1.(d)1. Has received an associate degree, or its
708 equivalent, in opticianry from an educational institution the
709 curriculum of which is accredited by an accrediting agency
710 recognized and approved by the United States Department of
711 Education or the Council on Postsecondary Education or approved
712 by the board;
713 2. Is an individual licensed to practice the profession of
714 opticianry pursuant to a regulatory licensing law of another
715 state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States, who has
716 actively practiced in such other state, territory, or
717 jurisdiction for more than 3 years immediately preceding
718 application, and who meets the examination qualifications as
719 provided in this subsection;
720 3. Is an individual who has actively practiced in another
721 state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States for more
722 than 5 years immediately preceding application and who provides
723 tax or business records, affidavits, or other satisfactory
724 documentation of such practice and who meets the examination
725 qualifications as provided in this subsection; or
726 4. Has registered as an apprentice with the department and
727 paid a registration fee not to exceed $60, as set by rule of the
728 board. The apprentice shall complete 6,240 hours of training
729 under the supervision of an optician licensed in this state for
730 at least 1 year or of a physician or optometrist licensed under
731 the laws of this state. These requirements must be met within 5
732 years after the date of registration. However, any time spent in
733 a recognized school may be considered as part of the
734 apprenticeship program provided herein. The board may establish
735 administrative processing fees sufficient to cover the cost of
736 administering apprentice rules adopted as promulgated by the
737 board.
738 Section 28. Subsection (2) of section 484.045, Florida
739 Statutes, is amended to read:
740 484.045 Licensure by examination.—
741 (2) The department shall license each applicant who the
742 board certifies meets all of the following criteria:
743 (a) Has completed the application form and remitted the
744 required fees.
745 (b) Has submitted to background screening in accordance
746 with s. 456.0135.
747 (c) Is of good moral character.
748 (d)(c) Is 18 years of age or older.
749 (e)(d) Is a graduate of an accredited high school or its
750 equivalent.
751 (f)1.(e)1. Has met the requirements of the training
752 program; or
753 2.a. Has a valid, current license as a hearing aid
754 specialist or its equivalent from another state and has been
755 actively practicing in such capacity for at least 12 months; or
756 b. Is currently certified by the National Board for
757 Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences and has been
758 actively practicing for at least 12 months.
759 (g)(f) Has passed an examination, as prescribed by board
760 rule.
761 (h)(g) Has demonstrated, in a manner designated by rule of
762 the board, knowledge of state laws and rules relating to the
763 fitting and dispensing of prescription hearing aids.
764 Section 29. Section 486.031, Florida Statutes, is amended
765 to read:
766 486.031 Physical therapist; licensing requirements.—To be
767 eligible for licensing as a physical therapist, an applicant
768 must meet all of the following criteria:
769 (1) Be at least 18 years old.;
770 (2) Be of good moral character.
771 (3) Have submitted to background screening in accordance
772 with s. 456.0135.; and
773 (4)(a)(3)(a) Have been graduated from a school of physical
774 therapy which has been approved for the educational preparation
775 of physical therapists by the appropriate accrediting agency
776 recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or
777 its successor entity, Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary
778 Accreditation or the United States Department of Education at
779 the time of her or his graduation and have passed, to the
780 satisfaction of the board, the American Registry Examination
781 prior to 1971 or a national examination approved by the board to
782 determine her or his fitness for practice as a physical
783 therapist as hereinafter provided;
784 (b) Have received a diploma from a program in physical
785 therapy in a foreign country and have educational credentials
786 deemed equivalent to those required for the educational
787 preparation of physical therapists in this country, as
788 recognized by the appropriate agency as identified by the board,
789 and have passed to the satisfaction of the board an examination
790 to determine her or his fitness for practice as a physical
791 therapist as hereinafter provided; or
792 (c) Be entitled to licensure without examination as
793 provided in s. 486.081.
794 Section 30. Section 486.102, Florida Statutes, is amended
795 to read:
796 486.102 Physical therapist assistant; licensing
797 requirements.—To be eligible for licensing by the board as a
798 physical therapist assistant, an applicant must meet all of the
799 following criteria:
800 (1) Be at least 18 years old.;
801 (2) Be of good moral character.
802 (3) Have submitted to background screening in accordance
803 with s. 456.0135.; and
804 (4)(a)(3)(a) Have been graduated from a school giving a
805 course of not less than 2 years for physical therapist
806 assistants, which has been approved for the educational
807 preparation of physical therapist assistants by the appropriate
808 accrediting agency recognized by the Council for Higher
809 Education Accreditation, or its successor entity, Commission on
810 Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation or the United States
811 Department of Education, at the time of her or his graduation
812 and have passed to the satisfaction of the board an examination
813 to determine her or his fitness for practice as a physical
814 therapist assistant as hereinafter provided;
815 (b) Have been graduated from a school giving a course for
816 physical therapist assistants in a foreign country and have
817 educational credentials deemed equivalent to those required for
818 the educational preparation of physical therapist assistants in
819 this country, as recognized by the appropriate agency as
820 identified by the board, and passed to the satisfaction of the
821 board an examination to determine her or his fitness for
822 practice as a physical therapist assistant as hereinafter
823 provided;
824 (c) Be entitled to licensure without examination as
825 provided in s. 486.107; or
826 (d) Have been enrolled between July 1, 2014, and July 1,
827 2016, in a physical therapist assistant school in this state
828 which was accredited at the time of enrollment; and
829 1. Have been graduated or be eligible to graduate from such
830 school no later than July 1, 2018; and
831 2. Have passed to the satisfaction of the board an
832 examination to determine his or her fitness for practice as a
833 physical therapist assistant as provided in s. 486.104.
834 Section 31. Present paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of
835 subsection (1) of section 490.005, Florida Statutes, are
836 redesignated as paragraphs (c), (d), and (e), respectively, a
837 new paragraph (b) is added to that subsection, and subsection
838 (2) is amended, to read:
839 490.005 Licensure by examination.—
840 (1) Any person desiring to be licensed as a psychologist
841 shall apply to the department to take the licensure examination.
842 The department shall license each applicant whom the board
843 certifies has met all of the following requirements:
844 (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
845 456.0135.
846 (2) Any person desiring to be licensed as a school
847 psychologist shall apply to the department to take the licensure
848 examination. The department shall license each applicant who the
849 department certifies has met all of the following requirements:
850 (a) Satisfactorily completed the application form and
851 submitted a nonrefundable application fee not to exceed $250 and
852 an examination fee sufficient to cover the per applicant cost to
853 the department for development, purchase, and administration of
854 the examination, but not to exceed $250 as set by department
855 rule.
856 (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
857 456.0135.
858 (c) Submitted satisfactory proof to the department that the
859 applicant:
860 1. Has received a doctorate, specialist, or equivalent
861 degree from a program primarily psychological in nature and has
862 completed 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate
863 study, in areas related to school psychology as defined by rule
864 of the department, from a college or university which at the
865 time the applicant was enrolled and graduated was accredited by
866 an accrediting agency recognized and approved by the Council for
867 Higher Education Accreditation or its successor organization or
868 from an institution that is a member in good standing with the
869 Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.
870 2. Has had a minimum of 3 years of experience in school
871 psychology, 2 years of which must be supervised by an individual
872 who is a licensed school psychologist or who has otherwise
873 qualified as a school psychologist supervisor, by education and
874 experience, as set forth by rule of the department. A doctoral
875 internship may be applied toward the supervision requirement.
876 3. Has passed an examination provided by the department.
877 Section 32. Present paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection
878 (1) of section 490.0051, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
879 paragraphs (c) and (d), respectively, and a new paragraph (b) is
880 added to that subsection, to read:
881 490.0051 Provisional licensure; requirements.—
882 (1) The department shall issue a provisional psychology
883 license to each applicant whom the board certifies has met all
884 of the following criteria:
885 (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
886 456.0135.
887 Section 33. Subsection (1) of section 490.006, Florida
888 Statutes, is amended to read:
889 490.006 Licensure by endorsement.—
890 (1) The department shall license a person as a psychologist
891 or school psychologist who, upon applying to the department,
892 submitting to background screening in accordance with s.
893 456.0135, and remitting the appropriate fee, demonstrates to the
894 department or, in the case of psychologists, to the board that
895 the applicant:
896 (a) Is a diplomate in good standing with the American Board
897 of Professional Psychology, Inc.; or
898 (b) Possesses a doctoral degree in psychology and has at
899 least 10 years of experience as a licensed psychologist in any
900 jurisdiction or territory of the United States within the 25
901 years preceding the date of application.
902 Section 34. Subsections (1), (2), (4), and (6) of section
903 491.0045, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
904 491.0045 Intern registration; requirements.—
905 (1) An individual who has not satisfied the postgraduate or
906 post-master’s level experience requirements, as specified in s.
907 491.005(1)(d), (3)(d), or (4)(d) s. 491.005(1)(c), (3)(c), or
908 (4)(c), must register as an intern in the profession for which
909 he or she is seeking licensure before commencing the post
910 master’s experience requirement or an individual who intends to
911 satisfy part of the required graduate-level practicum,
912 internship, or field experience, outside the academic arena for
913 any profession, and must register as an intern in the profession
914 for which he or she is seeking licensure before commencing the
915 practicum, internship, or field experience.
916 (2) The department shall register as a clinical social
917 worker intern, marriage and family therapist intern, or mental
918 health counselor intern each applicant who the board certifies
919 has met all of the following criteria:
920 (a) Completed the application form and remitted a
921 nonrefundable application fee not to exceed $200, as set by
922 board rule.;
923 (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
924 456.0135.
925 (c)1. Completed the education requirements as specified in
926 s. 491.005(1)(d), (3)(d), or (4)(d) s. 491.005(1)(c), (3)(c), or
927 (4)(c) for the profession for which he or she is applying for
928 licensure, if needed; and
929 2. Submitted an acceptable supervision plan, as determined
930 by the board, for meeting the practicum, internship, or field
931 work required for licensure that was not satisfied in his or her
932 graduate program.
933 (d)(c) Identified a qualified supervisor.
934 (4) An individual who fails to comply with this section may
935 not be granted a license under this chapter, and any time spent
936 by the individual completing the experience requirement as
937 specified in s. 491.005(1)(d), (3)(d), or (4)(d) s.
938 491.005(1)(c), (3)(c), or (4)(c) before registering as an intern
939 does not count toward completion of the requirement.
940 (6) Any registration issued after March 31, 2017, expires
941 60 months after the date it is issued. The board may make a one
942 time exception to the requirements of this subsection in
943 emergency or hardship cases, as defined by board rule, if the
944 candidate has passed the theory and practice examination
945 described in s. 491.005(1)(e), (3)(e), and (4)(e) s.
946 491.005(1)(d), (3)(d), and (4)(d).
947 Section 35. Subsection (2) of section 491.0046, Florida
948 Statutes, is amended to read:
949 491.0046 Provisional license; requirements.—
950 (2) The department shall issue a provisional clinical
951 social worker license, provisional marriage and family therapist
952 license, or provisional mental health counselor license to each
953 applicant who the board certifies has met all of the following
954 criteria:
955 (a) Completed the application form and remitted a
956 nonrefundable application fee not to exceed $100, as set by
957 board rule.; and
958 (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
959 456.0135.
960 (c) Earned a graduate degree in social work, a graduate
961 degree with a major emphasis in marriage and family therapy or a
962 closely related field, or a graduate degree in a major related
963 to the practice of mental health counseling.; and
964 (d)(c) Met the following minimum coursework requirements:
965 1. For clinical social work, a minimum of 15 semester hours
966 or 22 quarter hours of the coursework required by s.
967 491.005(1)(c)2.b. s. 491.005(1)(b)2.b.
968 2. For marriage and family therapy, 10 of the courses
969 required by s. 491.005(3)(c) s. 491.005(3)(b), as determined by
970 the board, and at least 6 semester hours or 9 quarter hours of
971 the course credits must have been completed in the area of
972 marriage and family systems, theories, or techniques.
973 3. For mental health counseling, a minimum of seven of the
974 courses required under s. 491.005(4)(c)1.a., b., or c. s.
975 491.005(4)(b)1.a.-c.
976 Section 36. Subsections (1) through (4) of section 491.005,
977 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
978 491.005 Licensure by examination.—
979 (1) CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK.—Upon verification of
980 documentation and payment of a fee not to exceed $200, as set by
981 board rule, the department shall issue a license as a clinical
982 social worker to an applicant whom the board certifies has met
983 all of the following criteria:
984 (a) Submitted an application and paid the appropriate fee.
985 (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
986 456.0135.
987 (c)1. Received a doctoral degree in social work from a
988 graduate school of social work which at the time the applicant
989 graduated was accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by
990 the United States Department of Education or received a master’s
991 degree in social work from a graduate school of social work
992 which at the time the applicant graduated:
993 a. Was accredited by the Council on Social Work Education;
994 b. Was accredited by the Canadian Association for Social
995 Work Education; or
996 c. Has been determined to have been a program equivalent to
997 programs approved by the Council on Social Work Education by the
998 Foreign Equivalency Determination Service of the Council on
999 Social Work Education. An applicant who graduated from a program
1000 at a university or college outside of the United States or
1001 Canada must present documentation of the equivalency
1002 determination from the council in order to qualify.
1003 2. The applicant’s graduate program emphasized direct
1004 clinical patient or client health care services, including, but
1005 not limited to, coursework in clinical social work, psychiatric
1006 social work, medical social work, social casework,
1007 psychotherapy, or group therapy. The applicant’s graduate
1008 program must have included all of the following coursework:
1009 a. A supervised field placement which was part of the
1010 applicant’s advanced concentration in direct practice, during
1011 which the applicant provided clinical services directly to
1012 clients.
1013 b. Completion of 24 semester hours or 32 quarter hours in
1014 theory of human behavior and practice methods as courses in
1015 clinically oriented services, including a minimum of one course
1016 in psychopathology, and no more than one course in research,
1017 taken in a school of social work accredited or approved pursuant
1018 to subparagraph 1.
1019 3. If the course title which appears on the applicant’s
1020 transcript does not clearly identify the content of the
1021 coursework, the applicant provided additional documentation,
1022 including, but not limited to, a syllabus or catalog description
1023 published for the course.
1024 (d)(c) Completed at least 2 years of clinical social work
1025 experience, which took place subsequent to completion of a
1026 graduate degree in social work at an institution meeting the
1027 accreditation requirements of this section, under the
1028 supervision of a licensed clinical social worker or the
1029 equivalent who is a qualified supervisor as determined by the
1030 board. An individual who intends to practice in Florida to
1031 satisfy clinical experience requirements must register pursuant
1032 to s. 491.0045 before commencing practice. If the applicant’s
1033 graduate program was not a program which emphasized direct
1034 clinical patient or client health care services as described in
1035 subparagraph (c)2. (b)2., the supervised experience requirement
1036 must take place after the applicant has completed a minimum of
1037 15 semester hours or 22 quarter hours of the coursework
1038 required. A doctoral internship may be applied toward the
1039 clinical social work experience requirement. A licensed mental
1040 health professional must be on the premises when clinical
1041 services are provided by a registered intern in a private
1042 practice setting.
1043 (e)(d) Passed a theory and practice examination designated
1044 by board rule.
1045 (f)(e) Demonstrated, in a manner designated by board rule,
1046 knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of
1047 clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental
1048 health counseling.
1049 (2) CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK.—
1050 (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1)(c)
1051 (1)(b), coursework which was taken at a baccalaureate level
1052 shall not be considered toward completion of education
1053 requirements for licensure unless an official of the graduate
1054 program certifies in writing on the graduate school’s stationery
1055 that a specific course, which students enrolled in the same
1056 graduate program were ordinarily required to complete at the
1057 graduate level, was waived or exempted based on completion of a
1058 similar course at the baccalaureate level. If this condition is
1059 met, the board shall apply the baccalaureate course named toward
1060 the education requirements.
1061 (b) An applicant from a master’s or doctoral program in
1062 social work which did not emphasize direct patient or client
1063 services may complete the clinical curriculum content
1064 requirement by returning to a graduate program accredited by the
1065 Council on Social Work Education or the Canadian Association of
1066 Schools of Social Work, or to a clinical social work graduate
1067 program with comparable standards, in order to complete the
1068 education requirements for examination. However, a maximum of 6
1069 semester or 9 quarter hours of the clinical curriculum content
1070 requirement may be completed by credit awarded for independent
1071 study coursework as defined by board rule.
1072 (3) MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY.—Upon verification of
1073 documentation and payment of a fee not to exceed $200, as set by
1074 board rule, the department shall issue a license as a marriage
1075 and family therapist to an applicant whom the board certifies
1076 has met all of the following criteria:
1077 (a) Submitted an application and paid the appropriate fee.
1078 (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
1079 456.0135.
1080 (c)1. Attained one of the following:
1081 a. A minimum of a master’s degree in marriage and family
1082 therapy from a program accredited by the Commission on
1083 Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education.
1084 b. A minimum of a master’s degree with a major emphasis in
1085 marriage and family therapy or a closely related field from a
1086 university program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of
1087 Counseling and Related Educational Programs and graduate courses
1088 approved by the board.
1089 c. A minimum of a master’s degree with an emphasis in
1090 marriage and family therapy or a closely related field, with a
1091 degree conferred before September 1, 2027, from an
1092 institutionally accredited college or university and graduate
1093 courses approved by the board.
1094 2. If the course title that appears on the applicant’s
1095 transcript does not clearly identify the content of the
1096 coursework, the applicant provided additional documentation,
1097 including, but not limited to, a syllabus or catalog description
1098 published for the course. The required master’s degree must have
1099 been received in an institution of higher education that, at the
1100 time the applicant graduated, was fully accredited by an
1101 institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for
1102 Higher Education Accreditation or its successor organization or
1103 was a member in good standing with Universities Canada, or an
1104 institution of higher education located outside the United
1105 States and Canada which, at the time the applicant was enrolled
1106 and at the time the applicant graduated, maintained a standard
1107 of training substantially equivalent to the standards of
1108 training of those institutions in the United States which are
1109 accredited by an institutional accrediting body recognized by
1110 the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its successor
1111 organization. Such foreign education and training must have been
1112 received in an institution or program of higher education
1113 officially recognized by the government of the country in which
1114 it is located as an institution or program to train students to
1115 practice as professional marriage and family therapists or
1116 psychotherapists. The applicant has the burden of establishing
1117 that the requirements of this provision have been met, and the
1118 board shall require documentation, such as an evaluation by a
1119 foreign equivalency determination service, as evidence that the
1120 applicant’s graduate degree program and education were
1121 equivalent to an accredited program in this country. An
1122 applicant with a master’s degree from a program that did not
1123 emphasize marriage and family therapy may complete the
1124 coursework requirement in a training institution fully
1125 accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and
1126 Family Therapy Education recognized by the United States
1127 Department of Education.
1128 (d)(c) Completed at least 2 years of clinical experience
1129 during which 50 percent of the applicant’s clients were
1130 receiving marriage and family therapy services, which must be at
1131 the post-master’s level under the supervision of a licensed
1132 marriage and family therapist with at least 5 years of
1133 experience, or the equivalent, who is a qualified supervisor as
1134 determined by the board. An individual who intends to practice
1135 in Florida to satisfy the clinical experience requirements must
1136 register pursuant to s. 491.0045 before commencing practice. If
1137 a graduate has a master’s degree with a major emphasis in
1138 marriage and family therapy or a closely related field which did
1139 not include all of the coursework required by paragraph (c) (b),
1140 credit for the post-master’s level clinical experience may not
1141 commence until the applicant has completed a minimum of 10 of
1142 the courses required by paragraph (c) (b), as determined by the
1143 board, and at least 6 semester hours or 9 quarter hours of the
1144 course credits must have been completed in the area of marriage
1145 and family systems, theories, or techniques. Within the 2 years
1146 of required experience, the applicant shall provide direct
1147 individual, group, or family therapy and counseling to cases
1148 including those involving unmarried dyads, married couples,
1149 separating and divorcing couples, and family groups that include
1150 children. A doctoral internship may be applied toward the
1151 clinical experience requirement. A licensed mental health
1152 professional must be on the premises when clinical services are
1153 provided by a registered intern in a private practice setting.
1154 (e)(d) Passed a theory and practice examination designated
1155 by board rule.
1156 (f)(e) Demonstrated, in a manner designated by board rule,
1157 knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of
1158 clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental
1159 health counseling.
1160
1161 For the purposes of dual licensure, the department shall license
1162 as a marriage and family therapist any person who meets the
1163 requirements of s. 491.0057. Fees for dual licensure may not
1164 exceed those stated in this subsection.
1165 (4) MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING.—Upon verification of
1166 documentation and payment of a fee not to exceed $200, as set by
1167 board rule, the department shall issue a license as a mental
1168 health counselor to an applicant whom the board certifies has
1169 met all of the following criteria:
1170 (a) Submitted an application and paid the appropriate fee.
1171 (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
1172 456.0135.
1173 (c)1. Attained a minimum of an earned master’s degree from
1174 a mental health counseling program accredited by the Council for
1175 the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
1176 which consists of at least 60 semester hours or 80 quarter hours
1177 of clinical and didactic instruction, including a course in
1178 human sexuality and a course in substance abuse. If the master’s
1179 degree is earned from a program related to the practice of
1180 mental health counseling which is not accredited by the Council
1181 for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational
1182 Programs, then the coursework and practicum, internship, or
1183 fieldwork must consist of at least 60 semester hours or 80
1184 quarter hours and meet all of the following requirements:
1185 a. Thirty-three semester hours or 44 quarter hours of
1186 graduate coursework, which must include a minimum of 3 semester
1187 hours or 4 quarter hours of graduate-level coursework in each of
1188 the following 11 content areas: counseling theories and
1189 practice; human growth and development; diagnosis and treatment
1190 of psychopathology; human sexuality; group theories and
1191 practice; individual evaluation and assessment; career and
1192 lifestyle assessment; research and program evaluation; social
1193 and cultural foundations; substance abuse; and legal, ethical,
1194 and professional standards issues in the practice of mental
1195 health counseling. Courses in research, thesis or dissertation
1196 work, practicums, internships, or fieldwork may not be applied
1197 toward this requirement.
1198 b. A minimum of 3 semester hours or 4 quarter hours of
1199 graduate-level coursework addressing diagnostic processes,
1200 including differential diagnosis and the use of the current
1201 diagnostic tools, such as the current edition of the American
1202 Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
1203 Mental Disorders. The graduate program must have emphasized the
1204 common core curricular experience.
1205 c. The equivalent, as determined by the board, of at least
1206 700 hours of university-sponsored supervised clinical practicum,
1207 internship, or field experience that includes at least 280 hours
1208 of direct client services, as required in the accrediting
1209 standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and
1210 Related Educational Programs for mental health counseling
1211 programs. This experience may not be used to satisfy the post
1212 master’s clinical experience requirement.
1213 2. Provided additional documentation if a course title that
1214 appears on the applicant’s transcript does not clearly identify
1215 the content of the coursework. The documentation must include,
1216 but is not limited to, a syllabus or catalog description
1217 published for the course.
1218
1219 Education and training in mental health counseling must have
1220 been received in an institution of higher education that, at the
1221 time the applicant graduated, was fully accredited by an
1222 institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for
1223 Higher Education Accreditation or its successor organization or
1224 was a member in good standing with Universities Canada, or an
1225 institution of higher education located outside the United
1226 States and Canada which, at the time the applicant was enrolled
1227 and at the time the applicant graduated, maintained a standard
1228 of training substantially equivalent to the standards of
1229 training of those institutions in the United States which are
1230 accredited by an institutional accrediting body recognized by
1231 the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its successor
1232 organization. Such foreign education and training must have been
1233 received in an institution or program of higher education
1234 officially recognized by the government of the country in which
1235 it is located as an institution or program to train students to
1236 practice as mental health counselors. The applicant has the
1237 burden of establishing that the requirements of this provision
1238 have been met, and the board shall require documentation, such
1239 as an evaluation by a foreign equivalency determination service,
1240 as evidence that the applicant’s graduate degree program and
1241 education were equivalent to an accredited program in this
1242 country. Beginning July 1, 2025, an applicant must have a
1243 master’s degree from a program that is accredited by the Council
1244 for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational
1245 Programs, the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation
1246 Council, or an equivalent accrediting body which consists of at
1247 least 60 semester hours or 80 quarter hours to apply for
1248 licensure under this paragraph.
1249 (d)(c) Completed at least 2 years of clinical experience in
1250 mental health counseling, which must be at the post-master’s
1251 level under the supervision of a licensed mental health
1252 counselor or the equivalent who is a qualified supervisor as
1253 determined by the board. An individual who intends to practice
1254 in Florida to satisfy the clinical experience requirements must
1255 register pursuant to s. 491.0045 before commencing practice. If
1256 a graduate has a master’s degree with a major related to the
1257 practice of mental health counseling which did not include all
1258 the coursework required under sub-subparagraphs (c)1.a and b.
1259 (b)1.a. and b., credit for the post-master’s level clinical
1260 experience may not commence until the applicant has completed a
1261 minimum of seven of the courses required under sub-subparagraphs
1262 (c)1.a and b. (b)1.a. and b., as determined by the board, one of
1263 which must be a course in psychopathology or abnormal
1264 psychology. A doctoral internship may be applied toward the
1265 clinical experience requirement. A licensed mental health
1266 professional must be on the premises when clinical services are
1267 provided by a registered intern in a private practice setting.
1268 (e)(d) Passed a theory and practice examination designated
1269 by board rule.
1270 (f)(e) Demonstrated, in a manner designated by board rule,
1271 knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of
1272 clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental
1273 health counseling.
1274 Section 37. Subsection (1) of section 491.006, Florida
1275 Statutes, is amended to read:
1276 491.006 Licensure or certification by endorsement.—
1277 (1) The department shall license or grant a certificate to
1278 a person in a profession regulated by this chapter who, upon
1279 applying to the department and remitting the appropriate fee,
1280 demonstrates to the board that he or she:
1281 (a) Has demonstrated, in a manner designated by rule of the
1282 board, knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of
1283 clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental
1284 health counseling.
1285 (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
1286 456.0135.
1287 (c)1. Holds an active valid license to practice and has
1288 actively practiced the licensed profession in another state for
1289 3 of the last 5 years immediately preceding licensure;
1290 2. Has passed a substantially equivalent licensing
1291 examination in another state or has passed the licensure
1292 examination in this state in the profession for which the
1293 applicant seeks licensure; and
1294 3. Holds a license in good standing, is not under
1295 investigation for an act that would constitute a violation of
1296 this chapter, and has not been found to have committed any act
1297 that would constitute a violation of this chapter.
1298
1299 The fees paid by any applicant for certification as a master
1300 social worker under this section are nonrefundable.
1301 Section 38. Section 486.025, Florida Statutes, is amended
1302 to read:
1303 486.025 Powers and duties of the Board of Physical Therapy
1304 Practice.—The board may administer oaths, summon witnesses, take
1305 testimony in all matters relating to its duties under this
1306 chapter, establish or modify minimum standards of practice of
1307 physical therapy as defined in s. 486.021, including, but not
1308 limited to, standards of practice for the performance of dry
1309 needling by physical therapists, and adopt rules pursuant to ss.
1310 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement this chapter. The board may
1311 also review the standing and reputability of any school or
1312 college offering courses in physical therapy and whether the
1313 courses of such school or college in physical therapy meet the
1314 standards established by the appropriate accrediting agency
1315 referred to in s. 486.031(4)(a) s. 486.031(3)(a). In determining
1316 the standing and reputability of any such school and whether the
1317 school and courses meet such standards, the board may
1318 investigate and personally inspect the school and courses.
1319 Section 39. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
1320 486.0715, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1321 486.0715 Physical therapist; issuance of temporary permit.—
1322 (1) The board shall issue a temporary physical therapist
1323 permit to an applicant who meets the following requirements:
1324 (b) Is a graduate of an approved United States physical
1325 therapy educational program and meets all the eligibility
1326 requirements for licensure under chapter ch. 456, s. 486.031(1)
1327 (4)(a) s. 486.031(1)-(3)(a), and related rules, except passage
1328 of a national examination approved by the board is not required.
1329 Section 40. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
1330 486.1065, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1331 486.1065 Physical therapist assistant; issuance of
1332 temporary permit.—
1333 (1) The board shall issue a temporary physical therapist
1334 assistant permit to an applicant who meets the following
1335 requirements:
1336 (b) Is a graduate of an approved United States physical
1337 therapy assistant educational program and meets all the
1338 eligibility requirements for licensure under chapter ch. 456, s.
1339 486.102(1)-(4)(a) s. 486.102(1)-(3)(a), and related rules,
1340 except passage of a national examination approved by the board
1341 is not required.
1342 Section 41. Subsections (15), (16), and (17) of section
1343 491.003, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1344 491.003 Definitions.—As used in this chapter:
1345 (15) “Registered clinical social worker intern” means a
1346 person registered under this chapter who is completing the
1347 postgraduate clinical social work experience requirement
1348 specified in s. 491.005(1)(d) s. 491.005(1)(c).
1349 (16) “Registered marriage and family therapist intern”
1350 means a person registered under this chapter who is completing
1351 the post-master’s clinical experience requirement specified in
1352 s. 491.005(3)(d) s. 491.005(3)(c).
1353 (17) “Registered mental health counselor intern” means a
1354 person registered under this chapter who is completing the post
1355 master’s clinical experience requirement specified in s.
1356 491.005(4)(d) s. 491.005(4)(c).
1357 Section 42. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.