Florida Senate - 2024                                    SB 1008
       
       
        
       By Senator Grall
       
       
       
       
       
       29-01094A-24                                          20241008__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to background screening requirements
    3         for health care practitioners; amending s. 456.0135,
    4         F.S.; expanding certain background screening
    5         requirements to apply to all health care
    6         practitioners, rather than specified practitioners;
    7         requiring health care practitioners licensed before a
    8         specified date to comply with the background screening
    9         requirements by a specified date; amending ss.
   10         457.105, 463.006, 465.007, 465.0075, 465.013, 465.014,
   11         466.006, 466.0067, 466.007, 467.011, 468.1185,
   12         468.1215, 468.1695, 468.209, 468.213, 468.355,
   13         468.358, 468.509, 468.513, 468.803, 478.45, 483.815,
   14         483.901, 483.914, 484.007, 484.045, 486.031, 486.102,
   15         490.005, 490.0051, 490.006, 491.0045, 491.0046,
   16         491.005, and 491.006, F.S.; revising licensure,
   17         registration, or certification requirements, as
   18         applicable, for acupuncturists; optometrists;
   19         pharmacists; pharmacist licenses by endorsement;
   20         registered pharmacy interns; pharmacy technicians;
   21         dentists; health access dental licenses; dental
   22         hygienists; midwives; speech-language pathologists and
   23         audiologists; speech-language pathology assistants and
   24         audiology assistants; nursing home administrators;
   25         occupational therapists and occupational therapy
   26         assistants; occupational therapist and occupational
   27         therapy assistant licenses by endorsement; respiratory
   28         therapists; respiratory therapist licenses by
   29         endorsement; dietitian/nutritionists;
   30         dietitian/nutritionist licenses by endorsement;
   31         practitioners of orthotics, prosthetics, or
   32         pedorthics; electrologists; clinical laboratory
   33         personnel; medical physicists; genetic counselors;
   34         opticians; hearing aid specialists; physical
   35         therapists; physical therapist assistants;
   36         psychologists and school psychologists; provisional
   37         licenses for psychologists; psychologist and school
   38         psychologist licenses by endorsement; intern
   39         registrations for clinical social work, marriage and
   40         family therapy, and mental health counseling;
   41         provisional licenses for clinical social workers,
   42         marriage and family therapists, and mental health
   43         counselors; clinical social workers, marriage and
   44         family therapists, and mental health counselors; and
   45         clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist,
   46         and mental health counselor licenses by endorsement,
   47         respectively, to include background screening
   48         requirements; making conforming and technical changes;
   49         amending ss. 486.025, 486.0715, 486.1065, and 491.003,
   50         F.S.; conforming cross-references; providing an
   51         effective date.
   52          
   53  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   54  
   55         Section 1. Subsection (1) of section 456.0135, Florida
   56  Statutes, is amended to read:
   57         456.0135 General background screening provisions.—
   58         (1) An application for initial licensure received on or
   59  after January 1, 2013, under chapter 458, chapter 459, chapter
   60  460, chapter 461, chapter 462, chapter 463, chapter 464, chapter
   61  465 s. 465.022, chapter 466, chapter 467, part I, part II, part
   62  III, part V, part X, part XIII, or part XIV of chapter 468,
   63  chapter 478, or chapter 480, chapter 483, chapter 484, chapter
   64  486, chapter 490, or chapter 491 must shall include fingerprints
   65  pursuant to procedures established by the department through a
   66  vendor approved by the Department of Law Enforcement and fees
   67  imposed for the initial screening and retention of fingerprints.
   68  Fingerprints must be submitted electronically to the Department
   69  of Law Enforcement for state processing, and the Department of
   70  Law Enforcement shall forward the fingerprints to the Federal
   71  Bureau of Investigation for national processing. Each board, or
   72  the department if there is no board, must shall screen the
   73  results to determine whether if an applicant meets licensure
   74  requirements. For any subsequent renewal of the applicant’s
   75  license which that requires a national criminal history check,
   76  the department shall request the Department of Law Enforcement
   77  to forward the retained fingerprints of the applicant to the
   78  Federal Bureau of Investigation unless the fingerprints are
   79  enrolled in the national retained print arrest notification
   80  program.
   81         Section 2. Health care practitioners as defined in s.
   82  456.001, Florida Statutes, who were licensed before July 1,
   83  2024, must comply with the background screening requirements of
   84  s. 456.0135, Florida Statutes, by July 1, 2025.
   85         Section 3. Subsection (2) of section 457.105, Florida
   86  Statutes, is amended to read:
   87         457.105 Licensure qualifications and fees.—
   88         (2) A person may become licensed to practice acupuncture if
   89  the person applies to the department and meets all of the
   90  following criteria:
   91         (a) Is 21 years of age or older, has good moral character,
   92  and has the ability to communicate in English, which is
   93  demonstrated by having passed the national written examination
   94  in English or, if such examination was passed in a foreign
   95  language, by also having passed a nationally recognized English
   96  proficiency examination.;
   97         (b) Has completed 60 college credits from an accredited
   98  postsecondary institution as a prerequisite to enrollment in an
   99  authorized 3-year course of study in acupuncture and oriental
  100  medicine, and has completed a 3-year course of study in
  101  acupuncture and oriental medicine, and effective July 31, 2001,
  102  a 4-year course of study in acupuncture and oriental medicine,
  103  which meets standards established by the board by rule, which
  104  standards include, but are not limited to, successful completion
  105  of academic courses in western anatomy, western physiology,
  106  western pathology, western biomedical terminology, first aid,
  107  and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, any person who
  108  enrolled in an authorized course of study in acupuncture before
  109  August 1, 1997, must have completed only a 2-year course of
  110  study which meets standards established by the board by rule,
  111  which standards must include, but are not limited to, successful
  112  completion of academic courses in western anatomy, western
  113  physiology, and western pathology.;
  114         (c) Has successfully completed a board-approved national
  115  certification process, is actively licensed in a state that has
  116  examination requirements that are substantially equivalent to or
  117  more stringent than those of this state, or passes an
  118  examination administered by the department, which examination
  119  tests the applicant’s competency and knowledge of the practice
  120  of acupuncture and oriental medicine. At the request of any
  121  applicant, oriental nomenclature for the points must shall be
  122  used in the examination. The examination must shall include a
  123  practical examination of the knowledge and skills required to
  124  practice modern and traditional acupuncture and oriental
  125  medicine, covering diagnostic and treatment techniques and
  126  procedures.; and
  127         (d) Pays the required fees set by the board by rule not to
  128  exceed the following amounts:
  129         1. Examination fee: $500 plus the actual per applicant cost
  130  to the department for purchase of the written and practical
  131  portions of the examination from a national organization
  132  approved by the board.
  133         2. Application fee: $300.
  134         3. Reexamination fee: $500 plus the actual per applicant
  135  cost to the department for purchase of the written and practical
  136  portions of the examination from a national organization
  137  approved by the board.
  138         4. Initial biennial licensure fee: $400, if licensed in the
  139  first half of the biennium, and $200, if licensed in the second
  140  half of the biennium.
  141         (e) Submits to background screening in accordance with s.
  142  456.0135.
  143         Section 4. Subsection (1) of section 463.006, Florida
  144  Statutes, is amended to read:
  145         463.006 Licensure and certification by examination.—
  146         (1) Any person desiring to be a licensed practitioner under
  147  pursuant to this chapter must apply to the department, submit to
  148  background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135, and must
  149  submit proof to the department that she or he meets all of the
  150  following criteria:
  151         (a) Has completed the application forms as required by the
  152  board, remitted an application fee for certification not to
  153  exceed $250, remitted an examination fee for certification not
  154  to exceed $250, and remitted an examination fee for licensure
  155  not to exceed $325, all as set by the board.
  156         (b) Is at least 18 years of age.
  157         (c) Has graduated from an accredited school or college of
  158  optometry approved by rule of the board.
  159         (d) Is of good moral character.
  160         (e) Has successfully completed at least 110 hours of
  161  transcript-quality coursework and clinical training in general
  162  and ocular pharmacology as determined by the board, at an
  163  institution that:
  164         1. Has facilities for both didactic and clinical
  165  instructions in pharmacology; and
  166         2. Is accredited by a regional or professional accrediting
  167  organization that is recognized and approved by the Commission
  168  on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation or the United
  169  States Department of Education.
  170         (f) Has completed at least 1 year of supervised experience
  171  in differential diagnosis of eye disease or disorders as part of
  172  the optometric training or in a clinical setting as part of the
  173  optometric experience.
  174         Section 5. Subsection (1) of section 465.007, Florida
  175  Statutes, is amended to read:
  176         465.007 Licensure by examination.—
  177         (1) Any person desiring to be licensed as a pharmacist
  178  shall apply to the department to take the licensure examination.
  179  The department shall examine each applicant who the board
  180  certifies has met all of the following criteria:
  181         (a) Completed the application form and remitted an
  182  examination fee set by the board not to exceed $100 plus the
  183  actual per applicant cost to the department for purchase of
  184  portions of the examination from the National Association of
  185  Boards of Pharmacy or a similar national organization. The fees
  186  authorized under this section shall be established in sufficient
  187  amounts to cover administrative costs.
  188         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
  189  456.0135.
  190         (c) Submitted satisfactory proof that she or he is not less
  191  than 18 years of age and:
  192         1. Is a recipient of a degree from a school or college of
  193  pharmacy accredited by an accrediting agency recognized and
  194  approved by the United States Office of Education; or
  195         2. Is a graduate of a 4-year undergraduate pharmacy program
  196  of a school or college of pharmacy located outside the United
  197  States, has demonstrated proficiency in English by passing both
  198  the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test
  199  of Spoken English (TSE), has passed the Foreign Pharmacy
  200  Graduate Equivalency Examination that is approved by rule of the
  201  board, and has completed a minimum of 500 hours in a supervised
  202  work activity program within this state under the supervision of
  203  a pharmacist licensed by the department, which program is
  204  approved by the board.
  205         (d)(c) Submitted satisfactory proof that she or he has
  206  completed an internship program approved by the board. No such
  207  board-approved program shall exceed 2,080 hours, all of which
  208  may be obtained prior to graduation.
  209         Section 6. Subsection (1) of section 465.0075, Florida
  210  Statutes, is amended to read:
  211         465.0075 Licensure by endorsement; requirements; fee.—
  212         (1) The department shall issue a license by endorsement to
  213  any applicant who applies to the department and remits a
  214  nonrefundable fee of not more than $100, as set by the board,
  215  and who whom the board certifies has met all of the following
  216  criteria:
  217         (a) Has Met the qualifications for licensure in s.
  218  465.007(1)(b), and (c), and (d).;
  219         (b) Has Obtained a passing score, as established by rule of
  220  the board, on the licensure examination of the National
  221  Association of Boards of Pharmacy or a similar nationally
  222  recognized examination, if the board certifies that the
  223  applicant has taken the required examination.;
  224         (c)1. Has Submitted evidence of the active licensed
  225  practice of pharmacy, including practice in community or public
  226  health by persons employed by a governmental entity, in another
  227  jurisdiction for at least 2 of the immediately preceding 5 years
  228  or evidence of successful completion of board-approved
  229  postgraduate training or a board-approved clinical competency
  230  examination within the year immediately preceding application
  231  for licensure; or
  232         2. Has Completed an internship meeting the requirements of
  233  s. 465.007(1)(d) s. 465.007(1)(c) within the 2 years immediately
  234  preceding application.; and
  235         (d) Has Obtained a passing score on the pharmacy
  236  jurisprudence portions of the licensure examination, as required
  237  by board rule.
  238         Section 7. Section 465.013, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  239  read:
  240         465.013 Registration of pharmacy interns.—The department
  241  shall register as pharmacy interns persons certified by the
  242  board as being enrolled in an intern program at an accredited
  243  school or college of pharmacy or who are graduates of accredited
  244  schools or colleges of pharmacy and are not yet licensed in the
  245  state. Applicants for registration must submit to background
  246  screening in accordance with s. 456.0135. The board may refuse
  247  to certify to the department or may revoke the registration of
  248  any intern for good cause, including grounds enumerated in this
  249  chapter for revocation of pharmacists’ licenses.
  250         Section 8. Subsection (2) of section 465.014, Florida
  251  Statutes, is amended to read:
  252         465.014 Pharmacy technician.—
  253         (2) Any person who wishes to work as a pharmacy technician
  254  in this state must register by filing an application with the
  255  board on a form adopted by rule of the board and submit to
  256  background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135. The board
  257  shall register each applicant who has remitted a registration
  258  fee set by the board, not to exceed $50 biennially; has
  259  completed the application form and remitted a nonrefundable
  260  application fee set by the board, not to exceed $50; has
  261  submitted to background screening; is at least 17 years of age;
  262  and has completed a pharmacy technician training program
  263  approved by the Board of Pharmacy. Notwithstanding any
  264  requirements in this subsection, any registered pharmacy
  265  technician registered pursuant to this section before January 1,
  266  2011, who has worked as a pharmacy technician for a minimum of
  267  1,500 hours under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist or
  268  received certification as a pharmacy technician by certification
  269  program accredited by the National Commission for Certifying
  270  Agencies is exempt from the requirement to complete an initial
  271  training program for purposes of registration as required by
  272  this subsection.
  273         Section 9. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
  274  466.006, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  275         466.006 Examination of dentists.—
  276         (1)
  277         (b)1. Any person desiring to be licensed as a dentist shall
  278  apply to the department to take the licensure examinations and
  279  shall verify the information required on the application by
  280  oath. The application must shall include two recent photographs.
  281  There shall be an application fee set by the board not to exceed
  282  $100 which shall be nonrefundable and. There shall also be an
  283  examination fee set by the board, which shall not to exceed $425
  284  plus the actual per applicant cost to the department for
  285  purchase of some or all of the examination from the American
  286  Board of Dental Examiners or its successor entity, if any,
  287  provided the board finds the successor entity’s clinical
  288  examination complies with the provisions of this section. The
  289  examination fee may be refunded refundable if the applicant is
  290  found ineligible to take the examinations.
  291         2.Applicants for licensure must also submit to background
  292  screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
  293         Section 10. Section 466.0067, Florida Statutes, is amended
  294  to read:
  295         466.0067 Application for health access dental license.—The
  296  Legislature finds that there is an important state interest in
  297  attracting dentists to practice in underserved health access
  298  settings in this state and further, that allowing out-of-state
  299  dentists who meet certain criteria to practice in health access
  300  settings without the supervision of a dentist licensed in this
  301  state is substantially related to achieving this important state
  302  interest. Therefore, notwithstanding the requirements of s.
  303  466.006, the board shall grant a health access dental license to
  304  practice dentistry in this state in health access settings as
  305  defined in s. 466.003 to an applicant who meets all of the
  306  following criteria:
  307         (1) Files an appropriate application approved by the
  308  board.;
  309         (2) Pays an application license fee for a health access
  310  dental license, laws-and-rule exam fee, and an initial licensure
  311  fee. The fees specified in this subsection may not differ from
  312  an applicant seeking licensure pursuant to s. 466.006.;
  313         (3) Has submitted to background screening in accordance
  314  with s. 456.0135 and has not been convicted of or pled nolo
  315  contendere to, regardless of adjudication, any felony or
  316  misdemeanor related to the practice of a health care
  317  profession.;
  318         (4) Submits proof of graduation from a dental school
  319  accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the
  320  American Dental Association or its successor agency.;
  321         (5) Submits documentation that she or he has completed, or
  322  will obtain before licensure, continuing education equivalent to
  323  this state’s requirement for dentists licensed under s. 466.006
  324  for the last full reporting biennium before applying for a
  325  health access dental license.;
  326         (6) Submits proof of her or his successful completion of
  327  parts I and II of the dental examination by the National Board
  328  of Dental Examiners and a state or regional clinical dental
  329  licensing examination that the board has determined effectively
  330  measures the applicant’s ability to practice safely.;
  331         (7) Currently holds a valid, active dental license in good
  332  standing which has not been revoked, suspended, restricted, or
  333  otherwise disciplined from another of the United States, the
  334  District of Columbia, or a United States territory.;
  335         (8) Has never had a license revoked from another of the
  336  United States, the District of Columbia, or a United States
  337  territory.;
  338         (9) Has never failed the examination specified in s.
  339  466.006, unless the applicant was reexamined pursuant to s.
  340  466.006 and received a license to practice dentistry in this
  341  state.;
  342         (10) Has not been reported to the National Practitioner
  343  Data Bank, unless the applicant successfully appealed to have
  344  his or her name removed from the data bank.;
  345         (11) Submits proof that he or she has been engaged in the
  346  active, clinical practice of dentistry providing direct patient
  347  care for 5 years immediately preceding the date of application,
  348  or in instances when the applicant has graduated from an
  349  accredited dental school within the preceding 5 years, submits
  350  proof of continuous clinical practice providing direct patient
  351  care since graduation.; and
  352         (12) Has passed an examination covering the laws and rules
  353  of the practice of dentistry in this state as described in s.
  354  466.006(4)(a).
  355         Section 11. Subsection (1) of section 466.007, Florida
  356  Statutes, is amended to read:
  357         466.007 Examination of dental hygienists.—
  358         (1)1. Any person desiring to be licensed as a dental
  359  hygienist shall apply to the department to take the licensure
  360  examinations and shall verify the information required on the
  361  application by oath. The application must shall include two
  362  recent photographs of the applicant. There shall be a
  363  nonrefundable application fee set by the board not to exceed
  364  $100 and an examination fee set by the board which shall not to
  365  exceed be more than $225. The examination fee may be refunded if
  366  the applicant is found ineligible to take the examinations.
  367         2.Applicants for licensure must also submit to background
  368  screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
  369         Section 12. Subsection (5) is added to section 467.011,
  370  Florida Statutes, to read:
  371         467.011 Licensed midwives; qualifications; examination.—The
  372  department shall issue a license to practice midwifery to an
  373  applicant who meets all of the following criteria:
  374         (5)Submits to background screening in accordance with s.
  375  456.0135.
  376         Section 13. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 468.1185,
  377  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  378         468.1185 Licensure.—
  379         (2) The board shall certify for licensure any applicant who
  380  has met all of the following criteria:
  381         (a) Satisfied the education and supervised clinical
  382  requirements of s. 468.1155.
  383         (b) Satisfied the professional experience requirement of s.
  384  468.1165.
  385         (c) Passed the licensure examination required by s.
  386  468.1175.
  387         (d) For an applicant for an audiologist license who has
  388  obtained a doctoral degree in audiology, has satisfied the
  389  education and supervised clinical requirements of paragraph (a)
  390  and the professional experience requirements of paragraph (b).
  391         (e)Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
  392  456.0135.
  393         (3) The board shall certify as qualified for a license by
  394  endorsement as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist an
  395  applicant who:
  396         (a) Holds a valid license or certificate in another state
  397  or territory of the United States to practice the profession for
  398  which the application for licensure is made, if the criteria for
  399  issuance of such license were substantially equivalent to or
  400  more stringent than the licensure criteria which existed in this
  401  state at the time the license was issued; or
  402         (b) Holds a valid certificate of clinical competence of the
  403  American Speech-Language and Hearing Association or board
  404  certification in audiology from the American Board of Audiology;
  405  and
  406         (c)Submits to background screening in accordance with s.
  407  456.0135.
  408         Section 14. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 468.1215,
  409  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  410         468.1215 Speech-language pathology assistant and audiology
  411  assistant; certification.—
  412         (1) The department shall issue a certificate as a speech
  413  language pathology assistant to each applicant who the board
  414  certifies has met all of the following criteria:
  415         (a) Completed the application form and remitted the
  416  required fees, including a nonrefundable application fee.
  417         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
  418  456.0135.
  419         (c) Earned a bachelor’s degree from a college or university
  420  accredited by a regional association of colleges and schools
  421  recognized by the Department of Education which includes at
  422  least 24 semester hours of coursework as approved by the board
  423  at an institution accredited by an accrediting agency recognized
  424  by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
  425         (2) The department shall issue a certificate as an
  426  audiology assistant to each applicant who the board certifies
  427  has met all of the following criteria:
  428         (a) Completed the application form and remitted the
  429  required fees, including a nonrefundable application fee.
  430         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
  431  456.0135.
  432         (c) Earned a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  433         Section 15. Present subsections (2), (3), and (4) of
  434  section 468.1695, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
  435  subsections (3), (4), and (5), respectively, a new subsection
  436  (2) is added to that section, and present subsection (2) of that
  437  section is amended, to read:
  438         468.1695 Licensure by examination.—
  439         (2)Applicants for licensure must also submit to background
  440  screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
  441         (3)(2) The department shall examine each applicant who the
  442  board certifies has completed the application form, submitted to
  443  background screening, and remitted an examination fee set by the
  444  board not to exceed $250 and who:
  445         (a)1. Holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited
  446  college or university and majored in health care administration,
  447  health services administration, or an equivalent major, or has
  448  credit for at least 60 semester hours in subjects, as prescribed
  449  by rule of the board, which prepare the applicant for total
  450  management of a nursing home; and
  451         2. Has fulfilled the requirements of a college-affiliated
  452  or university-affiliated internship in nursing home
  453  administration or of a 1,000-hour nursing home administrator-in
  454  training program prescribed by the board; or
  455         (b)1. Holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited
  456  college or university; and
  457         2.a. Has fulfilled the requirements of a 2,000-hour nursing
  458  home administrator-in-training program prescribed by the board;
  459  or
  460         b. Has 1 year of management experience allowing for the
  461  application of executive duties and skills, including the
  462  staffing, budgeting, and directing of resident care, dietary,
  463  and bookkeeping departments within a skilled nursing facility,
  464  hospital, hospice, assisted living facility with a minimum of 60
  465  licensed beds, or geriatric residential treatment program and,
  466  if such experience is not in a skilled nursing facility, has
  467  fulfilled the requirements of a 1,000-hour nursing home
  468  administrator-in-training program prescribed by the board.
  469         Section 16. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 468.209,
  470  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  471         468.209 Requirements for licensure.—
  472         (1) An applicant applying for a license as an occupational
  473  therapist or as an occupational therapy assistant shall apply to
  474  the department on forms furnished by the department. The
  475  department shall license each applicant who the board certifies
  476  meets all of the following criteria:
  477         (a)Has completed the file a written application form and
  478  remitted, accompanied by the application for licensure fee
  479  prescribed in s. 468.221.
  480         (b)Has submitted to background screening in accordance
  481  with s. 456.0135., on forms provided by the department, showing
  482  to the satisfaction of the board that she or he:
  483         (c)(a) Is of good moral character.
  484         (d)(b) Has successfully completed the academic requirements
  485  of an educational program in occupational therapy recognized by
  486  the board, with concentration in biologic or physical science,
  487  psychology, and sociology, and with education in selected manual
  488  skills. Such a program shall be accredited by the American
  489  Occupational Therapy Association’s Accreditation Council for
  490  Occupational Therapy Education, or its successor.
  491         (e)(c) Has successfully completed a period of supervised
  492  fieldwork experience at a recognized educational institution or
  493  a training program approved by the educational institution where
  494  she or he met the academic requirements. For an occupational
  495  therapist, a minimum of 6 months of supervised fieldwork
  496  experience is required. For an occupational therapy assistant, a
  497  minimum of 2 months of supervised fieldwork experience is
  498  required.
  499         (f)(d) Has passed an examination conducted or adopted by
  500  the board as provided in s. 468.211.
  501         (2) An applicant who has practiced as a state-licensed or
  502  American Occupational Therapy Association-certified occupational
  503  therapy assistant for 4 years and who, before January 24, 1988,
  504  completed a minimum of 24 weeks of supervised occupational
  505  therapist-level fieldwork experience may take the examination to
  506  be licensed as an occupational therapist without meeting the
  507  educational requirements for occupational therapists made
  508  otherwise applicable under paragraph (1)(d) (1)(b).
  509         Section 17. Subsection (3) is added to section 468.213,
  510  Florida Statutes, to read:
  511         468.213 Licensure by endorsement.—
  512         (3)Applicants for licensure by endorsement must submit to
  513  background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
  514         Section 18. Section 468.355, Florida Statutes, is amended
  515  to read:
  516         468.355 Licensure requirements.—To be eligible for
  517  licensure by the board, an applicant must be an active
  518  “certified respiratory therapist” or an active “registered
  519  respiratory therapist” as designated by the National Board for
  520  Respiratory Care, or its successor, and submit to background
  521  screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
  522         Section 19. Subsection (4) of section 468.358, Florida
  523  Statutes, is amended to read:
  524         468.358 Licensure by endorsement.—
  525         (4) Applicants for licensure shall not be granted by
  526  endorsement under as provided in this section must submit
  527  without the submission of a proper application, remit and the
  528  payment of the requisite application fee, and submit to
  529  background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135 fees
  530  therefor.
  531         Section 20. Present subsections (2), (3), and (4) of
  532  section 468.509, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
  533  subsections (3), (4), and (5), respectively, a new subsection
  534  (2) is added to that section, and present subsection (2) of that
  535  section is amended, to read:
  536         468.509 Dietitian/nutritionist; requirements for
  537  licensure.—
  538         (2)Applicants for licensure must also submit to background
  539  screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
  540         (3)(2) The department shall examine any applicant who the
  541  board certifies has completed the application form, submitted to
  542  background screening, and remitted the application and
  543  examination fees specified in s. 468.508 and who:
  544         (a)1. Possesses a baccalaureate or postbaccalaureate degree
  545  with a major course of study in human nutrition, food and
  546  nutrition, dietetics, or food management, or an equivalent major
  547  course of study, from a school or program accredited, at the
  548  time of the applicant’s graduation, by the appropriate
  549  accrediting agency recognized by the Commission on Recognition
  550  of Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department
  551  of Education; and
  552         2. Has completed a preprofessional experience component of
  553  not less than 900 hours or has education or experience
  554  determined to be equivalent by the board; or
  555         (b)1. Has an academic degree, from a foreign country, that
  556  has been validated by an accrediting agency approved by the
  557  United States Department of Education as equivalent to the
  558  baccalaureate or postbaccalaureate degree conferred by a
  559  regionally accredited college or university in the United
  560  States;
  561         2. Has completed a major course of study in human
  562  nutrition, food and nutrition, dietetics, or food management;
  563  and
  564         3. Has completed a preprofessional experience component of
  565  not less than 900 hours or has education or experience
  566  determined to be equivalent by the board.
  567         Section 21. Subsection (1) of section 468.513, Florida
  568  Statutes, is amended to read:
  569         468.513 Dietitian/nutritionist; licensure by endorsement.—
  570         (1) The department shall issue a license to practice
  571  dietetics and nutrition by endorsement to any applicant who
  572  submits to background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135
  573  and the board certifies as qualified, upon receipt of a
  574  completed application and the fee specified in s. 468.508.
  575         Section 22. Subsection (2) of section 468.803, Florida
  576  Statutes, is amended to read:
  577         468.803 License, registration, and examination
  578  requirements.—
  579         (2) An applicant for registration, examination, or
  580  licensure must apply to the department on a form prescribed by
  581  the board for consideration of board approval. Each initial
  582  applicant shall submit fingerprints to the department in
  583  accordance with s. 456.0135 and any other procedures specified
  584  by the department for state and national criminal history checks
  585  of the applicant. The board shall screen the results to
  586  determine if an applicant meets licensure requirements. The
  587  board shall consider for examination, registration, or licensure
  588  each applicant whom the board verifies meets all of the
  589  following criteria:
  590         (a) Has submitted the completed application and completed
  591  the fingerprinting requirements and has paid the applicable
  592  application fee, not to exceed $500. The application fee is
  593  nonrefundable.;
  594         (b) Is of good moral character.;
  595         (c) Is 18 years of age or older.; and
  596         (d) Has completed the appropriate educational preparation.
  597         Section 23. Subsection (1) of section 478.45, Florida
  598  Statutes, is amended to read:
  599         478.45 Requirements for licensure.—
  600         (1) An applicant applying for licensure as an electrologist
  601  shall apply to the department on forms furnished by the
  602  department. The department shall license each applicant who the
  603  board certifies meets all of the following criteria:
  604         (a)Has completed the file a written application form and
  605  remitted, accompanied by the application for licensure fee
  606  prescribed in s. 478.55.
  607         (b)Has submitted to background screening in accordance
  608  with s. 456.0135., on a form provided by the board, showing to
  609  the satisfaction of the board that the applicant:
  610         (c)(a) Is at least 18 years old.
  611         (d)(b) Is of good moral character.
  612         (e)(c) Possesses a high school diploma or a high school
  613  equivalency diploma.
  614         (f)(d) Has not committed an act in any jurisdiction which
  615  would constitute grounds for disciplining an electrologist in
  616  this state.
  617         (g)(e) Has successfully completed the academic requirements
  618  of an electrolysis training program, not to exceed 120 hours,
  619  and the practical application thereof as approved by the board.
  620         Section 24. Section 483.815, Florida Statutes, is amended
  621  to read:
  622         483.815 Application for clinical laboratory personnel
  623  license.—An application for a clinical laboratory personnel
  624  license shall be made under oath on forms provided by the
  625  department and shall be accompanied by payment of fees as
  626  provided by this part. Applicants for licensure must also submit
  627  to background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135. A
  628  license may be issued authorizing the performance of procedures
  629  of one or more categories.
  630         Section 25. Present paragraphs (b) through (k) of
  631  subsection (4) of section 483.901, Florida Statutes, are
  632  redesignated as paragraphs (c) through (l), respectively, a new
  633  paragraph (b) is added to that subsection, and paragraph (a) of
  634  that subsection is amended, to read:
  635         483.901 Medical physicists; definitions; licensure.—
  636         (4) LICENSE REQUIRED.—An individual may not engage in the
  637  practice of medical physics, including the specialties of
  638  diagnostic radiological physics, therapeutic radiological
  639  physics, medical nuclear radiological physics, or medical health
  640  physics, without a license issued by the department for the
  641  appropriate specialty.
  642         (a) The department shall adopt rules to administer this
  643  section which specify license application and renewal fees,
  644  continuing education requirements, background screening
  645  requirements, and standards for practicing medical physics. The
  646  department shall require a minimum of 24 hours per biennium of
  647  continuing education offered by an organization approved by the
  648  department. The department may adopt rules to specify continuing
  649  education requirements for persons who hold a license in more
  650  than one specialty.
  651         (b)Applicants for a medical physicist license must submit
  652  to background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
  653         Section 26. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 483.914,
  654  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  655         483.914 Licensure requirements.—
  656         (2) The department shall issue a license, valid for 2
  657  years, to each applicant who meets all of the following
  658  criteria:
  659         (a) Has completed an application.
  660         (b) Has submitted to background screening in accordance
  661  with s. 456.0135.
  662         (c) Is of good moral character.
  663         (d)(c) Provides satisfactory documentation of having
  664  earned:
  665         1. A master’s degree from a genetic counseling training
  666  program or its equivalent as determined by the Accreditation
  667  Council of Genetic Counseling or its successor or an equivalent
  668  entity; or
  669         2. A doctoral degree from a medical genetics training
  670  program accredited by the American Board of Medical Genetics and
  671  Genomics or the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists.
  672         (e)(d) Has passed the examination for certification as:
  673         1. A genetic counselor by the American Board of Genetic
  674  Counseling, Inc., the American Board of Medical Genetics and
  675  Genomics, or the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors; or
  676         2. A medical or clinical geneticist by the American Board
  677  of Medical Genetics and Genomics or the Canadian College of
  678  Medical Geneticists.
  679         (3) The department may issue a temporary license for up to
  680  2 years to an applicant who meets all requirements for licensure
  681  except for the certification examination requirement imposed
  682  under paragraph (2)(e) (2)(d) and is eligible to sit for that
  683  certification examination.
  684         Section 27. Subsection (1) of section 484.007, Florida
  685  Statutes, is amended to read:
  686         484.007 Licensure of opticians; permitting of optical
  687  establishments.—
  688         (1) Any person desiring to practice opticianry shall apply
  689  to the department, upon forms prescribed by it, to take a
  690  licensure examination. The department shall examine each
  691  applicant who the board certifies meets all of the following
  692  criteria:
  693         (a) Has completed the application form and remitted a
  694  nonrefundable application fee set by the board, in the amount of
  695  $100 or less, and an examination fee set by the board, in the
  696  amount of $325 plus the actual per applicant cost to the
  697  department for purchase of portions of the examination from the
  698  American Board of Opticianry or a similar national organization,
  699  or less, and refundable if the board finds the applicant
  700  ineligible to take the examination.;
  701         (b) Submits to background screening in accordance with s.
  702  456.0135.
  703         (c) Is not less than 18 years of age.;
  704         (d)(c) Is a graduate of an accredited high school or
  705  possesses a certificate of equivalency of a high school
  706  education.; and
  707         (e)1.(d)1. Has received an associate degree, or its
  708  equivalent, in opticianry from an educational institution the
  709  curriculum of which is accredited by an accrediting agency
  710  recognized and approved by the United States Department of
  711  Education or the Council on Postsecondary Education or approved
  712  by the board;
  713         2. Is an individual licensed to practice the profession of
  714  opticianry pursuant to a regulatory licensing law of another
  715  state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States, who has
  716  actively practiced in such other state, territory, or
  717  jurisdiction for more than 3 years immediately preceding
  718  application, and who meets the examination qualifications as
  719  provided in this subsection;
  720         3. Is an individual who has actively practiced in another
  721  state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States for more
  722  than 5 years immediately preceding application and who provides
  723  tax or business records, affidavits, or other satisfactory
  724  documentation of such practice and who meets the examination
  725  qualifications as provided in this subsection; or
  726         4. Has registered as an apprentice with the department and
  727  paid a registration fee not to exceed $60, as set by rule of the
  728  board. The apprentice shall complete 6,240 hours of training
  729  under the supervision of an optician licensed in this state for
  730  at least 1 year or of a physician or optometrist licensed under
  731  the laws of this state. These requirements must be met within 5
  732  years after the date of registration. However, any time spent in
  733  a recognized school may be considered as part of the
  734  apprenticeship program provided herein. The board may establish
  735  administrative processing fees sufficient to cover the cost of
  736  administering apprentice rules adopted as promulgated by the
  737  board.
  738         Section 28. Subsection (2) of section 484.045, Florida
  739  Statutes, is amended to read:
  740         484.045 Licensure by examination.—
  741         (2) The department shall license each applicant who the
  742  board certifies meets all of the following criteria:
  743         (a) Has completed the application form and remitted the
  744  required fees.
  745         (b) Has submitted to background screening in accordance
  746  with s. 456.0135.
  747         (c) Is of good moral character.
  748         (d)(c) Is 18 years of age or older.
  749         (e)(d) Is a graduate of an accredited high school or its
  750  equivalent.
  751         (f)1.(e)1. Has met the requirements of the training
  752  program; or
  753         2.a. Has a valid, current license as a hearing aid
  754  specialist or its equivalent from another state and has been
  755  actively practicing in such capacity for at least 12 months; or
  756         b. Is currently certified by the National Board for
  757  Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences and has been
  758  actively practicing for at least 12 months.
  759         (g)(f) Has passed an examination, as prescribed by board
  760  rule.
  761         (h)(g) Has demonstrated, in a manner designated by rule of
  762  the board, knowledge of state laws and rules relating to the
  763  fitting and dispensing of prescription hearing aids.
  764         Section 29. Section 486.031, Florida Statutes, is amended
  765  to read:
  766         486.031 Physical therapist; licensing requirements.—To be
  767  eligible for licensing as a physical therapist, an applicant
  768  must meet all of the following criteria:
  769         (1) Be at least 18 years old.;
  770         (2) Be of good moral character.
  771         (3)Have submitted to background screening in accordance
  772  with s. 456.0135.; and
  773         (4)(a)(3)(a) Have been graduated from a school of physical
  774  therapy which has been approved for the educational preparation
  775  of physical therapists by the appropriate accrediting agency
  776  recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or
  777  its successor entity, Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary
  778  Accreditation or the United States Department of Education at
  779  the time of her or his graduation and have passed, to the
  780  satisfaction of the board, the American Registry Examination
  781  prior to 1971 or a national examination approved by the board to
  782  determine her or his fitness for practice as a physical
  783  therapist as hereinafter provided;
  784         (b) Have received a diploma from a program in physical
  785  therapy in a foreign country and have educational credentials
  786  deemed equivalent to those required for the educational
  787  preparation of physical therapists in this country, as
  788  recognized by the appropriate agency as identified by the board,
  789  and have passed to the satisfaction of the board an examination
  790  to determine her or his fitness for practice as a physical
  791  therapist as hereinafter provided; or
  792         (c) Be entitled to licensure without examination as
  793  provided in s. 486.081.
  794         Section 30. Section 486.102, Florida Statutes, is amended
  795  to read:
  796         486.102 Physical therapist assistant; licensing
  797  requirements.—To be eligible for licensing by the board as a
  798  physical therapist assistant, an applicant must meet all of the
  799  following criteria:
  800         (1) Be at least 18 years old.;
  801         (2) Be of good moral character.
  802         (3)Have submitted to background screening in accordance
  803  with s. 456.0135.; and
  804         (4)(a)(3)(a) Have been graduated from a school giving a
  805  course of not less than 2 years for physical therapist
  806  assistants, which has been approved for the educational
  807  preparation of physical therapist assistants by the appropriate
  808  accrediting agency recognized by the Council for Higher
  809  Education Accreditation, or its successor entity, Commission on
  810  Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation or the United States
  811  Department of Education, at the time of her or his graduation
  812  and have passed to the satisfaction of the board an examination
  813  to determine her or his fitness for practice as a physical
  814  therapist assistant as hereinafter provided;
  815         (b) Have been graduated from a school giving a course for
  816  physical therapist assistants in a foreign country and have
  817  educational credentials deemed equivalent to those required for
  818  the educational preparation of physical therapist assistants in
  819  this country, as recognized by the appropriate agency as
  820  identified by the board, and passed to the satisfaction of the
  821  board an examination to determine her or his fitness for
  822  practice as a physical therapist assistant as hereinafter
  823  provided;
  824         (c) Be entitled to licensure without examination as
  825  provided in s. 486.107; or
  826         (d) Have been enrolled between July 1, 2014, and July 1,
  827  2016, in a physical therapist assistant school in this state
  828  which was accredited at the time of enrollment; and
  829         1. Have been graduated or be eligible to graduate from such
  830  school no later than July 1, 2018; and
  831         2. Have passed to the satisfaction of the board an
  832  examination to determine his or her fitness for practice as a
  833  physical therapist assistant as provided in s. 486.104.
  834         Section 31. Present paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of
  835  subsection (1) of section 490.005, Florida Statutes, are
  836  redesignated as paragraphs (c), (d), and (e), respectively, a
  837  new paragraph (b) is added to that subsection, and subsection
  838  (2) is amended, to read:
  839         490.005 Licensure by examination.—
  840         (1) Any person desiring to be licensed as a psychologist
  841  shall apply to the department to take the licensure examination.
  842  The department shall license each applicant whom the board
  843  certifies has met all of the following requirements:
  844         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
  845  456.0135.
  846         (2) Any person desiring to be licensed as a school
  847  psychologist shall apply to the department to take the licensure
  848  examination. The department shall license each applicant who the
  849  department certifies has met all of the following requirements:
  850         (a) Satisfactorily completed the application form and
  851  submitted a nonrefundable application fee not to exceed $250 and
  852  an examination fee sufficient to cover the per applicant cost to
  853  the department for development, purchase, and administration of
  854  the examination, but not to exceed $250 as set by department
  855  rule.
  856         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
  857  456.0135.
  858         (c) Submitted satisfactory proof to the department that the
  859  applicant:
  860         1. Has received a doctorate, specialist, or equivalent
  861  degree from a program primarily psychological in nature and has
  862  completed 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate
  863  study, in areas related to school psychology as defined by rule
  864  of the department, from a college or university which at the
  865  time the applicant was enrolled and graduated was accredited by
  866  an accrediting agency recognized and approved by the Council for
  867  Higher Education Accreditation or its successor organization or
  868  from an institution that is a member in good standing with the
  869  Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.
  870         2. Has had a minimum of 3 years of experience in school
  871  psychology, 2 years of which must be supervised by an individual
  872  who is a licensed school psychologist or who has otherwise
  873  qualified as a school psychologist supervisor, by education and
  874  experience, as set forth by rule of the department. A doctoral
  875  internship may be applied toward the supervision requirement.
  876         3. Has passed an examination provided by the department.
  877         Section 32. Present paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection
  878  (1) of section 490.0051, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
  879  paragraphs (c) and (d), respectively, and a new paragraph (b) is
  880  added to that subsection, to read:
  881         490.0051 Provisional licensure; requirements.—
  882         (1) The department shall issue a provisional psychology
  883  license to each applicant whom the board certifies has met all
  884  of the following criteria:
  885         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
  886  456.0135.
  887         Section 33. Subsection (1) of section 490.006, Florida
  888  Statutes, is amended to read:
  889         490.006 Licensure by endorsement.—
  890         (1) The department shall license a person as a psychologist
  891  or school psychologist who, upon applying to the department,
  892  submitting to background screening in accordance with s.
  893  456.0135, and remitting the appropriate fee, demonstrates to the
  894  department or, in the case of psychologists, to the board that
  895  the applicant:
  896         (a) Is a diplomate in good standing with the American Board
  897  of Professional Psychology, Inc.; or
  898         (b) Possesses a doctoral degree in psychology and has at
  899  least 10 years of experience as a licensed psychologist in any
  900  jurisdiction or territory of the United States within the 25
  901  years preceding the date of application.
  902         Section 34. Subsections (1), (2), (4), and (6) of section
  903  491.0045, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  904         491.0045 Intern registration; requirements.—
  905         (1) An individual who has not satisfied the postgraduate or
  906  post-master’s level experience requirements, as specified in s.
  907  491.005(1)(d), (3)(d), or (4)(d) s. 491.005(1)(c), (3)(c), or
  908  (4)(c), must register as an intern in the profession for which
  909  he or she is seeking licensure before commencing the post
  910  master’s experience requirement or an individual who intends to
  911  satisfy part of the required graduate-level practicum,
  912  internship, or field experience, outside the academic arena for
  913  any profession, and must register as an intern in the profession
  914  for which he or she is seeking licensure before commencing the
  915  practicum, internship, or field experience.
  916         (2) The department shall register as a clinical social
  917  worker intern, marriage and family therapist intern, or mental
  918  health counselor intern each applicant who the board certifies
  919  has met all of the following criteria:
  920         (a) Completed the application form and remitted a
  921  nonrefundable application fee not to exceed $200, as set by
  922  board rule.;
  923         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
  924  456.0135.
  925         (c)1. Completed the education requirements as specified in
  926  s. 491.005(1)(d), (3)(d), or (4)(d) s. 491.005(1)(c), (3)(c), or
  927  (4)(c) for the profession for which he or she is applying for
  928  licensure, if needed; and
  929         2. Submitted an acceptable supervision plan, as determined
  930  by the board, for meeting the practicum, internship, or field
  931  work required for licensure that was not satisfied in his or her
  932  graduate program.
  933         (d)(c) Identified a qualified supervisor.
  934         (4) An individual who fails to comply with this section may
  935  not be granted a license under this chapter, and any time spent
  936  by the individual completing the experience requirement as
  937  specified in s. 491.005(1)(d), (3)(d), or (4)(d) s.
  938  491.005(1)(c), (3)(c), or (4)(c) before registering as an intern
  939  does not count toward completion of the requirement.
  940         (6) Any registration issued after March 31, 2017, expires
  941  60 months after the date it is issued. The board may make a one
  942  time exception to the requirements of this subsection in
  943  emergency or hardship cases, as defined by board rule, if the
  944  candidate has passed the theory and practice examination
  945  described in s. 491.005(1)(e), (3)(e), and (4)(e) s.
  946  491.005(1)(d), (3)(d), and (4)(d).
  947         Section 35. Subsection (2) of section 491.0046, Florida
  948  Statutes, is amended to read:
  949         491.0046 Provisional license; requirements.—
  950         (2) The department shall issue a provisional clinical
  951  social worker license, provisional marriage and family therapist
  952  license, or provisional mental health counselor license to each
  953  applicant who the board certifies has met all of the following
  954  criteria:
  955         (a) Completed the application form and remitted a
  956  nonrefundable application fee not to exceed $100, as set by
  957  board rule.; and
  958         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
  959  456.0135.
  960         (c) Earned a graduate degree in social work, a graduate
  961  degree with a major emphasis in marriage and family therapy or a
  962  closely related field, or a graduate degree in a major related
  963  to the practice of mental health counseling.; and
  964         (d)(c) Met the following minimum coursework requirements:
  965         1. For clinical social work, a minimum of 15 semester hours
  966  or 22 quarter hours of the coursework required by s.
  967  491.005(1)(c)2.b. s. 491.005(1)(b)2.b.
  968         2. For marriage and family therapy, 10 of the courses
  969  required by s. 491.005(3)(c) s. 491.005(3)(b), as determined by
  970  the board, and at least 6 semester hours or 9 quarter hours of
  971  the course credits must have been completed in the area of
  972  marriage and family systems, theories, or techniques.
  973         3. For mental health counseling, a minimum of seven of the
  974  courses required under s. 491.005(4)(c)1.a., b., or c. s.
  975  491.005(4)(b)1.a.-c.
  976         Section 36. Subsections (1) through (4) of section 491.005,
  977  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  978         491.005 Licensure by examination.—
  979         (1) CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK.—Upon verification of
  980  documentation and payment of a fee not to exceed $200, as set by
  981  board rule, the department shall issue a license as a clinical
  982  social worker to an applicant whom the board certifies has met
  983  all of the following criteria:
  984         (a) Submitted an application and paid the appropriate fee.
  985         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
  986  456.0135.
  987         (c)1. Received a doctoral degree in social work from a
  988  graduate school of social work which at the time the applicant
  989  graduated was accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by
  990  the United States Department of Education or received a master’s
  991  degree in social work from a graduate school of social work
  992  which at the time the applicant graduated:
  993         a. Was accredited by the Council on Social Work Education;
  994         b. Was accredited by the Canadian Association for Social
  995  Work Education; or
  996         c. Has been determined to have been a program equivalent to
  997  programs approved by the Council on Social Work Education by the
  998  Foreign Equivalency Determination Service of the Council on
  999  Social Work Education. An applicant who graduated from a program
 1000  at a university or college outside of the United States or
 1001  Canada must present documentation of the equivalency
 1002  determination from the council in order to qualify.
 1003         2. The applicant’s graduate program emphasized direct
 1004  clinical patient or client health care services, including, but
 1005  not limited to, coursework in clinical social work, psychiatric
 1006  social work, medical social work, social casework,
 1007  psychotherapy, or group therapy. The applicant’s graduate
 1008  program must have included all of the following coursework:
 1009         a. A supervised field placement which was part of the
 1010  applicant’s advanced concentration in direct practice, during
 1011  which the applicant provided clinical services directly to
 1012  clients.
 1013         b. Completion of 24 semester hours or 32 quarter hours in
 1014  theory of human behavior and practice methods as courses in
 1015  clinically oriented services, including a minimum of one course
 1016  in psychopathology, and no more than one course in research,
 1017  taken in a school of social work accredited or approved pursuant
 1018  to subparagraph 1.
 1019         3. If the course title which appears on the applicant’s
 1020  transcript does not clearly identify the content of the
 1021  coursework, the applicant provided additional documentation,
 1022  including, but not limited to, a syllabus or catalog description
 1023  published for the course.
 1024         (d)(c) Completed at least 2 years of clinical social work
 1025  experience, which took place subsequent to completion of a
 1026  graduate degree in social work at an institution meeting the
 1027  accreditation requirements of this section, under the
 1028  supervision of a licensed clinical social worker or the
 1029  equivalent who is a qualified supervisor as determined by the
 1030  board. An individual who intends to practice in Florida to
 1031  satisfy clinical experience requirements must register pursuant
 1032  to s. 491.0045 before commencing practice. If the applicant’s
 1033  graduate program was not a program which emphasized direct
 1034  clinical patient or client health care services as described in
 1035  subparagraph (c)2. (b)2., the supervised experience requirement
 1036  must take place after the applicant has completed a minimum of
 1037  15 semester hours or 22 quarter hours of the coursework
 1038  required. A doctoral internship may be applied toward the
 1039  clinical social work experience requirement. A licensed mental
 1040  health professional must be on the premises when clinical
 1041  services are provided by a registered intern in a private
 1042  practice setting.
 1043         (e)(d) Passed a theory and practice examination designated
 1044  by board rule.
 1045         (f)(e) Demonstrated, in a manner designated by board rule,
 1046  knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of
 1047  clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental
 1048  health counseling.
 1049         (2) CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK.—
 1050         (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1)(c)
 1051  (1)(b), coursework which was taken at a baccalaureate level
 1052  shall not be considered toward completion of education
 1053  requirements for licensure unless an official of the graduate
 1054  program certifies in writing on the graduate school’s stationery
 1055  that a specific course, which students enrolled in the same
 1056  graduate program were ordinarily required to complete at the
 1057  graduate level, was waived or exempted based on completion of a
 1058  similar course at the baccalaureate level. If this condition is
 1059  met, the board shall apply the baccalaureate course named toward
 1060  the education requirements.
 1061         (b) An applicant from a master’s or doctoral program in
 1062  social work which did not emphasize direct patient or client
 1063  services may complete the clinical curriculum content
 1064  requirement by returning to a graduate program accredited by the
 1065  Council on Social Work Education or the Canadian Association of
 1066  Schools of Social Work, or to a clinical social work graduate
 1067  program with comparable standards, in order to complete the
 1068  education requirements for examination. However, a maximum of 6
 1069  semester or 9 quarter hours of the clinical curriculum content
 1070  requirement may be completed by credit awarded for independent
 1071  study coursework as defined by board rule.
 1072         (3) MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY.—Upon verification of
 1073  documentation and payment of a fee not to exceed $200, as set by
 1074  board rule, the department shall issue a license as a marriage
 1075  and family therapist to an applicant whom the board certifies
 1076  has met all of the following criteria:
 1077         (a) Submitted an application and paid the appropriate fee.
 1078         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
 1079  456.0135.
 1080         (c)1. Attained one of the following:
 1081         a. A minimum of a master’s degree in marriage and family
 1082  therapy from a program accredited by the Commission on
 1083  Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education.
 1084         b. A minimum of a master’s degree with a major emphasis in
 1085  marriage and family therapy or a closely related field from a
 1086  university program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of
 1087  Counseling and Related Educational Programs and graduate courses
 1088  approved by the board.
 1089         c. A minimum of a master’s degree with an emphasis in
 1090  marriage and family therapy or a closely related field, with a
 1091  degree conferred before September 1, 2027, from an
 1092  institutionally accredited college or university and graduate
 1093  courses approved by the board.
 1094         2. If the course title that appears on the applicant’s
 1095  transcript does not clearly identify the content of the
 1096  coursework, the applicant provided additional documentation,
 1097  including, but not limited to, a syllabus or catalog description
 1098  published for the course. The required master’s degree must have
 1099  been received in an institution of higher education that, at the
 1100  time the applicant graduated, was fully accredited by an
 1101  institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for
 1102  Higher Education Accreditation or its successor organization or
 1103  was a member in good standing with Universities Canada, or an
 1104  institution of higher education located outside the United
 1105  States and Canada which, at the time the applicant was enrolled
 1106  and at the time the applicant graduated, maintained a standard
 1107  of training substantially equivalent to the standards of
 1108  training of those institutions in the United States which are
 1109  accredited by an institutional accrediting body recognized by
 1110  the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its successor
 1111  organization. Such foreign education and training must have been
 1112  received in an institution or program of higher education
 1113  officially recognized by the government of the country in which
 1114  it is located as an institution or program to train students to
 1115  practice as professional marriage and family therapists or
 1116  psychotherapists. The applicant has the burden of establishing
 1117  that the requirements of this provision have been met, and the
 1118  board shall require documentation, such as an evaluation by a
 1119  foreign equivalency determination service, as evidence that the
 1120  applicant’s graduate degree program and education were
 1121  equivalent to an accredited program in this country. An
 1122  applicant with a master’s degree from a program that did not
 1123  emphasize marriage and family therapy may complete the
 1124  coursework requirement in a training institution fully
 1125  accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and
 1126  Family Therapy Education recognized by the United States
 1127  Department of Education.
 1128         (d)(c) Completed at least 2 years of clinical experience
 1129  during which 50 percent of the applicant’s clients were
 1130  receiving marriage and family therapy services, which must be at
 1131  the post-master’s level under the supervision of a licensed
 1132  marriage and family therapist with at least 5 years of
 1133  experience, or the equivalent, who is a qualified supervisor as
 1134  determined by the board. An individual who intends to practice
 1135  in Florida to satisfy the clinical experience requirements must
 1136  register pursuant to s. 491.0045 before commencing practice. If
 1137  a graduate has a master’s degree with a major emphasis in
 1138  marriage and family therapy or a closely related field which did
 1139  not include all of the coursework required by paragraph (c) (b),
 1140  credit for the post-master’s level clinical experience may not
 1141  commence until the applicant has completed a minimum of 10 of
 1142  the courses required by paragraph (c) (b), as determined by the
 1143  board, and at least 6 semester hours or 9 quarter hours of the
 1144  course credits must have been completed in the area of marriage
 1145  and family systems, theories, or techniques. Within the 2 years
 1146  of required experience, the applicant shall provide direct
 1147  individual, group, or family therapy and counseling to cases
 1148  including those involving unmarried dyads, married couples,
 1149  separating and divorcing couples, and family groups that include
 1150  children. A doctoral internship may be applied toward the
 1151  clinical experience requirement. A licensed mental health
 1152  professional must be on the premises when clinical services are
 1153  provided by a registered intern in a private practice setting.
 1154         (e)(d) Passed a theory and practice examination designated
 1155  by board rule.
 1156         (f)(e) Demonstrated, in a manner designated by board rule,
 1157  knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of
 1158  clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental
 1159  health counseling.
 1160  
 1161  For the purposes of dual licensure, the department shall license
 1162  as a marriage and family therapist any person who meets the
 1163  requirements of s. 491.0057. Fees for dual licensure may not
 1164  exceed those stated in this subsection.
 1165         (4) MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING.—Upon verification of
 1166  documentation and payment of a fee not to exceed $200, as set by
 1167  board rule, the department shall issue a license as a mental
 1168  health counselor to an applicant whom the board certifies has
 1169  met all of the following criteria:
 1170         (a) Submitted an application and paid the appropriate fee.
 1171         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
 1172  456.0135.
 1173         (c)1. Attained a minimum of an earned master’s degree from
 1174  a mental health counseling program accredited by the Council for
 1175  the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
 1176  which consists of at least 60 semester hours or 80 quarter hours
 1177  of clinical and didactic instruction, including a course in
 1178  human sexuality and a course in substance abuse. If the master’s
 1179  degree is earned from a program related to the practice of
 1180  mental health counseling which is not accredited by the Council
 1181  for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational
 1182  Programs, then the coursework and practicum, internship, or
 1183  fieldwork must consist of at least 60 semester hours or 80
 1184  quarter hours and meet all of the following requirements:
 1185         a. Thirty-three semester hours or 44 quarter hours of
 1186  graduate coursework, which must include a minimum of 3 semester
 1187  hours or 4 quarter hours of graduate-level coursework in each of
 1188  the following 11 content areas: counseling theories and
 1189  practice; human growth and development; diagnosis and treatment
 1190  of psychopathology; human sexuality; group theories and
 1191  practice; individual evaluation and assessment; career and
 1192  lifestyle assessment; research and program evaluation; social
 1193  and cultural foundations; substance abuse; and legal, ethical,
 1194  and professional standards issues in the practice of mental
 1195  health counseling. Courses in research, thesis or dissertation
 1196  work, practicums, internships, or fieldwork may not be applied
 1197  toward this requirement.
 1198         b. A minimum of 3 semester hours or 4 quarter hours of
 1199  graduate-level coursework addressing diagnostic processes,
 1200  including differential diagnosis and the use of the current
 1201  diagnostic tools, such as the current edition of the American
 1202  Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
 1203  Mental Disorders. The graduate program must have emphasized the
 1204  common core curricular experience.
 1205         c. The equivalent, as determined by the board, of at least
 1206  700 hours of university-sponsored supervised clinical practicum,
 1207  internship, or field experience that includes at least 280 hours
 1208  of direct client services, as required in the accrediting
 1209  standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and
 1210  Related Educational Programs for mental health counseling
 1211  programs. This experience may not be used to satisfy the post
 1212  master’s clinical experience requirement.
 1213         2. Provided additional documentation if a course title that
 1214  appears on the applicant’s transcript does not clearly identify
 1215  the content of the coursework. The documentation must include,
 1216  but is not limited to, a syllabus or catalog description
 1217  published for the course.
 1218  
 1219  Education and training in mental health counseling must have
 1220  been received in an institution of higher education that, at the
 1221  time the applicant graduated, was fully accredited by an
 1222  institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for
 1223  Higher Education Accreditation or its successor organization or
 1224  was a member in good standing with Universities Canada, or an
 1225  institution of higher education located outside the United
 1226  States and Canada which, at the time the applicant was enrolled
 1227  and at the time the applicant graduated, maintained a standard
 1228  of training substantially equivalent to the standards of
 1229  training of those institutions in the United States which are
 1230  accredited by an institutional accrediting body recognized by
 1231  the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its successor
 1232  organization. Such foreign education and training must have been
 1233  received in an institution or program of higher education
 1234  officially recognized by the government of the country in which
 1235  it is located as an institution or program to train students to
 1236  practice as mental health counselors. The applicant has the
 1237  burden of establishing that the requirements of this provision
 1238  have been met, and the board shall require documentation, such
 1239  as an evaluation by a foreign equivalency determination service,
 1240  as evidence that the applicant’s graduate degree program and
 1241  education were equivalent to an accredited program in this
 1242  country. Beginning July 1, 2025, an applicant must have a
 1243  master’s degree from a program that is accredited by the Council
 1244  for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational
 1245  Programs, the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation
 1246  Council, or an equivalent accrediting body which consists of at
 1247  least 60 semester hours or 80 quarter hours to apply for
 1248  licensure under this paragraph.
 1249         (d)(c) Completed at least 2 years of clinical experience in
 1250  mental health counseling, which must be at the post-master’s
 1251  level under the supervision of a licensed mental health
 1252  counselor or the equivalent who is a qualified supervisor as
 1253  determined by the board. An individual who intends to practice
 1254  in Florida to satisfy the clinical experience requirements must
 1255  register pursuant to s. 491.0045 before commencing practice. If
 1256  a graduate has a master’s degree with a major related to the
 1257  practice of mental health counseling which did not include all
 1258  the coursework required under sub-subparagraphs (c)1.a and b.
 1259  (b)1.a. and b., credit for the post-master’s level clinical
 1260  experience may not commence until the applicant has completed a
 1261  minimum of seven of the courses required under sub-subparagraphs
 1262  (c)1.a and b. (b)1.a. and b., as determined by the board, one of
 1263  which must be a course in psychopathology or abnormal
 1264  psychology. A doctoral internship may be applied toward the
 1265  clinical experience requirement. A licensed mental health
 1266  professional must be on the premises when clinical services are
 1267  provided by a registered intern in a private practice setting.
 1268         (e)(d) Passed a theory and practice examination designated
 1269  by board rule.
 1270         (f)(e) Demonstrated, in a manner designated by board rule,
 1271  knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of
 1272  clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental
 1273  health counseling.
 1274         Section 37. Subsection (1) of section 491.006, Florida
 1275  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1276         491.006 Licensure or certification by endorsement.—
 1277         (1) The department shall license or grant a certificate to
 1278  a person in a profession regulated by this chapter who, upon
 1279  applying to the department and remitting the appropriate fee,
 1280  demonstrates to the board that he or she:
 1281         (a) Has demonstrated, in a manner designated by rule of the
 1282  board, knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of
 1283  clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental
 1284  health counseling.
 1285         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
 1286  456.0135.
 1287         (c)1. Holds an active valid license to practice and has
 1288  actively practiced the licensed profession in another state for
 1289  3 of the last 5 years immediately preceding licensure;
 1290         2. Has passed a substantially equivalent licensing
 1291  examination in another state or has passed the licensure
 1292  examination in this state in the profession for which the
 1293  applicant seeks licensure; and
 1294         3. Holds a license in good standing, is not under
 1295  investigation for an act that would constitute a violation of
 1296  this chapter, and has not been found to have committed any act
 1297  that would constitute a violation of this chapter.
 1298  
 1299  The fees paid by any applicant for certification as a master
 1300  social worker under this section are nonrefundable.
 1301         Section 38. Section 486.025, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1302  to read:
 1303         486.025 Powers and duties of the Board of Physical Therapy
 1304  Practice.—The board may administer oaths, summon witnesses, take
 1305  testimony in all matters relating to its duties under this
 1306  chapter, establish or modify minimum standards of practice of
 1307  physical therapy as defined in s. 486.021, including, but not
 1308  limited to, standards of practice for the performance of dry
 1309  needling by physical therapists, and adopt rules pursuant to ss.
 1310  120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement this chapter. The board may
 1311  also review the standing and reputability of any school or
 1312  college offering courses in physical therapy and whether the
 1313  courses of such school or college in physical therapy meet the
 1314  standards established by the appropriate accrediting agency
 1315  referred to in s. 486.031(4)(a) s. 486.031(3)(a). In determining
 1316  the standing and reputability of any such school and whether the
 1317  school and courses meet such standards, the board may
 1318  investigate and personally inspect the school and courses.
 1319         Section 39. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
 1320  486.0715, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1321         486.0715 Physical therapist; issuance of temporary permit.—
 1322         (1) The board shall issue a temporary physical therapist
 1323  permit to an applicant who meets the following requirements:
 1324         (b) Is a graduate of an approved United States physical
 1325  therapy educational program and meets all the eligibility
 1326  requirements for licensure under chapter ch. 456, s. 486.031(1)
 1327  (4)(a) s. 486.031(1)-(3)(a), and related rules, except passage
 1328  of a national examination approved by the board is not required.
 1329         Section 40. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
 1330  486.1065, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1331         486.1065 Physical therapist assistant; issuance of
 1332  temporary permit.—
 1333         (1) The board shall issue a temporary physical therapist
 1334  assistant permit to an applicant who meets the following
 1335  requirements:
 1336         (b) Is a graduate of an approved United States physical
 1337  therapy assistant educational program and meets all the
 1338  eligibility requirements for licensure under chapter ch. 456, s.
 1339  486.102(1)-(4)(a) s. 486.102(1)-(3)(a), and related rules,
 1340  except passage of a national examination approved by the board
 1341  is not required.
 1342         Section 41. Subsections (15), (16), and (17) of section
 1343  491.003, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1344         491.003 Definitions.—As used in this chapter:
 1345         (15) “Registered clinical social worker intern” means a
 1346  person registered under this chapter who is completing the
 1347  postgraduate clinical social work experience requirement
 1348  specified in s. 491.005(1)(d) s. 491.005(1)(c).
 1349         (16) “Registered marriage and family therapist intern”
 1350  means a person registered under this chapter who is completing
 1351  the post-master’s clinical experience requirement specified in
 1352  s. 491.005(3)(d) s. 491.005(3)(c).
 1353         (17) “Registered mental health counselor intern” means a
 1354  person registered under this chapter who is completing the post
 1355  master’s clinical experience requirement specified in s.
 1356  491.005(4)(d) s. 491.005(4)(c).
 1357         Section 42. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.