STORAGE NAME: h0731.GOS
DATE: 3/26/2025
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FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILL ANALYSIS
This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: CS/HB 731
TITLE: Standardized Tests for Admission to Medical
Institutions of Higher Education
SPONSOR(S): Melo
COMPANION BILL: SB 1710 (DiCeglie)
LINKED BILLS: None
RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
Government Operations
14 Y, 4 N, As CS
Health Professions &
Programs
Education & Employment
State Affairs
SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill requires medical institutions of higher education within the State University System to implement a
standardized admissions test as a condition for entry into a health care-related degree program, certification
program, or training. The test must evaluate applicants’ knowledge of, and critical thinking skills for, science and
medical training.
Fiscal or Economic Impact:
None.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
The bill defines “medical institutions of higher education” as state universities that offers bachelor’s, master’s, or
doctoral degrees, receives state funds, and offer health care-related degrees, certification programs, or training. It
requires such institutions to implement a standardized admission test that evaluates knowledge of, and critical
thinking skills for, science and medical training as a condition for admission.
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Board of Governors
The State University System of Florida consists of 12 public universities,
1 each governed by an individual board of
trustees.
2 The Board of Governors (BOG) is responsible for overseeing, regulating, and managing the entire state
university system.
3 Through its authority, the BOG ensures affordable access to higher education, promotes
articulation with other educational institutions, and upholds fiscal responsibility and accountability across
Florida’s public universities.
4 The BOG consists of 17 members, 14 of which are “citizens” appointed by the
1
S. 1000.21(9), F.S.; see also State University System, Universities (last visited Feb. 26, 2025).
2
Art. IX, s. 7(b), FLA. CONST.; s. 1001.71, F.S.
3
See art. IX, s. 7(d), FLA. CONST.
4
S. 20.155(4)(b), F.S. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
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Governor, subject to Senate confirmation.
5 The commissioner of education, the chair of the advisory council of
faculty senates, and the president of the Florida student association are also members.
6
Medical College Admissions Test
The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is a standardized, multiple-choice examination designed to assess
problem-solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social science concepts and principles
prerequisite to the study of medicine.
7 The exam is divided into four sections:
Chemical and physical foundations of biological systems: Tests knowledge of basic chemistry, physics, and
biochemistry concepts as they apply to biological systems.
Critical analysis and reasoning skills: Assesses comprehension, analysis, and reasoning skills through
passages from social sciences and humanities disciplines.
Biological and biochemical foundations of living systems: Evaluates understanding of biological and
biochemical concepts, processes, and mechanisms.
Psychological, social, and biological foundations of behavior: Measurers knowledge of behavioral and socio-
cultural determinants of health and behavior.
8
Each section is scored between 118 and 132, with a total score range of 472 to 528.
9 The MCAT is administered by
the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and is a requirement for admission to most medical schools
in the United States and many in Canada.
10
State University System MCAT Requirements
The following State University System institutions in Florida require the MCAT for admission into their medical
programs:
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Florida State University.
University of Florida.
University of South Florida.
University of Central Florida.
Florida International University.
Florida Atlantic University.
12
5
Art. IX, s. 7(d), FLA. CONST.; see also s. 1001.70, F.S.
6
Art. IX, s. 7(d), FLA. CONST.
7
See Association of American Medical Colleges, What’s on the MCAT Exam? (last visited March 22, 2025).
8
See Association of American Medical Colleges, What’s on the MCAT Exam? Content Outline (last visited March 22, 2025).
9
See Association of American Medical Colleges, How is the MCAT Exam Scored? (last visited March 22, 2025).
10
Association of American Medical Colleges, What’s on the MCAT Exam? (last visited March 22, 2025).
11
See Shemmassian Academic Consulting, Medical Schools in Florida: How to Get in (2025) (last visited March 22, 2025). The
other State University System institutions do not have medical schools and therefore do not have MCAT requirements. See Med
School Insiders, Florida Medical Schools—2025-2026 Guide to Acceptance (last visited March 22, 2025).
12
Florida State University College of Medicine, Admission Requirements (last visited March 22, 2025); University of Florida
College of Medicine, Frequently Asked Questions (last visited March 22, 2025); University of South Florida, Morsani College of
Medicine Admissions (last visited March 22, 2025); University of Central Florida, M.D. Admission Requirements (last visited
March 22, 2025); Florida International University, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (last visited March 22, 2025); and
Florida Atlantic University, M.D. Program Admission FAQ (last visited March 22, 2025). JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
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BILL HISTORY
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE
STAFF
DIRECTOR/
POLICY CHIEF
ANALYSIS
PREPARED BY
Government Operations
Subcommittee
14 Y, 4 N, As CS 3/25/2025 Toliver Villa
THE CHANGES ADOPTED BY THE
COMMITTEE:
The Proposed Committee Substitute (PCS) removed provisions restricting the
use of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across various sectors of state
government, including state agencies, health care providers, medical schools,
professional licensing boards, and recipients of state contracts and grants. In
addition, the PCS narrowed the standardized admission test requirement to
apply only to state universities.
Health Professions & Programs
Subcommittee
Education & Employment
Committee
State Affairs Committee
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THIS BILL ANALYSIS HAS BEEN UPDATED TO INCORPORATE ALL OF THE CHANGES DESCRIBED ABOVE.
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