Florida Senate - 2023                        COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
       Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1364
       
       
       
       
       
       
                                Ì319888mÎ319888                         
       
                              LEGISLATIVE ACTION                        
                    Senate             .             House              
                  Comm: RCS            .                                
                  04/26/2023           .                                
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       The Committee on Fiscal Policy (Collins) recommended the
       following:
       
    1         Senate Amendment 
    2  
    3         Delete lines 98 - 299
    4  and insert:
    5         2.The applicant has worked for at least 2 years, worked
    6  the length of time required for licensure or certification by
    7  endorsement for the occupational license or government
    8  certification under another statute, or worked the length of
    9  time required for licensure or certification by endorsement by
   10  rule of the applicable board adopted before January 1, 2023,
   11  whichever is greater.
   12         3.A board for the other licensing entity required the
   13  applicant to meet at least two of the following three
   14  requirements:
   15         a.Pass an examination.
   16         b.Meet specified education or training standards.
   17         c.Meet specified experience standards.
   18         4.A board for the other licensing entity holds the
   19  applicant in good standing.
   20         5.The applicant does not have a criminal record or
   21  professional disciplinary action in any jurisdiction that would
   22  disqualify the applicant from licensure in this state, as
   23  determined by the appropriate board; and the applicant has met
   24  the general background screening requirements under s. 456.0135,
   25  if applicable.
   26         6.A board in this state or a board for another licensing
   27  entity has not revoked the applicant’s occupational license or
   28  government certification.
   29         7.The applicant did not surrender an occupational license
   30  or a government certification, or have such license or
   31  certification revoked, because of negligence or intentional
   32  misconduct related to the applicant’s work in the occupation
   33  outside of this state or in the military.
   34         8.The applicant does not have a complaint, an allegation,
   35  or an investigation formally pending before a board for another
   36  licensing entity which relates to unprofessional conduct or an
   37  alleged crime. If the applicant has such a complaint,
   38  allegation, or investigation pending, a board may not issue or
   39  deny an occupational license or a government certification to
   40  the applicant until the complaint, allegation, or investigation
   41  is resolved or the applicant otherwise meets the criteria for an
   42  occupational license or a government certification in this state
   43  to the satisfaction of a board in this state.
   44         9.The applicant pays all applicable fees in this state.
   45         10.For an applicant seeking licensure as a dentist or
   46  dental hygienist, he or she has graduated from a school approved
   47  by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
   48         (b)If another licensing entity issued the applicant a
   49  government certification but an occupational license is required
   50  in this state to perform a lawful occupation, the applicable
   51  board must issue an occupational license to the applicant if the
   52  applicant otherwise satisfies paragraph (a).
   53         (4)WORK EXPERIENCE.—Notwithstanding any other law, a board
   54  must issue an occupational license or a government certification
   55  to an applicant for such license or certification based on work
   56  experience outside of this state or in the military if all of
   57  the following apply:
   58         (a)The applicant worked in a state that does not issue an
   59  occupational license or a government certification to regulate a
   60  lawful occupation or was a member of the military, but this
   61  state issues an occupational license or a government
   62  certification to regulate a lawful occupation with a similar
   63  scope of practice, as determined by the board.
   64         (b)The applicant has worked in the lawful occupation for
   65  at least 3 years, worked the length of time required for
   66  licensure or certification by endorsement for the occupational
   67  license or government certification under another statute, or
   68  worked the length of time required for licensure or
   69  certification by endorsement by rule of the applicable board
   70  adopted before January 1, 2023, whichever is greater.
   71         (c)The applicant satisfies subparagraphs (3)(a)5.-10.
   72         (5)RECOGNIZED PRIVATE CERTIFICATION.—Notwithstanding any
   73  other law, except as provided in subsection (6), a board must
   74  issue an occupational license or a government certification to
   75  an applicant for such license or certification based on the
   76  applicant holding a recognized private certification and the
   77  applicant’s work experience outside of this state or in the
   78  military if all of the following apply:
   79         (a)The applicant holds a recognized private certification
   80  and worked in a state that does not issue an occupational
   81  license or a government certification to regulate a lawful
   82  occupation or was a member of the military, but an occupational
   83  license is required in this state for such lawful occupation, as
   84  determined by the board.
   85         (b)The applicant worked for at least 2 years, worked the
   86  length of time required for licensure or certification by
   87  endorsement for the occupational license or government
   88  certification under another statute, or worked the length of
   89  time required for licensure or certification by endorsement by
   90  rule of the applicable board adopted before January 1, 2023,
   91  whichever is greater.
   92         (c)The applicant holds a current and valid recognized
   93  private certification in the lawful occupation.
   94         (d)The recognized private certification organization holds
   95  the applicant in good standing.
   96         (e)The applicant satisfies subparagraphs (3)(a)5.-10.
   97         (6)ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS.—
   98         (a)A board may require an applicant to pass an examination
   99  specific to relevant state laws that regulate the occupation if
  100  an occupational license or a government certification under this
  101  chapter or chapter 456 requires such examination.
  102         (b)In addition to the examination described in paragraph
  103  (a), a board must require an applicant seeking to be licensed as
  104  a general contractor, building contractor, residential
  105  contractor, roofing contractor, specialty structure contractor,
  106  glass and glazing contractor, commercial pool/spa contractor,
  107  residential pool/spa contractor, or swimming pool/spa servicing
  108  contractor to:
  109         1.Successfully complete the examination for licensure
  110  described in s. 489.113(1); and
  111         2.Before being issued a certificate or registration,
  112  successfully complete the following continuing education
  113  courses, either in person or online:
  114         a.For applicants seeking to be licensed as a commercial
  115  pool/spa contractor, residential pool/spa contractor, or
  116  swimming pool/spa servicing contractor, 2 hours of coursework on
  117  the Florida Building Code which includes 1 hour on swimming
  118  pool/spa electrical requirements and 1 hour of a swimming
  119  pool/spa advanced module; or
  120         b.(I)The number of required hours, as determined by the
  121  Construction Industry Licensing Board, relating to laws and
  122  rules related to the construction industry under this chapter
  123  and part I of chapter 489 and the rules of the Construction
  124  Industry Licensing Board, relating to wind mitigation
  125  methodology and techniques incorporated in the Florida Building
  126  Code; and
  127         (II)For applicants seeking to be licensed as a general
  128  contractor, building contractor, residential contractor, or
  129  roofing contractor, a 2-hour course on the Florida Building Code
  130  which includes information on wind mitigation techniques.
  131         (c)Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, a
  132  board for an occupation regulated under chapter 457, chapter
  133  458, chapter 459, chapter 460, or chapter 461 shall require an
  134  applicant to meet the requirements of s. 457.105, s. 458.313, s.
  135  459.0055, s. 460.406, or s. 461.006, as applicable, before
  136  issuing an occupational license or a government certification to
  137  practice acupuncture, oriental medicine, medicine, osteopathic
  138  medicine, chiropractic medicine, or podiatric medicine.
  139         (7)PRESUMPTION OF APPROVAL; DECISION.—Unless a board can
  140  demonstrate a substantial difference between the licensure or
  141  certification requirements of another licensing entity and this
  142  state, there is a presumption that an applicant who holds a
  143  valid occupational license, government certification, or
  144  recognized private certification, or otherwise meets the
  145  requirements to be issued an occupational license for a lawful
  146  occupation, and is in good standing with another licensing
  147  entity is qualified for an occupational license or a government
  148  certification in this state and must be approved by the board. A
  149  board shall provide an applicant with a written decision
  150  regarding his or her application within 90 days after receipt of
  151  a completed application.
  152         (8)APPEAL.—
  153         (a)The applicant may appeal the board’s decision to the
  154  Division of Administrative Hearings.
  155         (b)The applicant may appeal the board’s:
  156         1.Denial of an occupational license or a government
  157  certification;
  158         2.Determination of the validity of an occupational license
  159  or a government certification;
  160         3.Determination of the similarity of the scope of practice
  161  of the occupational license or government certification held by
  162  the applicant; or
  163         4.Determination of a disqualifying criminal record.
  164         (9)STATE LAWS AND JURISDICTION.—An applicant who obtains
  165  an occupational license or a government certification pursuant
  166  to this section is subject to:
  167         (a)The laws regulating the occupation in this state; and
  168         (b)The jurisdiction of the applicable board in this state.
  169         (10)EXCEPTION.—This section does not apply to an
  170  occupation regulated by the Florida Supreme Court or any
  171  occupation regulated under chapter 473, relating to public
  172  accountancy.
  173         (11)CONSTRUCTION.—
  174         (a)This section may not be construed to prohibit an
  175  individual from applying for an occupational license or a
  176  government certification under another law or rule.
  177         (b)An occupational license or a government certification
  178  issued pursuant to this section is valid only in this state.
  179  Such license or certification does not make the individual
  180  eligible to work outside this state under an interstate compact
  181  or a reciprocity agreement unless otherwise provided in law.
  182         (c)This section may not be construed to prevent this state
  183  from entering into a licensing compact or reciprocity agreement
  184  with another state, United States territory, foreign province,
  185  foreign country, international organization, or other entity.
  186         (d)This section may not be construed to prevent boards in
  187  this state from recognizing occupational licenses or government
  188  certifications issued by a recognized private certification
  189  organization, a foreign province, a foreign country, an
  190  international organization, or other entity.
  191         (e)This section may not be construed to require a
  192  recognized private certification organization to grant or deny
  193  recognized private certification to any individual.
  194         (12)EMERGENCY POWERS.—
  195         (a)During a state of emergency declared by the Governor,
  196  the Governor may order the recognition of occupational licenses
  197  from other licensing entities.
  198         (b)The Governor may expand any occupational license’s
  199  scope of practice and may authorize licensees to provide
  200  services in this state in person, telephonically, or by other
  201  means for the duration of the emergency.
  202         (13)ANNUAL REPORT.—Each board shall submit an annual
  203  report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the
  204  House of Representatives, and publish the report on its
  205  respective website, by December 31 of each year, detailing the
  206  number of applications for licenses or certifications submitted
  207  pursuant to this section, the number of licenses or
  208  certifications issued pursuant to this section, and the number
  209  of completed applications submitted pursuant to this section
  210  which were denied and the reason for each denial.
  211         (14)RULEMAKING.—
  212         (a)The Department of Business and Professional Regulation
  213  and the Department of Health shall, for the boards under their
  214  respective jurisdiction, adopt rules to administer this section.
  215         (b)Each board shall adopt rules for determining whether a
  216  scope of practice or examination is similar to the scope of
  217  practice of, or examination for, a lawful occupation regulated
  218  by the board in this state.
  219         (15)VETERANS ONLINE PORTAL.—Contingent upon the
  220  appropriation of funds for that purpose by the Legislature, the
  221  Department of Veterans’ Affairs shall establish a one-stop
  222  online portal system that allows former and present members of
  223  the military and their dependents to enter and verify their
  224  military credentials, government certifications, occupational
  225  licenses, or recognized private certifications. The Department
  226  of Business and Professional Regulation and the Department of
  227  Health shall, for the boards under their respective
  228  jurisdiction, use this system to verify credentials for
  229  applicants under this section.
  230         Section 2. Section 456.0365, Florida Statutes, is created
  231  to read:
  232         456.0365 Applicability of the Interstate-Mobility and
  233  Universal-Recognition Occupational Licensing Act.—Except as
  234  provided in s. 455.2135(10), s. 455.2135 applies to professions
  235  regulated by the department under this chapter.
  236         Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.