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HB 1347 — Clinical Laboratory Personnel
by Rep. Gerwig (SB 878 by Senators Yarborough and Avila)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Health Policy Committee (HP)
The bill revises licensure requirements for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians by providing that applicants who meet certain federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) personnel standards are deemed to satisfy Florida’s minimum licensure qualifications.
The bill provides that a technologist or technician applicant who meets the requirements of 42 C.F.R. s. 493.1489 is deemed qualified to perform high complexity testing, and that a technician applicant who meets the requirements of 42 C.F.R. s. 493.1423 is deemed qualified to perform moderate complexity testing. By tying Florida licensure eligibility to these federal standards, the bill eliminates certain state-specific specialty licensure requirements.
Under the bill, applicants would only need to demonstrate compliance with the applicable federal CLIA personnel standards, comply with the background screening requirement in s. 456.0135, F.S., and pay the preexisting fees required under s. 483.807, F.S., in order to obtain licensure as a clinical laboratory technologist or technician.
Individuals already licensed in Florida would remain qualified under the federal standards because current state licensure requirements already exceed the federal baseline.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor's signature, these provisions take effect on July 1, 2026.
Vote: Senate 37-0; House 116-0