Florida 2024 Regular Session

Florida House Bill H1273 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

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3		-	~~CS/~~CS/HB 1273 2024
	3	+	CS/HB 1273 2024
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7	7		CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8		-	hb1273-~~02-c2~~
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10	10		F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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12	12
13	13
14	14		A bill to be entitled 1
15	15		An act relating to reciprocity or endorsement of 2
16	16		licensure; amending s. 455.213, F.S.; providing 3
17	17		requirements for the applicable board, or the 4
18	18		Department of Business and Professional Regulation if 5
19	19		there is no board, relating to licensure by 6
20	20		reciprocity and by endorsement; defining the term 7
21		-	"basis license"; ~~creating s~~. ~~455.2135, F.S.; requiring~~ 8
22		-	~~the respective boards of occupations, or the~~ 9
23		-	~~department if there is no board, to allow licensure~~ by 10
24		-	~~endorsement if the applicant meets certain criteria;~~ 11
25		-	~~requiring applicants~~ of ~~professions that require~~ 12
26		-	~~fingerprints for criminal history checks to submit~~ 13
27		-	~~such fingerprints before the board or department~~ 14
28		-	~~issues a license by endorsement;~~ ~~requiring the~~ 15
29		-	~~department, and authorizing~~ the board, ~~to review~~ the 16
30		-	~~results of the crimi nal history checks according to~~ 17
31		-	~~specific criteria to determine if~~ the ~~applicants meet~~ 18
32		-	~~the requirements for licensure;~~ ~~requiring that the~~ 19
33		-	~~costs associated with fingerprint processing be borne~~ 20
34		-	by the ~~applicant; requiring certain agencies~~ or 21
35		-	~~vendors~~ to ~~collect fingerprint processing fees and~~ 22
36		-	~~remit such fees to~~ the ~~Department of Law Enforcement;~~ 23
37		-	~~providing an exemption;~~ ~~creating s.~~ ~~456.0145, F.S.;~~ 24
38		-	~~providing a short title; requiring~~ the ~~applicable~~ 25
	21	+	"basis license"; providing an effective date. 8
	22	+	9
	23	+	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 10
	24	+	11
	25	+	Section 1. Subsection (15) of section 455.213, Florida 12
	26	+	Statutes, is renumbered as subsection (16), and a new subsection 13
	27	+	(15) is added to that section to read: 14
	28	+	455.213 General licensing provisions. — 15
	29	+	(15)(a) Before the board, or the department if there is no 16
	30	+	board, denies an application for licensure by reciprocity or by 17
	31	+	endorsement based on a finding that the requirements of the 18
	32	+	basis license in another jurisdiction are not substantially 19
	33	+	equivalent to or are otherwise insufficient for a license in 20
	34	+	this state, the board, or the department if there is no board, 21
	35	+	must submit the finding to the secretary for review. The 22
	36	+	secretary may agree with the finding and deny the application 23
	37	+	for licensure or disagree with the finding and issue the 24
	38	+	license. The decision must be e ntered according to the 25
39	39
40		-	~~CS/~~CS/HB 1273 2024
	40	+	CS/HB 1273 2024
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47	47		F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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51		-	health care regulatory boards, or the Department of 26
52		-	Health if there is no board, to issue a license or 27
53		-	certificate to applicants who meet specified 28
54		-	conditions; defining the term "scope of practice"; 29
55		-	requiring the department to verify certain information 30
56		-	using the National Practitioner Data Bank, as 31
57		-	applicable; specifying circumstances under which a 32
58		-	person is ineligible for a license; authorizing boards 33
59		-	or the department, as applicable, to revoke a license 34
60		-	upon a specified finding; requiring boards or the 35
61		-	department, as applicable, to issue licenses within a 36
62		-	specified timeframe; authorizing boards or the 37
63		-	department, as applicable, to require that applicants 38
64		-	successfully complete a jurisprudential examination 39
65		-	under certain circumstances; requiring the department 40
66		-	to submit an annual report to the Governor and the 41
67		-	Legislature by a specified date; providing 42
68		-	requirements for the report; requiring boards and the 43
69		-	department, as applicable, to adopt certain rules 44
70		-	within a specified timeframe; amending ss. 457.105, 45
71		-	458.313, 464.009, 464.203, 465.0075, 467.0125, 46
72		-	468.1185, 468.1705, 46 8.209, 468.513, 478.47, 480.041, 47
73		-	484.007, 486.081, 486.107, 490.006, and 491.006, F.S.; 48
74		-	revising licensure by endorsement requirements for the 49
75		-	practice of acupuncture, medicine, professional or 50
76		-
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84		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
85		-
86		-
87		-
88		-	practical nursing, certified nursing assistants, 51
89		-	pharmacy, midwifery, speech-language pathology and 52
90		-	audiology, nursing home administration, dietetics and 53
91		-	nutrition, electrology, massage therapy, opticianry, 54
92		-	physical therapy, physical therapist assistantship, 55
93		-	psychology and school psychology, and clinical social 56
94		-	work, marriage and family therapy, and mental health 57
95		-	counseling, respectively; repealing s. 468.213, F.S.; 58
96		-	relating to licensure by endorsement for occupational 59
97		-	therapy; amending ss. 486.031 and 486.102, F.S.; 60
98		-	conforming provisions to changes made by the act; 61
99		-	authorizing boards and the Department of Health, as 62
100		-	applicable, to continue processing applications for 63
101		-	licensure by endorsement, as authorized under the 64
102		-	Florida Statutes (2023), for a specified timeframe; 65
103		-	providing an effective date. 66
104		-	67
105		-	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 68
106		-	69
107		-	Section 1. Subsection (15) of section 455.213, Florida 70
108		-	Statutes, is renumbered as subsection (16), and a new subsection 71
109		-	(15) is added to that section to read: 72
110		-	455.213 General licensing provisions. — 73
111		-	(15)(a) Before the board, or the department if there is no 74
112		-	board, may deny an application for licensure by reciprocity or 75
113		-
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121		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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123		-
124		-
125		-	by endorsement, the board, or the department if there is no 76
126		-	board, must make a finding that the basis license in another 77
127		-	jurisdiction is or is not substantially equivalent to or is 78
128		-	otherwise insufficient for a license in this state. 79
129		-	(b) If the board, or the department if there is no board, 80
130		-	finds that the basis license in another jurisdiction is not 81
131		-	substantially equivalent to or is otherwise i nsufficient for a 82
132		-	license in this state and there are no other grounds to deny the 83
133		-	application for licensure, within 7 business days after being 84
134		-	notified of such finding, the applicant may request that the 85
135		-	finding be submitted to the secretary for review. Within 7 86
136		-	business days after receiving such request, the secretary must 87
137		-	review the finding and either agree or disagree with the 88
138		-	finding. If the secretary agrees with the finding, the 89
139		-	application for licensure may be denied. If the secretary 90
140		-	disagrees with the finding, the application for licensure must 91
141		-	be approved unless other grounds for denial exist. The decision 92
142		-	must be entered according to the secretary's finding, unless 93
143		-	other grounds for denial exist. 94
144		-	(c) If the secretary finds that the requirements of a 95
145		-	basis license in another jurisdiction are substantially 96
146		-	equivalent to or are otherwise sufficient for a license in this 97
147		-	state, the board, or the department if there is no board, must 98
148		-	make the same finding for similar applicants from the same 99
149		-	jurisdiction, unless the requirements of the basis license 100
150		-
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158		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
159		-
160		-
161		-
162		-	change. 101
163		-	(d) As used in this subsection, the term "basis license" 102
164		-	means the license or the licensure requirements of another 103
165		-	jurisdiction which are used to meet the requirements for a 104
166		-	license in this stat e. 105
167		-	Section 2. Section 455.2135, Florida Statutes, is created 106
168		-	to read: 107
169		-	455.2135 Interstate mobility. - 108
170		-	(1) When endorsement based on years of licensure is not 109
171		-	otherwise provided by law in the practice act for a profession, 110
172		-	the board, or the departmen t if there is no board, shall allow 111
173		-	licensure by endorsement for any individual applying who: 112
174		-	(a) Has held a valid, current license to practice the 113
175		-	profession issued by another state or territory of the United 114
176		-	States for at least 5 years before the date of application and 115
177		-	is applying for the same or similar license in this state; 116
178		-	(b) Submits an application either when the license in 117
179		-	another state or territory of the United States is active or 118
180		-	within 2 years after such license was last active; 119
181		-	(c) Has passed the recognized national licensing exam, if 120
182		-	such exam is established as a requirement for licensure in the 121
183		-	profession; 122
184		-	(d) Has no pending disciplinary actions and all sanctions 123
185		-	of any prior disciplinary actions have been satisfied; 124
186		-	(e) Shows proof of compliance with any federal regulation, 125
187		-
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195		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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197		-
198		-
199		-	training, or certification, if the applicant's profession 126
200		-	requires such proof, regarding licensure in the profession; 127
201		-	(f) Completes Florida -specific continuing education 128
202		-	courses or passes a juri sprudential examination specific to the 129
203		-	state laws and rules for the applicable profession as 130
204		-	established by the board, or the department if there is no 131
205		-	board, if required by the practice act; and 132
206		-	(g) Complies with any insurance or bonding requirements a s 133
207		-	required for the profession. 134
208		-	(2) If the applicant's profession requires, the applicant 135
209		-	must submit a complete set of fingerprints to the Department of 136
210		-	Law Enforcement for a statewide criminal history check. The 137
211		-	Department of Law Enforcement shall forwa rd the fingerprints to 138
212		-	the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal 139
213		-	history check. The department shall, and the board may, review 140
214		-	the results of the criminal history checks according to the 141
215		-	level 2 screening standards in s. 435.04 and deter mine whether 142
216		-	the applicant meets the licensure requirements. The costs of 143
217		-	fingerprint processing are borne by the applicant. If the 144
218		-	applicant's fingerprints are submitted through an authorized 145
219		-	agency or vendor, the agency or vendor must collect the require d 146
220		-	processing fees and remit the fees to the Department of Law 147
221		-	Enforcement. 148
222		-	(3) This section does not apply to harbor pilots licensed 149
223		-	under chapter 310. 150
224		-
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232		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
233		-
234		-
235		-
236		-	Section 3. Section 456.0145, Florida Statutes, is created 151
237		-	to read: 152
238		-	456.0145 Mobile Opportunity b y Interstate Licensure 153
239		-	Endorsement (MOBILE) Act. - 154
240		-	(1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the "Mobile 155
241		-	Opportunity by Interstate Licensure Endorsement Act" or the 156
242		-	"MOBILE Act." 157
243		-	(2) LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT. — 158
244		-	(a) An applicable board, or the depar tment if there is no 159
245		-	board, shall issue a license to practice in this state to an 160
246		-	applicant who: 161
247		-	1. Submits a complete application. 162
248		-	2. Holds an active, unencumbered license issued by another 163
249		-	state, the District of Columbia, or a territory of the United 164
250		-	States in a profession with a similar scope of practice, as 165
251		-	determined by the board or department, as applicable. The term 166
252		-	"scope of practice" means the full spectrum of functions, 167
253		-	procedures, actions, and services that a health care 168
254		-	practitioner is deeme d competent and authorized to perform under 169
255		-	a license issued in this state. 170
256		-	3. Has obtained a passing score on a national licensure 171
257		-	examination, or national certification, as applicable, for which 172
258		-	profession the applicant is seeking licensure in this sta te, or 173
259		-	meets the requirements of paragraph (b). 174
260		-	4. Has actively practiced the profession for which the 175
261		-
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269		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
270		-
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273		-	applicant is applying for at least 2 of the 4 years preceding 176
274		-	the date of submission of the application. 177
275		-	5. Attests that he or she is not, at the tim e of 178
276		-	submission of the application, the subject of a disciplinary 179
277		-	proceeding in a jurisdiction in which he or she holds a license 180
278		-	or by the United States Department of Defense for reasons 181
279		-	related to the practice of the profession for which he or she is 182
280		-	applying. 183
281		-	6. Has not had disciplinary action taken against him or 184
282		-	her in the 5 years preceding the date of submission of the 185
283		-	application 186
284		-	7. Meets the financial responsibility requirements of s. 187
285		-	456.048 or the applicable practice act, if required for the 188
286		-	profession for which the applicant is seeking licensure. 189
287		-	8. Submits a set of fingerprints for a background 190
288		-	screening pursuant to s. 456.0135, if required for the 191
289		-	profession for which he or she is applying. 192
290		-	193
291		-	The department shall verify information submitte d by the 194
292		-	applicant under this subsection using the National Practitioner 195
293		-	Data Bank. 196
294		-	(b) An applicant for a profession that does not require a 197
295		-	national examination or national certification is eligible for 198
296		-	licensure if an applicable board, or the departme nt if there is 199
297		-	no board, determines that the jurisdiction in which the 200
298		-
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306		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
307		-
308		-
309		-
310		-	applicant currently holds an active, unencumbered license meets 201
311		-	established minimum education requirements and, if applicable, 202
312		-	examination, work experience, and clinical supervision 203
313		-	requirements that are substantially similar to the requirements 204
314		-	for licensure in that profession in this state. 205
315		-	(c) An applicant is ineligible for a license pursuant to 206
316		-	this section if he or she: 207
317		-	1. Has a complaint, allegation, or investigation pending 208
318		-	before a licensing entity in another state, the District of 209
319		-	Columbia, or a possession or territory of the United States; 210
320		-	2. Has been convicted of or pled nolo contendere to, 211
321		-	regardless of adjudication, any felony or misdemeanor related to 212
322		-	the practice of a health care profession; 213
323		-	3. Has had a health care provider license revoked or 214
324		-	suspended in another state, the District of Columbia, or a 215
325		-	territory of the United States or has voluntarily surrendered 216
326		-	any such license in lieu of having disciplinary action taken 217
327		-	against the license; or 218
328		-	4. Has been reported to the National Practitioner Data 219
329		-	Bank, unless the applicant has successfully appealed to have his 220
330		-	or her name removed from the data bank. 221
331		-	(d) The board, or the department if there is no board, may 222
332		-	revoke a license upon finding that the applicant provided false 223
333		-	or misleading material information or intentionally omitted 224
334		-	material information in an application for licensure. 225
335		-
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343		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
344		-
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347		-	(e) The board, or the department if there is no board, 226
348		-	shall issue a license to a qualified applicant within 7 days 227
349		-	after receipt of all required documentation for an application. 228
350		-	(f) The board, or the department if there is no board, 229
351		-	shall comply with the requirements of s. 456.025. 230
352		-	(3) STATE EXAMINATION. —The board, or the department if 231
353		-	there is no board, may require the applicant to successfully 232
354		-	complete a jurisprudential examination specific to relevant 233
355		-	state laws that regulate the profession, if this chapter or the 234
356		-	applicable practice act requires such examination. 235
357		-	(4) ANNUAL REPORT.—By December 31 of each year, the 236
358		-	department shall submit to the Governor, the President of the 237
359		-	Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a report 238
360		-	that provides all of the following information for the previous 239
361		-	fiscal year: 240
362		-	(a) The number of applications for licensure or 241
363		-	certification received under this section, distinguished by 242
364		-	profession. 243
365		-	(b) The number of licenses or certifications issued under 244
366		-	this section. 245
367		-	(c) The number of applications submitted under this 246
368		-	section which were denied and the reason for such denials. 247
369		-	(d) The number of complaints, investigations, or other 248
370		-	disciplinary actions taken against health care practitioners who 249
371		-	are licensed or certified under this section. 250
372		-
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380		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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384		-	(5) RULES.—By December 1, 2024, eac h applicable board, or 251
385		-	the department if there is no board, shall adopt rules to 252
386		-	implement this section. 253
387		-	Section 4. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section 254
388		-	457.105, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 255
389		-	457.105 Licensure qualifications and fees. — 256
390		-	(2) A person may become licensed to practice acupuncture 257
391		-	if the person applies to the department and: 258
392		-	(c) Has successfully completed a board -approved national 259
393		-	certification process, meets the requirements for licensure by 260
394		-	endorsement under s. 456.0145 is actively licensed in a state 261
395		-	that has examination requirements that are substantially 262
396		-	equivalent to or more stringent than those of this state , or 263
397		-	passes an examination administered by the department, which 264
398		-	examination tests the applicant's competency a nd knowledge of 265
399		-	the practice of acupuncture and oriental medicine. At the 266
400		-	request of any applicant, oriental nomenclature for the points 267
401		-	shall be used in the examination. The examination shall include 268
402		-	a practical examination of the knowledge and skills req uired to 269
403		-	practice modern and traditional acupuncture and oriental 270
404		-	medicine, covering diagnostic and treatment techniques and 271
405		-	procedures; and 272
406		-	Section 5. Section 458.313, Florida Statutes, is amended 273
407		-	to read: 274
408		-	458.313 Licensure by endorsement; requireme nts; fees.— 275
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417		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
418		-
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420		-
421		-	(1) The department shall issue a license by endorsement to 276
422		-	any applicant who, upon applying to the department on forms 277
423		-	furnished by the department and remitting a fee set by the board 278
424		-	not to exceed $500, the board certifies has met the requirements 279
425		-	for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145. : 280
426		-	(a) Has met the qualifications for licensure in s. 281
427		-	458.311(1)(b)-(g) or in s. 458.311(1)(b) -(e) and (g) and (3); 282
428		-	(b) Prior to January 1, 2000, has obtained a passing 283
429		-	score, as established by rule of the board, on the licensure 284
430		-	examination of the Federation of State Medical Boards of the 285
431		-	United States, Inc. (FLEX), on the United States Medical 286
432		-	Licensing Examination (USMLE), or on the examination of the 287
433		-	National Board of Medical Examiners, or on a co mbination 288
434		-	thereof, and on or after January 1, 2000, has obtained a passing 289
435		-	score on the United States Medical Licensing Examination 290
436		-	(USMLE); and 291
437		-	(c) Has submitted evidence of the active licensed practice 292
438		-	of medicine in another jurisdiction, for at least 2 of the 293
439		-	immediately preceding 4 years, or evidence of successful 294
440		-	completion of either a board -approved postgraduate training 295
441		-	program within 2 years preceding filing of an application or a 296
442		-	board-approved clinical competency examination within the year 297
443		-	preceding the filing of an application for licensure. For 298
444		-	purposes of this paragraph, "active licensed practice of 299
445		-	medicine" means that practice of medicine by physicians, 300
446		-
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454		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
455		-
456		-
457		-
458		-	including those employed by any governmental entity in community 301
459		-	or public health, as de fined by this chapter, medical directors 302
460		-	under s. 641.495(11) who are practicing medicine, and those on 303
461		-	the active teaching faculty of an accredited medical school. 304
462		-	(2) The board may require an applicant for licensure by 305
463		-	endorsement to take and pass the appropriate licensure 306
464		-	examination prior to certifying the applicant as eligible for 307
465		-	licensure. 308
466		-	(3) The department and the board shall ensure that 309
467		-	applicants for licensure by endorsement meet applicable criteria 310
468		-	in this chapter through an investigative pr ocess. When the 311
469		-	investigative process is not completed within the time set out 312
470		-	in s. 120.60(1) and the department or board has reason to 313
471		-	believe that the applicant does not meet the criteria, the State 314
472		-	Surgeon General or the State Surgeon General's designe e may 315
473		-	issue a 90-day licensure delay which shall be in writing and 316
474		-	sufficient to notify the applicant of the reason for the delay. 317
475		-	The provisions of this subsection shall control over any 318
476		-	conflicting provisions of s. 120.60(1). 319
477		-	(4) The board may promulga te rules and regulations, to be 320
478		-	applied on a uniform and consistent basis, which may be 321
479		-	necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. 322
480		-	(5) Upon certification by the board, the department shall 323
481		-	impose conditions, limitations, or restrictions on a license by 324
482		-	endorsement if the applicant is on probation in another 325
483		-
484		-	CS/CS/HB 1273 2024
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486		-
487		-
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491		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
492		-
493		-
494		-
495		-	jurisdiction for an act which would constitute a violation of 326
496		-	this chapter. 327
497		-	(6) The department shall not issue a license by 328
498		-	endorsement to any applicant who is under investigation in any 329
499		-	jurisdiction for an act or offense which would constitute a 330
500		-	violation of this chapter until such time as the investigation 331
501		-	is complete, at which time the provisions of s. 458.331 shall 332
502		-	apply. Furthermore, the department may not issue an unrestricted 333
503		-	license to any individual who has committed any act or offense 334
504		-	in any jurisdiction which would constitute the basis for 335
505		-	disciplining a physician pursuant to s. 458.331. When the board 336
506		-	finds that an individual has committed an act or offense in any 337
507		-	jurisdiction which would constitute the basis for disciplining a 338
508		-	physician pursuant to s. 458.331, the board may enter an order 339
509		-	imposing one or more of the terms set forth in subsection (7). 340
510		-	(7) When the board determines that any applicant for 341
511		-	licensure by endorsement has failed to meet, to the board's 342
512		-	satisfaction, each of the appropriate requirements set forth in 343
513		-	this section, it may enter an order requiring one or more of the 344
514		-	following terms: 345
515		-	(a) Refusal to certify to the department an application 346
516		-	for licensure, certification, or registration; 347
517		-	(b) Certification to the department of an application for 348
518		-	licensure, certification, or registration with restrictions on 349
519		-	the scope of practice of the licensee; or 350
520		-
521		-	CS/CS/HB 1273 2024
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523		-
524		-
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528		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
529		-
530		-
531		-
532		-	(c) Certification to the department of an application for 351
533		-	licensure, certification, or registration with placement of the 352
534		-	physician on probation for a period of time and subject to such 353
535		-	conditions as the board may specify, including, but not limited 354
536		-	to, requiring the physician to submit to treatment, attend 355
537		-	continuing education courses, submit to reexamination, or work 356
538		-	under the supervision of another physician. 357
539		-	Section 6. Section 464.009, Florida Statutes, is amended 358
540		-	to read: 359
541		-	464.009 Licensure by endorsement. — 360
542		-	(1) The department shall issue the appropriate license by 361
543		-	endorsement to practice professional or practical nursing to an 362
544		-	applicant who, upon applying to the department and remitting a 363
545		-	fee set by the board not to exceed $100, demonstrates to the 364
546		-	board that he or she meets the requirements for licensure by 365
547		-	endorsement under s. 456.0145. : 366
548		-	(a) Holds a valid license to practice professional or 367
549		-	practical nursing in another state or territory of the United 368
550		-	States, provided that, when the applicant secured his or her 369
551		-	original license, the requirements for licensure were 370
552		-	substantially equivalent to or more stringent than those 371
553		-	existing in Florida at that time; 372
554		-	(b) Meets the qualifications for licensure in s. 464.008 373
555		-	and has successfully completed a state, regional , or national 374
556		-	examination which is substantially equivalent to or more 375
557		-
558		-	CS/CS/HB 1273 2024
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560		-
561		-
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565		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
566		-
567		-
568		-
569		-	stringent than the examination given by the department; or 376
570		-	(c) Has actively practiced nursing in another state, 377
571		-	jurisdiction, or territory of the United States for 2 of the 378
572		-	preceding 3 years without having his or her license acted 379
573		-	against by the licensing authority of any jurisdiction. 380
574		-	Applicants who become licensed pursuant to this paragraph must 381
575		-	complete within 6 months after licensure a Florida laws and 382
576		-	rules course that is approved by the board. Once the department 383
577		-	has received the results of the national criminal history check 384
578		-	and has determined that the applicant has no criminal history, 385
579		-	the appropriate license by endorsement shall be issued to the 386
580		-	applicant. 387
581		-	(2) Such examinatio ns and requirements from other states 388
582		-	and territories of the United States shall be presumed to be 389
583		-	substantially equivalent to or more stringent than those in this 390
584		-	state. Such presumption shall not arise until January 1, 1980. 391
585		-	However, the board may, by ru le, specify states and territories 392
586		-	the examinations and requirements of which shall not be presumed 393
587		-	to be substantially equivalent to those of this state. 394
588		-	(3) An applicant for licensure by endorsement who is 395
589		-	relocating to this state pursuant to his or he r military-396
590		-	connected spouse's official military orders and who is licensed 397
591		-	in another state that is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact 398
592		-	shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of subsection 399
593		-	(1) and shall be issued a license by endorsement up on submission 400
594		-
595		-	CS/CS/HB 1273 2024
596		-
597		-
598		-
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602		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
603		-
604		-
605		-
606		-	of the appropriate application and fees and completion of the 401
607		-	criminal background check required under subsection (4). 402
608		-	(4) The applicant must submit to the department a set of 403
609		-	fingerprints on a form and under procedures specified by the 404
610		-	department, along with a payment in an amount equal to the costs 405
611		-	incurred by the Department of Health for the criminal background 406
612		-	check of the applicant. The Department of Health shall submit 407
613		-	the fingerprints provided by the applicant to the Florida 408
614		-	Department of Law Enforcement for a statewide criminal history 409
615		-	check, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement shall 410
616		-	forward the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation 411
617		-	for a national criminal history check of the applicant. The 412
618		-	Department of Health shall review the results of the criminal 413
619		-	history check, issue a license to an applicant who has met all 414
620		-	of the other requirements for licensure and has no criminal 415
621		-	history, and shall refer all applicants with criminal histories 416
622		-	back to the board for dete rmination as to whether a license 417
623		-	should be issued and under what conditions. 418
624		-	(5) The department shall not issue a license by 419
625		-	endorsement to any applicant who is under investigation in 420
626		-	another state, jurisdiction, or territory of the United States 421
627		-	for an act which would constitute a violation of this part or 422
628		-	chapter 456 until such time as the investigation is complete, at 423
629		-	which time the provisions of s. 464.018 shall apply. 424
630		-	(6) The department shall develop an electronic applicant 425
631		-
632		-	CS/CS/HB 1273 2024
633		-
634		-
635		-
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637		-	hb1273-02-c2
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639		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
640		-
641		-
642		-
643		-	notification process an d provide electronic notification when 426
644		-	the application has been received and when background screenings 427
645		-	have been completed, and shall issue a license within 30 days 428
646		-	after completion of all required data collection and 429
647		-	verification. This 30 -day period to issue a license shall be 430
648		-	tolled if the applicant must appear before the board due to 431
649		-	information provided on the application or obtained through 432
650		-	screening and data collection and verification procedures. 433
651		-	(7) A person holding an active multistate license i n 434
652		-	another state pursuant to s. 464.0095 is exempt from the 435
653		-	requirements for licensure by endorsement in this section. 436
654		-	Section 7. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section 437
655		-	464.203, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 438
656		-	464.203 Certified nursing assis tants; certification 439
657		-	requirement.— 440
658		-	(1) The board shall issue a certificate to practice as a 441
659		-	certified nursing assistant to any person who demonstrates a 442
660		-	minimum competency to read and write and successfully passes the 443
661		-	required background screening pursua nt to s. 400.215. If the 444
662		-	person has successfully passed the required background screening 445
663		-	pursuant to s. 400.215 or s. 408.809 within 90 days before 446
664		-	applying for a certificate to practice and the person's 447
665		-	background screening results are not retained in th e 448
666		-	clearinghouse created under s. 435.12, the board shall waive the 449
667		-	requirement that the applicant successfully pass an additional 450
668		-
669		-	CS/CS/HB 1273 2024
670		-
671		-
672		-
673		-	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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676		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
677		-
678		-
679		-
680		-	background screening pursuant to s. 400.215. The person must 451
681		-	also meet one of the following requirements: 452
682		-	(c) Has been deemed by the board as eligible for licensure 453
683		-	by endorsement under s. 456.0145 Is currently certified in 454
684		-	another state or territory of the United States or in the 455
685		-	District of Columbia; is listed on that jurisdiction's certified 456
686		-	nursing assistant registry; and h as not been found to have 457
687		-	committed abuse, neglect, or exploitation in that jurisdiction . 458
688		-	Section 8. Section 465.0075, Florida Statutes, is amended 459
689		-	to read: 460
690		-	465.0075 Licensure by endorsement; requirements; fee. — 461
691		-	(1) The department shall issue a lic ense by endorsement to 462
692		-	any applicant who applies to the department and remits a 463
693		-	nonrefundable fee of not more than $100, as set by the board, 464
694		-	and whom the board certifies has met the requirements for 465
695		-	licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145. : 466
696		-	(a) Has met the qualifications for licensure in s. 467
697		-	465.007(1)(b) and (c); 468
698		-	(b) Has obtained a passing score, as established by rule 469
699		-	of the board, on the licensure examination of the National 470
700		-	Association of Boards of Pharmacy or a similar nationally 471
701		-	recognized examination, if the board certifies that the 472
702		-	applicant has taken the required examination; 473
703		-	(c)1. Has submitted evidence of the active licensed 474
704		-	practice of pharmacy, including practice in community or public 475
705		-
706		-	CS/CS/HB 1273 2024
707		-
708		-
709		-
710		-	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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713		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
714		-
715		-
716		-
717		-	health by persons employed by a governmental entity , in another 476
718		-	jurisdiction for at least 2 of the immediately preceding 5 years 477
719		-	or evidence of successful completion of board -approved 478
720		-	postgraduate training or a board -approved clinical competency 479
721		-	examination within the year immediately preceding application 480
722		-	for licensure; or 481
723		-	2. Has completed an internship meeting the requirements of 482
724		-	s. 465.007(1)(c) within the 2 years immediately preceding 483
725		-	application; and 484
726		-	(d) Has obtained a passing score on the pharmacy 485
727		-	jurisprudence portions of the licensure examination, as required 486
728		-	by board rule. 487
729		-	(2) An applicant licensed in another state for a period in 488
730		-	excess of 2 years from the date of application for licensure in 489
731		-	this state shall submit a total of at least 30 hours of board -490
732		-	approved continuing education for the 2 calendar years 491
733		-	immediately preceding application. 492
734		-	(3) The department may not issue a license by endorsement 493
735		-	to any applicant who is under investigation in any jurisdiction 494
736		-	for an act or offense that would constitute a violation of this 495
737		-	chapter until the investigation is complete, at which time the 496
738		-	provisions of s. 465.016 apply. 497
739		-	(4) The department may not issue a license by endorsement 498
740		-	to any applicant whose license to practice pharmacy has been 499
741		-	suspended or revoked in another state or who is currently the 500
742		-
743		-	CS/CS/HB 1273 2024
744		-
745		-
746		-
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750		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
751		-
752		-
753		-
754		-	subject of any disciplinary proceeding in another state. 501
755		-	Section 9. Subsection (1) of section 467.0125, Florida 502
756		-	Statutes, is amended to read: 503
757		-	467.0125 Licensed midwives; qualifications; endorsement; 504
758		-	temporary certificates. — 505
759		-	(1) The department shall issue a license by endorsement to 506
760		-	practice midwifery to an applicant who , upon applying to the 507
761		-	department, demonstrates to the department that she or he meets 508
762		-	all of the requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 509
763		-	456.0145 and following criteria: 510
764		-	(a) Holds an active, unencumbered license to practice 511
765		-	midwifery in another state, jurisdiction, or territory, provided 512
766		-	the licensing requirements of that state, jurisdiction, or 513
767		-	territory at the time the license was issued were substantiall y 514
768		-	equivalent to or exceeded those established under this chapter 515
769		-	and the rules adopted hereunder. 516
770		-	(b) Has successfully completed a prelicensure course 517
771		-	conducted by an accredited and approved midwifery program. 518
772		-	(c) submits an application for licensure on a form 519
773		-	approved by the department and pays the appropriate fee. 520
774		-	Section 10. Subsections (3) and (4) of section 468.1185, 521
775		-	Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 522
776		-	468.1185 Licensure. — 523
777		-	(3) The board shall certi fy as qualified for a license by 524
778		-	endorsement as a speech -language pathologist or audiologist an 525
779		-
780		-	CS/CS/HB 1273 2024
781		-
782		-
783		-
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787		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
788		-
789		-
790		-
791		-	applicant who: 526
792		-	(a) Holds a valid license or certificate in another state 527
793		-	or territory of the United States to practice the profession for 528
794		-	which the applicatio n for licensure is made, if the criteria for 529
795		-	issuance of such license were substantially equivalent to or 530
796		-	more stringent than the licensure criteria which existed in this 531
797		-	state at the time the license was issued; or 532
798		-	(b) Holds a valid certificate of clini cal competence of 533
799		-	the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association or board 534
800		-	certification in audiology from the American Board of Audiology. 535
801		-	(4) The board may refuse to certify any applicant who is 536
802		-	under investigation in any jurisdiction for an act w hich would 537
803		-	constitute a violation of this part or chapter 456 until the 538
804		-	investigation is complete and disciplinary proceedings have been 539
805		-	terminated. 540
806		-	Section 11. Subsection (4) of section 468.1705, Florida 541
807		-	Statutes, is renumbered as subsection (3), and present 542
808		-	subsections (1), (2), and (3) of that section are amended to 543
809		-	read: 544
810		-	468.1705 Licensure by endorsement; temporary license. — 545
811		-	(1) The department shall issue a license by endorsement to 546
812		-	any applicant who, upon applying to the department and remittin g 547
813		-	a fee set by the board not to exceed $500, demonstrates to the 548
814		-	board that he or she meets the requirements for licensure by 549
815		-	endorsement under s. 456.0145. : 550
816		-
817		-	CS/CS/HB 1273 2024
818		-
819		-
820		-
821		-	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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824		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
825		-
826		-
827		-
828		-	(a) Meets one of the following requirements: 551
829		-	1. Holds a valid active license to practice nursi ng home 552
830		-	administration in another state of the United States, provided 553
831		-	that the current requirements for licensure in that state are 554
832		-	substantially equivalent to, or more stringent than, current 555
833		-	requirements in this state; or 556
834		-	2. Meets the qualifications f or licensure in s. 468.1695; 557
835		-	and 558
836		-	(b)1. Has successfully completed a national examination 559
837		-	which is substantially equivalent to, or more stringent than, 560
838		-	the examination given by the department; 561
839		-	2. Has passed an examination on the laws and rules of this 562
840		-	state governing the administration of nursing homes; and 563
841		-	3. Has worked as a fully licensed nursing home 564
842		-	administrator for 2 years within the 5 -year period immediately 565
843		-	preceding the application by endorsement. 566
844		-	(2) National examinations for licensure as a nursing home 567
845		-	administrator shall be presumed to be substantially equivalent 568
846		-	to, or more stringent than, the examination and requirements in 569
847		-	this state, unless found otherwise by rule of the board. 570
848		-	(2)(3) The department may shall not issue a license by 571
849		-	endorsement or a temporary license to any applicant who is under 572
850		-	investigation in this or another state for any act which would 573
851		-	constitute a violation of this part until such time as the 574
852		-	investigation is complete and disciplinary proceedings have been 575
853		-
854		-	CS/CS/HB 1273 2024
855		-
856		-
857		-
858		-	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
859		-	hb1273-02-c2
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861		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
862		-
863		-
864		-
865		-	terminated. 576
866		-	Section 12. Section 468.213, Florida Statutes, is 577
867		-	repealed. 578
868		-	Section 13. Section 468.513, Florida Statutes, is amended 579
869		-	to read: 580
870		-	468.513 Dietitian/nutritionist; licensure by endorsement. — 581
871		-	(1) The department shall issue a license to practic e 582
872		-	dietetics and nutrition by endorsement to any applicant who 583
873		-	meets the requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 584
874		-	456.0145 the board certifies as qualified , upon receipt of a 585
875		-	completed application and the fee specified in s. 468.508. 586
876		-	(2) The board shall certify as qualified for licensure by 587
877		-	endorsement under this section any applicant who: 588
878		-	(a) Presents evidence satisfactory to the board that he or 589
879		-	she is a registered dietitian; or 590
880		-	(b) Holds a valid license to practice dietetics or 591
881		-	nutrition issued by another state, district, or territory of the 592
882		-	United States, if the criteria for issuance of such license are 593
883		-	determined by the board to be substantially equivalent to or 594
884		-	more stringent than those of this state. 595
885		-	(3) The department shall not issue a license by 596
886		-	endorsement under this section to any applicant who is under 597
887		-	investigation in any jurisdiction for any act which would 598
888		-	constitute a violation of this part or chapter 456 until such 599
889		-	time as the investigation is complete and disciplinary 600
890		-
891		-	CS/CS/HB 1273 2024
892		-
893		-
894		-
895		-	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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898		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
899		-
900		-
901		-
902		-	proceedings have been terminated. 601
903		-	Section 14. Section 478.47, Florida Statutes, is amended 602
904		-	to read: 603
905		-	478.47 Licensure by endorsement. —The department shall 604
906		-	issue a license by endorsement to any applicant who , upon 605
907		-	submitting submits an application and the re quired fees as set 606
908		-	forth in s. 478.55, demonstrates to the board that he or she 607
909		-	meets the requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 608
910		-	456.0145 and who holds an active license or other authority to 609
911		-	practice electrology in a jurisdiction whose licensu re 610
912		-	requirements are determined by the board to be equivalent to the 611
913		-	requirements for licensure in this state . 612
914		-	Section 15. Paragraph (c) of subsection (5) of section 613
915		-	480.041, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 614
916		-	480.041 Massage therapists; qualifications; licensure; 615
917		-	endorsement.— 616
918		-	(5) The board shall adopt rules: 617
919		-	(c) Specifying licensing procedures for practitioners 618
920		-	desiring to be licensed in this state who meet the requirements 619
921		-	for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145 or hold an active 620
922		-	license and have practiced in any other state, territory, or 621
923		-	jurisdiction of the United States or any foreign national 622
924		-	jurisdiction which has licensing standards substantially similar 623
925		-	to, equivalent to, or more stringent than the standards of this 624
926		-	state. 625
927		-
928		-	CS/CS/HB 1273 2024
929		-
930		-
931		-
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935		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
936		-
937		-
938		-
939		-	Section 16. Subsections (3) and (4) of section 484.007, 626
940		-	Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsection (4) and (5), 627
941		-	respectively, subsection (1) is amended, and a new subsection 628
942		-	(3) is added to that section, to read: 629
943		-	484.007 Licensure of optician s; permitting of optical 630
944		-	establishments.— 631
945		-	(1) Any person desiring to practice opticianry shall apply 632
946		-	to the department, upon forms prescribed by it, to take a 633
947		-	licensure examination. The department shall examine each 634
948		-	applicant who the board certifies meets all of the following 635
949		-	criteria: 636
950		-	(a) Has completed the application form and remitted a 637
951		-	nonrefundable application fee set by the board, in the amount of 638
952		-	$100 or less, and an examination fee set by the board, in the 639
953		-	amount of $325 plus the actual per appli cant cost to the 640
954		-	department for purchase of portions of the examination from the 641
955		-	American Board of Opticianry or a similar national organization, 642
956		-	or less, and refundable if the board finds the applicant 643
957		-	ineligible to take the examination .; 644
958		-	(b) Is not younger less than 18 years of age .; 645
959		-	(c) Is a graduate of an accredited high school or 646
960		-	possesses a certificate of equivalency of a high school 647
961		-	education.; and 648
962		-	(d)1. Has received an associate degree, or its equivalent, 649
963		-	in opticianry from an educational inst itution the curriculum of 650
964		-
965		-	CS/CS/HB 1273 2024
966		-
967		-
968		-
969		-	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
970		-	hb1273-02-c2
971		-	Page 27 of 35
972		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
973		-
974		-
975		-
976		-	which is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized and 651
977		-	approved by the United States Department of Education or the 652
978		-	Council on Postsecondary Education or approved by the board; or 653
979		-	2. Is an individual licensed to practice th e profession of 654
980		-	opticianry pursuant to a regulatory licensing law of another 655
981		-	state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States, who has 656
982		-	actively practiced in such other state, territory, or 657
983		-	jurisdiction for more than 3 years immediately preceding 658
984		-	application, and who meets the examination qualifications as 659
985		-	provided in this subsection; 660
986		-	3. Is an individual who has actively practiced in another 661
987		-	state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States for more 662
988		-	than 5 years immediately preceding application and who provides 663
989		-	tax or business records, affidavits, or other satisfactory 664
990		-	documentation of such practice and who meets the examination 665
991		-	qualifications as provided in this subsection; or 666
992		-	2.4. Has registered as an apprentice with the department 667
993		-	and paid a registration fee not to exceed $60, as set by rule of 668
994		-	the board. The apprentice shall complete 6,240 hours of training 669
995		-	under the supervision of an optician licensed in this state for 670
996		-	at least 1 year or of a physician or optometrist licensed under 671
997		-	the laws of this state. These requirements must be met within 5 672
998		-	years after the date of registration. However, any time spent in 673
999		-	a recognized school may be considered as part of the 674
1000		-	apprenticeship program provided herein. The board may establish 675
1001		-
1002		-	CS/CS/HB 1273 2024
1003		-
1004		-
1005		-
1006		-	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1007		-	hb1273-02-c2
1008		-	Page 28 of 35
1009		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1010		-
1011		-
1012		-
1013		-	administrative processing fees sufficient to cover the cost of 676
1014		-	administering apprentice rules as promulgated by the board. 677
1015		-	(3) The board shall certify to the department for 678
1016		-	licensure by endorsement any applicant who meets the 679
1017		-	requirements for licensure by endorsement und er s. 456.0145. 680
1018		-	Section 17. Section 486.081, Florida Statutes, is amended 681
1019		-	to read: 682
1020		-	486.081 Physical therapist; license by endorsement 683
1021		-	issuance of license without examination to person passing 684
1022		-	examination of another authorized examining board; fee .— 685
1023		-	(1) The board may cause a license by endorsement to be 686
1024		-	issued through the department without examination to any 687
1025		-	applicant who presents evidence satisfactory to the board of 688
1026		-	meeting the requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 689
1027		-	456.0145 having passed the American Registry Examination prior 690
1028		-	to 1971 or an examination in physical therapy before a similar 691
1029		-	lawfully authorized examining board of another state, the 692
1030		-	District of Columbia, a territory, or a foreign country, if the 693
1031		-	standards for licensure in physical therapy in such other state, 694
1032		-	district, territory, or foreign country are determined by the 695
1033		-	board to be as high as those of this state, as established by 696
1034		-	rules adopted pursuant to this chapter . Any person who holds a 697
1035		-	license pursuant to this sectio n may use the words "physical 698
1036		-	therapist" or "physiotherapist" or the letters "P.T." in 699
1037		-	connection with her or his name or place of business to denote 700
1038		-
1039		-	CS/CS/HB 1273 2024
1040		-
1041		-
1042		-
1043		-	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1044		-	hb1273-02-c2
1045		-	Page 29 of 35
1046		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1047		-
1048		-
1049		-
1050		-	her or his licensure hereunder. A person who holds a license 701
1051		-	pursuant to this section and obtains a doctor al degree in 702
1052		-	physical therapy may use the letters "D.P.T." and "P.T." A 703
1053		-	physical therapist who holds a degree of Doctor of Physical 704
1054		-	Therapy may not use the title "doctor" without also clearly 705
1055		-	informing the public of his or her profession as a physical 706
1056		-	therapist. 707
1057		-	(2) At the time of making application for licensure by 708
1058		-	endorsement under without examination pursuant to the terms of 709
1059		-	this section, the applicant shall pay to the department a fee 710
1060		-	not to exceed $175 as fixed by the board, no part of which will 711
1061		-	be returned. 712
1062		-	Section 18. Section 486.107, Florida Statutes, is amended 713
1063		-	to read: 714
1064		-	486.107 Physical therapist assistant; issuance of license 715
1065		-	by endorsement without examination to person licensed in another 716
1066		-	jurisdiction; fee.— 717
1067		-	(1) The board may cause a li cense by endorsement to be 718
1068		-	issued through the department without examination to any 719
1069		-	applicant who presents evidence to the board, under oath, of 720
1070		-	meeting the requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 721
1071		-	456.0145 licensure in another state, the Distric t of Columbia, 722
1072		-	or a territory, if the standards for registering as a physical 723
1073		-	therapist assistant or licensing of a physical therapist 724
1074		-	assistant, as the case may be, in such other state are 725
1075		-
1076		-	CS/CS/HB 1273 2024
1077		-
1078		-
1079		-
1080		-	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1081		-	hb1273-02-c2
1082		-	Page 30 of 35
1083		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1084		-
1085		-
1086		-
1087		-	determined by the board to be as high as those of this state, as 726
1088		-	established by rules adopted pursuant to this chapter . Any 727
1089		-	person who holds a license pursuant to this section may use the 728
1090		-	words "physical therapist assistant," or the letters "P.T.A.," 729
1091		-	in connection with her or his name to denote licensure 730
1092		-	hereunder. 731
1093		-	(2) At the time of making application for licensure by 732
1094		-	endorsement under licensing without examination pursuant to the 733
1095		-	terms of this section, the applicant shall pay to the department 734
1096		-	a nonrefundable fee set by the board in an amount not to exceed 735
1097		-	$175 as fixed by the board, no part of which will be returned . 736
1098		-	Section 19. Subsection (4) of section 490.006, Florida 737
1099		-	Statutes, is renumbered as subsection (2), and present 738
1100		-	subsections (1), (2), and (3) of that section are amended to 739
1101		-	read: 740
1102		-	490.006 Licensure by endorsement.— 741
1103		-	(1) The department shall license a person as a 742
1104		-	psychologist or school psychologist who, upon applying to the 743
1105		-	department and remitting the appropriate fee, demonstrates to 744
1106		-	the department or, in the case of psychologists, to the board 745
1107		-	that the applicant meets the requirements for licensure by 746
1108		-	endorsement under s. 456.0145. : 747
1109		-	(a) Is a diplomate in good standing with the American 748
1110		-	Board of Professional Psychology, Inc.; or 749
1111		-	(b) Possesses a doctoral degree in psychology and has at 750
1112		-
1113		-	CS/CS/HB 1273 2024
1114		-
1115		-
1116		-
1117		-	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1118		-	hb1273-02-c2
1119		-	Page 31 of 35
1120		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1121		-
1122		-
1123		-
1124		-	least 10 years of experience as a licensed psychologist in any 751
1125		-	jurisdiction or territory of the United States within the 25 752
1126		-	years preceding the date of application. 753
1127		-	(2) In addition to meeting the requirements for licensure 754
1128		-	set forth in subsection (1), an applicant mus t pass that portion 755
1129		-	of the psychology or school psychology licensure examinations 756
1130		-	pertaining to the laws and rules related to the practice of 757
1131		-	psychology or school psychology in this state before the 758
1132		-	department may issue a license to the applicant. 759
1133		-	(3) The department shall not issue a license by 760
1134		-	endorsement to any applicant who is under investigation in this 761
1135		-	or another jurisdiction for an act which would constitute a 762
1136		-	violation of this chapter until such time as the investigation 763
1137		-	is complete, at which tim e the provisions of s. 490.009 shall 764
1138		-	apply. 765
1139		-	Section 20. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 491.006, 766
1140		-	Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 767
1141		-	491.006 Licensure or certification by endorsement. — 768
1142		-	(1) The department shall license or grant a certificate t o 769
1143		-	a person in a profession regulated by this chapter who, upon 770
1144		-	applying to the department and remitting the appropriate fee, 771
1145		-	demonstrates to the board that he or she meets the requirements 772
1146		-	for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145. : 773
1147		-	(a) Has demonstrated, in a manner designated by rule of 774
1148		-	the board, knowledge of the laws and rules governing the 775
1149		-
1150		-	CS/CS/HB 1273 2024
1151		-
1152		-
1153		-
1154		-	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1155		-	hb1273-02-c2
1156		-	Page 32 of 35
1157		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1158		-
1159		-
1160		-
1161		-	practice of clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, 776
1162		-	and mental health counseling. 777
1163		-	(b)1. Holds an active valid license to practice and has 778
1164		-	actively practiced the licensed profession in another state for 779
1165		-	3 of the last 5 years immediately preceding licensure; 780
1166		-	2. Has passed a substantially equivalent licensing 781
1167		-	examination in another state or has passed the licensure 782
1168		-	examination in this state in the profession for which the 783
1169		-	applicant seeks licensure; and 784
1170		-	3. Holds a license in good standing, is not under 785
1171		-	investigation for an act that would constitute a violation of 786
1172		-	this chapter, and has not been found to have committed any act 787
1173		-	that would constitute a violation of this chapter. 788
1174		-	(2) The fees paid by any applicant for certification as a 789
1175		-	master social worker under this section are nonrefundable. 790
1176		-	(2) The department shall not issue a license or 791
1177		-	certificate by endorsement to any applicant who is under 792
1178		-	investigation in this or another jurisdiction for an act which 793
1179		-	would constitute a violation of this chapter until such time as 794
1180		-	the investigation is complete, at which time the provisions of 795
1181		-	s. 491.009 shall apply . 796
1182		-	Section 21. Subsection (3 ) of section 468.209, Florida 797
1183		-	Statutes, is amended to read: 798
1184		-	468.209 Requirements for licensure. — 799
1185		-	(3) If the board determines that an applicant is qualified 800
1186		-
1187		-	CS/CS/HB 1273 2024
1188		-
1189		-
1190		-
1191		-	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1192		-	hb1273-02-c2
1193		-	Page 33 of 35
1194		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1195		-
1196		-
1197		-
1198		-	to be licensed by endorsement under s. 456.0145 s. 468.213, the 801
1199		-	board may issue the applicant a temporary permit to practice 802
1200		-	occupational therapy until the next board meeting at which 803
1201		-	license applications are to be considered, but not for a longer 804
1202		-	period of time. Only one temporary permit by endorsement shall 805
1203		-	be issued to an applicant, and it shall n ot be renewable. 806
1204		-	Section 22. Subsection (3) of section 486.031, Florida 807
1205		-	Statutes, is amended to read: 808
1206		-	486.031 Physical therapist; licensing requirements. —To be 809
1207		-	eligible for licensing as a physical therapist, an applicant 810
1208		-	must: 811
1209		-	(3)(a) Have been grad uated from a school of physical 812
1210		-	therapy which has been approved for the educational preparation 813
1211		-	of physical therapists by the appropriate accrediting agency 814
1212		-	recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary 815
1213		-	Accreditation or the United States Dep artment of Education at 816
1214		-	the time of her or his graduation and have passed, to the 817
1215		-	satisfaction of the board, the American Registry Examination 818
1216		-	prior to 1971 or a national examination approved by the board to 819
1217		-	determine her or his fitness for practice as a p hysical 820
1218		-	therapist as hereinafter provided; 821
1219		-	(b) Have received a diploma from a program in physical 822
1220		-	therapy in a foreign country and have educational credentials 823
1221		-	deemed equivalent to those required for the educational 824
1222		-	preparation of physical therapists in this country, as 825
1223		-
1224		-	CS/CS/HB 1273 2024
1225		-
1226		-
1227		-
1228		-	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1229		-	hb1273-02-c2
1230		-	Page 34 of 35
1231		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1232		-
1233		-
1234		-
1235		-	recognized by the appropriate agency as identified by the board, 826
1236		-	and have passed to the satisfaction of the board an examination 827
1237		-	to determine her or his fitness for practice as a physical 828
1238		-	therapist as hereinafter provided; or 829
1239		-	(c) Be entitled to licensure by endorsement or without 830
1240		-	examination as provided in s. 486.081. 831
1241		-	Section 23. Subsection (3) of section 486.102, Florida 832
1242		-	Statutes, is amended to read: 833
1243		-	486.102 Physical therapist assistant; licensing 834
1244		-	requirements.—To be eligible for l icensing by the board as a 835
1245		-	physical therapist assistant, an applicant must: 836
1246		-	(3)(a) Have been graduated from a school giving a course 837
1247		-	of not less than 2 years for physical therapist assistants, 838
1248		-	which has been approved for the educational preparation of 839
1249		-	physical therapist assistants by the appropriate accrediting 840
1250		-	agency recognized by the Commission on Recognition of 841
1251		-	Postsecondary Accreditation or the United States Department of 842
1252		-	Education, at the time of her or his graduation and have passed 843
1253		-	to the satisfaction of the board an examination to determine her 844
1254		-	or his fitness for practice as a physical therapist assistant as 845
1255		-	hereinafter provided; 846
1256		-	(b) Have been graduated from a school giving a course for 847
1257		-	physical therapist assistants in a foreign country and have 848
1258		-	educational credentials deemed equivalent to those required for 849
1259		-	the educational preparation of physical therapist assistants in 850
1260		-
1261		-	CS/CS/HB 1273 2024
1262		-
1263		-
1264		-
1265		-	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1266		-	hb1273-02-c2
1267		-	Page 35 of 35
1268		-	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1269		-
1270		-
1271		-
1272		-	this country, as recognized by the appropriate agency as 851
1273		-	identified by the board, and passed to the satisfaction of the 852
1274		-	board an examination to determine her or his fitness for 853
1275		-	practice as a physical therapist assistant as hereinafter 854
1276		-	provided; 855
1277		-	(c) Be entitled to licensure by endorsement without 856
1278		-	examination as provided in s. 486.107; or 857
1279		-	(d) Have been enrolled between July 1, 20 14, and July 1, 858
1280		-	2016, in a physical therapist assistant school in this state 859
1281		-	which was accredited at the time of enrollment; and 860
1282		-	1. Have been graduated or be eligible to graduate from 861
1283		-	such school no later than July 1, 2018; and 862
1284		-	2. Have passed to the sa tisfaction of the board an 863
1285		-	examination to determine his or her fitness for practice as a 864
1286		-	physical therapist assistant as provided in s. 486.104. 865
1287		-	Section 24. Notwithstanding the changes made to the 866
1288		-	Florida Statutes (2023) by this act, a board as defined in s. 867
1289		-	456.001, Florida Statutes, or the Department of Health, as 868
1290		-	applicable, may continue processing applications for licensure 869
1291		-	by endorsement as authorized under the Florida Statutes (2023) 870
1292		-	until the rules adopted by such board or the department to 871
1293		-	implement the changes made by this act take effect or until 6 872
1294		-	months after the effective date of this act, whichever occurs 873
1295		-	first. 874
1296		-	Section 25. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024. 875
	51	+	secretary's finding. 26
	52	+	(b) If the secretary finds that the requirements of a 27
	53	+	basis license in another jurisdiction are substantially 28
	54	+	equivalent to or are otherwise sufficient for a license in this 29
	55	+	state, the board, or the department if there is no board, must 30
	56	+	make the same finding for similar applicants from the same 31
	57	+	jurisdiction, unless the requirements of the basis license 32
	58	+	change. 33
	59	+	(c) As used in this subsection, the term "basis license" 34
	60	+	means the license or the licensure requirem ents of another 35
	61	+	jurisdiction which are used to meet the requirements for a 36
	62	+	license in this state. 37
	63	+	Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024. 38