Florida Senate - 2024 SB 1600 By Senator Collins 14-00079E-24 20241600__ Page 1 of 26 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. A bill to be entitled 1

An act relating to interstate mobility; creating s. 2 455.2135, F.S.; requiring the respective boards of 3 occupations, or the Department of Business and 4 Professional Regulation if there is no board, to allow 5 licensure by endorsement if the applicant meets 6 certain criteria; requiring applicants of professions 7 that require fingerprints for criminal history checks 8 to submit such fingerprints before the board or 9 department issues a license by endorsement; requiring 10 the department, and authorizing the board, to review 11 the results of the criminal history checks according 12 to specific criteria to determine if the applicants 13 meet the requirements for licensure; requiring that 14 the costs associated with fingerprint processing be 15 borne by the applicant; if fingerprints are submitted 16 through an authorized agency or vendor, requiring such 17 agency or vendor to collect the processing fees and 18 remit them to the Department of Law Enforcement; 19 providing an exemption; creating s. 456.0145, F.S.; 20 providing a

short title; requiring the applicable 21 health care regulatory boards, or the Department of 22 Health if there is no board, to issue a license or 23 certificate to applicants who meet specified 24 conditions; defining the term “scope of practice”; 25 requiring the department to verify certain information 26 using the National Practitioner Data Bank, as 27 applicable; specifying circumstances under which a 28 person is ineligible for a license; authorizing boards 29

Florida Senate - 2024 SB 1600 14-00079E-24 20241600__ Page 2 of 26 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. or the department, as applicable, to revoke a license 30 upon a specified finding; requiring boards or the 31 department, as applicable, to issue licenses within a 32 specified timeframe; authorizing boards or the 33 department, as applicable, to require that applicants 34 successfully complete a jurisprudential examination 35 under certain circumstances; requiring the department 36 to submit an annual report to the Governor and the 37 Legislature by a specified date; providing 38 requirements for the report; requiring the boards and 39 the department, as applicable, to adopt certain rules 40 within a specified timeframe; amending ss. 457.105, 41 458.313, 464.009, 465.0075, 467.0125, 468.1185, 42 468.1705, 468.213, 468.3065, 468.358, 468.513, 478.47, 43 480.041, 484.007, 486.081, 486.107, 490.006, and 44 491.006, F.S.; revising licensure by endorsement 45 requirements for the practice of acupuncture, 46 medicine, professional or practical nursing, pharmacy, 47 midwifery, speech-language pathology and audiology, 48 nursing home administration, occupational therapy, 49 radiology, respiratory therapy, dietetics and 50 nutrition, electrology, massage therapy, opticianry, 51 physical therapy, physical therapist assistantship, 52 psychology and school psychology, and clinical social 53 work, marriage and family therapy, and mental health 54 counseling, respectively; amending ss. 486.031 and 55 486.102, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made 56 by the act; authorizing the boards and the Department 57 of Health, as applicable, to continue processing 58

Florida Senate - 2024 SB 1600 14-00079E-24 20241600__ Page 3 of 26 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. applications for licensure by endorsement, as 59 authorized under the Florida Statutes (2023), for a 60 specified timeframe; providing an effective date. 61 62 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 63 64

Section

Section 455.2135, Florida Statutes, is created 65 to read: 66 455.2135 Interstate mobility.— 67

(1) When endorsement based on years of licensure is not 68 otherwise provided by law in the practice act for a profession, 69 the board, or the department if there is no board, shall allow 70 licensure by endorsement for any individual applying who: 71 (

a) Has held a valid, current license to practice the 72 profession issued by another state or territory of the United 73 States for at least 5 years before the date of application and 74 is applying for the same or similar license in this state; 75 (

b) Submits an application either when the license in 76 another state or territory is active or within 2 years after 77 such license was last active; 78 (

c) Has passed the recognized national licensing exam, if 79 such exam is established as a requirement for licensure in the 80 profession; 81 (

d) Has no pending disciplinary actions and all sanctions 82 of any prior disciplinary actions have been satisfied; 83 (

e) Shows proof of compliance with any federal regulation, 84 training, or certification, if the board or the department 85 requires such proof, regarding licensure in the profession; 86 (

f) Completes Florida-specific continuing education courses 87

Florida Senate - 2024 SB 1600 14-00079E-24 20241600__ Page 4 of 26 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. or passes a jurisprudential examination specific to the state 88 laws and rules for the applicable profession as established by 89 the board or department; and 90 (

g) Complies with any insurance or bonding requirements as 91 required for the profession. 92

(2) If the practice act for a profession requires the 93 submission of fingerprints, the applicant must submit a complete 94 set of fingerprints to the Department of Law Enforcement for a 95 statewide criminal history check. The Department of Law 96 Enforcement shall forward the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau 97 of Investigation for a national criminal history check. The 98 department shall, and the board may, review the results of the 99 criminal history checks according to the level 2 screening 100 standards in s. 435.04 and determine whether the applicant meets 101 the licensure requirements.

The costs of fingerprint processing 102 are borne by the applicant. If the applicant’s fingerprints are 103 submitted through an authorized agency or vendor, the agency or 104 vendor must collect the required processing fees and remit the 105 fees to the Department of Law Enforcement. 106

(3) This

section does not apply to harbor pilots licensed 107 under

chapter 310. 108

Section

Section 456.0145, Florida Statutes, is created 109 to read: 110 456.0145 Mobile Opportunity by Interstate Licensure 111 Endorsement (MOBILE) Act.— 112

(1) SHORT TITLE.—This

section may be cited as the “Mobile 113 Opportunity by Interstate Licensure Endorsement Act” or the 114 “MOBILE Act.” 115

(2) LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT.— 116

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a) An applicable board, or the department if there is no 117 board, shall issue a license or certificate to practice in this 118 state to an applicant who meets all of the following criteria: 119 1. Submits a completed application. 120 2. Holds an active, unencumbered license issued by another 121 state, the District of Columbia, or a possession or territory of 122 the United States in a profession with a similar scope of 123 practice, as determined by the board or department, as 124 applicable.

As used in this subparagraph, the term “scope of 125 practice” means the full spectrum of functions, procedures, 126 actions, and services that a health care practitioner is deemed 127 competent and authorized to perform under a license issued in 128 this state. 129 3.a. Has obtained a passing score on a national licensure 130 examination or holds a national certification recognized by the 131 board, or the department if there is no board, as applicable to 132 the profession for which the applicant is seeking licensure in 133 this state; or 134 b. Meets the requirements of paragraph (b). 135 4.

Has actively practiced the profession for which the 136 applicant is applying for at least 3 years during the 4-year 137 period immediately preceding the date of submission of the 138 application. 139 5. Attests that he or she is not, at the time of submission 140 of the application, the subject of a disciplinary proceeding in 141 a jurisdiction in which he or she holds a license or by the 142 United States Department of Defense for reasons related to the 143 practice of the profession for which he or she is applying. 144 6. Has not had professional disciplinary action taken 145

Florida Senate - 2024 SB 1600 14-00079E-24 20241600__ Page 6 of 26 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. against him or her in the 7 years immediately preceding the date 146 of submission of the application. 147 7. Meets the financial responsibility requirements of s. 148 456.048 or the applicable practice act, if required for the 149 profession for which the applicant is seeking licensure. 150 8.

Submits a set of fingerprints for a background check 151 pursuant to s. 456.0135 or the applicable practice act, if 152 required for the profession for which he or she is applying. 153 154 The department shall verify information submitted by the 155 applicant under this subsection using the National Practitioner 156 Data Bank, as applicable. 157 (

b) An applicant for a profession that does not require a 158 national examination or national certification is eligible for 159 licensure if an applicable board, or the department if there is 160 no board, determines that the jurisdiction in which the 161 applicant currently holds an active, unencumbered license meets 162 established minimum education requirements and, if applicable, 163 examination, work experience, and clinical supervision 164 requirements that are substantially similar to the requirements 165 for licensure in that profession in this state. 166 (

c) A person is ineligible for a license under this

section 167 if the applicant: 168 1. Has a complaint, an allegation, or an investigation 169 pending before a licensing entity in another state, the District 170 of Columbia, or a possession or territory of the United States; 171 2. Has been convicted of or pled nolo contendere to, 172 regardless of adjudication, any felony or misdemeanor related to 173 the practice of a health care profession; 174

Florida Senate - 2024 SB 1600 14-00079E-24 20241600__ Page 7 of 26 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. 3. Has had a health care provider license revoked or 175 suspended by another state, the District of Columbia, or a 176 possession or territory of the United States, or has voluntarily 177 surrendered any such license; 178 4. Has been reported to the National Practitioner Data 179 Bank, unless the applicant has successfully appealed to have his 180 or her name removed from the data bank; or 181 5. Has previously failed the Florida examination required 182 to receive a license to practice the profession for which the 183 applicant is seeking a license. 184 (

d) The board, or the department if there is no board, may 185 revoke a license upon finding that the licensee provided false 186 or misleading material information or intentionally omitted 187 material information in an application for licensure. 188 (

e) The board, or the department if there is no board, 189 shall issue a license within 15 days after receipt of all 190 documentation required for an application. 191

(3) STATE EXAMINATION.—The board, or the department if 192 there is no board, may require an applicant to successfully 193 complete a jurisprudential examination specific to state laws 194 and rules for the applicable profession, if this

chapter or the 195 applicable practice act requires such examination. 196

(4) ANNUAL REPORT.—By December 31 of each year, the 197 department shall submit a report to the Governor, the President 198 of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives 199 which provides all of the following information for the previous 200 fiscal year, per profession and in total: 201 (

a) The number of applications for licensure received under 202 this section. 203

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b) The number of licenses issued under this section. 204 (

c) The number of applications submitted under this

section 205 which were denied and the reason for such denials. 206

(5) RULES.—Each applicable board, or the department if 207 there is no board, shall adopt rules to implement this

section 208 within 6 months after this section’s effective date, including 209 rules relating to legislative intent under s. 456.025(1) and the 210 requirements of s. 456.025(3). 211

Section 3. Subsection (2) of

section 457.105, Florida 212 Statutes, is amended to read: 213 457.105 Licensure qualifications and fees.— 214

(2) A person may become licensed to practice acupuncture if 215 the person applies to the department and meets all of the 216 following criteria: 217 (

a) Is 21 years of age or older, has good moral character, 218 and has the ability to communicate in English, which is 219 demonstrated by having passed the national written examination 220 in English or, if such examination was passed in a foreign 221 language, by also having passed a nationally recognized English 222 proficiency examination.; 223 (

b) Has completed 60 college credits from an accredited 224 postsecondary institution as a prerequisite to enrollment in an 225 authorized 3-year course of study in acupuncture and oriental 226 medicine, and has completed a 3-year course of study in 227 acupuncture and oriental medicine, and effective July 31, 2001, 228 a 4-year course of study in acupuncture and oriental medicine, 229 which meets standards established by the board by rule, which 230 standards include, but are not limited to, successful completion 231 of academic courses in western anatomy, western physiology, 232

Florida Senate - 2024 SB 1600 14-00079E-24 20241600__ Page 9 of 26 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. western pathology, western biomedical terminology, first aid, 233 and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, any person who 234 enrolled in an authorized course of study in acupuncture before 235 August 1, 1997, must have completed only a 2-year course of 236 study which meets standards established by the board by rule, 237 which standards must include, but are not limited to, successful 238 completion of academic courses in western anatomy, western 239 physiology, and western pathology.; 240 (

c) Has successfully completed a board-approved national 241 certification process, meets the requirements for licensure by 242 endorsement under s. 456.0145 is actively licensed in a state 243 that has examination requirements that are substantially 244 equivalent to or more stringent than those of this state, or 245 passes an examination administered by the department, which 246 examination tests the applicant’s competency and knowledge of 247 the practice of acupuncture and oriental medicine. At the 248 request of any applicant, oriental nomenclature for the points 249 shall be used in the examination.

The examination shall include 250 a practical examination of the knowledge and skills required to 251 practice modern and traditional acupuncture and oriental 252 medicine, covering diagnostic and treatment techniques and 253 procedures.; and 254 (

d) Pays the required fees set by the board by rule not to 255 exceed the following amounts: 256 1. Examination fee: $500 plus the actual per applicant cost 257 to the department for purchase of the written and practical 258 portions of the examination from a national organization 259 approved by the board. 260 2. Application fee: $300. 261

Florida Senate - 2024 SB 1600 14-00079E-24 20241600__ Page 10 of 26 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. 3. Reexamination fee: $500 plus the actual per applicant 262 cost to the department for purchase of the written and practical 263 portions of the examination from a national organization 264 approved by the board. 265 4. Initial biennial licensure fee: $400, if licensed in the 266 first half of the biennium, and $200, if licensed in the second 267 half of the biennium. 268

Section

Section 458.313, Florida Statutes, is amended to 269 read: 270 (Substantial rewording of section. See 271 s. 458.313, F.S., for present text.) 272 458.313 Licensure by endorsement; requirements; fees.—The 273 department shall issue a license by endorsement to any applicant 274 who, upon applying to the department on forms furnished by the 275 department and remitting a fee set by the board in an amount not 276 to exceed $500, the board certifies has met the requirements for 277 licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145. 278

Section

Section 464.009, Florida Statutes, is amended to 279 read: 280 (Substantial rewording of section. See 281 s. 464.009, F.S., for present text.) 282 464.009 Licensure by endorsement.— 283

(1) The department shall issue the appropriate license by 284 endorsement to practice professional or practical nursing to any 285 applicant who, upon applying to the department and remitting a 286 fee set by the board in an amount not to exceed $100, 287 demonstrates to the board that he or she meets the requirements 288 for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145. 289

(2) A person holding an active multistate license in 290

Florida Senate - 2024 SB 1600 14-00079E-24 20241600__ Page 11 of 26 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. another state pursuant to s. 464.0095 is exempt from the 291 requirements for licensure by endorsement in this section. 292

Section

Section 465.0075, Florida Statutes, is amended 293 to read: 294 (Substantial rewording of section. See 295 s. 465.0075, F.S., for present text.) 296 465.0075 Licensure by endorsement; requirements; fee.—The 297 department shall issue a license by endorsement to any applicant 298 who, upon applying to the department and remitting a 299 nonrefundable fee set by the board in an amount not to exceed 300 $100, the board certifies has met the requirements for licensure 301 by endorsement under s. 456.0145. 302

Section 7. Subsection (1) of

section 467.0125, Florida 303 Statutes, is amended to read: 304 467.0125 Licensed midwives; qualifications; endorsement; 305 temporary certificates.— 306

(1) The department shall issue a license by endorsement to 307 practice midwifery to an applicant who, upon applying to the 308 department on a form approved by the department and remitting 309 the appropriate fee, demonstrates to the department that she or 310 he meets the requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 311 456.0145 all of the following criteria: 312 (

a) Holds an active, unencumbered license to practice 313 midwifery in another state, jurisdiction, or territory, provided 314 the licensing requirements of that state, jurisdiction, or 315 territory at the time the license was issued were substantially 316 equivalent to or exceeded those established under this

chapter 317 and the rules adopted hereunder. 318 (

b) Has successfully completed a prelicensure course 319

Florida Senate - 2024 SB 1600 14-00079E-24 20241600__ Page 12 of 26 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. conducted by an accredited and approved midwifery program. 320 (

c) Submits an application for licensure on a form approved 321 by the department and pays the appropriate fee. 322

Section 8. Subsections (3) and (4) of

section 468.1185, 323 Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 324 468.1185 Licensure.— 325

(3) The board shall certify as qualified for a license by 326 endorsement as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist an 327 applicant who: 328 (

a) Holds a valid license or certificate in another state 329 or territory of the United States to practice the profession for 330 which the application for licensure is made, if the criteria for 331 issuance of such license were substantially equivalent to or 332 more stringent than the licensure criteria which existed in this 333 state at the time the license was issued; or 334 (

b) Holds a valid certificate of clinical competence of the 335 American Speech-Language and Hearing Association or board 336 certification in audiology from the American Board of Audiology. 337 (3)

(4) The board may refuse to certify any person applying 338 for licensure under this

section applicant who is under 339 investigation in any jurisdiction for

an act which would 340 constitute a violation of this part or

chapter 456 until the 341 investigation is complete and disciplinary proceedings have been 342 terminated. 343

Section 9. Subsections (1), (2), and (3) of

section 344 468.1705, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 345 468.1705 Licensure by endorsement; temporary license.— 346

(1) The department shall issue a license by endorsement to 347 any applicant who, upon applying to the department and remitting 348

Florida Senate - 2024 SB 1600 14-00079E-24 20241600__ Page 13 of 26 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. a fee set by the board not to exceed $500, demonstrates to the 349 board that he or she meets the requirements for licensure by 350 endorsement under s. 456.0145: 351 (

a) Meets one of the following requirements: 352 1. Holds a valid active license to practice nursing home 353 administration in another state of the United States, provided 354 that the current requirements for licensure in that state are 355 substantially equivalent to, or more stringent than, current 356 requirements in this state; or 357 2. Meets the qualifications for licensure in s. 468.1695; 358 and 359 (b)1. Has successfully completed a national examination 360 which is substantially equivalent to, or more stringent than, 361 the examination given by the department; 362 2.

Has passed an examination on the laws and rules of this 363 state governing the administration of nursing homes; and 364 3. Has worked as a fully licensed nursing home 365 administrator for 2 years within the 5-year period immediately 366 preceding the application by endorsement. 367

(2) National examinations for licensure as a nursing home 368 administrator shall be presumed to be substantially equivalent 369 to, or more stringent than, the examination and requirements in 370 this state, unless found otherwise by rule of the board. 371 (2)

(3) The department may shall not issue a license by 372 endorsement or a temporary license to any applicant who is under 373 investigation in this or another state for any act which would 374 constitute a violation of this part until such time as the 375 investigation is complete and disciplinary proceedings have been 376 terminated. 377

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Section

Section 468.213, Florida Statutes, is amended 378 to read: 379 468.213 Licensure by endorsement; waiver of examination 380 requirement.— 381

(1) The board may waive the examination and grant a license 382 to any person who meets the requirements for licensure by 383 endorsement under s. 456.0145 presents proof of current 384 certification as an occupational therapist or occupational 385 therapy assistant by a national certifying organization if the 386 board determines the requirements for such certification to be 387 equivalent to the requirements for licensure in this act. 388

(2) The board may waive the examination and grant a license 389 to any applicant who presents proof of current licensure as an 390 occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant in a 391 another state, the District of Columbia, or any territory or 392 jurisdiction of the United States or foreign national 393 jurisdiction which requires standards for licensure determined 394 by the board to be equivalent to the requirements for licensure 395 in this part act. 396

Section

Section 468.3065, Florida Statutes, is amended 397 to read: 398 468.3065 Certification by endorsement.— 399

(1) The department may issue a certificate by endorsement 400 to practice as a radiologist assistant to an applicant who, upon 401 applying to the department and remitting a nonrefundable fee not 402 to exceed $50, demonstrates to the department that he or she 403 meets the requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 404 456.0145 holds a current certificate or registration as a 405 radiologist assistant granted by the American Registry of 406

Florida Senate - 2024 SB 1600 14-00079E-24 20241600__ Page 15 of 26 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. Radiologic Technologists. 407

(2) The department may issue a certificate by endorsement 408 to practice radiologic technology to an applicant who, upon 409 applying to the department and remitting a nonrefundable fee not 410 to exceed $50, demonstrates to the department that he or she 411 meets the requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 412 456.0145 holds a current certificate, license, or registration 413 to practice radiologic technology, provided that the 414 requirements for such certificate, license, or registration are 415 deemed by the department to be substantially equivalent to those 416 established under this part and rules adopted under this part. 417

(3) The department may issue a certificate by endorsement 418 to practice as a specialty technologist to an applicant who, 419 upon applying to the department and remitting a nonrefundable 420 fee not to exceed $100, demonstrates to the department that he 421 or she meets the requirements for licensure by endorsement under 422 s. 456.0145 holds a current certificate or registration from a 423 national organization in a particular advanced, postprimary, or 424 specialty area of radiologic technology, such as computed 425 tomography or positron emission tomography. 426

Section

Section 468.358, Florida Statutes, is amended 427 to read: 428 468.358 Licensure by endorsement.— 429

(1) Licensure as a certified respiratory therapist must 430 shall be granted by endorsement to an individual who meets the 431 requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145 432 holds the “Certified Respiratory Therapist” credential issued by 433 the National Board for Respiratory Care or an equivalent 434 credential acceptable to the board. Licensure by this mechanism 435

Florida Senate - 2024 SB 1600 14-00079E-24 20241600__ Page 16 of 26 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. requires verification by oath and submission of evidence 436 satisfactory to the board that such credential is held. 437

(2) Licensure as a registered respiratory therapist shall 438 be granted by endorsement to an individual who holds the 439 “Registered Respiratory Therapist” credential issued by the 440 National Board for Respiratory Care or an equivalent credential 441 acceptable to the board. Licensure by this mechanism requires 442 verification by oath and submission of evidence satisfactory to 443 the board that such credential is held. 444 (2)

(3) An individual who has been granted licensure, 445 certification, registration, or other authority, by whatever 446 name known, to deliver respiratory care services in a foreign 447 another state or country may petition the board for 448 consideration for licensure in this state and, upon verification 449 by oath and submission of evidence of licensure, certification, 450 registration, or other authority acceptable to the board, may be 451 granted licensure by endorsement. 452 (3)

(4) Licensure may shall not be granted by endorsement as 453 provided in this

section without the submission of a proper 454 application and the payment of the requisite fees therefor. 455

Section

Section 468.513, Florida Statutes, is amended 456 to read: 457 468.513 Dietitian/nutritionist; licensure by endorsement.— 458

(1) The department shall issue a license to practice 459 dietetics and nutrition by endorsement to any applicant who 460 meets the requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 461 456.0145 the board certifies as qualified, upon receipt of a 462 completed application and the fee specified in s. 468.508. 463

(2) The board shall certify as qualified for licensure by 464

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section any applicant who: 465 (

a) Presents evidence satisfactory to the board that he or 466 she is a registered dietitian; or 467 (

b) Holds a valid license to practice dietetics or 468 nutrition issued by another state, district, or territory of the 469 United States, if the criteria for issuance of such license are 470 determined by the board to be substantially equivalent to or 471 more stringent than those of this state. 472

(3) The department shall not issue a license by endorsement 473 under this

section to any applicant who is under investigation 474 in any jurisdiction for any act which would constitute a 475 violation of this part or

chapter 456 until such time as the 476 investigation is complete and disciplinary proceedings have been 477 terminated. 478

Section

Section 478.47, Florida Statutes, is amended to 479 read: 480 478.47 Licensure by endorsement.—The department shall issue 481 a license by endorsement to any applicant who, upon submitting 482 submits an application and the required fees as set forth in s. 483 478.55, demonstrates to the board that he or she meets the 484 requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145 and 485 who holds an active license or other authority to practice 486 electrology in a jurisdiction whose licensure requirements are 487 determined by the board to be equivalent to the requirements for 488 licensure in this state. 489

Section 15. Paragraph (

c) of subsection (5) of

section 490 480.041, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 491 480.041 Massage therapists; qualifications; licensure; 492 endorsement.— 493

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(5) The board shall adopt rules: 494 (

c) Specifying licensing procedures for practitioners 495 desiring to be licensed in this state who meet the requirements 496 for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145 or hold an active 497 license and have practiced in any other state, territory, or 498 jurisdiction of the United States or any foreign national 499 jurisdiction which has licensing standards substantially similar 500 to, equivalent to, or more stringent than the standards of this 501 state. 502

Section 16. Present subsections (3) and (4) of

section 503 484.007, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (4) 504 and (5), respectively, a new subsection (3) is added to that 505 section, and subsection (1) of that

section is amended, to read: 506 484.007 Licensure of opticians; permitting of optical 507 establishments.— 508

(1) Any person desiring to practice opticianry shall apply 509 to the department, upon forms prescribed by it, to take a 510 licensure examination. The department shall examine each 511 applicant who the board certifies meets all of the following 512 criteria: 513 (

a) Has completed the application form and remitted a 514 nonrefundable application fee set by the board, in the amount of 515 $100 or less, and an examination fee set by the board, in the 516 amount of $325 plus the actual per applicant cost to the 517 department for purchase of portions of the examination from the 518 American Board of Opticianry or a similar national organization, 519 or less, and refundable if the board finds the applicant 520 ineligible to take the examination.; 521 (

b) Is not younger less than 18 years of age.; 522

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c) Is a graduate of an accredited high school or possesses 523 a certificate of equivalency of a high school education.; and 524 (d)1. Has received an associate degree, or its equivalent, 525 in opticianry from an educational institution the curriculum of 526 which is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized and 527 approved by the United States Department of Education or the 528 Council on Postsecondary Education or approved by the board; 529 2.

Is an individual licensed to practice the profession of 530 opticianry pursuant to a regulatory licensing law of another 531 state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States, who has 532 actively practiced in such other state, territory, or 533 jurisdiction for more than 3 years immediately preceding 534 application, and who meets the examination qualifications as 535 provided in this subsection; 536 3.

Is an individual who has actively practiced in another 537 state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States for more 538 than 5 years immediately preceding application and who provides 539 tax or business records, affidavits, or other satisfactory 540 documentation of such practice and who meets the examination 541 qualifications as provided in this subsection; or 542 2.4. Has registered as an apprentice with the department 543 and paid a registration fee not to exceed $60, as set by rule of 544 the board.

The apprentice shall complete 6,240 hours of training 545 under the supervision of an optician licensed in this state for 546 at least 1 year or of a physician or optometrist licensed under 547 the laws of this state. These requirements must be met within 5 548 years after the date of registration. However, any time spent in 549 a recognized school may be considered as part of the 550 apprenticeship program provided herein. The board may establish 551

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(3) The board shall certify to the department for licensure 554 by endorsement any applicant who meets the requirements for 555 licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145. 556

Section

Section 486.081, Florida Statutes, is amended 557 to read: 558 486.081 Physical therapist; issuance of license by 559 endorsement; issuance of license without examination to person 560 passing examination of another authorized examining board in a 561 foreign country; fee.— 562

(1) The board may cause a license by endorsement to be 563 issued through the department without examination to any 564 applicant who meets the requirements for licensure by 565 endorsement under s. 456.0145 or, without examination, to any 566 applicant who presents evidence satisfactory to the board of 567 having passed the American Registry Examination prior to 1971 or 568 an examination in physical therapy before a similar lawfully 569 authorized examining board of another state, the District of 570 Columbia, a territory, or a foreign country, if the standards 571 for licensure in physical therapy in such other state, district, 572 territory, or foreign country are determined by the board to be 573 as high as those of this state, as established by rules adopted 574 pursuant to this chapter.

Any person who holds a license 575 pursuant to this

section may use the words “physical therapist” 576 or “physiotherapist” or the letters “P.T.” in connection with 577 her or his name or place of business to denote her or his 578 licensure hereunder. A person who holds a license pursuant to 579 this

section and obtains a doctoral degree in physical therapy 580

Florida Senate - 2024 SB 1600 14-00079E-24 20241600__ Page 21 of 26 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. may use the letters “D.P.T.” and “P.T.” A physical therapist who 581 holds a degree of Doctor of Physical Therapy may not use the 582 title “doctor” without also clearly informing the public of his 583 or her profession as a physical therapist. 584

(2) At the time of making application for licensure under 585 without examination pursuant to the terms of this section, the 586 applicant shall pay to the department a nonrefundable fee set by 587 the board in an amount not to exceed $175 as fixed by the board, 588 no part of which will be returned. 589

Section

Section 486.107, Florida Statutes, is amended 590 to read: 591 486.107 Physical therapist assistant; issuance of license 592 by endorsement without examination to person licensed in another 593 jurisdiction; fee.— 594

(1) The board may cause a license by endorsement to be 595 issued through the department without examination to any 596 applicant who presents evidence to the board, under oath, of 597 meeting the requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 598 456.0145 licensure in another state, the District of Columbia, 599 or a territory, if the standards for registering as a physical 600 therapist assistant or licensing of a physical therapist 601 assistant, as the case may be, in such other state are 602 determined by the board to be as high as those of this state, as 603 established by rules adopted pursuant to this chapter. Any 604 person who holds a license pursuant to this

section may use the 605 words “physical therapist assistant,” or the letters “P.T.A.,” 606 in connection with her or his name to denote licensure 607 hereunder. 608

(2) At the time of making application for licensure by 609

Florida Senate - 2024 SB 1600 14-00079E-24 20241600__ Page 22 of 26 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. endorsement under licensing without examination pursuant to the 610 terms of this section, the applicant shall pay to the department 611 a nonrefundable fee set by the board in an amount not to exceed 612 $175 as fixed by the board, no part of which will be returned. 613

Section 19. Subsections (1), (2), and (3) of

section 614 490.006, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 615 490.006 Licensure by endorsement.— 616

(1) The department shall license a person as a psychologist 617 or school psychologist who, upon applying to the department and 618 remitting the appropriate fee, demonstrates to the department 619 or, in the case of psychologists, to the board that the 620 applicant meets the requirements for licensure by endorsement 621 under s. 456.0145: 622 (

a) Is a diplomate in good standing with the American Board 623 of Professional Psychology, Inc.; or 624 (

b) Possesses a doctoral degree in psychology and has at 625 least 10 years of experience as a licensed psychologist in any 626 jurisdiction or territory of the United States within the 25 627 years preceding the date of application. 628

(2) In addition to meeting the requirements for licensure 629 set forth in subsection (1), an applicant must pass that portion 630 of the psychology or school psychology licensure examinations 631 pertaining to the laws and rules related to the practice of 632 psychology or school psychology in this state before the 633 department may issue a license to the applicant. 634

(3) The department shall not issue a license by endorsement 635 to any applicant who is under investigation in this or another 636 jurisdiction for

an act which would constitute a violation of 637 this

chapter until such time as the investigation is complete, 638

Florida Senate - 2024 SB 1600 14-00079E-24 20241600__ Page 23 of 26 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. at which time the provisions of s. 490.009 shall apply. 639

Section 20. Subsections (1) and (2) of

section 491.006, 640 Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 641 491.006 Licensure or certification by endorsement.— 642

(1) The department shall license or grant a certificate to 643 a person in a profession regulated by this

chapter who, upon 644 applying to the department and remitting the appropriate fee, 645 demonstrates to the board that he or she meets the requirements 646 for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145: 647 (

a) Has demonstrated, in a manner designated by rule of the 648 board, knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of 649 clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental 650 health counseling. 651 (b)1. Holds an active valid license to practice and has 652 actively practiced the licensed profession in another state for 653 3 of the last 5 years immediately preceding licensure; 654 2. Has passed a substantially equivalent licensing 655 examination in another state or has passed the licensure 656 examination in this state in the profession for which the 657 applicant seeks licensure; and 658 3. Holds a license in good standing, is not under 659 investigation for

an act that would constitute a violation of 660 this chapter, and has not been found to have committed any act 661 that would constitute a violation of this chapter. 662

(2) The fees paid by any applicant for certification as a 663 master social worker under this

section are nonrefundable. 664

(2) The department shall not issue a license or certificate 665 by endorsement to any applicant who is under investigation in 666 this or another jurisdiction for

an act which would constitute a 667

Florida Senate - 2024 SB 1600 14-00079E-24 20241600__ Page 24 of 26 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. violation of this

chapter until such time as the investigation 668 is complete, at which time the provisions of s. 491.009 shall 669 apply. 670

Section 21. Subsection (3) of

section 486.031, Florida 671 Statutes, is amended to read: 672 486.031 Physical therapist; licensing requirements.—To be 673 eligible for licensing as a physical therapist, an applicant 674 must: 675 (3)(

a) Have been graduated from a school of physical 676 therapy which has been approved for the educational preparation 677 of physical therapists by the appropriate accrediting agency 678 recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary 679 Accreditation or the United States Department of Education at 680 the time of her or his graduation and have passed, to the 681 satisfaction of the board, the American Registry Examination 682 prior to 1971 or a national examination approved by the board to 683 determine her or his fitness for practice as a physical 684 therapist as hereinafter provided; 685 (

b) Have received a diploma from a program in physical 686 therapy in a foreign country and have educational credentials 687 deemed equivalent to those required for the educational 688 preparation of physical therapists in this country, as 689 recognized by the appropriate agency as identified by the board, 690 and have passed to the satisfaction of the board an examination 691 to determine her or his fitness for practice as a physical 692 therapist as hereinafter provided; or 693 (

c) Be entitled to licensure by endorsement or without 694 examination as provided in s. 486.081. 695

Section 22. Subsection (3) of

section 486.102, Florida 696

Florida Senate - 2024 SB 1600 14-00079E-24 20241600__ Page 25 of 26 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. Statutes, is amended to read: 697 486.102 Physical therapist assistant; licensing 698 requirements.—To be eligible for licensing by the board as a 699 physical therapist assistant, an applicant must: 700 (3)(

a) Have been graduated from a school giving a course of 701 not less than 2 years for physical therapist assistants, which 702 has been approved for the educational preparation of physical 703 therapist assistants by the appropriate accrediting agency 704 recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary 705 Accreditation or the United States Department of Education, at 706 the time of her or his graduation and have passed to the 707 satisfaction of the board an examination to determine her or his 708 fitness for practice as a physical therapist assistant as 709 hereinafter provided; 710 (

b) Have been graduated from a school giving a course for 711 physical therapist assistants in a foreign country and have 712 educational credentials deemed equivalent to those required for 713 the educational preparation of physical therapist assistants in 714 this country, as recognized by the appropriate agency as 715 identified by the board, and passed to the satisfaction of the 716 board an examination to determine her or his fitness for 717 practice as a physical therapist assistant as hereinafter 718 provided; 719 (

c) Be entitled to licensure by endorsement or without 720 examination as provided in s. 486.107; or 721 (

d) Have been enrolled between July 1, 2014, and July 1, 722 2016, in a physical therapist assistant school in this state 723 which was accredited at the time of enrollment; and 724 1. Have been graduated or be eligible to graduate from such 725

Florida Senate - 2024 SB 1600 14-00079E-24 20241600__ Page 26 of 26 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. school no later than July 1, 2018; and 726 2. Have passed to the satisfaction of the board an 727 examination to determine his or her fitness for practice as a 728 physical therapist assistant as provided in s. 486.104. 729

Section 23. Notwithstanding the changes made to the Florida 730 Statutes (2023) by this act, a board as defined in s. 456.001, 731 Florida Statutes, or the Department of Health, as applicable, 732 may continue processing applications for licensure by 733 endorsement as authorized under the Florida Statutes (2023) 734 until the rules adopted by such board or the department to 735 implement the changes made by this act take effect or until 6 736 months after the effective date of this act, whichever occurs 737 first. 738

Section 24. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024. 739