Florida Senate - 2024 SB 1600 By Senator Collins 14-00079E-24 20241600__ 1 A bill to be entitled 2 An act relating to interstate mobility; creating s. 3 455.2135, F.S.; requiring the respective boards of 4 occupations, or the Department of Business and 5 Professional Regulation if there is no board, to allow 6 licensure by endorsement if the applicant meets 7 certain criteria; requiring applicants of professions 8 that require fingerprints for criminal history checks 9 to submit such fingerprints before the board or 10 department issues a license by endorsement; requiring 11 the department, and authorizing the board, to review 12 the results of the criminal history checks according 13 to specific criteria to determine if the applicants 14 meet the requirements for licensure; requiring that 15 the costs associated with fingerprint processing be 16 borne by the applicant; if fingerprints are submitted 17 through an authorized agency or vendor, requiring such 18 agency or vendor to collect the processing fees and 19 remit them to the Department of Law Enforcement; 20 providing an exemption; creating s. 456.0145, F.S.; 21 providing a short title; requiring the applicable 22 health care regulatory boards, or the Department of 23 Health if there is no board, to issue a license or 24 certificate to applicants who meet specified 25 conditions; defining the term scope of practice; 26 requiring the department to verify certain information 27 using the National Practitioner Data Bank, as 28 applicable; specifying circumstances under which a 29 person is ineligible for a license; authorizing boards 30 or the department, as applicable, to revoke a license 31 upon a specified finding; requiring boards or the 32 department, as applicable, to issue licenses within a 33 specified timeframe; authorizing boards or the 34 department, as applicable, to require that applicants 35 successfully complete a jurisprudential examination 36 under certain circumstances; requiring the department 37 to submit an annual report to the Governor and the 38 Legislature by a specified date; providing 39 requirements for the report; requiring the boards and 40 the department, as applicable, to adopt certain rules 41 within a specified timeframe; amending ss. 457.105, 42 458.313, 464.009, 465.0075, 467.0125, 468.1185, 43 468.1705, 468.213, 468.3065, 468.358, 468.513, 478.47, 44 480.041, 484.007, 486.081, 486.107, 490.006, and 45 491.006, F.S.; revising licensure by endorsement 46 requirements for the practice of acupuncture, 47 medicine, professional or practical nursing, pharmacy, 48 midwifery, speech-language pathology and audiology, 49 nursing home administration, occupational therapy, 50 radiology, respiratory therapy, dietetics and 51 nutrition, electrology, massage therapy, opticianry, 52 physical therapy, physical therapist assistantship, 53 psychology and school psychology, and clinical social 54 work, marriage and family therapy, and mental health 55 counseling, respectively; amending ss. 486.031 and 56 486.102, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made 57 by the act; authorizing the boards and the Department 58 of Health, as applicable, to continue processing 59 applications for licensure by endorsement, as 60 authorized under the Florida Statutes (2023), for a 61 specified timeframe; providing an effective date. 62 63 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 64 65 Section 1.Section 455.2135, Florida Statutes, is created 66 to read: 67 455.2135Interstate mobility. 68 (1)When endorsement based on years of licensure is not 69 otherwise provided by law in the practice act for a profession, 70 the board, or the department if there is no board, shall allow 71 licensure by endorsement for any individual applying who: 72 (a)Has held a valid, current license to practice the 73 profession issued by another state or territory of the United 74 States for at least 5 years before the date of application and 75 is applying for the same or similar license in this state; 76 (b)Submits an application either when the license in 77 another state or territory is active or within 2 years after 78 such license was last active; 79 (c)Has passed the recognized national licensing exam, if 80 such exam is established as a requirement for licensure in the 81 profession; 82 (d)Has no pending disciplinary actions and all sanctions 83 of any prior disciplinary actions have been satisfied; 84 (e)Shows proof of compliance with any federal regulation, 85 training, or certification, if the board or the department 86 requires such proof, regarding licensure in the profession; 87 (f)Completes Florida-specific continuing education courses 88 or passes a jurisprudential examination specific to the state 89 laws and rules for the applicable profession as established by 90 the board or department; and 91 (g)Complies with any insurance or bonding requirements as 92 required for the profession. 93 (2)If the practice act for a profession requires the 94 submission of fingerprints, the applicant must submit a complete 95 set of fingerprints to the Department of Law Enforcement for a 96 statewide criminal history check. The Department of Law 97 Enforcement shall forward the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau 98 of Investigation for a national criminal history check. The 99 department shall, and the board may, review the results of the 100 criminal history checks according to the level 2 screening 101 standards in s. 435.04 and determine whether the applicant meets 102 the licensure requirements. The costs of fingerprint processing 103 are borne by the applicant. If the applicants fingerprints are 104 submitted through an authorized agency or vendor, the agency or 105 vendor must collect the required processing fees and remit the 106 fees to the Department of Law Enforcement. 107 (3)This section does not apply to harbor pilots licensed 108 under chapter 310. 109 Section 2.Section 456.0145, Florida Statutes, is created 110 to read: 111 456.0145Mobile Opportunity by Interstate Licensure 112 Endorsement (MOBILE) Act. 113 (1)SHORT TITLE.This section may be cited as the Mobile 114 Opportunity by Interstate Licensure Endorsement Act or the 115 MOBILE Act. 116 (2)LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT. 117 (a)An applicable board, or the department if there is no 118 board, shall issue a license or certificate to practice in this 119 state to an applicant who meets all of the following criteria: 120 1.Submits a completed application. 121 2.Holds an active, unencumbered license issued by another 122 state, the District of Columbia, or a possession or territory of 123 the United States in a profession with a similar scope of 124 practice, as determined by the board or department, as 125 applicable. As used in this subparagraph, the term scope of 126 practice means the full spectrum of functions, procedures, 127 actions, and services that a health care practitioner is deemed 128 competent and authorized to perform under a license issued in 129 this state. 130 3.a.Has obtained a passing score on a national licensure 131 examination or holds a national certification recognized by the 132 board, or the department if there is no board, as applicable to 133 the profession for which the applicant is seeking licensure in 134 this state; or 135 b.Meets the requirements of paragraph (b). 136 4.Has actively practiced the profession for which the 137 applicant is applying for at least 3 years during the 4-year 138 period immediately preceding the date of submission of the 139 application. 140 5.Attests that he or she is not, at the time of submission 141 of the application, the subject of a disciplinary proceeding in 142 a jurisdiction in which he or she holds a license or by the 143 United States Department of Defense for reasons related to the 144 practice of the profession for which he or she is applying. 145 6.Has not had professional disciplinary action taken 146 against him or her in the 7 years immediately preceding the date 147 of submission of the application. 148 7.Meets the financial responsibility requirements of s. 149 456.048 or the applicable practice act, if required for the 150 profession for which the applicant is seeking licensure. 151 8.Submits a set of fingerprints for a background check 152 pursuant to s. 456.0135 or the applicable practice act, if 153 required for the profession for which he or she is applying. 154 155 The department shall verify information submitted by the 156 applicant under this subsection using the National Practitioner 157 Data Bank, as applicable. 158 (b)An applicant for a profession that does not require a 159 national examination or national certification is eligible for 160 licensure if an applicable board, or the department if there is 161 no board, determines that the jurisdiction in which the 162 applicant currently holds an active, unencumbered license meets 163 established minimum education requirements and, if applicable, 164 examination, work experience, and clinical supervision 165 requirements that are substantially similar to the requirements 166 for licensure in that profession in this state. 167 (c)A person is ineligible for a license under this section 168 if the applicant: 169 1.Has a complaint, an allegation, or an investigation 170 pending before a licensing entity in another state, the District 171 of Columbia, or a possession or territory of the United States; 172 2.Has been convicted of or pled nolo contendere to, 173 regardless of adjudication, any felony or misdemeanor related to 174 the practice of a health care profession; 175 3.Has had a health care provider license revoked or 176 suspended by another state, the District of Columbia, or a 177 possession or territory of the United States, or has voluntarily 178 surrendered any such license; 179 4.Has been reported to the National Practitioner Data 180 Bank, unless the applicant has successfully appealed to have his 181 or her name removed from the data bank; or 182 5.Has previously failed the Florida examination required 183 to receive a license to practice the profession for which the 184 applicant is seeking a license. 185 (d)The board, or the department if there is no board, may 186 revoke a license upon finding that the licensee provided false 187 or misleading material information or intentionally omitted 188 material information in an application for licensure. 189 (e)The board, or the department if there is no board, 190 shall issue a license within 15 days after receipt of all 191 documentation required for an application. 192 (3)STATE EXAMINATION.The board, or the department if 193 there is no board, may require an applicant to successfully 194 complete a jurisprudential examination specific to state laws 195 and rules for the applicable profession, if this chapter or the 196 applicable practice act requires such examination. 197 (4)ANNUAL REPORT.By December 31 of each year, the 198 department shall submit a report to the Governor, the President 199 of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives 200 which provides all of the following information for the previous 201 fiscal year, per profession and in total: 202 (a)The number of applications for licensure received under 203 this section. 204 (b)The number of licenses issued under this section. 205 (c)The number of applications submitted under this section 206 which were denied and the reason for such denials. 207 (5)RULES.Each applicable board, or the department if 208 there is no board, shall adopt rules to implement this section 209 within 6 months after this sections effective date, including 210 rules relating to legislative intent under s. 456.025(1) and the 211 requirements of s. 456.025(3). 212 Section 3.Subsection (2) of section 457.105, Florida 213 Statutes, is amended to read: 214 457.105Licensure qualifications and fees. 215 (2)A person may become licensed to practice acupuncture if 216 the person applies to the department and meets all of the 217 following criteria: 218 (a)Is 21 years of age or older, has good moral character, 219 and has the ability to communicate in English, which is 220 demonstrated by having passed the national written examination 221 in English or, if such examination was passed in a foreign 222 language, by also having passed a nationally recognized English 223 proficiency examination.; 224 (b)Has completed 60 college credits from an accredited 225 postsecondary institution as a prerequisite to enrollment in an 226 authorized 3-year course of study in acupuncture and oriental 227 medicine, and has completed a 3-year course of study in 228 acupuncture and oriental medicine, and effective July 31, 2001, 229 a 4-year course of study in acupuncture and oriental medicine, 230 which meets standards established by the board by rule, which 231 standards include, but are not limited to, successful completion 232 of academic courses in western anatomy, western physiology, 233 western pathology, western biomedical terminology, first aid, 234 and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, any person who 235 enrolled in an authorized course of study in acupuncture before 236 August 1, 1997, must have completed only a 2-year course of 237 study which meets standards established by the board by rule, 238 which standards must include, but are not limited to, successful 239 completion of academic courses in western anatomy, western 240 physiology, and western pathology.; 241 (c)Has successfully completed a board-approved national 242 certification process, meets the requirements for licensure by 243 endorsement under s. 456.0145 is actively licensed in a state 244 that has examination requirements that are substantially 245 equivalent to or more stringent than those of this state, or 246 passes an examination administered by the department, which 247 examination tests the applicants competency and knowledge of 248 the practice of acupuncture and oriental medicine. At the 249 request of any applicant, oriental nomenclature for the points 250 shall be used in the examination. The examination shall include 251 a practical examination of the knowledge and skills required to 252 practice modern and traditional acupuncture and oriental 253 medicine, covering diagnostic and treatment techniques and 254 procedures.; and 255 (d)Pays the required fees set by the board by rule not to 256 exceed the following amounts: 257 1.Examination fee: $500 plus the actual per applicant cost 258 to the department for purchase of the written and practical 259 portions of the examination from a national organization 260 approved by the board. 261 2.Application fee: $300. 262 3.Reexamination fee: $500 plus the actual per applicant 263 cost to the department for purchase of the written and practical 264 portions of the examination from a national organization 265 approved by the board. 266 4.Initial biennial licensure fee: $400, if licensed in the 267 first half of the biennium, and $200, if licensed in the second 268 half of the biennium. 269 Section 4.Section 458.313, Florida Statutes, is amended to 270 read: 271 (Substantial rewording of section. See 272 s. 458.313, F.S., for present text.) 273 458.313Licensure by endorsement; requirements; fees.The 274 department shall issue a license by endorsement to any applicant 275 who, upon applying to the department on forms furnished by the 276 department and remitting a fee set by the board in an amount not 277 to exceed $500, the board certifies has met the requirements for 278 licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145. 279 Section 5.Section 464.009, Florida Statutes, is amended to 280 read: 281 (Substantial rewording of section. See 282 s. 464.009, F.S., for present text.) 283 464.009Licensure by endorsement. 284 (1)The department shall issue the appropriate license by 285 endorsement to practice professional or practical nursing to any 286 applicant who, upon applying to the department and remitting a 287 fee set by the board in an amount not to exceed $100, 288 demonstrates to the board that he or she meets the requirements 289 for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145. 290 (2)A person holding an active multistate license in 291 another state pursuant to s. 464.0095 is exempt from the 292 requirements for licensure by endorsement in this section. 293 Section 6.Section 465.0075, Florida Statutes, is amended 294 to read: 295 (Substantial rewording of section. See 296 s. 465.0075, F.S., for present text.) 297 465.0075Licensure by endorsement; requirements; fee.The 298 department shall issue a license by endorsement to any applicant 299 who, upon applying to the department and remitting a 300 nonrefundable fee set by the board in an amount not to exceed 301 $100, the board certifies has met the requirements for licensure 302 by endorsement under s. 456.0145. 303 Section 7.Subsection (1) of section 467.0125, Florida 304 Statutes, is amended to read: 305 467.0125Licensed midwives; qualifications; endorsement; 306 temporary certificates. 307 (1)The department shall issue a license by endorsement to 308 practice midwifery to an applicant who, upon applying to the 309 department on a form approved by the department and remitting 310 the appropriate fee, demonstrates to the department that she or 311 he meets the requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 312 456.0145 all of the following criteria: 313 (a)Holds an active, unencumbered license to practice 314 midwifery in another state, jurisdiction, or territory, provided 315 the licensing requirements of that state, jurisdiction, or 316 territory at the time the license was issued were substantially 317 equivalent to or exceeded those established under this chapter 318 and the rules adopted hereunder. 319 (b)Has successfully completed a prelicensure course 320 conducted by an accredited and approved midwifery program. 321 (c)Submits an application for licensure on a form approved 322 by the department and pays the appropriate fee. 323 Section 8.Subsections (3) and (4) of section 468.1185, 324 Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 325 468.1185Licensure. 326 (3)The board shall certify as qualified for a license by 327 endorsement as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist an 328 applicant who: 329 (a)Holds a valid license or certificate in another state 330 or territory of the United States to practice the profession for 331 which the application for licensure is made, if the criteria for 332 issuance of such license were substantially equivalent to or 333 more stringent than the licensure criteria which existed in this 334 state at the time the license was issued; or 335 (b)Holds a valid certificate of clinical competence of the 336 American Speech-Language and Hearing Association or board 337 certification in audiology from the American Board of Audiology. 338 (3)(4)The board may refuse to certify any person applying 339 for licensure under this section applicant who is under 340 investigation in any jurisdiction for an act which would 341 constitute a violation of this part or chapter 456 until the 342 investigation is complete and disciplinary proceedings have been 343 terminated. 344 Section 9.Subsections (1), (2), and (3) of section 345 468.1705, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 346 468.1705Licensure by endorsement; temporary license. 347 (1)The department shall issue a license by endorsement to 348 any applicant who, upon applying to the department and remitting 349 a fee set by the board not to exceed $500, demonstrates to the 350 board that he or she meets the requirements for licensure by 351 endorsement under s. 456.0145: 352 (a)Meets one of the following requirements: 353 1.Holds a valid active license to practice nursing home 354 administration in another state of the United States, provided 355 that the current requirements for licensure in that state are 356 substantially equivalent to, or more stringent than, current 357 requirements in this state; or 358 2.Meets the qualifications for licensure in s. 468.1695; 359 and 360 (b)1.Has successfully completed a national examination 361 which is substantially equivalent to, or more stringent than, 362 the examination given by the department; 363 2.Has passed an examination on the laws and rules of this 364 state governing the administration of nursing homes; and 365 3.Has worked as a fully licensed nursing home 366 administrator for 2 years within the 5-year period immediately 367 preceding the application by endorsement. 368 (2)National examinations for licensure as a nursing home 369 administrator shall be presumed to be substantially equivalent 370 to, or more stringent than, the examination and requirements in 371 this state, unless found otherwise by rule of the board. 372 (2)(3)The department may shall not issue a license by 373 endorsement or a temporary license to any applicant who is under 374 investigation in this or another state for any act which would 375 constitute a violation of this part until such time as the 376 investigation is complete and disciplinary proceedings have been 377 terminated. 378 Section 10.Section 468.213, Florida Statutes, is amended 379 to read: 380 468.213Licensure by endorsement; waiver of examination 381 requirement. 382 (1)The board may waive the examination and grant a license 383 to any person who meets the requirements for licensure by 384 endorsement under s. 456.0145 presents proof of current 385 certification as an occupational therapist or occupational 386 therapy assistant by a national certifying organization if the 387 board determines the requirements for such certification to be 388 equivalent to the requirements for licensure in this act. 389 (2)The board may waive the examination and grant a license 390 to any applicant who presents proof of current licensure as an 391 occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant in a 392 another state, the District of Columbia, or any territory or 393 jurisdiction of the United States or foreign national 394 jurisdiction which requires standards for licensure determined 395 by the board to be equivalent to the requirements for licensure 396 in this part act. 397 Section 11.Section 468.3065, Florida Statutes, is amended 398 to read: 399 468.3065Certification by endorsement. 400 (1)The department may issue a certificate by endorsement 401 to practice as a radiologist assistant to an applicant who, upon 402 applying to the department and remitting a nonrefundable fee not 403 to exceed $50, demonstrates to the department that he or she 404 meets the requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 405 456.0145 holds a current certificate or registration as a 406 radiologist assistant granted by the American Registry of 407 Radiologic Technologists. 408 (2)The department may issue a certificate by endorsement 409 to practice radiologic technology to an applicant who, upon 410 applying to the department and remitting a nonrefundable fee not 411 to exceed $50, demonstrates to the department that he or she 412 meets the requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 413 456.0145 holds a current certificate, license, or registration 414 to practice radiologic technology, provided that the 415 requirements for such certificate, license, or registration are 416 deemed by the department to be substantially equivalent to those 417 established under this part and rules adopted under this part. 418 (3)The department may issue a certificate by endorsement 419 to practice as a specialty technologist to an applicant who, 420 upon applying to the department and remitting a nonrefundable 421 fee not to exceed $100, demonstrates to the department that he 422 or she meets the requirements for licensure by endorsement under 423 s. 456.0145 holds a current certificate or registration from a 424 national organization in a particular advanced, postprimary, or 425 specialty area of radiologic technology, such as computed 426 tomography or positron emission tomography. 427 Section 12.Section 468.358, Florida Statutes, is amended 428 to read: 429 468.358Licensure by endorsement. 430 (1)Licensure as a certified respiratory therapist must 431 shall be granted by endorsement to an individual who meets the 432 requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145 433 holds the Certified Respiratory Therapist credential issued by 434 the National Board for Respiratory Care or an equivalent 435 credential acceptable to the board. Licensure by this mechanism 436 requires verification by oath and submission of evidence 437 satisfactory to the board that such credential is held. 438 (2)Licensure as a registered respiratory therapist shall 439 be granted by endorsement to an individual who holds the 440 Registered Respiratory Therapist credential issued by the 441 National Board for Respiratory Care or an equivalent credential 442 acceptable to the board. Licensure by this mechanism requires 443 verification by oath and submission of evidence satisfactory to 444 the board that such credential is held. 445 (2)(3)An individual who has been granted licensure, 446 certification, registration, or other authority, by whatever 447 name known, to deliver respiratory care services in a foreign 448 another state or country may petition the board for 449 consideration for licensure in this state and, upon verification 450 by oath and submission of evidence of licensure, certification, 451 registration, or other authority acceptable to the board, may be 452 granted licensure by endorsement. 453 (3)(4)Licensure may shall not be granted by endorsement as 454 provided in this section without the submission of a proper 455 application and the payment of the requisite fees therefor. 456 Section 13.Section 468.513, Florida Statutes, is amended 457 to read: 458 468.513Dietitian/nutritionist; licensure by endorsement. 459 (1)The department shall issue a license to practice 460 dietetics and nutrition by endorsement to any applicant who 461 meets the requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 462 456.0145 the board certifies as qualified, upon receipt of a 463 completed application and the fee specified in s. 468.508. 464 (2)The board shall certify as qualified for licensure by 465 endorsement under this section any applicant who: 466 (a)Presents evidence satisfactory to the board that he or 467 she is a registered dietitian; or 468 (b)Holds a valid license to practice dietetics or 469 nutrition issued by another state, district, or territory of the 470 United States, if the criteria for issuance of such license are 471 determined by the board to be substantially equivalent to or 472 more stringent than those of this state. 473 (3)The department shall not issue a license by endorsement 474 under this section to any applicant who is under investigation 475 in any jurisdiction for any act which would constitute a 476 violation of this part or chapter 456 until such time as the 477 investigation is complete and disciplinary proceedings have been 478 terminated. 479 Section 14.Section 478.47, Florida Statutes, is amended to 480 read: 481 478.47Licensure by endorsement.The department shall issue 482 a license by endorsement to any applicant who, upon submitting 483 submits an application and the required fees as set forth in s. 484 478.55, demonstrates to the board that he or she meets the 485 requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145 and 486 who holds an active license or other authority to practice 487 electrology in a jurisdiction whose licensure requirements are 488 determined by the board to be equivalent to the requirements for 489 licensure in this state. 490 Section 15.Paragraph (c) of subsection (5) of section 491 480.041, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 492 480.041Massage therapists; qualifications; licensure; 493 endorsement. 494 (5)The board shall adopt rules: 495 (c)Specifying licensing procedures for practitioners 496 desiring to be licensed in this state who meet the requirements 497 for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145 or hold an active 498 license and have practiced in any other state, territory, or 499 jurisdiction of the United States or any foreign national 500 jurisdiction which has licensing standards substantially similar 501 to, equivalent to, or more stringent than the standards of this 502 state. 503 Section 16.Present subsections (3) and (4) of section 504 484.007, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (4) 505 and (5), respectively, a new subsection (3) is added to that 506 section, and subsection (1) of that section is amended, to read: 507 484.007Licensure of opticians; permitting of optical 508 establishments. 509 (1)Any person desiring to practice opticianry shall apply 510 to the department, upon forms prescribed by it, to take a 511 licensure examination. The department shall examine each 512 applicant who the board certifies meets all of the following 513 criteria: 514 (a)Has completed the application form and remitted a 515 nonrefundable application fee set by the board, in the amount of 516 $100 or less, and an examination fee set by the board, in the 517 amount of $325 plus the actual per applicant cost to the 518 department for purchase of portions of the examination from the 519 American Board of Opticianry or a similar national organization, 520 or less, and refundable if the board finds the applicant 521 ineligible to take the examination.; 522 (b)Is not younger less than 18 years of age.; 523 (c)Is a graduate of an accredited high school or possesses 524 a certificate of equivalency of a high school education.; and 525 (d)1.Has received an associate degree, or its equivalent, 526 in opticianry from an educational institution the curriculum of 527 which is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized and 528 approved by the United States Department of Education or the 529 Council on Postsecondary Education or approved by the board; 530 2.Is an individual licensed to practice the profession of 531 opticianry pursuant to a regulatory licensing law of another 532 state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States, who has 533 actively practiced in such other state, territory, or 534 jurisdiction for more than 3 years immediately preceding 535 application, and who meets the examination qualifications as 536 provided in this subsection; 537 3.Is an individual who has actively practiced in another 538 state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States for more 539 than 5 years immediately preceding application and who provides 540 tax or business records, affidavits, or other satisfactory 541 documentation of such practice and who meets the examination 542 qualifications as provided in this subsection; or 543 2.4.Has registered as an apprentice with the department 544 and paid a registration fee not to exceed $60, as set by rule of 545 the board. The apprentice shall complete 6,240 hours of training 546 under the supervision of an optician licensed in this state for 547 at least 1 year or of a physician or optometrist licensed under 548 the laws of this state. These requirements must be met within 5 549 years after the date of registration. However, any time spent in 550 a recognized school may be considered as part of the 551 apprenticeship program provided herein. The board may establish 552 administrative processing fees sufficient to cover the cost of 553 administering apprentice rules as promulgated by the board. 554 (3)The board shall certify to the department for licensure 555 by endorsement any applicant who meets the requirements for 556 licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145. 557 Section 17.Section 486.081, Florida Statutes, is amended 558 to read: 559 486.081Physical therapist; issuance of license by 560 endorsement; issuance of license without examination to person 561 passing examination of another authorized examining board in a 562 foreign country; fee. 563 (1)The board may cause a license by endorsement to be 564 issued through the department without examination to any 565 applicant who meets the requirements for licensure by 566 endorsement under s. 456.0145 or, without examination, to any 567 applicant who presents evidence satisfactory to the board of 568 having passed the American Registry Examination prior to 1971 or 569 an examination in physical therapy before a similar lawfully 570 authorized examining board of another state, the District of 571 Columbia, a territory, or a foreign country, if the standards 572 for licensure in physical therapy in such other state, district, 573 territory, or foreign country are determined by the board to be 574 as high as those of this state, as established by rules adopted 575 pursuant to this chapter. Any person who holds a license 576 pursuant to this section may use the words physical therapist 577 or physiotherapist or the letters P.T. in connection with 578 her or his name or place of business to denote her or his 579 licensure hereunder. A person who holds a license pursuant to 580 this section and obtains a doctoral degree in physical therapy 581 may use the letters D.P.T. and P.T. A physical therapist who 582 holds a degree of Doctor of Physical Therapy may not use the 583 title doctor without also clearly informing the public of his 584 or her profession as a physical therapist. 585 (2)At the time of making application for licensure under 586 without examination pursuant to the terms of this section, the 587 applicant shall pay to the department a nonrefundable fee set by 588 the board in an amount not to exceed $175 as fixed by the board, 589 no part of which will be returned. 590 Section 18.Section 486.107, Florida Statutes, is amended 591 to read: 592 486.107Physical therapist assistant; issuance of license 593 by endorsement without examination to person licensed in another 594 jurisdiction; fee. 595 (1)The board may cause a license by endorsement to be 596 issued through the department without examination to any 597 applicant who presents evidence to the board, under oath, of 598 meeting the requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 599 456.0145 licensure in another state, the District of Columbia, 600 or a territory, if the standards for registering as a physical 601 therapist assistant or licensing of a physical therapist 602 assistant, as the case may be, in such other state are 603 determined by the board to be as high as those of this state, as 604 established by rules adopted pursuant to this chapter. Any 605 person who holds a license pursuant to this section may use the 606 words physical therapist assistant, or the letters P.T.A., 607 in connection with her or his name to denote licensure 608 hereunder. 609 (2)At the time of making application for licensure by 610 endorsement under licensing without examination pursuant to the 611 terms of this section, the applicant shall pay to the department 612 a nonrefundable fee set by the board in an amount not to exceed 613 $175 as fixed by the board, no part of which will be returned. 614 Section 19.Subsections (1), (2), and (3) of section 615 490.006, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 616 490.006Licensure by endorsement. 617 (1)The department shall license a person as a psychologist 618 or school psychologist who, upon applying to the department and 619 remitting the appropriate fee, demonstrates to the department 620 or, in the case of psychologists, to the board that the 621 applicant meets the requirements for licensure by endorsement 622 under s. 456.0145: 623 (a)Is a diplomate in good standing with the American Board 624 of Professional Psychology, Inc.; or 625 (b)Possesses a doctoral degree in psychology and has at 626 least 10 years of experience as a licensed psychologist in any 627 jurisdiction or territory of the United States within the 25 628 years preceding the date of application. 629 (2)In addition to meeting the requirements for licensure 630 set forth in subsection (1), an applicant must pass that portion 631 of the psychology or school psychology licensure examinations 632 pertaining to the laws and rules related to the practice of 633 psychology or school psychology in this state before the 634 department may issue a license to the applicant. 635 (3)The department shall not issue a license by endorsement 636 to any applicant who is under investigation in this or another 637 jurisdiction for an act which would constitute a violation of 638 this chapter until such time as the investigation is complete, 639 at which time the provisions of s. 490.009 shall apply. 640 Section 20.Subsections (1) and (2) of section 491.006, 641 Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 642 491.006Licensure or certification by endorsement. 643 (1)The department shall license or grant a certificate to 644 a person in a profession regulated by this chapter who, upon 645 applying to the department and remitting the appropriate fee, 646 demonstrates to the board that he or she meets the requirements 647 for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145: 648 (a)Has demonstrated, in a manner designated by rule of the 649 board, knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of 650 clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental 651 health counseling. 652 (b)1.Holds an active valid license to practice and has 653 actively practiced the licensed profession in another state for 654 3 of the last 5 years immediately preceding licensure; 655 2.Has passed a substantially equivalent licensing 656 examination in another state or has passed the licensure 657 examination in this state in the profession for which the 658 applicant seeks licensure; and 659 3.Holds a license in good standing, is not under 660 investigation for an act that would constitute a violation of 661 this chapter, and has not been found to have committed any act 662 that would constitute a violation of this chapter. 663 (2)The fees paid by any applicant for certification as a 664 master social worker under this section are nonrefundable. 665 (2)The department shall not issue a license or certificate 666 by endorsement to any applicant who is under investigation in 667 this or another jurisdiction for an act which would constitute a 668 violation of this chapter until such time as the investigation 669 is complete, at which time the provisions of s. 491.009 shall 670 apply. 671 Section 21.Subsection (3) of section 486.031, Florida 672 Statutes, is amended to read: 673 486.031Physical therapist; licensing requirements.To be 674 eligible for licensing as a physical therapist, an applicant 675 must: 676 (3)(a)Have been graduated from a school of physical 677 therapy which has been approved for the educational preparation 678 of physical therapists by the appropriate accrediting agency 679 recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary 680 Accreditation or the United States Department of Education at 681 the time of her or his graduation and have passed, to the 682 satisfaction of the board, the American Registry Examination 683 prior to 1971 or a national examination approved by the board to 684 determine her or his fitness for practice as a physical 685 therapist as hereinafter provided; 686 (b)Have received a diploma from a program in physical 687 therapy in a foreign country and have educational credentials 688 deemed equivalent to those required for the educational 689 preparation of physical therapists in this country, as 690 recognized by the appropriate agency as identified by the board, 691 and have passed to the satisfaction of the board an examination 692 to determine her or his fitness for practice as a physical 693 therapist as hereinafter provided; or 694 (c)Be entitled to licensure by endorsement or without 695 examination as provided in s. 486.081. 696 Section 22.Subsection (3) of section 486.102, Florida 697 Statutes, is amended to read: 698 486.102Physical therapist assistant; licensing 699 requirements.To be eligible for licensing by the board as a 700 physical therapist assistant, an applicant must: 701 (3)(a)Have been graduated from a school giving a course of 702 not less than 2 years for physical therapist assistants, which 703 has been approved for the educational preparation of physical 704 therapist assistants by the appropriate accrediting agency 705 recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary 706 Accreditation or the United States Department of Education, at 707 the time of her or his graduation and have passed to the 708 satisfaction of the board an examination to determine her or his 709 fitness for practice as a physical therapist assistant as 710 hereinafter provided; 711 (b)Have been graduated from a school giving a course for 712 physical therapist assistants in a foreign country and have 713 educational credentials deemed equivalent to those required for 714 the educational preparation of physical therapist assistants in 715 this country, as recognized by the appropriate agency as 716 identified by the board, and passed to the satisfaction of the 717 board an examination to determine her or his fitness for 718 practice as a physical therapist assistant as hereinafter 719 provided; 720 (c)Be entitled to licensure by endorsement or without 721 examination as provided in s. 486.107; or 722 (d)Have been enrolled between July 1, 2014, and July 1, 723 2016, in a physical therapist assistant school in this state 724 which was accredited at the time of enrollment; and 725 1.Have been graduated or be eligible to graduate from such 726 school no later than July 1, 2018; and 727 2.Have passed to the satisfaction of the board an 728 examination to determine his or her fitness for practice as a 729 physical therapist assistant as provided in s. 486.104. 730 Section 23.Notwithstanding the changes made to the Florida 731 Statutes (2023) by this act, a board as defined in s. 456.001, 732 Florida Statutes, or the Department of Health, as applicable, 733 may continue processing applications for licensure by 734 endorsement as authorized under the Florida Statutes (2023) 735 until the rules adopted by such board or the department to 736 implement the changes made by this act take effect or until 6 737 months after the effective date of this act, whichever occurs 738 first. 739 Section 24.This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.