Florida Senate - 2024                        COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
       Bill No. SB 1600
       
       
       
       
       
       
                                Ì947630"Î947630                         
       
                              LEGISLATIVE ACTION                        
                    Senate             .             House              
                  Comm: RCS            .                                
                  02/28/2024           .                                
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       The Committee on Fiscal Policy (Collins) recommended the
       following:
       
    1         Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
    2  
    3         Delete lines 118 - 721
    4  and insert:
    5  board, shall issue a license to practice in this state to an
    6  applicant who meets all of the following criteria:
    7         1. Submits a complete application.
    8         2. Holds an active, unencumbered license issued by another
    9  state, the District of Columbia, or a territory of the United
   10  States in a profession with a similar scope of practice, as
   11  determined by the board or department, as applicable. The term
   12  scope of practice” means the full spectrum of functions,
   13  procedures, actions, and services that a health care
   14  practitioner is deemed competent and authorized to perform under
   15  a license issued in this state.
   16         3.a. Has obtained a passing score on a national licensure
   17  examination or holds a national certification recognized by the
   18  board, or the department if there is no board, as applicable to
   19  the profession for which the applicant is seeking licensure in
   20  this state; or
   21         b.Meets the requirements of paragraph (b).
   22         4. Has actively practiced the profession for which the
   23  applicant is applying for at least 3 years during the 4-year
   24  period immediately preceding the date of submission of the
   25  application.
   26         5.Attests that he or she is not, at the time of submission
   27  of the application, the subject of a disciplinary proceeding in
   28  a jurisdiction in which he or she holds a license or by the
   29  United States Department of Defense for reasons related to the
   30  practice of the profession for which he or she is applying.
   31         6.Has not had disciplinary action taken against him or her
   32  in the 5 years immediately preceding the date of submission of
   33  the application.
   34         7.Meets the financial responsibility requirements of s.
   35  456.048 or the applicable practice act, if required for the
   36  profession for which the applicant is seeking licensure.
   37         8.Submits a set of fingerprints for a background screening
   38  pursuant to s. 456.0135, if required for the profession for
   39  which he or she is applying.
   40  
   41  The department shall verify information submitted by the
   42  applicant under this subsection using the National Practitioner
   43  Data Bank, as applicable.
   44         (b) An applicant for a profession that does not require a
   45  national examination or national certification is eligible for
   46  licensure if an applicable board, or the department if there is
   47  no board, determines that the jurisdiction in which the
   48  applicant currently holds an active, unencumbered license meets
   49  established minimum education requirements and, if applicable,
   50  examination, work experience, and clinical supervision
   51  requirements that are substantially similar to the requirements
   52  for licensure in that profession in this state.
   53         (c)A person is ineligible for a license under this section
   54  if the he or she:
   55         1. Has a complaint, an allegation, or an investigation
   56  pending before a licensing entity in another state, the District
   57  of Columbia, or a possession or territory of the United States;
   58         2. Has been convicted of or pled nolo contendere to,
   59  regardless of adjudication, any felony or misdemeanor related to
   60  the practice of a health care profession;
   61         3. Has had a health care provider license revoked or
   62  suspended by another state, the District of Columbia, or a
   63  territory of the United States, or has voluntarily surrendered
   64  any such license in lieu of having disciplinary action taken
   65  against the license; or
   66         4. Has been reported to the National Practitioner Data
   67  Bank, unless the applicant has successfully appealed to have his
   68  or her name removed from the data bank.
   69         (d) The board, or the department if there is no board, may
   70  revoke a license upon finding that the licensee provided false
   71  or misleading material information or intentionally omitted
   72  material information in an application for licensure.
   73         (e) The board, or the department if there is no board,
   74  shall issue a license to a qualified applicant within 7 days
   75  after receipt of all documentation required for an application.
   76         (3) STATE EXAMINATION.—The board, or the department if
   77  there is no board, may require an applicant to successfully
   78  complete a jurisprudential examination specific to state laws
   79  and rules that regulate the applicable profession, if this
   80  chapter or the applicable practice act requires such
   81  examination.
   82         (4) ANNUAL REPORT.—By December 31 of each year, the
   83  department shall submit a report to the Governor, the President
   84  of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives
   85  which provides all of the following information for the previous
   86  fiscal year, distinguished by profession:
   87         (a) The number of applications for licensure received under
   88  this section.
   89         (b) The number of licenses issued under this section.
   90         (c) The number of applications submitted under this section
   91  which were denied and the reason for such denials.
   92         (d) The number of complaints, investigations, or other
   93  disciplinary actions taken against health care practitioners who
   94  are licensed under this section.
   95         (5) RULES.—Each applicable board, or the department if
   96  there is no board, shall adopt rules to implement this section
   97  within 6 months after this section’s effective date, including
   98  rules relating to legislative intent under s. 456.025(1) and the
   99  requirements of s. 456.025(3).
  100         Section 3. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section
  101  457.105, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  102         457.105 Licensure qualifications and fees.—
  103         (2) A person may become licensed to practice acupuncture if
  104  the person applies to the department and:
  105         (c) Has successfully completed a board-approved national
  106  certification process, meets the requirements for licensure by
  107  endorsement under s. 456.0145 is actively licensed in a state
  108  that has examination requirements that are substantially
  109  equivalent to or more stringent than those of this state, or
  110  passes an examination administered by the department, which
  111  examination tests the applicant’s competency and knowledge of
  112  the practice of acupuncture and oriental medicine. At the
  113  request of any applicant, oriental nomenclature for the points
  114  shall be used in the examination. The examination shall include
  115  a practical examination of the knowledge and skills required to
  116  practice modern and traditional acupuncture and oriental
  117  medicine, covering diagnostic and treatment techniques and
  118  procedures; and
  119         Section 4. Section 458.313, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  120  read:
  121         (Substantial rewording of section. See
  122         s. 458.313, F.S., for present text.)
  123         458.313 Licensure by endorsement; requirements; fees.—The
  124  department shall issue a license by endorsement to any applicant
  125  who, upon applying to the department on forms furnished by the
  126  department and remitting a fee set by the board in an amount not
  127  to exceed $500, the board certifies has met the requirements for
  128  licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145.
  129         Section 5. Section 464.009, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  130  read:
  131         (Substantial rewording of section. See
  132         s. 464.009, F.S., for present text.)
  133         464.009 Licensure by endorsement.—
  134         (1)The department shall issue the appropriate license by
  135  endorsement to practice professional or practical nursing to any
  136  applicant who, upon applying to the department and remitting a
  137  fee set by the board in an amount not to exceed $100,
  138  demonstrates to the board that he or she meets the requirements
  139  for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145.
  140         (2)A person holding an active multistate license in
  141  another state pursuant to s. 464.0095 is exempt from the
  142  requirements for licensure by endorsement in this section.
  143         Section 6. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section
  144  464.203, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  145         464.203 Certified nursing assistants; certification
  146  requirement.—
  147         (1) The board shall issue a certificate to practice as a
  148  certified nursing assistant to any person who demonstrates a
  149  minimum competency to read and write and successfully passes the
  150  required background screening pursuant to s. 400.215. If the
  151  person has successfully passed the required background screening
  152  pursuant to s. 400.215 or s. 408.809 within 90 days before
  153  applying for a certificate to practice and the person’s
  154  background screening results are not retained in the
  155  clearinghouse created under s. 435.12, the board shall waive the
  156  requirement that the applicant successfully pass an additional
  157  background screening pursuant to s. 400.215. The person must
  158  also meet one of the following requirements:
  159         (c) Has been deemed by the board as eligible for licensure
  160  by endorsement under s. 456.0145 Is currently certified in
  161  another state or territory of the United States or in the
  162  District of Columbia; is listed on that jurisdiction’s certified
  163  nursing assistant registry; and has not been found to have
  164  committed abuse, neglect, or exploitation in that jurisdiction.
  165         Section 7. Section 465.0075, Florida Statutes, is amended
  166  to read:
  167         (Substantial rewording of section. See
  168         s. 465.0075, F.S., for present text.)
  169         465.0075 Licensure by endorsement; requirements; fee.—The
  170  department shall issue a license by endorsement to any applicant
  171  who, upon applying to the department and remitting a
  172  nonrefundable fee set by the board in an amount not to exceed
  173  $100, the board certifies has met the requirements for licensure
  174  by endorsement under s. 456.0145.
  175         Section 8. Subsection (1) of section 467.0125, Florida
  176  Statutes, is amended to read:
  177         467.0125 Licensed midwives; qualifications; endorsement;
  178  temporary certificates.—
  179         (1) The department shall issue a license by endorsement to
  180  practice midwifery to an applicant who, upon applying to the
  181  department, demonstrates to the department that she or he meets
  182  all of the requirements for licensure by endorsement under s.
  183  456.0145 following criteria:
  184         (a)Holds an active, unencumbered license to practice
  185  midwifery in another state, jurisdiction, or territory, provided
  186  the licensing requirements of that state, jurisdiction, or
  187  territory at the time the license was issued were substantially
  188  equivalent to or exceeded those established under this chapter
  189  and the rules adopted hereunder.
  190         (b)Has successfully completed a prelicensure course
  191  conducted by an accredited and approved midwifery program.
  192         (c) submits an application for licensure on a form approved
  193  by the department, and pays the appropriate fee.
  194         Section 9. Subsections (3) and (4) of section 468.1185,
  195  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  196         468.1185 Licensure.—
  197         (3) The board shall certify as qualified for a license by
  198  endorsement as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist an
  199  applicant who:
  200         (a) Holds a valid license or certificate in another state
  201  or territory of the United States to practice the profession for
  202  which the application for licensure is made, if the criteria for
  203  issuance of such license were substantially equivalent to or
  204  more stringent than the licensure criteria which existed in this
  205  state at the time the license was issued; or
  206         (b) Holds a valid certificate of clinical competence of the
  207  American Speech-Language and Hearing Association or board
  208  certification in audiology from the American Board of Audiology.
  209         (3)(4) The board may refuse to certify any person applying
  210  for licensure under this section applicant who is under
  211  investigation in any jurisdiction for an act which would
  212  constitute a violation of this part or chapter 456 until the
  213  investigation is complete and disciplinary proceedings have been
  214  terminated.
  215         Section 10. Subsections (1), (2), and (3) of section
  216  468.1705, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  217         468.1705 Licensure by endorsement; temporary license.—
  218         (1) The department shall issue a license by endorsement to
  219  any applicant who, upon applying to the department and remitting
  220  a fee set by the board not to exceed $500, demonstrates to the
  221  board that he or she meets the requirements for licensure by
  222  endorsement under s. 456.0145:
  223         (a) Meets one of the following requirements:
  224         1. Holds a valid active license to practice nursing home
  225  administration in another state of the United States, provided
  226  that the current requirements for licensure in that state are
  227  substantially equivalent to, or more stringent than, current
  228  requirements in this state; or
  229         2. Meets the qualifications for licensure in s. 468.1695;
  230  and
  231         (b)1. Has successfully completed a national examination
  232  which is substantially equivalent to, or more stringent than,
  233  the examination given by the department;
  234         2. Has passed an examination on the laws and rules of this
  235  state governing the administration of nursing homes; and
  236         3. Has worked as a fully licensed nursing home
  237  administrator for 2 years within the 5-year period immediately
  238  preceding the application by endorsement.
  239         (2) National examinations for licensure as a nursing home
  240  administrator shall be presumed to be substantially equivalent
  241  to, or more stringent than, the examination and requirements in
  242  this state, unless found otherwise by rule of the board.
  243         (2)(3) The department may shall not issue a license by
  244  endorsement or a temporary license to any applicant who is under
  245  investigation in this or another state for any act which would
  246  constitute a violation of this part until such time as the
  247  investigation is complete and disciplinary proceedings have been
  248  terminated.
  249         Section 11. Subsection (3) of section 468.209, Florida
  250  Statutes, is amended to read:
  251         468.209 Requirements for licensure.—
  252         (3) If the board determines that an applicant is qualified
  253  to be licensed by endorsement under s. 456.0145 s. 468.213, the
  254  board may issue the applicant a temporary permit to practice
  255  occupational therapy until the next board meeting at which
  256  license applications are to be considered, but not for a longer
  257  period of time. Only one temporary permit by endorsement shall
  258  be issued to an applicant, and it shall not be renewable.
  259         Section 12. Section 468.213, Florida Statutes, is amended
  260  to read:
  261         468.213 Licensure by endorsement; waiver of examination
  262  requirement.—
  263         (1) The board may waive the examination and grant a license
  264  to any person who meets the requirements for licensure by
  265  endorsement under s. 456.0145 presents proof of current
  266  certification as an occupational therapist or occupational
  267  therapy assistant by a national certifying organization if the
  268  board determines the requirements for such certification to be
  269  equivalent to the requirements for licensure in this act.
  270         (2) The board may waive the examination and grant a license
  271  to any applicant who presents proof of current licensure as an
  272  occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant in a
  273  another state, the District of Columbia, or any territory or
  274  jurisdiction of the United States or foreign national
  275  jurisdiction which requires standards for licensure determined
  276  by the board to be equivalent to the requirements for licensure
  277  in this part act.
  278         Section 13. Section 468.513, Florida Statutes, is amended
  279  to read:
  280         468.513 Dietitian/nutritionist; licensure by endorsement.—
  281         (1) The department shall issue a license to practice
  282  dietetics and nutrition by endorsement to any applicant who
  283  meets the requirements for licensure by endorsement under s.
  284  456.0145 the board certifies as qualified, upon receipt of a
  285  completed application and the fee specified in s. 468.508.
  286         (2) The board shall certify as qualified for licensure by
  287  endorsement under this section any applicant who:
  288         (a) Presents evidence satisfactory to the board that he or
  289  she is a registered dietitian; or
  290         (b) Holds a valid license to practice dietetics or
  291  nutrition issued by another state, district, or territory of the
  292  United States, if the criteria for issuance of such license are
  293  determined by the board to be substantially equivalent to or
  294  more stringent than those of this state.
  295         (3) The department shall not issue a license by endorsement
  296  under this section to any applicant who is under investigation
  297  in any jurisdiction for any act which would constitute a
  298  violation of this part or chapter 456 until such time as the
  299  investigation is complete and disciplinary proceedings have been
  300  terminated.
  301         Section 14. Section 478.47, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  302  read:
  303         478.47 Licensure by endorsement.—The department shall issue
  304  a license by endorsement to any applicant who, upon submitting
  305  submits an application and the required fees as set forth in s.
  306  478.55, demonstrates to the board that he or she meets the
  307  requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145 and
  308  who holds an active license or other authority to practice
  309  electrology in a jurisdiction whose licensure requirements are
  310  determined by the board to be equivalent to the requirements for
  311  licensure in this state.
  312         Section 15. Paragraph (c) of subsection (5) of section
  313  480.041, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  314         480.041 Massage therapists; qualifications; licensure;
  315  endorsement.—
  316         (5) The board shall adopt rules:
  317         (c) Specifying licensing procedures for practitioners
  318  desiring to be licensed in this state who meet the requirements
  319  for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145 or hold an active
  320  license and have practiced in any other state, territory, or
  321  jurisdiction of the United States or any foreign national
  322  jurisdiction which has licensing standards substantially similar
  323  to, equivalent to, or more stringent than the standards of this
  324  state.
  325         Section 16. Present subsections (3) and (4) of section
  326  484.007, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (4)
  327  and (5), respectively, a new subsection (3) is added to that
  328  section, and subsection (1) of that section is amended, to read:
  329         484.007 Licensure of opticians; permitting of optical
  330  establishments.—
  331         (1) Any person desiring to practice opticianry shall apply
  332  to the department, upon forms prescribed by it, to take a
  333  licensure examination. The department shall examine each
  334  applicant who the board certifies meets all of the following
  335  criteria:
  336         (a) Has completed the application form and remitted a
  337  nonrefundable application fee set by the board, in the amount of
  338  $100 or less, and an examination fee set by the board, in the
  339  amount of $325 plus the actual per applicant cost to the
  340  department for purchase of portions of the examination from the
  341  American Board of Opticianry or a similar national organization,
  342  or less, and refundable if the board finds the applicant
  343  ineligible to take the examination.;
  344         (b) Is not younger less than 18 years of age.;
  345         (c) Is a graduate of an accredited high school or possesses
  346  a certificate of equivalency of a high school education.; and
  347         (d)1. Has received an associate degree, or its equivalent,
  348  in opticianry from an educational institution the curriculum of
  349  which is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized and
  350  approved by the United States Department of Education or the
  351  Council on Postsecondary Education or approved by the board;
  352         2. Is an individual licensed to practice the profession of
  353  opticianry pursuant to a regulatory licensing law of another
  354  state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States, who has
  355  actively practiced in such other state, territory, or
  356  jurisdiction for more than 3 years immediately preceding
  357  application, and who meets the examination qualifications as
  358  provided in this subsection;
  359         3. Is an individual who has actively practiced in another
  360  state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States for more
  361  than 5 years immediately preceding application and who provides
  362  tax or business records, affidavits, or other satisfactory
  363  documentation of such practice and who meets the examination
  364  qualifications as provided in this subsection; or
  365         2.4. Has registered as an apprentice with the department
  366  and paid a registration fee not to exceed $60, as set by rule of
  367  the board. The apprentice shall complete 6,240 hours of training
  368  under the supervision of an optician licensed in this state for
  369  at least 1 year or of a physician or optometrist licensed under
  370  the laws of this state. These requirements must be met within 5
  371  years after the date of registration. However, any time spent in
  372  a recognized school may be considered as part of the
  373  apprenticeship program provided herein. The board may establish
  374  administrative processing fees sufficient to cover the cost of
  375  administering apprentice rules as promulgated by the board.
  376         (3) The board shall certify to the department for licensure
  377  by endorsement any applicant who meets the requirements for
  378  licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145.
  379         Section 17. Section 486.081, Florida Statutes, is amended
  380  to read:
  381         486.081 Physical therapist; issuance of license by
  382  endorsement; issuance of license without examination to person
  383  passing examination of another authorized examining board in a
  384  foreign country; fee.—
  385         (1) The board may cause a license by endorsement to be
  386  issued through the department without examination to any
  387  applicant who meets the requirements for licensure by
  388  endorsement under s. 456.0145 or, without examination, to any
  389  applicant who presents evidence satisfactory to the board of
  390  having passed the American Registry Examination prior to 1971 or
  391  an examination in physical therapy before a similar lawfully
  392  authorized examining board of another state, the District of
  393  Columbia, a territory, or a foreign country, if the standards
  394  for licensure in physical therapy in such other state, district,
  395  territory, or foreign country are determined by the board to be
  396  as high as those of this state, as established by rules adopted
  397  pursuant to this chapter. Any person who holds a license
  398  pursuant to this section may use the words “physical therapist”
  399  or “physiotherapist” or the letters “P.T.” in connection with
  400  her or his name or place of business to denote her or his
  401  licensure hereunder. A person who holds a license pursuant to
  402  this section and obtains a doctoral degree in physical therapy
  403  may use the letters “D.P.T.” and “P.T.” A physical therapist who
  404  holds a degree of Doctor of Physical Therapy may not use the
  405  title “doctor” without also clearly informing the public of his
  406  or her profession as a physical therapist.
  407         (2) At the time of making application for licensure under
  408  without examination pursuant to the terms of this section, the
  409  applicant shall pay to the department a nonrefundable fee set by
  410  the board in an amount not to exceed $175 as fixed by the board,
  411  no part of which will be returned.
  412         Section 18. Section 486.107, Florida Statutes, is amended
  413  to read:
  414         486.107 Physical therapist assistant; issuance of license
  415  by endorsement without examination to person licensed in another
  416  jurisdiction; fee.—
  417         (1) The board may cause a license by endorsement to be
  418  issued through the department without examination to any
  419  applicant who presents evidence to the board, under oath, of
  420  meeting the requirements for licensure by endorsement under s.
  421  456.0145 licensure in another state, the District of Columbia,
  422  or a territory, if the standards for registering as a physical
  423  therapist assistant or licensing of a physical therapist
  424  assistant, as the case may be, in such other state are
  425  determined by the board to be as high as those of this state, as
  426  established by rules adopted pursuant to this chapter. Any
  427  person who holds a license pursuant to this section may use the
  428  words “physical therapist assistant,” or the letters “P.T.A.,”
  429  in connection with her or his name to denote licensure
  430  hereunder.
  431         (2) At the time of making application for licensure by
  432  endorsement under licensing without examination pursuant to the
  433  terms of this section, the applicant shall pay to the department
  434  a nonrefundable fee set by the board in an amount not to exceed
  435  $175 as fixed by the board, no part of which will be returned.
  436         Section 19. Subsections (1), (2), and (3) of section
  437  490.006, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  438         490.006 Licensure by endorsement.—
  439         (1) The department shall license a person as a psychologist
  440  or school psychologist who, upon applying to the department and
  441  remitting the appropriate fee, demonstrates to the department
  442  or, in the case of psychologists, to the board that the
  443  applicant meets the requirements for licensure by endorsement
  444  under s. 456.0145:
  445         (a) Is a diplomate in good standing with the American Board
  446  of Professional Psychology, Inc.; or
  447         (b) Possesses a doctoral degree in psychology and has at
  448  least 10 years of experience as a licensed psychologist in any
  449  jurisdiction or territory of the United States within the 25
  450  years preceding the date of application.
  451         (2) In addition to meeting the requirements for licensure
  452  set forth in subsection (1), an applicant must pass that portion
  453  of the psychology or school psychology licensure examinations
  454  pertaining to the laws and rules related to the practice of
  455  psychology or school psychology in this state before the
  456  department may issue a license to the applicant.
  457         (3) The department shall not issue a license by endorsement
  458  to any applicant who is under investigation in this or another
  459  jurisdiction for an act which would constitute a violation of
  460  this chapter until such time as the investigation is complete,
  461  at which time the provisions of s. 490.009 shall apply.
  462         Section 20. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 491.006,
  463  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  464         491.006 Licensure or certification by endorsement.—
  465         (1) The department shall license or grant a certificate to
  466  a person in a profession regulated by this chapter who, upon
  467  applying to the department and remitting the appropriate fee,
  468  demonstrates to the board that he or she meets the requirements
  469  for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145:
  470         (a) Has demonstrated, in a manner designated by rule of the
  471  board, knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of
  472  clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental
  473  health counseling.
  474         (b)1. Holds an active valid license to practice and has
  475  actively practiced the licensed profession in another state for
  476  3 of the last 5 years immediately preceding licensure;
  477         2. Has passed a substantially equivalent licensing
  478  examination in another state or has passed the licensure
  479  examination in this state in the profession for which the
  480  applicant seeks licensure; and
  481         3. Holds a license in good standing, is not under
  482  investigation for an act that would constitute a violation of
  483  this chapter, and has not been found to have committed any act
  484  that would constitute a violation of this chapter.
  485         (2) The fees paid by any applicant for certification as a
  486  master social worker under this section are nonrefundable.
  487         (2) The department shall not issue a license or certificate
  488  by endorsement to any applicant who is under investigation in
  489  this or another jurisdiction for an act which would constitute a
  490  violation of this chapter until such time as the investigation
  491  is complete, at which time the provisions of s. 491.009 shall
  492  apply.
  493         Section 21. Subsection (3) of section 486.031, Florida
  494  Statutes, is amended to read:
  495         486.031 Physical therapist; licensing requirements.—To be
  496  eligible for licensing as a physical therapist, an applicant
  497  must:
  498         (3)(a) Have been graduated from a school of physical
  499  therapy which has been approved for the educational preparation
  500  of physical therapists by the appropriate accrediting agency
  501  recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary
  502  Accreditation or the United States Department of Education at
  503  the time of her or his graduation and have passed, to the
  504  satisfaction of the board, the American Registry Examination
  505  prior to 1971 or a national examination approved by the board to
  506  determine her or his fitness for practice as a physical
  507  therapist as hereinafter provided;
  508         (b) Have received a diploma from a program in physical
  509  therapy in a foreign country and have educational credentials
  510  deemed equivalent to those required for the educational
  511  preparation of physical therapists in this country, as
  512  recognized by the appropriate agency as identified by the board,
  513  and have passed to the satisfaction of the board an examination
  514  to determine her or his fitness for practice as a physical
  515  therapist as hereinafter provided; or
  516         (c) Be entitled to licensure by endorsement or without
  517  examination as provided in s. 486.081.
  518         Section 22. Subsection (3) of section 486.102, Florida
  519  Statutes, is amended to read:
  520         486.102 Physical therapist assistant; licensing
  521  requirements.—To be eligible for licensing by the board as a
  522  physical therapist assistant, an applicant must:
  523         (3)(a) Have been graduated from a school giving a course of
  524  not less than 2 years for physical therapist assistants, which
  525  has been approved for the educational preparation of physical
  526  therapist assistants by the appropriate accrediting agency
  527  recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary
  528  Accreditation or the United States Department of Education, at
  529  the time of her or his graduation and have passed to the
  530  satisfaction of the board an examination to determine her or his
  531  fitness for practice as a physical therapist assistant as
  532  hereinafter provided;
  533         (b) Have been graduated from a school giving a course for
  534  physical therapist assistants in a foreign country and have
  535  educational credentials deemed equivalent to those required for
  536  the educational preparation of physical therapist assistants in
  537  this country, as recognized by the appropriate agency as
  538  identified by the board, and passed to the satisfaction of the
  539  board an examination to determine her or his fitness for
  540  practice as a physical therapist assistant as hereinafter
  541  provided;
  542         (c) Be entitled to licensure by endorsement without
  543  examination as provided in s. 486.107; or
  544  
  545  ================= T I T L E  A M E N D M E N T ================
  546  And the title is amended as follows:
  547         Delete lines 32 - 55
  548  and insert:
  549         department, as applicable, to issue licenses to
  550         qualified applicants within a specified timeframe;
  551         authorizing boards or the department, as applicable,
  552         to require that applicants successfully complete a
  553         jurisprudential examination under certain
  554         circumstances; requiring the department to submit an
  555         annual report to the Governor and the Legislature by a
  556         specified date; providing requirements for the report;
  557         requiring the boards and the department, as
  558         applicable, to adopt certain rules within a specified
  559         timeframe; amending ss. 457.105, 458.313, 464.009,
  560         464.203, 465.0075, 467.0125, 468.1185, 468.1705,
  561         468.209, 468.213, 468.513, 478.47, 480.041, 484.007,
  562         486.081, 486.107, 490.006, and 491.006, F.S.; revising
  563         licensure by endorsement requirements for the practice
  564         of acupuncture, medicine, professional or practical
  565         nursing, certified nursing, pharmacy, midwifery,
  566         speech-language pathology and audiology, nursing home
  567         administration, occupational therapy, dietetics and
  568         nutrition, electrology, massage therapy, opticianry,
  569         physical therapy, physical therapist assistantship,
  570         psychology and school psychology, and clinical social
  571         work, marriage and family therapy, and mental health
  572         counseling, respectively; amending ss. 486.031 and