CS for SB 1600                                   First Engrossed
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       20241600e1
       
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to interstate mobility; amending s.
    3         455.213, F.S.; providing requirements for the
    4         applicable board, or the Department of Business and
    5         Professional Regulation if there is no board, relating
    6         to licensure by reciprocity and by endorsement;
    7         defining the term “basis license”; creating s.
    8         455.2135, F.S.; requiring the respective boards of
    9         occupations, or the Department of Business and
   10         Professional Regulation if there is no board, to allow
   11         licensure by endorsement if applicant meets certain
   12         criteria; requiring applicants of professions that
   13         require fingerprints for criminal history checks to
   14         submit such fingerprints before the board or
   15         department issues a license by endorsement; requiring
   16         the department, and authorizing the board, as
   17         applicable, to review the results of the criminal
   18         history checks according to specified criteria to
   19         determine if the applicants meet the requirements for
   20         licensure; requiring that the costs associated with
   21         fingerprint processing be borne by the applicant; if
   22         fingerprints are submitted through an authorized
   23         agency or vendor, requiring such agency or vendor to
   24         collect the processing fees and remit them to the
   25         Department of Law Enforcement; providing an exception;
   26         creating s. 456.0145, F.S.; providing a short title;
   27         requiring the applicable health care regulatory
   28         boards, or the Department of Health if there is no
   29         board, to issue a license or certificate to applicants
   30         who meet specified conditions; defining the term
   31         “scope of practice”; requiring the department to
   32         verify certain information using the National
   33         Practitioner Data Bank, as applicable; specifying
   34         circumstances under which a person is ineligible for a
   35         license; authorizing boards or the department, as
   36         applicable, to revoke a license upon a specified
   37         finding; requiring boards or the department, as
   38         applicable, to issue licenses to qualified applicants
   39         within a specified timeframe; authorizing boards or
   40         the department, as applicable, to require that
   41         applicants successfully complete a jurisprudential
   42         examination under certain circumstances; requiring the
   43         department to submit an annual report to the Governor
   44         and the Legislature by a specified date; providing
   45         requirements for the report; requiring the boards or
   46         the department, as applicable, to adopt certain rules
   47         within a specified timeframe; amending ss. 457.105,
   48         458.313, 464.009, 464.203, 465.0075, 467.0125,
   49         468.1185, 468.1705, 468.209, 468.213, 468.513, 478.47,
   50         480.041, 484.007, 486.081, 486.107, 490.006, and
   51         491.006, F.S.; revising licensure by endorsement
   52         requirements for the practice of acupuncture,
   53         medicine, professional or practical nursing, certified
   54         nursing, pharmacy, midwifery, speech-language
   55         pathology and audiology, nursing home administration,
   56         occupational therapy, dietetics and nutrition,
   57         electrology, massage therapy, opticianry, physical
   58         therapy, physical therapist assistantship, psychology
   59         and school psychology, and clinical social work,
   60         marriage and family therapy, and mental health
   61         counseling, respectively; amending ss. 486.031 and
   62         486.102, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made
   63         by the act; authorizing the boards or the Department
   64         of Health, as applicable, to continue processing
   65         applications for licensure by endorsement, as
   66         authorized under the Florida Statutes (2023), for a
   67         specified timeframe; providing an effective date.
   68          
   69  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   70  
   71         Section 1. Present subsection (15) of section 455.213,
   72  Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (16), and a new
   73  subsection (15) is added to that section, to read:
   74         455.213 General licensing provisions.—
   75         (15)(a) Before the board, or the department if there is no
   76  board, may deny an application for licensure by reciprocity or
   77  by endorsement, the board, or the department if there is no
   78  board, must make a finding that the basis license in another
   79  jurisdiction is or is not substantially equivalent to or is
   80  otherwise insufficient for a license in this state.
   81         (b) If the board, or the department if there is no board,
   82  finds that the basis license in another jurisdiction is not
   83  substantially equivalent to or is otherwise insufficient for a
   84  license in this state and there are no other grounds to deny the
   85  application for licensure, within 7 business days after being
   86  notified of such finding, the applicant may request that the
   87  finding be submitted to the secretary for review. Within 7
   88  business days after receiving such request, the secretary must
   89  review the finding and either agree or disagree with the
   90  finding. If the secretary agrees with the finding, the
   91  application for licensure may be denied. If the secretary
   92  disagrees with the finding, the application for licensure must
   93  be approved unless other grounds for denial exist. The decision
   94  must be entered according to the secretary’s finding, unless
   95  other grounds for denial exist.
   96         (c) If the secretary finds that the requirements of a basis
   97  license in another jurisdiction are substantially equivalent to
   98  or are otherwise sufficient for a license in this state, the
   99  board, or the department if there is no board, must make the
  100  same finding for similar applicants from the same jurisdiction,
  101  unless the requirements of the basis license change.
  102         (d) As used in this subsection, the term “basis license”
  103  means the license or the licensure requirements of another
  104  jurisdiction which are used to meet the requirements for a
  105  license in this state.
  106         Section 2. Section 455.2135, Florida Statutes, is created
  107  to read:
  108         455.2135 Interstate mobility.—
  109         (1)When endorsement based upon years of licensure or
  110  endorsement based upon satisfaction or completion of multiple
  111  criteria that include passage of a licensure or registration
  112  examination, completion of internship requirements, or the
  113  holding of a valid certificate issued by a national accrediting
  114  agency board along with holding a valid license, registration,
  115  or certification issued in another jurisdiction is not otherwise
  116  provided by law in the practice act for a profession, the board,
  117  or the department if there is no board, shall allow licensure by
  118  endorsement for any individual applying who:
  119         (a)Has held a valid, current license to practice the
  120  profession issued by another state or territory of the United
  121  States for at least 5 years before the date of application and
  122  is applying for the same or similar license in this state;
  123         (b)Submits an application either when the license in
  124  another state or territory is active or within 2 years after
  125  such license was last active;
  126         (c) Has passed the recognized national licensing exam, if
  127  such exam is established as a requirement for licensure in the
  128  profession;
  129         (d) Has no pending disciplinary actions and all sanctions
  130  of any prior disciplinary actions have been satisfied;
  131         (e) Shows proof of compliance with any federal regulation,
  132  training, or certification, if the board or the department
  133  requires such proof, regarding licensure in the profession;
  134         (f) Completes Florida-specific continuing education courses
  135  or passes a jurisprudential examination specific to the state
  136  laws and rules for the applicable profession as established by
  137  the board or department; and
  138         (g) Complies with any insurance or bonding requirements as
  139  required for the profession.
  140         (2) If the practice act for a profession requires the
  141  submission of fingerprints, the applicant must submit a complete
  142  set of fingerprints to the Department of Law Enforcement for a
  143  statewide criminal history check. The Department of Law
  144  Enforcement shall forward the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau
  145  of Investigation for a national criminal history check. The
  146  department shall, and the board may, review the results of the
  147  criminal history checks according to the level 2 screening
  148  standards in s. 435.04 and determine whether the applicant meets
  149  the licensure requirements. The costs of fingerprint processing
  150  are borne by the applicant. If the applicant’s fingerprints are
  151  submitted through an authorized agency or vendor, the agency or
  152  vendor must collect the required processing fees and remit the
  153  fees to the Department of Law Enforcement.
  154         (3) This section does not apply to harbor pilots licensed
  155  under chapter 310.
  156         Section 3. Section 456.0145, Florida Statutes, is created
  157  to read:
  158         456.0145 Mobile Opportunity by Interstate Licensure
  159  Endorsement (MOBILE) Act.—
  160         (1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the “Mobile
  161  Opportunity by Interstate Licensure Endorsement Act” or the
  162  “MOBILE Act.”
  163         (2) LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT.—
  164         (a) An applicable board, or the department if there is no
  165  board, shall issue a license to practice in this state to an
  166  applicant who meets all of the following criteria:
  167         1. Submits a complete application.
  168         2. Holds an active, unencumbered license issued by another
  169  state, the District of Columbia, or a territory of the United
  170  States in a profession with a similar scope of practice, as
  171  determined by the board or department, as applicable. The term
  172  scope of practice” means the full spectrum of functions,
  173  procedures, actions, and services that a health care
  174  practitioner is deemed competent and authorized to perform under
  175  a license issued in this state.
  176         3.a. Has obtained a passing score on a national licensure
  177  examination or holds a national certification recognized by the
  178  board, or the department if there is no board, as applicable to
  179  the profession for which the applicant is seeking licensure in
  180  this state; or
  181         b.Meets the requirements of paragraph (b).
  182         4. Has actively practiced the profession for which the
  183  applicant is applying for at least 3 years during the 4-year
  184  period immediately preceding the date of submission of the
  185  application.
  186         5.Attests that he or she is not, at the time of submission
  187  of the application, the subject of a disciplinary proceeding in
  188  a jurisdiction in which he or she holds a license or by the
  189  United States Department of Defense for reasons related to the
  190  practice of the profession for which he or she is applying.
  191         6.Has not had disciplinary action taken against him or her
  192  in the 5 years immediately preceding the date of submission of
  193  the application.
  194         7.Meets the financial responsibility requirements of s.
  195  456.048 or the applicable practice act, if required for the
  196  profession for which the applicant is seeking licensure.
  197         8.Submits a set of fingerprints for a background screening
  198  pursuant to s. 456.0135, if required for the profession for
  199  which he or she is applying.
  200  
  201  The department shall verify information submitted by the
  202  applicant under this subsection using the National Practitioner
  203  Data Bank, as applicable.
  204         (b) An applicant for a profession that does not require a
  205  national examination or national certification is eligible for
  206  licensure if an applicable board, or the department if there is
  207  no board, determines that the jurisdiction in which the
  208  applicant currently holds an active, unencumbered license meets
  209  established minimum education requirements and, if applicable,
  210  examination, work experience, and clinical supervision
  211  requirements that are substantially similar to the requirements
  212  for licensure in that profession in this state.
  213         (c)A person is ineligible for a license under this section
  214  if the he or she:
  215         1. Has a complaint, an allegation, or an investigation
  216  pending before a licensing entity in another state, the District
  217  of Columbia, or a possession or territory of the United States;
  218         2. Has been convicted of or pled nolo contendere to,
  219  regardless of adjudication, any felony or misdemeanor related to
  220  the practice of a health care profession;
  221         3. Has had a health care provider license revoked or
  222  suspended by another state, the District of Columbia, or a
  223  territory of the United States, or has voluntarily surrendered
  224  any such license in lieu of having disciplinary action taken
  225  against the license; or
  226         4. Has been reported to the National Practitioner Data
  227  Bank, unless the applicant has successfully appealed to have his
  228  or her name removed from the data bank.
  229         (d) The board, or the department if there is no board, may
  230  revoke a license upon finding that the licensee provided false
  231  or misleading material information or intentionally omitted
  232  material information in an application for licensure.
  233         (e) The board, or the department if there is no board,
  234  shall issue a license to a qualified applicant within 7 days
  235  after receipt of all documentation required for an application.
  236         (3) STATE EXAMINATION.—The board, or the department if
  237  there is no board, may require an applicant to successfully
  238  complete a jurisprudential examination specific to state laws
  239  and rules that regulate the applicable profession, if this
  240  chapter or the applicable practice act requires such
  241  examination.
  242         (4) ANNUAL REPORT.—By December 31 of each year, the
  243  department shall submit a report to the Governor, the President
  244  of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives
  245  which provides all of the following information for the previous
  246  fiscal year, distinguished by profession:
  247         (a) The number of applications for licensure received under
  248  this section.
  249         (b) The number of licenses issued under this section.
  250         (c) The number of applications submitted under this section
  251  which were denied and the reason for such denials.
  252         (d) The number of complaints, investigations, or other
  253  disciplinary actions taken against health care practitioners who
  254  are licensed under this section.
  255         (5) RULES.—Each applicable board, or the department if
  256  there is no board, shall adopt rules to implement this section
  257  within 6 months after this section’s effective date, including
  258  rules relating to legislative intent under s. 456.025(1) and the
  259  requirements of s. 456.025(3).
  260         Section 4. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section
  261  457.105, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  262         457.105 Licensure qualifications and fees.—
  263         (2) A person may become licensed to practice acupuncture if
  264  the person applies to the department and:
  265         (c) Has successfully completed a board-approved national
  266  certification process, meets the requirements for licensure by
  267  endorsement under s. 456.0145 is actively licensed in a state
  268  that has examination requirements that are substantially
  269  equivalent to or more stringent than those of this state, or
  270  passes an examination administered by the department, which
  271  examination tests the applicant’s competency and knowledge of
  272  the practice of acupuncture and oriental medicine. At the
  273  request of any applicant, oriental nomenclature for the points
  274  shall be used in the examination. The examination shall include
  275  a practical examination of the knowledge and skills required to
  276  practice modern and traditional acupuncture and oriental
  277  medicine, covering diagnostic and treatment techniques and
  278  procedures; and
  279         Section 5. Section 458.313, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  280  read:
  281         (Substantial rewording of section. See
  282         s. 458.313, F.S., for present text.)
  283         458.313 Licensure by endorsement; requirements; fees.—The
  284  department shall issue a license by endorsement to any applicant
  285  who, upon applying to the department on forms furnished by the
  286  department and remitting a fee set by the board in an amount not
  287  to exceed $500, the board certifies has met the requirements for
  288  licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145.
  289         Section 6. Section 464.009, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  290  read:
  291         (Substantial rewording of section. See
  292         s. 464.009, F.S., for present text.)
  293         464.009 Licensure by endorsement.—
  294         (1)The department shall issue the appropriate license by
  295  endorsement to practice professional or practical nursing to any
  296  applicant who, upon applying to the department and remitting a
  297  fee set by the board in an amount not to exceed $100,
  298  demonstrates to the board that he or she meets the requirements
  299  for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145.
  300         (2)A person holding an active multistate license in
  301  another state pursuant to s. 464.0095 is exempt from the
  302  requirements for licensure by endorsement in this section.
  303         Section 7. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section
  304  464.203, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  305         464.203 Certified nursing assistants; certification
  306  requirement.—
  307         (1) The board shall issue a certificate to practice as a
  308  certified nursing assistant to any person who demonstrates a
  309  minimum competency to read and write and successfully passes the
  310  required background screening pursuant to s. 400.215. If the
  311  person has successfully passed the required background screening
  312  pursuant to s. 400.215 or s. 408.809 within 90 days before
  313  applying for a certificate to practice and the person’s
  314  background screening results are not retained in the
  315  clearinghouse created under s. 435.12, the board shall waive the
  316  requirement that the applicant successfully pass an additional
  317  background screening pursuant to s. 400.215. The person must
  318  also meet one of the following requirements:
  319         (c) Has been deemed by the board as eligible for licensure
  320  by endorsement under s. 456.0145 Is currently certified in
  321  another state or territory of the United States or in the
  322  District of Columbia; is listed on that jurisdiction’s certified
  323  nursing assistant registry; and has not been found to have
  324  committed abuse, neglect, or exploitation in that jurisdiction.
  325         Section 8. Section 465.0075, Florida Statutes, is amended
  326  to read:
  327         (Substantial rewording of section. See
  328         s. 465.0075, F.S., for present text.)
  329         465.0075 Licensure by endorsement; requirements; fee.—The
  330  department shall issue a license by endorsement to any applicant
  331  who, upon applying to the department and remitting a
  332  nonrefundable fee set by the board in an amount not to exceed
  333  $100, the board certifies has met the requirements for licensure
  334  by endorsement under s. 456.0145.
  335         Section 9. Subsection (1) of section 467.0125, Florida
  336  Statutes, is amended to read:
  337         467.0125 Licensed midwives; qualifications; endorsement;
  338  temporary certificates.—
  339         (1) The department shall issue a license by endorsement to
  340  practice midwifery to an applicant who, upon applying to the
  341  department, demonstrates to the department that she or he meets
  342  all of the requirements for licensure by endorsement under s.
  343  456.0145, following criteria:
  344         (a)Holds an active, unencumbered license to practice
  345  midwifery in another state, jurisdiction, or territory, provided
  346  the licensing requirements of that state, jurisdiction, or
  347  territory at the time the license was issued were substantially
  348  equivalent to or exceeded those established under this chapter
  349  and the rules adopted hereunder.
  350         (b)Has successfully completed a prelicensure course
  351  conducted by an accredited and approved midwifery program.
  352         (c) submits an application for licensure on a form approved
  353  by the department, and pays the appropriate fee.
  354         Section 10. Subsections (3) and (4) of section 468.1185,
  355  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  356         468.1185 Licensure.—
  357         (3) The board shall certify as qualified for a license by
  358  endorsement as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist an
  359  applicant who:
  360         (a) Holds a valid license or certificate in another state
  361  or territory of the United States to practice the profession for
  362  which the application for licensure is made, if the criteria for
  363  issuance of such license were substantially equivalent to or
  364  more stringent than the licensure criteria which existed in this
  365  state at the time the license was issued; or
  366         (b) Holds a valid certificate of clinical competence of the
  367  American Speech-Language and Hearing Association or board
  368  certification in audiology from the American Board of Audiology.
  369         (3)(4) The board may refuse to certify any person applying
  370  for licensure under this section applicant who is under
  371  investigation in any jurisdiction for an act which would
  372  constitute a violation of this part or chapter 456 until the
  373  investigation is complete and disciplinary proceedings have been
  374  terminated.
  375         Section 11. Subsections (1), (2), and (3) of section
  376  468.1705, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  377         468.1705 Licensure by endorsement; temporary license.—
  378         (1) The department shall issue a license by endorsement to
  379  any applicant who, upon applying to the department and remitting
  380  a fee set by the board not to exceed $500, demonstrates to the
  381  board that he or she meets the requirements for licensure by
  382  endorsement under s. 456.0145:
  383         (a) Meets one of the following requirements:
  384         1. Holds a valid active license to practice nursing home
  385  administration in another state of the United States, provided
  386  that the current requirements for licensure in that state are
  387  substantially equivalent to, or more stringent than, current
  388  requirements in this state; or
  389         2. Meets the qualifications for licensure in s. 468.1695;
  390  and
  391         (b)1. Has successfully completed a national examination
  392  which is substantially equivalent to, or more stringent than,
  393  the examination given by the department;
  394         2. Has passed an examination on the laws and rules of this
  395  state governing the administration of nursing homes; and
  396         3. Has worked as a fully licensed nursing home
  397  administrator for 2 years within the 5-year period immediately
  398  preceding the application by endorsement.
  399         (2) National examinations for licensure as a nursing home
  400  administrator shall be presumed to be substantially equivalent
  401  to, or more stringent than, the examination and requirements in
  402  this state, unless found otherwise by rule of the board.
  403         (2)(3) The department may shall not issue a license by
  404  endorsement or a temporary license to any applicant who is under
  405  investigation in this or another state for any act which would
  406  constitute a violation of this part until such time as the
  407  investigation is complete and disciplinary proceedings have been
  408  terminated.
  409         Section 12. Subsection (3) of section 468.209, Florida
  410  Statutes, is amended to read:
  411         468.209 Requirements for licensure.—
  412         (3) If the board determines that an applicant is qualified
  413  to be licensed by endorsement under s. 456.0145 s. 468.213, the
  414  board may issue the applicant a temporary permit to practice
  415  occupational therapy until the next board meeting at which
  416  license applications are to be considered, but not for a longer
  417  period of time. Only one temporary permit by endorsement shall
  418  be issued to an applicant, and it shall not be renewable.
  419         Section 13. Section 468.213, Florida Statutes, is amended
  420  to read:
  421         468.213 Licensure by endorsement; waiver of examination
  422  requirement.—
  423         (1) The board may waive the examination and grant a license
  424  to any person who meets the requirements for licensure by
  425  endorsement under s. 456.0145 presents proof of current
  426  certification as an occupational therapist or occupational
  427  therapy assistant by a national certifying organization if the
  428  board determines the requirements for such certification to be
  429  equivalent to the requirements for licensure in this act.
  430         (2) The board may waive the examination and grant a license
  431  to any applicant who presents proof of current licensure as an
  432  occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant in a
  433  another state, the District of Columbia, or any territory or
  434  jurisdiction of the United States or foreign national
  435  jurisdiction which requires standards for licensure determined
  436  by the board to be equivalent to the requirements for licensure
  437  in this part act.
  438         Section 14. Section 468.513, Florida Statutes, is amended
  439  to read:
  440         468.513 Dietitian/nutritionist; licensure by endorsement.—
  441         (1) The department shall issue a license to practice
  442  dietetics and nutrition by endorsement to any applicant who
  443  meets the requirements for licensure by endorsement under s.
  444  456.0145 the board certifies as qualified, upon receipt of a
  445  completed application and the fee specified in s. 468.508.
  446         (2) The board shall certify as qualified for licensure by
  447  endorsement under this section any applicant who:
  448         (a) Presents evidence satisfactory to the board that he or
  449  she is a registered dietitian; or
  450         (b) Holds a valid license to practice dietetics or
  451  nutrition issued by another state, district, or territory of the
  452  United States, if the criteria for issuance of such license are
  453  determined by the board to be substantially equivalent to or
  454  more stringent than those of this state.
  455         (3) The department shall not issue a license by endorsement
  456  under this section to any applicant who is under investigation
  457  in any jurisdiction for any act which would constitute a
  458  violation of this part or chapter 456 until such time as the
  459  investigation is complete and disciplinary proceedings have been
  460  terminated.
  461         Section 15. Section 478.47, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  462  read:
  463         478.47 Licensure by endorsement.—The department shall issue
  464  a license by endorsement to any applicant who, upon submitting
  465  submits an application and the required fees as set forth in s.
  466  478.55, demonstrates to the board that he or she meets the
  467  requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145 and
  468  who holds an active license or other authority to practice
  469  electrology in a jurisdiction whose licensure requirements are
  470  determined by the board to be equivalent to the requirements for
  471  licensure in this state.
  472         Section 16. Paragraph (c) of subsection (5) of section
  473  480.041, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  474         480.041 Massage therapists; qualifications; licensure;
  475  endorsement.—
  476         (5) The board shall adopt rules:
  477         (c) Specifying licensing procedures for practitioners
  478  desiring to be licensed in this state who meet the requirements
  479  for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145 or hold an active
  480  license and have practiced in any other state, territory, or
  481  jurisdiction of the United States or any foreign national
  482  jurisdiction which has licensing standards substantially similar
  483  to, equivalent to, or more stringent than the standards of this
  484  state.
  485         Section 17. Present subsections (3) and (4) of section
  486  484.007, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (4)
  487  and (5), respectively, a new subsection (3) is added to that
  488  section, and subsection (1) of that section is amended, to read:
  489         484.007 Licensure of opticians; permitting of optical
  490  establishments.—
  491         (1) Any person desiring to practice opticianry shall apply
  492  to the department, upon forms prescribed by it, to take a
  493  licensure examination. The department shall examine each
  494  applicant who the board certifies meets all of the following
  495  criteria:
  496         (a) Has completed the application form and remitted a
  497  nonrefundable application fee set by the board, in the amount of
  498  $100 or less, and an examination fee set by the board, in the
  499  amount of $325 plus the actual per applicant cost to the
  500  department for purchase of portions of the examination from the
  501  American Board of Opticianry or a similar national organization,
  502  or less, and refundable if the board finds the applicant
  503  ineligible to take the examination.;
  504         (b) Is not younger less than 18 years of age.;
  505         (c) Is a graduate of an accredited high school or possesses
  506  a certificate of equivalency of a high school education.; and
  507         (d)1. Has received an associate degree, or its equivalent,
  508  in opticianry from an educational institution the curriculum of
  509  which is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized and
  510  approved by the United States Department of Education or the
  511  Council on Postsecondary Education or approved by the board;
  512         2. Is an individual licensed to practice the profession of
  513  opticianry pursuant to a regulatory licensing law of another
  514  state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States, who has
  515  actively practiced in such other state, territory, or
  516  jurisdiction for more than 3 years immediately preceding
  517  application, and who meets the examination qualifications as
  518  provided in this subsection;
  519         3. Is an individual who has actively practiced in another
  520  state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States for more
  521  than 5 years immediately preceding application and who provides
  522  tax or business records, affidavits, or other satisfactory
  523  documentation of such practice and who meets the examination
  524  qualifications as provided in this subsection; or
  525         2.4. Has registered as an apprentice with the department
  526  and paid a registration fee not to exceed $60, as set by rule of
  527  the board. The apprentice shall complete 6,240 hours of training
  528  under the supervision of an optician licensed in this state for
  529  at least 1 year or of a physician or optometrist licensed under
  530  the laws of this state. These requirements must be met within 5
  531  years after the date of registration. However, any time spent in
  532  a recognized school may be considered as part of the
  533  apprenticeship program provided herein. The board may establish
  534  administrative processing fees sufficient to cover the cost of
  535  administering apprentice rules as promulgated by the board.
  536         (3) The board shall certify to the department for licensure
  537  by endorsement any applicant who meets the requirements for
  538  licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145.
  539         Section 18. Section 486.081, Florida Statutes, is amended
  540  to read:
  541         486.081 Physical therapist; issuance of license by
  542  endorsement; issuance of license without examination to person
  543  passing examination of another authorized examining board in a
  544  foreign country; fee.—
  545         (1) The board may cause a license by endorsement to be
  546  issued through the department without examination to any
  547  applicant who meets the requirements for licensure by
  548  endorsement under s. 456.0145 or, without examination, to any
  549  applicant who presents evidence satisfactory to the board of
  550  having passed the American Registry Examination prior to 1971 or
  551  an examination in physical therapy before a similar lawfully
  552  authorized examining board of another state, the District of
  553  Columbia, a territory, or a foreign country, if the standards
  554  for licensure in physical therapy in such other state, district,
  555  territory, or foreign country are determined by the board to be
  556  as high as those of this state, as established by rules adopted
  557  pursuant to this chapter. Any person who holds a license
  558  pursuant to this section may use the words “physical therapist”
  559  or “physiotherapist” or the letters “P.T.” in connection with
  560  her or his name or place of business to denote her or his
  561  licensure hereunder. A person who holds a license pursuant to
  562  this section and obtains a doctoral degree in physical therapy
  563  may use the letters “D.P.T.” and “P.T.” A physical therapist who
  564  holds a degree of Doctor of Physical Therapy may not use the
  565  title “doctor” without also clearly informing the public of his
  566  or her profession as a physical therapist.
  567         (2) At the time of making application for licensure under
  568  without examination pursuant to the terms of this section, the
  569  applicant shall pay to the department a nonrefundable fee set by
  570  the board in an amount not to exceed $175 as fixed by the board,
  571  no part of which will be returned.
  572         Section 19. Section 486.107, Florida Statutes, is amended
  573  to read:
  574         486.107 Physical therapist assistant; issuance of license
  575  by endorsement without examination to person licensed in another
  576  jurisdiction; fee.—
  577         (1) The board may cause a license by endorsement to be
  578  issued through the department without examination to any
  579  applicant who presents evidence to the board, under oath, of
  580  meeting the requirements for licensure by endorsement under s.
  581  456.0145 licensure in another state, the District of Columbia,
  582  or a territory, if the standards for registering as a physical
  583  therapist assistant or licensing of a physical therapist
  584  assistant, as the case may be, in such other state are
  585  determined by the board to be as high as those of this state, as
  586  established by rules adopted pursuant to this chapter. Any
  587  person who holds a license pursuant to this section may use the
  588  words “physical therapist assistant,” or the letters “P.T.A.,”
  589  in connection with her or his name to denote licensure
  590  hereunder.
  591         (2) At the time of making application for licensure by
  592  endorsement under licensing without examination pursuant to the
  593  terms of this section, the applicant shall pay to the department
  594  a nonrefundable fee set by the board in an amount not to exceed
  595  $175 as fixed by the board, no part of which will be returned.
  596         Section 20. Subsections (1), (2), and (3) of section
  597  490.006, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  598         490.006 Licensure by endorsement.—
  599         (1) The department shall license a person as a psychologist
  600  or school psychologist who, upon applying to the department and
  601  remitting the appropriate fee, demonstrates to the department
  602  or, in the case of psychologists, to the board that the
  603  applicant meets the requirements for licensure by endorsement
  604  under s. 456.0145:
  605         (a) Is a diplomate in good standing with the American Board
  606  of Professional Psychology, Inc.; or
  607         (b) Possesses a doctoral degree in psychology and has at
  608  least 10 years of experience as a licensed psychologist in any
  609  jurisdiction or territory of the United States within the 25
  610  years preceding the date of application.
  611         (2) In addition to meeting the requirements for licensure
  612  set forth in subsection (1), an applicant must pass that portion
  613  of the psychology or school psychology licensure examinations
  614  pertaining to the laws and rules related to the practice of
  615  psychology or school psychology in this state before the
  616  department may issue a license to the applicant.
  617         (3) The department shall not issue a license by endorsement
  618  to any applicant who is under investigation in this or another
  619  jurisdiction for an act which would constitute a violation of
  620  this chapter until such time as the investigation is complete,
  621  at which time the provisions of s. 490.009 shall apply.
  622         Section 21. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 491.006,
  623  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  624         491.006 Licensure or certification by endorsement.—
  625         (1) The department shall license or grant a certificate to
  626  a person in a profession regulated by this chapter who, upon
  627  applying to the department and remitting the appropriate fee,
  628  demonstrates to the board that he or she meets the requirements
  629  for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145:
  630         (a) Has demonstrated, in a manner designated by rule of the
  631  board, knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of
  632  clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental
  633  health counseling.
  634         (b)1. Holds an active valid license to practice and has
  635  actively practiced the licensed profession in another state for
  636  3 of the last 5 years immediately preceding licensure;
  637         2. Has passed a substantially equivalent licensing
  638  examination in another state or has passed the licensure
  639  examination in this state in the profession for which the
  640  applicant seeks licensure; and
  641         3. Holds a license in good standing, is not under
  642  investigation for an act that would constitute a violation of
  643  this chapter, and has not been found to have committed any act
  644  that would constitute a violation of this chapter.
  645         (2) The fees paid by any applicant for certification as a
  646  master social worker under this section are nonrefundable.
  647         (2) The department shall not issue a license or certificate
  648  by endorsement to any applicant who is under investigation in
  649  this or another jurisdiction for an act which would constitute a
  650  violation of this chapter until such time as the investigation
  651  is complete, at which time the provisions of s. 491.009 shall
  652  apply.
  653         Section 22. Subsection (3) of section 486.031, Florida
  654  Statutes, is amended to read:
  655         486.031 Physical therapist; licensing requirements.—To be
  656  eligible for licensing as a physical therapist, an applicant
  657  must:
  658         (3)(a) Have been graduated from a school of physical
  659  therapy which has been approved for the educational preparation
  660  of physical therapists by the appropriate accrediting agency
  661  recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary
  662  Accreditation or the United States Department of Education at
  663  the time of her or his graduation and have passed, to the
  664  satisfaction of the board, the American Registry Examination
  665  prior to 1971 or a national examination approved by the board to
  666  determine her or his fitness for practice as a physical
  667  therapist as hereinafter provided;
  668         (b) Have received a diploma from a program in physical
  669  therapy in a foreign country and have educational credentials
  670  deemed equivalent to those required for the educational
  671  preparation of physical therapists in this country, as
  672  recognized by the appropriate agency as identified by the board,
  673  and have passed to the satisfaction of the board an examination
  674  to determine her or his fitness for practice as a physical
  675  therapist as hereinafter provided; or
  676         (c) Be entitled to licensure by endorsement or without
  677  examination as provided in s. 486.081.
  678         Section 23. Subsection (3) of section 486.102, Florida
  679  Statutes, is amended to read:
  680         486.102 Physical therapist assistant; licensing
  681  requirements.—To be eligible for licensing by the board as a
  682  physical therapist assistant, an applicant must:
  683         (3)(a) Have been graduated from a school giving a course of
  684  not less than 2 years for physical therapist assistants, which
  685  has been approved for the educational preparation of physical
  686  therapist assistants by the appropriate accrediting agency
  687  recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary
  688  Accreditation or the United States Department of Education, at
  689  the time of her or his graduation and have passed to the
  690  satisfaction of the board an examination to determine her or his
  691  fitness for practice as a physical therapist assistant as
  692  hereinafter provided;
  693         (b) Have been graduated from a school giving a course for
  694  physical therapist assistants in a foreign country and have
  695  educational credentials deemed equivalent to those required for
  696  the educational preparation of physical therapist assistants in
  697  this country, as recognized by the appropriate agency as
  698  identified by the board, and passed to the satisfaction of the
  699  board an examination to determine her or his fitness for
  700  practice as a physical therapist assistant as hereinafter
  701  provided;
  702         (c) Be entitled to licensure by endorsement without
  703  examination as provided in s. 486.107; or
  704         (d) Have been enrolled between July 1, 2014, and July 1,
  705  2016, in a physical therapist assistant school in this state
  706  which was accredited at the time of enrollment; and
  707         1. Have been graduated or be eligible to graduate from such
  708  school no later than July 1, 2018; and
  709         2. Have passed to the satisfaction of the board an
  710  examination to determine his or her fitness for practice as a
  711  physical therapist assistant as provided in s. 486.104.
  712         Section 24. Notwithstanding the changes made to the Florida
  713  Statutes (2023) by this act, a board as defined in s. 456.001,
  714  Florida Statutes, or the Department of Health, as applicable,
  715  may continue processing applications for licensure by
  716  endorsement as authorized under the Florida Statutes (2023)
  717  until the rules adopted by such board or the department to
  718  implement the changes made by this act take effect or until 6
  719  months after the effective date of this act, whichever occurs
  720  first.
  721         Section 25. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.