Bill Text: FL S1008 | 2024 | Regular Session | Comm Sub


Bill Title: Background Screening Requirements

Spectrum:

Status: (Failed) 2024-03-08 - Died in Fiscal Policy [S1008 Detail]

Download: Florida-2024-S1008-Comm_Sub.html
       Florida Senate - 2024                             CS for SB 1008
       
       
        
       By the Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services;
       and Senators Grall and Book
       
       
       
       
       603-03304-24                                          20241008c1
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to background screening requirements;
    3         amending s. 435.04, F.S.; specifying additional
    4         disqualifying offenses under the background screening
    5         requirements for certain persons; amending s.
    6         456.0135, F.S.; expanding certain background screening
    7         requirements to apply to all health care
    8         practitioners, rather than specified practitioners;
    9         requiring health care practitioners licensed before a
   10         specified date to comply with the background screening
   11         requirements by their next licensure renewal beginning
   12         after a specified date; prohibiting the Department of
   13         Health, beginning on a specified date, from renewing
   14         the license of a health care practitioner until he or
   15         she complies with the background screening
   16         requirements; amending ss. 457.105, 463.006, 465.007,
   17         465.0075, 465.013, 465.014, 466.006, 466.0067,
   18         466.007, 467.011, 468.1185, 468.1215, 468.1695,
   19         468.209, 468.213, 468.355, 468.358, 468.509, 468.513,
   20         468.803, 478.45, 483.815, 483.901, 483.914, 484.007,
   21         484.045, 486.031, 486.102, 490.005, 490.0051, 490.006,
   22         491.0045, 491.0046, 491.005, and 491.006, F.S.;
   23         revising licensure, registration, or certification
   24         requirements, as applicable, for acupuncturists;
   25         optometrists; pharmacists; pharmacist licenses by
   26         endorsement; registered pharmacy interns; pharmacy
   27         technicians; dentists; health access dental licenses;
   28         dental hygienists; midwives; speech-language
   29         pathologists and audiologists; speech-language
   30         pathology assistants and audiology assistants; nursing
   31         home administrators; occupational therapists and
   32         occupational therapy assistants; occupational
   33         therapist and occupational therapy assistant licenses
   34         by endorsement; respiratory therapists; respiratory
   35         therapist licenses by endorsement;
   36         dietitian/nutritionists; dietitian/nutritionist
   37         licenses by endorsement; practitioners of orthotics,
   38         prosthetics, or pedorthics; electrologists; clinical
   39         laboratory personnel; medical physicists; genetic
   40         counselors; opticians; hearing aid specialists;
   41         physical therapists; physical therapist assistants;
   42         psychologists and school psychologists; provisional
   43         licenses for psychologists; psychologist and school
   44         psychologist licenses by endorsement; intern
   45         registrations for clinical social work, marriage and
   46         family therapy, and mental health counseling;
   47         provisional licenses for clinical social workers,
   48         marriage and family therapists, and mental health
   49         counselors; clinical social workers, marriage and
   50         family therapists, and mental health counselors; and
   51         clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist,
   52         and mental health counselor licenses by endorsement,
   53         respectively, to include background screening
   54         requirements; making conforming and technical changes;
   55         amending ss. 486.025, 486.0715, 486.1065, and 491.003,
   56         F.S.; conforming cross-references; providing an
   57         effective date.
   58          
   59  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   60  
   61         Section 1. Subsection (2) of section 435.04, Florida
   62  Statutes, as amended by section 2 of chapter 2023-220, Laws of
   63  Florida, is amended to read:
   64         435.04 Level 2 screening standards.—
   65         (2) The security background investigations under this
   66  section must ensure that persons subject to this section have
   67  not been arrested for and are not awaiting final disposition of,
   68  have not been found guilty of, regardless of adjudication, or
   69  entered a plea of nolo contendere or guilty to, or have not been
   70  adjudicated delinquent and the record has not been sealed or
   71  expunged for, any offense prohibited under any of the following
   72  provisions of state law or similar law of another jurisdiction:
   73         (a) Section 39.205, relating to the failure to report child
   74  abuse, abandonment, or neglect.
   75         (b) Section 393.135, relating to sexual misconduct with
   76  certain developmentally disabled clients and reporting of such
   77  sexual misconduct.
   78         (c)(b) Section 394.4593, relating to sexual misconduct with
   79  certain mental health patients and reporting of such sexual
   80  misconduct.
   81         (d)Section 414.39, relating to fraud, if the offense was a
   82  felony.
   83         (e)(c) Section 415.111, relating to adult abuse, neglect,
   84  or exploitation of aged persons or disabled adults.
   85         (f)(d) Section 777.04, relating to attempts, solicitation,
   86  and conspiracy to commit an offense listed in this subsection.
   87         (g)(e) Section 782.04, relating to murder.
   88         (h)(f) Section 782.07, relating to manslaughter, aggravated
   89  manslaughter of an elderly person or disabled adult, or
   90  aggravated manslaughter of a child.
   91         (i)(g) Section 782.071, relating to vehicular homicide.
   92         (j)(h) Section 782.09, relating to killing of an unborn
   93  child by injury to the mother.
   94         (k)(i) Chapter 784, relating to assault, battery, and
   95  culpable negligence, if the offense was a felony.
   96         (l)(j) Section 784.011, relating to assault, if the victim
   97  of the offense was a minor.
   98         (m)(k) Section 784.021, relating to aggravated assault.
   99         (n)(l) Section 784.03, relating to battery, if the victim
  100  of the offense was a minor.
  101         (o)(m) Section 784.045, relating to aggravated battery.
  102         (p)(n) Section 784.075, relating to battery on staff of a
  103  detention or commitment facility or on a juvenile probation
  104  officer.
  105         (q)(o) Section 787.01, relating to kidnapping.
  106         (r)(p) Section 787.02, relating to false imprisonment.
  107         (s)(q) Section 787.025, relating to luring or enticing a
  108  child.
  109         (t)(r) Section 787.04(2), relating to taking, enticing, or
  110  removing a child beyond the state limits with criminal intent
  111  pending custody proceedings.
  112         (u)(s) Section 787.04(3), relating to carrying a child
  113  beyond the state lines with criminal intent to avoid producing a
  114  child at a custody hearing or delivering the child to the
  115  designated person.
  116         (v)Section 787.06, relating to human trafficking.
  117         (w)Section 787.07, relating to human smuggling.
  118         (x)(t) Section 790.115(1), relating to exhibiting firearms
  119  or weapons within 1,000 feet of a school.
  120         (y)(u) Section 790.115(2)(b), relating to possessing an
  121  electric weapon or device, destructive device, or other weapon
  122  on school property.
  123         (z)(v) Section 794.011, relating to sexual battery.
  124         (aa)(w) Former s. 794.041, relating to prohibited acts of
  125  persons in familial or custodial authority.
  126         (bb)(x) Section 794.05, relating to unlawful sexual
  127  activity with certain minors.
  128         (cc)(y) Section 794.08, relating to female genital
  129  mutilation.
  130         (dd)(z) Chapter 796, relating to prostitution.
  131         (ee)(aa) Section 798.02, relating to lewd and lascivious
  132  behavior.
  133         (ff)(bb) Chapter 800, relating to lewdness and indecent
  134  exposure and offenses against students by authority figures.
  135         (gg)(cc) Section 806.01, relating to arson.
  136         (hh)(dd) Section 810.02, relating to burglary.
  137         (ii)(ee) Section 810.14, relating to voyeurism, if the
  138  offense is a felony.
  139         (jj)(ff) Section 810.145, relating to video voyeurism, if
  140  the offense is a felony.
  141         (kk)(gg) Chapter 812, relating to theft, robbery, and
  142  related crimes, if the offense is a felony.
  143         (ll)(hh) Section 817.563, relating to fraudulent sale of
  144  controlled substances, only if the offense was a felony.
  145         (mm)(ii) Section 825.102, relating to abuse, aggravated
  146  abuse, or neglect of an elderly person or disabled adult.
  147         (nn)(jj) Section 825.1025, relating to lewd or lascivious
  148  offenses committed upon or in the presence of an elderly person
  149  or disabled adult.
  150         (oo)(kk) Section 825.103, relating to exploitation of an
  151  elderly person or disabled adult, if the offense was a felony.
  152         (pp)(ll) Section 826.04, relating to incest.
  153         (qq)(mm) Section 827.03, relating to child abuse,
  154  aggravated child abuse, or neglect of a child.
  155         (rr)(nn) Section 827.04, relating to contributing to the
  156  delinquency or dependency of a child.
  157         (ss)(oo) Former s. 827.05, relating to negligent treatment
  158  of children.
  159         (tt)(pp) Section 827.071, relating to sexual performance by
  160  a child.
  161         (uu)Section 831.311, relating to the unlawful sale,
  162  manufacture, alteration, delivery, uttering, or possession of
  163  counterfeit-resistant prescription blanks for controlled
  164  substances.
  165         (vv)Section 836.10, relating to written or electronic
  166  threats to kill, do bodily injury, or conduct a mass shooting or
  167  an act of terrorism.
  168         (ww)(qq) Section 843.01, relating to resisting arrest with
  169  violence.
  170         (xx)(rr) Section 843.025, relating to depriving a law
  171  enforcement, correctional, or correctional probation officer
  172  means of protection or communication.
  173         (yy)(ss) Section 843.12, relating to aiding in an escape.
  174         (zz)(tt) Section 843.13, relating to aiding in the escape
  175  of juvenile inmates in correctional institutions.
  176         (aaa)(uu) Chapter 847, relating to obscene literature.
  177         (bbb)Section 859.01, relating to poisoning food or water.
  178         (ccc)Section 873.01, relating to the prohibition on the
  179  purchase or sale of human organs and tissue.
  180         (ddd)(vv) Section 874.05, relating to encouraging or
  181  recruiting another to join a criminal gang.
  182         (eee)(ww) Chapter 893, relating to drug abuse prevention
  183  and control, only if the offense was a felony or if any other
  184  person involved in the offense was a minor.
  185         (fff)(xx) Section 916.1075, relating to sexual misconduct
  186  with certain forensic clients and reporting of such sexual
  187  misconduct.
  188         (ggg)(yy) Section 944.35(3), relating to inflicting cruel
  189  or inhuman treatment on an inmate resulting in great bodily
  190  harm.
  191         (hhh)(zz) Section 944.40, relating to escape.
  192         (iii)(aaa) Section 944.46, relating to harboring,
  193  concealing, or aiding an escaped prisoner.
  194         (jjj)(bbb) Section 944.47, relating to introduction of
  195  contraband into a correctional facility.
  196         (kkk)(ccc) Section 985.701, relating to sexual misconduct
  197  in juvenile justice programs.
  198         (lll)(ddd) Section 985.711, relating to contraband
  199  introduced into detention facilities.
  200         Section 2. Subsection (1) of section 456.0135, Florida
  201  Statutes, is amended to read:
  202         456.0135 General background screening provisions.—
  203         (1) An application for initial licensure received on or
  204  after January 1, 2013, under chapter 458, chapter 459, chapter
  205  460, chapter 461, chapter 462, chapter 463, chapter 464, chapter
  206  465 s. 465.022, chapter 466, chapter 467, part I, part II, part
  207  III, part V, part X, part XIII, or part XIV of chapter 468,
  208  chapter 478, or chapter 480, chapter 483, chapter 484, chapter
  209  486, chapter 490, or chapter 491 must shall include fingerprints
  210  pursuant to procedures established by the department through a
  211  vendor approved by the Department of Law Enforcement and fees
  212  imposed for the initial screening and retention of fingerprints.
  213  Fingerprints must be submitted electronically to the Department
  214  of Law Enforcement for state processing, and the Department of
  215  Law Enforcement shall forward the fingerprints to the Federal
  216  Bureau of Investigation for national processing. Each board, or
  217  the department if there is no board, must shall screen the
  218  results to determine whether if an applicant meets licensure
  219  requirements. For any subsequent renewal of the applicant’s
  220  license which that requires a national criminal history check,
  221  the department shall request the Department of Law Enforcement
  222  to forward the retained fingerprints of the applicant to the
  223  Federal Bureau of Investigation unless the fingerprints are
  224  enrolled in the national retained print arrest notification
  225  program.
  226         Section 3. Health care practitioners as defined in s.
  227  456.001, Florida Statutes, who were licensed before July 1,
  228  2024, must comply with the background screening requirements of
  229  s. 456.0135, Florida Statutes, upon their next licensure renewal
  230  that takes place after January 1, 2025. Beginning January 1,
  231  2025, the Department of Health may not renew the license of a
  232  health care practitioner until he or she complies with the
  233  background screening requirements of s. 456.0135, Florida
  234  Statutes.
  235         Section 4. Subsection (2) of section 457.105, Florida
  236  Statutes, is amended to read:
  237         457.105 Licensure qualifications and fees.—
  238         (2) A person may become licensed to practice acupuncture if
  239  the person applies to the department and meets all of the
  240  following criteria:
  241         (a) Is 21 years of age or older, has good moral character,
  242  and has the ability to communicate in English, which is
  243  demonstrated by having passed the national written examination
  244  in English or, if such examination was passed in a foreign
  245  language, by also having passed a nationally recognized English
  246  proficiency examination.;
  247         (b) Has completed 60 college credits from an accredited
  248  postsecondary institution as a prerequisite to enrollment in an
  249  authorized 3-year course of study in acupuncture and oriental
  250  medicine, and has completed a 3-year course of study in
  251  acupuncture and oriental medicine, and effective July 31, 2001,
  252  a 4-year course of study in acupuncture and oriental medicine,
  253  which meets standards established by the board by rule, which
  254  standards include, but are not limited to, successful completion
  255  of academic courses in western anatomy, western physiology,
  256  western pathology, western biomedical terminology, first aid,
  257  and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, any person who
  258  enrolled in an authorized course of study in acupuncture before
  259  August 1, 1997, must have completed only a 2-year course of
  260  study which meets standards established by the board by rule,
  261  which standards must include, but are not limited to, successful
  262  completion of academic courses in western anatomy, western
  263  physiology, and western pathology.;
  264         (c) Has successfully completed a board-approved national
  265  certification process, is actively licensed in a state that has
  266  examination requirements that are substantially equivalent to or
  267  more stringent than those of this state, or passes an
  268  examination administered by the department, which examination
  269  tests the applicant’s competency and knowledge of the practice
  270  of acupuncture and oriental medicine. At the request of any
  271  applicant, oriental nomenclature for the points must shall be
  272  used in the examination. The examination must shall include a
  273  practical examination of the knowledge and skills required to
  274  practice modern and traditional acupuncture and oriental
  275  medicine, covering diagnostic and treatment techniques and
  276  procedures.; and
  277         (d) Pays the required fees set by the board by rule not to
  278  exceed the following amounts:
  279         1. Examination fee: $500 plus the actual per applicant cost
  280  to the department for purchase of the written and practical
  281  portions of the examination from a national organization
  282  approved by the board.
  283         2. Application fee: $300.
  284         3. Reexamination fee: $500 plus the actual per applicant
  285  cost to the department for purchase of the written and practical
  286  portions of the examination from a national organization
  287  approved by the board.
  288         4. Initial biennial licensure fee: $400, if licensed in the
  289  first half of the biennium, and $200, if licensed in the second
  290  half of the biennium.
  291         (e) Submits to background screening in accordance with s.
  292  456.0135.
  293         Section 5. Subsection (1) of section 463.006, Florida
  294  Statutes, is amended to read:
  295         463.006 Licensure and certification by examination.—
  296         (1) Any person desiring to be a licensed practitioner under
  297  pursuant to this chapter must apply to the department, submit to
  298  background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135, and must
  299  submit proof to the department that she or he meets all of the
  300  following criteria:
  301         (a) Has completed the application forms as required by the
  302  board, remitted an application fee for certification not to
  303  exceed $250, remitted an examination fee for certification not
  304  to exceed $250, and remitted an examination fee for licensure
  305  not to exceed $325, all as set by the board.
  306         (b) Is at least 18 years of age.
  307         (c) Has graduated from an accredited school or college of
  308  optometry approved by rule of the board.
  309         (d) Is of good moral character.
  310         (e) Has successfully completed at least 110 hours of
  311  transcript-quality coursework and clinical training in general
  312  and ocular pharmacology as determined by the board, at an
  313  institution that:
  314         1. Has facilities for both didactic and clinical
  315  instructions in pharmacology; and
  316         2. Is accredited by a regional or professional accrediting
  317  organization that is recognized and approved by the Commission
  318  on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation or the United
  319  States Department of Education.
  320         (f) Has completed at least 1 year of supervised experience
  321  in differential diagnosis of eye disease or disorders as part of
  322  the optometric training or in a clinical setting as part of the
  323  optometric experience.
  324         Section 6. Subsection (1) of section 465.007, Florida
  325  Statutes, is amended to read:
  326         465.007 Licensure by examination.—
  327         (1) Any person desiring to be licensed as a pharmacist
  328  shall apply to the department to take the licensure examination.
  329  The department shall examine each applicant who the board
  330  certifies has met all of the following criteria:
  331         (a) Completed the application form and remitted an
  332  examination fee set by the board not to exceed $100 plus the
  333  actual per applicant cost to the department for purchase of
  334  portions of the examination from the National Association of
  335  Boards of Pharmacy or a similar national organization. The fees
  336  authorized under this section shall be established in sufficient
  337  amounts to cover administrative costs.
  338         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
  339  456.0135.
  340         (c) Submitted satisfactory proof that she or he is not less
  341  than 18 years of age and:
  342         1. Is a recipient of a degree from a school or college of
  343  pharmacy accredited by an accrediting agency recognized and
  344  approved by the United States Office of Education; or
  345         2. Is a graduate of a 4-year undergraduate pharmacy program
  346  of a school or college of pharmacy located outside the United
  347  States, has demonstrated proficiency in English by passing both
  348  the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test
  349  of Spoken English (TSE), has passed the Foreign Pharmacy
  350  Graduate Equivalency Examination that is approved by rule of the
  351  board, and has completed a minimum of 500 hours in a supervised
  352  work activity program within this state under the supervision of
  353  a pharmacist licensed by the department, which program is
  354  approved by the board.
  355         (d)(c) Submitted satisfactory proof that she or he has
  356  completed an internship program approved by the board. No such
  357  board-approved program shall exceed 2,080 hours, all of which
  358  may be obtained prior to graduation.
  359         Section 7. Subsection (1) of section 465.0075, Florida
  360  Statutes, is amended to read:
  361         465.0075 Licensure by endorsement; requirements; fee.—
  362         (1) The department shall issue a license by endorsement to
  363  any applicant who applies to the department and remits a
  364  nonrefundable fee of not more than $100, as set by the board,
  365  and who whom the board certifies has met all of the following
  366  criteria:
  367         (a) Has Met the qualifications for licensure in s.
  368  465.007(1)(b), and (c), and (d).;
  369         (b) Has Obtained a passing score, as established by rule of
  370  the board, on the licensure examination of the National
  371  Association of Boards of Pharmacy or a similar nationally
  372  recognized examination, if the board certifies that the
  373  applicant has taken the required examination.;
  374         (c)1. Has Submitted evidence of the active licensed
  375  practice of pharmacy, including practice in community or public
  376  health by persons employed by a governmental entity, in another
  377  jurisdiction for at least 2 of the immediately preceding 5 years
  378  or evidence of successful completion of board-approved
  379  postgraduate training or a board-approved clinical competency
  380  examination within the year immediately preceding application
  381  for licensure; or
  382         2. Has Completed an internship meeting the requirements of
  383  s. 465.007(1)(d) s. 465.007(1)(c) within the 2 years immediately
  384  preceding application.; and
  385         (d) Has Obtained a passing score on the pharmacy
  386  jurisprudence portions of the licensure examination, as required
  387  by board rule.
  388         Section 8. Section 465.013, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  389  read:
  390         465.013 Registration of pharmacy interns.—The department
  391  shall register as pharmacy interns persons certified by the
  392  board as being enrolled in an intern program at an accredited
  393  school or college of pharmacy or who are graduates of accredited
  394  schools or colleges of pharmacy and are not yet licensed in the
  395  state. Applicants for registration must submit to background
  396  screening in accordance with s. 456.0135. The board may refuse
  397  to certify to the department or may revoke the registration of
  398  any intern for good cause, including grounds enumerated in this
  399  chapter for revocation of pharmacists’ licenses.
  400         Section 9. Subsection (2) of section 465.014, Florida
  401  Statutes, is amended to read:
  402         465.014 Pharmacy technician.—
  403         (2) Any person who wishes to work as a pharmacy technician
  404  in this state must register by filing an application with the
  405  board on a form adopted by rule of the board and submit to
  406  background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135. The board
  407  shall register each applicant who has remitted a registration
  408  fee set by the board, not to exceed $50 biennially; has
  409  completed the application form and remitted a nonrefundable
  410  application fee set by the board, not to exceed $50; has
  411  submitted to background screening; is at least 17 years of age;
  412  and has completed a pharmacy technician training program
  413  approved by the Board of Pharmacy. Notwithstanding any
  414  requirements in this subsection, any registered pharmacy
  415  technician registered pursuant to this section before January 1,
  416  2011, who has worked as a pharmacy technician for a minimum of
  417  1,500 hours under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist or
  418  received certification as a pharmacy technician by certification
  419  program accredited by the National Commission for Certifying
  420  Agencies is exempt from the requirement to complete an initial
  421  training program for purposes of registration as required by
  422  this subsection.
  423         Section 10. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
  424  466.006, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  425         466.006 Examination of dentists.—
  426         (1)
  427         (b)1. Any person desiring to be licensed as a dentist shall
  428  apply to the department to take the licensure examinations and
  429  shall verify the information required on the application by
  430  oath. The application must shall include two recent photographs.
  431  There shall be an application fee set by the board not to exceed
  432  $100 which shall be nonrefundable and. There shall also be an
  433  examination fee set by the board, which shall not to exceed $425
  434  plus the actual per applicant cost to the department for
  435  purchase of some or all of the examination from the American
  436  Board of Dental Examiners or its successor entity, if any,
  437  provided the board finds the successor entity’s clinical
  438  examination complies with the provisions of this section. The
  439  examination fee may be refunded refundable if the applicant is
  440  found ineligible to take the examinations.
  441         2.Applicants for licensure must also submit to background
  442  screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
  443         Section 11. Section 466.0067, Florida Statutes, is amended
  444  to read:
  445         466.0067 Application for health access dental license.—The
  446  Legislature finds that there is an important state interest in
  447  attracting dentists to practice in underserved health access
  448  settings in this state and further, that allowing out-of-state
  449  dentists who meet certain criteria to practice in health access
  450  settings without the supervision of a dentist licensed in this
  451  state is substantially related to achieving this important state
  452  interest. Therefore, notwithstanding the requirements of s.
  453  466.006, the board shall grant a health access dental license to
  454  practice dentistry in this state in health access settings as
  455  defined in s. 466.003 to an applicant who meets all of the
  456  following criteria:
  457         (1) Files an appropriate application approved by the
  458  board.;
  459         (2) Pays an application license fee for a health access
  460  dental license, laws-and-rule exam fee, and an initial licensure
  461  fee. The fees specified in this subsection may not differ from
  462  an applicant seeking licensure pursuant to s. 466.006.;
  463         (3) Has submitted to background screening in accordance
  464  with s. 456.0135 and has not been convicted of or pled nolo
  465  contendere to, regardless of adjudication, any felony or
  466  misdemeanor related to the practice of a health care
  467  profession.;
  468         (4) Submits proof of graduation from a dental school
  469  accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the
  470  American Dental Association or its successor agency.;
  471         (5) Submits documentation that she or he has completed, or
  472  will obtain before licensure, continuing education equivalent to
  473  this state’s requirement for dentists licensed under s. 466.006
  474  for the last full reporting biennium before applying for a
  475  health access dental license.;
  476         (6) Submits proof of her or his successful completion of
  477  parts I and II of the dental examination by the National Board
  478  of Dental Examiners and a state or regional clinical dental
  479  licensing examination that the board has determined effectively
  480  measures the applicant’s ability to practice safely.;
  481         (7) Currently holds a valid, active dental license in good
  482  standing which has not been revoked, suspended, restricted, or
  483  otherwise disciplined from another of the United States, the
  484  District of Columbia, or a United States territory.;
  485         (8) Has never had a license revoked from another of the
  486  United States, the District of Columbia, or a United States
  487  territory.;
  488         (9) Has never failed the examination specified in s.
  489  466.006, unless the applicant was reexamined pursuant to s.
  490  466.006 and received a license to practice dentistry in this
  491  state.;
  492         (10) Has not been reported to the National Practitioner
  493  Data Bank, unless the applicant successfully appealed to have
  494  his or her name removed from the data bank.;
  495         (11) Submits proof that he or she has been engaged in the
  496  active, clinical practice of dentistry providing direct patient
  497  care for 5 years immediately preceding the date of application,
  498  or in instances when the applicant has graduated from an
  499  accredited dental school within the preceding 5 years, submits
  500  proof of continuous clinical practice providing direct patient
  501  care since graduation.; and
  502         (12) Has passed an examination covering the laws and rules
  503  of the practice of dentistry in this state as described in s.
  504  466.006(4)(a).
  505         Section 12. Subsection (1) of section 466.007, Florida
  506  Statutes, is amended to read:
  507         466.007 Examination of dental hygienists.—
  508         (1)1. Any person desiring to be licensed as a dental
  509  hygienist shall apply to the department to take the licensure
  510  examinations and shall verify the information required on the
  511  application by oath. The application must shall include two
  512  recent photographs of the applicant. There shall be a
  513  nonrefundable application fee set by the board not to exceed
  514  $100 and an examination fee set by the board which shall not to
  515  exceed be more than $225. The examination fee may be refunded if
  516  the applicant is found ineligible to take the examinations.
  517         2.Applicants for licensure must also submit to background
  518  screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
  519         Section 13. Subsection (5) is added to section 467.011,
  520  Florida Statutes, to read:
  521         467.011 Licensed midwives; qualifications; examination.—The
  522  department shall issue a license to practice midwifery to an
  523  applicant who meets all of the following criteria:
  524         (5)Submits to background screening in accordance with s.
  525  456.0135.
  526         Section 14. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 468.1185,
  527  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  528         468.1185 Licensure.—
  529         (2) The board shall certify for licensure any applicant who
  530  has met all of the following criteria:
  531         (a) Satisfied the education and supervised clinical
  532  requirements of s. 468.1155.
  533         (b) Satisfied the professional experience requirement of s.
  534  468.1165.
  535         (c) Passed the licensure examination required by s.
  536  468.1175.
  537         (d) For an applicant for an audiologist license who has
  538  obtained a doctoral degree in audiology, has satisfied the
  539  education and supervised clinical requirements of paragraph (a)
  540  and the professional experience requirements of paragraph (b).
  541         (e)Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
  542  456.0135.
  543         (3) The board shall certify as qualified for a license by
  544  endorsement as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist an
  545  applicant who:
  546         (a) Holds a valid license or certificate in another state
  547  or territory of the United States to practice the profession for
  548  which the application for licensure is made, if the criteria for
  549  issuance of such license were substantially equivalent to or
  550  more stringent than the licensure criteria which existed in this
  551  state at the time the license was issued; or
  552         (b) Holds a valid certificate of clinical competence of the
  553  American Speech-Language and Hearing Association or board
  554  certification in audiology from the American Board of Audiology;
  555  and
  556         (c)Submits to background screening in accordance with s.
  557  456.0135.
  558         Section 15. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 468.1215,
  559  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  560         468.1215 Speech-language pathology assistant and audiology
  561  assistant; certification.—
  562         (1) The department shall issue a certificate as a speech
  563  language pathology assistant to each applicant who the board
  564  certifies has met all of the following criteria:
  565         (a) Completed the application form and remitted the
  566  required fees, including a nonrefundable application fee.
  567         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
  568  456.0135.
  569         (c) Earned a bachelor’s degree from a college or university
  570  accredited by a regional association of colleges and schools
  571  recognized by the Department of Education which includes at
  572  least 24 semester hours of coursework as approved by the board
  573  at an institution accredited by an accrediting agency recognized
  574  by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
  575         (2) The department shall issue a certificate as an
  576  audiology assistant to each applicant who the board certifies
  577  has met all of the following criteria:
  578         (a) Completed the application form and remitted the
  579  required fees, including a nonrefundable application fee.
  580         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
  581  456.0135.
  582         (c) Earned a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  583         Section 16. Present subsections (2), (3), and (4) of
  584  section 468.1695, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
  585  subsections (3), (4), and (5), respectively, a new subsection
  586  (2) is added to that section, and present subsection (2) of that
  587  section is amended, to read:
  588         468.1695 Licensure by examination.—
  589         (2)Applicants for licensure must also submit to background
  590  screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
  591         (3)(2) The department shall examine each applicant who the
  592  board certifies has completed the application form, submitted to
  593  background screening, and remitted an examination fee set by the
  594  board not to exceed $250 and who:
  595         (a)1. Holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited
  596  college or university and majored in health care administration,
  597  health services administration, or an equivalent major, or has
  598  credit for at least 60 semester hours in subjects, as prescribed
  599  by rule of the board, which prepare the applicant for total
  600  management of a nursing home; and
  601         2. Has fulfilled the requirements of a college-affiliated
  602  or university-affiliated internship in nursing home
  603  administration or of a 1,000-hour nursing home administrator-in
  604  training program prescribed by the board; or
  605         (b)1. Holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited
  606  college or university; and
  607         2.a. Has fulfilled the requirements of a 2,000-hour nursing
  608  home administrator-in-training program prescribed by the board;
  609  or
  610         b. Has 1 year of management experience allowing for the
  611  application of executive duties and skills, including the
  612  staffing, budgeting, and directing of resident care, dietary,
  613  and bookkeeping departments within a skilled nursing facility,
  614  hospital, hospice, assisted living facility with a minimum of 60
  615  licensed beds, or geriatric residential treatment program and,
  616  if such experience is not in a skilled nursing facility, has
  617  fulfilled the requirements of a 1,000-hour nursing home
  618  administrator-in-training program prescribed by the board.
  619         Section 17. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 468.209,
  620  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  621         468.209 Requirements for licensure.—
  622         (1) An applicant applying for a license as an occupational
  623  therapist or as an occupational therapy assistant shall apply to
  624  the department on forms furnished by the department. The
  625  department shall license each applicant who the board certifies
  626  meets all of the following criteria:
  627         (a)Has completed the file a written application form and
  628  remitted, accompanied by the application for licensure fee
  629  prescribed in s. 468.221.
  630         (b)Has submitted to background screening in accordance
  631  with s. 456.0135., on forms provided by the department, showing
  632  to the satisfaction of the board that she or he:
  633         (c)(a) Is of good moral character.
  634         (d)(b) Has successfully completed the academic requirements
  635  of an educational program in occupational therapy recognized by
  636  the board, with concentration in biologic or physical science,
  637  psychology, and sociology, and with education in selected manual
  638  skills. Such a program shall be accredited by the American
  639  Occupational Therapy Association’s Accreditation Council for
  640  Occupational Therapy Education, or its successor.
  641         (e)(c) Has successfully completed a period of supervised
  642  fieldwork experience at a recognized educational institution or
  643  a training program approved by the educational institution where
  644  she or he met the academic requirements. For an occupational
  645  therapist, a minimum of 6 months of supervised fieldwork
  646  experience is required. For an occupational therapy assistant, a
  647  minimum of 2 months of supervised fieldwork experience is
  648  required.
  649         (f)(d) Has passed an examination conducted or adopted by
  650  the board as provided in s. 468.211.
  651         (2) An applicant who has practiced as a state-licensed or
  652  American Occupational Therapy Association-certified occupational
  653  therapy assistant for 4 years and who, before January 24, 1988,
  654  completed a minimum of 24 weeks of supervised occupational
  655  therapist-level fieldwork experience may take the examination to
  656  be licensed as an occupational therapist without meeting the
  657  educational requirements for occupational therapists made
  658  otherwise applicable under paragraph (1)(d) (1)(b).
  659         Section 18. Subsection (3) is added to section 468.213,
  660  Florida Statutes, to read:
  661         468.213 Licensure by endorsement.—
  662         (3)Applicants for licensure by endorsement must submit to
  663  background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
  664         Section 19. Section 468.355, Florida Statutes, is amended
  665  to read:
  666         468.355 Licensure requirements.—To be eligible for
  667  licensure by the board, an applicant must be an active
  668  “certified respiratory therapist” or an active “registered
  669  respiratory therapist” as designated by the National Board for
  670  Respiratory Care, or its successor, and submit to background
  671  screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
  672         Section 20. Subsection (4) of section 468.358, Florida
  673  Statutes, is amended to read:
  674         468.358 Licensure by endorsement.—
  675         (4) Applicants for licensure shall not be granted by
  676  endorsement under as provided in this section must submit
  677  without the submission of a proper application, remit and the
  678  payment of the requisite application fee, and submit to
  679  background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135 fees
  680  therefor.
  681         Section 21. Present subsections (2), (3), and (4) of
  682  section 468.509, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
  683  subsections (3), (4), and (5), respectively, a new subsection
  684  (2) is added to that section, and present subsection (2) of that
  685  section is amended, to read:
  686         468.509 Dietitian/nutritionist; requirements for
  687  licensure.—
  688         (2)Applicants for licensure must also submit to background
  689  screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
  690         (3)(2) The department shall examine any applicant who the
  691  board certifies has completed the application form, submitted to
  692  background screening, and remitted the application and
  693  examination fees specified in s. 468.508 and who:
  694         (a)1. Possesses a baccalaureate or postbaccalaureate degree
  695  with a major course of study in human nutrition, food and
  696  nutrition, dietetics, or food management, or an equivalent major
  697  course of study, from a school or program accredited, at the
  698  time of the applicant’s graduation, by the appropriate
  699  accrediting agency recognized by the Commission on Recognition
  700  of Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department
  701  of Education; and
  702         2. Has completed a preprofessional experience component of
  703  not less than 900 hours or has education or experience
  704  determined to be equivalent by the board; or
  705         (b)1. Has an academic degree, from a foreign country, that
  706  has been validated by an accrediting agency approved by the
  707  United States Department of Education as equivalent to the
  708  baccalaureate or postbaccalaureate degree conferred by a
  709  regionally accredited college or university in the United
  710  States;
  711         2. Has completed a major course of study in human
  712  nutrition, food and nutrition, dietetics, or food management;
  713  and
  714         3. Has completed a preprofessional experience component of
  715  not less than 900 hours or has education or experience
  716  determined to be equivalent by the board.
  717         Section 22. Subsection (1) of section 468.513, Florida
  718  Statutes, is amended to read:
  719         468.513 Dietitian/nutritionist; licensure by endorsement.—
  720         (1) The department shall issue a license to practice
  721  dietetics and nutrition by endorsement to any applicant who
  722  submits to background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135
  723  and the board certifies as qualified, upon receipt of a
  724  completed application and the fee specified in s. 468.508.
  725         Section 23. Subsection (2) of section 468.803, Florida
  726  Statutes, is amended to read:
  727         468.803 License, registration, and examination
  728  requirements.—
  729         (2) An applicant for registration, examination, or
  730  licensure must apply to the department on a form prescribed by
  731  the board for consideration of board approval. Each initial
  732  applicant shall submit fingerprints to the department in
  733  accordance with s. 456.0135 and any other procedures specified
  734  by the department for state and national criminal history checks
  735  of the applicant. The board shall screen the results to
  736  determine if an applicant meets licensure requirements. The
  737  board shall consider for examination, registration, or licensure
  738  each applicant whom the board verifies meets all of the
  739  following criteria:
  740         (a) Has submitted the completed application and completed
  741  the fingerprinting requirements and has paid the applicable
  742  application fee, not to exceed $500. The application fee is
  743  nonrefundable.;
  744         (b) Is of good moral character.;
  745         (c) Is 18 years of age or older.; and
  746         (d) Has completed the appropriate educational preparation.
  747         Section 24. Subsection (1) of section 478.45, Florida
  748  Statutes, is amended to read:
  749         478.45 Requirements for licensure.—
  750         (1) An applicant applying for licensure as an electrologist
  751  shall apply to the department on forms furnished by the
  752  department. The department shall license each applicant who the
  753  board certifies meets all of the following criteria:
  754         (a)Has completed the file a written application form and
  755  remitted, accompanied by the application for licensure fee
  756  prescribed in s. 478.55.
  757         (b)Has submitted to background screening in accordance
  758  with s. 456.0135., on a form provided by the board, showing to
  759  the satisfaction of the board that the applicant:
  760         (c)(a) Is at least 18 years old.
  761         (d)(b) Is of good moral character.
  762         (e)(c) Possesses a high school diploma or a high school
  763  equivalency diploma.
  764         (f)(d) Has not committed an act in any jurisdiction which
  765  would constitute grounds for disciplining an electrologist in
  766  this state.
  767         (g)(e) Has successfully completed the academic requirements
  768  of an electrolysis training program, not to exceed 120 hours,
  769  and the practical application thereof as approved by the board.
  770         Section 25. Section 483.815, Florida Statutes, is amended
  771  to read:
  772         483.815 Application for clinical laboratory personnel
  773  license.—An application for a clinical laboratory personnel
  774  license shall be made under oath on forms provided by the
  775  department and shall be accompanied by payment of fees as
  776  provided by this part. Applicants for licensure must also submit
  777  to background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135. A
  778  license may be issued authorizing the performance of procedures
  779  of one or more categories.
  780         Section 26. Present paragraphs (b) through (k) of
  781  subsection (4) of section 483.901, Florida Statutes, are
  782  redesignated as paragraphs (c) through (l), respectively, a new
  783  paragraph (b) is added to that subsection, and paragraph (a) of
  784  that subsection is amended, to read:
  785         483.901 Medical physicists; definitions; licensure.—
  786         (4) LICENSE REQUIRED.—An individual may not engage in the
  787  practice of medical physics, including the specialties of
  788  diagnostic radiological physics, therapeutic radiological
  789  physics, medical nuclear radiological physics, or medical health
  790  physics, without a license issued by the department for the
  791  appropriate specialty.
  792         (a) The department shall adopt rules to administer this
  793  section which specify license application and renewal fees,
  794  continuing education requirements, background screening
  795  requirements, and standards for practicing medical physics. The
  796  department shall require a minimum of 24 hours per biennium of
  797  continuing education offered by an organization approved by the
  798  department. The department may adopt rules to specify continuing
  799  education requirements for persons who hold a license in more
  800  than one specialty.
  801         (b)Applicants for a medical physicist license must submit
  802  to background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
  803         Section 27. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 483.914,
  804  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  805         483.914 Licensure requirements.—
  806         (2) The department shall issue a license, valid for 2
  807  years, to each applicant who meets all of the following
  808  criteria:
  809         (a) Has completed an application.
  810         (b) Has submitted to background screening in accordance
  811  with s. 456.0135.
  812         (c) Is of good moral character.
  813         (d)(c) Provides satisfactory documentation of having
  814  earned:
  815         1. A master’s degree from a genetic counseling training
  816  program or its equivalent as determined by the Accreditation
  817  Council of Genetic Counseling or its successor or an equivalent
  818  entity; or
  819         2. A doctoral degree from a medical genetics training
  820  program accredited by the American Board of Medical Genetics and
  821  Genomics or the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists.
  822         (e)(d) Has passed the examination for certification as:
  823         1. A genetic counselor by the American Board of Genetic
  824  Counseling, Inc., the American Board of Medical Genetics and
  825  Genomics, or the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors; or
  826         2. A medical or clinical geneticist by the American Board
  827  of Medical Genetics and Genomics or the Canadian College of
  828  Medical Geneticists.
  829         (3) The department may issue a temporary license for up to
  830  2 years to an applicant who meets all requirements for licensure
  831  except for the certification examination requirement imposed
  832  under paragraph (2)(e) (2)(d) and is eligible to sit for that
  833  certification examination.
  834         Section 28. Subsection (1) of section 484.007, Florida
  835  Statutes, is amended to read:
  836         484.007 Licensure of opticians; permitting of optical
  837  establishments.—
  838         (1) Any person desiring to practice opticianry shall apply
  839  to the department, upon forms prescribed by it, to take a
  840  licensure examination. The department shall examine each
  841  applicant who the board certifies meets all of the following
  842  criteria:
  843         (a) Has completed the application form and remitted a
  844  nonrefundable application fee set by the board, in the amount of
  845  $100 or less, and an examination fee set by the board, in the
  846  amount of $325 plus the actual per applicant cost to the
  847  department for purchase of portions of the examination from the
  848  American Board of Opticianry or a similar national organization,
  849  or less, and refundable if the board finds the applicant
  850  ineligible to take the examination.;
  851         (b) Submits to background screening in accordance with s.
  852  456.0135.
  853         (c) Is not less than 18 years of age.;
  854         (d)(c) Is a graduate of an accredited high school or
  855  possesses a certificate of equivalency of a high school
  856  education.; and
  857         (e)1.(d)1. Has received an associate degree, or its
  858  equivalent, in opticianry from an educational institution the
  859  curriculum of which is accredited by an accrediting agency
  860  recognized and approved by the United States Department of
  861  Education or the Council on Postsecondary Education or approved
  862  by the board;
  863         2. Is an individual licensed to practice the profession of
  864  opticianry pursuant to a regulatory licensing law of another
  865  state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States, who has
  866  actively practiced in such other state, territory, or
  867  jurisdiction for more than 3 years immediately preceding
  868  application, and who meets the examination qualifications as
  869  provided in this subsection;
  870         3. Is an individual who has actively practiced in another
  871  state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States for more
  872  than 5 years immediately preceding application and who provides
  873  tax or business records, affidavits, or other satisfactory
  874  documentation of such practice and who meets the examination
  875  qualifications as provided in this subsection; or
  876         4. Has registered as an apprentice with the department and
  877  paid a registration fee not to exceed $60, as set by rule of the
  878  board. The apprentice shall complete 6,240 hours of training
  879  under the supervision of an optician licensed in this state for
  880  at least 1 year or of a physician or optometrist licensed under
  881  the laws of this state. These requirements must be met within 5
  882  years after the date of registration. However, any time spent in
  883  a recognized school may be considered as part of the
  884  apprenticeship program provided herein. The board may establish
  885  administrative processing fees sufficient to cover the cost of
  886  administering apprentice rules adopted as promulgated by the
  887  board.
  888         Section 29. Subsection (2) of section 484.045, Florida
  889  Statutes, is amended to read:
  890         484.045 Licensure by examination.—
  891         (2) The department shall license each applicant who the
  892  board certifies meets all of the following criteria:
  893         (a) Has completed the application form and remitted the
  894  required fees.
  895         (b) Has submitted to background screening in accordance
  896  with s. 456.0135.
  897         (c) Is of good moral character.
  898         (d)(c) Is 18 years of age or older.
  899         (e)(d) Is a graduate of an accredited high school or its
  900  equivalent.
  901         (f)1.(e)1. Has met the requirements of the training
  902  program; or
  903         2.a. Has a valid, current license as a hearing aid
  904  specialist or its equivalent from another state and has been
  905  actively practicing in such capacity for at least 12 months; or
  906         b. Is currently certified by the National Board for
  907  Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences and has been
  908  actively practicing for at least 12 months.
  909         (g)(f) Has passed an examination, as prescribed by board
  910  rule.
  911         (h)(g) Has demonstrated, in a manner designated by rule of
  912  the board, knowledge of state laws and rules relating to the
  913  fitting and dispensing of prescription hearing aids.
  914         Section 30. Section 486.031, Florida Statutes, is amended
  915  to read:
  916         486.031 Physical therapist; licensing requirements.—To be
  917  eligible for licensing as a physical therapist, an applicant
  918  must meet all of the following criteria:
  919         (1) Be at least 18 years old.;
  920         (2) Be of good moral character.
  921         (3)Have submitted to background screening in accordance
  922  with s. 456.0135.; and
  923         (4)(a)(3)(a) Have been graduated from a school of physical
  924  therapy which has been approved for the educational preparation
  925  of physical therapists by the appropriate accrediting agency
  926  recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or
  927  its successor entity, Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary
  928  Accreditation or the United States Department of Education at
  929  the time of her or his graduation and have passed, to the
  930  satisfaction of the board, the American Registry Examination
  931  prior to 1971 or a national examination approved by the board to
  932  determine her or his fitness for practice as a physical
  933  therapist as hereinafter provided;
  934         (b) Have received a diploma from a program in physical
  935  therapy in a foreign country and have educational credentials
  936  deemed equivalent to those required for the educational
  937  preparation of physical therapists in this country, as
  938  recognized by the appropriate agency as identified by the board,
  939  and have passed to the satisfaction of the board an examination
  940  to determine her or his fitness for practice as a physical
  941  therapist as hereinafter provided; or
  942         (c) Be entitled to licensure without examination as
  943  provided in s. 486.081.
  944         Section 31. Section 486.102, Florida Statutes, is amended
  945  to read:
  946         486.102 Physical therapist assistant; licensing
  947  requirements.—To be eligible for licensing by the board as a
  948  physical therapist assistant, an applicant must meet all of the
  949  following criteria:
  950         (1) Be at least 18 years old.;
  951         (2) Be of good moral character.
  952         (3)Have submitted to background screening in accordance
  953  with s. 456.0135.; and
  954         (4)(a)(3)(a) Have been graduated from a school giving a
  955  course of not less than 2 years for physical therapist
  956  assistants, which has been approved for the educational
  957  preparation of physical therapist assistants by the appropriate
  958  accrediting agency recognized by the Council for Higher
  959  Education Accreditation, or its successor entity, Commission on
  960  Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation or the United States
  961  Department of Education, at the time of her or his graduation
  962  and have passed to the satisfaction of the board an examination
  963  to determine her or his fitness for practice as a physical
  964  therapist assistant as hereinafter provided;
  965         (b) Have been graduated from a school giving a course for
  966  physical therapist assistants in a foreign country and have
  967  educational credentials deemed equivalent to those required for
  968  the educational preparation of physical therapist assistants in
  969  this country, as recognized by the appropriate agency as
  970  identified by the board, and passed to the satisfaction of the
  971  board an examination to determine her or his fitness for
  972  practice as a physical therapist assistant as hereinafter
  973  provided;
  974         (c) Be entitled to licensure without examination as
  975  provided in s. 486.107; or
  976         (d) Have been enrolled between July 1, 2014, and July 1,
  977  2016, in a physical therapist assistant school in this state
  978  which was accredited at the time of enrollment; and
  979         1. Have been graduated or be eligible to graduate from such
  980  school no later than July 1, 2018; and
  981         2. Have passed to the satisfaction of the board an
  982  examination to determine his or her fitness for practice as a
  983  physical therapist assistant as provided in s. 486.104.
  984         Section 32. Present paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of
  985  subsection (1) of section 490.005, Florida Statutes, are
  986  redesignated as paragraphs (c), (d), and (e), respectively, a
  987  new paragraph (b) is added to that subsection, and subsection
  988  (2) is amended, to read:
  989         490.005 Licensure by examination.—
  990         (1) Any person desiring to be licensed as a psychologist
  991  shall apply to the department to take the licensure examination.
  992  The department shall license each applicant whom the board
  993  certifies has met all of the following requirements:
  994         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
  995  456.0135.
  996         (2) Any person desiring to be licensed as a school
  997  psychologist shall apply to the department to take the licensure
  998  examination. The department shall license each applicant who the
  999  department certifies has met all of the following requirements:
 1000         (a) Satisfactorily completed the application form and
 1001  submitted a nonrefundable application fee not to exceed $250 and
 1002  an examination fee sufficient to cover the per applicant cost to
 1003  the department for development, purchase, and administration of
 1004  the examination, but not to exceed $250 as set by department
 1005  rule.
 1006         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
 1007  456.0135.
 1008         (c) Submitted satisfactory proof to the department that the
 1009  applicant:
 1010         1. Has received a doctorate, specialist, or equivalent
 1011  degree from a program primarily psychological in nature and has
 1012  completed 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate
 1013  study, in areas related to school psychology as defined by rule
 1014  of the department, from a college or university which at the
 1015  time the applicant was enrolled and graduated was accredited by
 1016  an accrediting agency recognized and approved by the Council for
 1017  Higher Education Accreditation or its successor organization or
 1018  from an institution that is a member in good standing with the
 1019  Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.
 1020         2. Has had a minimum of 3 years of experience in school
 1021  psychology, 2 years of which must be supervised by an individual
 1022  who is a licensed school psychologist or who has otherwise
 1023  qualified as a school psychologist supervisor, by education and
 1024  experience, as set forth by rule of the department. A doctoral
 1025  internship may be applied toward the supervision requirement.
 1026         3. Has passed an examination provided by the department.
 1027         Section 33. Present paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection
 1028  (1) of section 490.0051, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
 1029  paragraphs (c) and (d), respectively, and a new paragraph (b) is
 1030  added to that subsection, to read:
 1031         490.0051 Provisional licensure; requirements.—
 1032         (1) The department shall issue a provisional psychology
 1033  license to each applicant whom the board certifies has met all
 1034  of the following criteria:
 1035         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
 1036  456.0135.
 1037         Section 34. Subsection (1) of section 490.006, Florida
 1038  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1039         490.006 Licensure by endorsement.—
 1040         (1) The department shall license a person as a psychologist
 1041  or school psychologist who, upon applying to the department,
 1042  submitting to background screening in accordance with s.
 1043  456.0135, and remitting the appropriate fee, demonstrates to the
 1044  department or, in the case of psychologists, to the board that
 1045  the applicant:
 1046         (a) Is a diplomate in good standing with the American Board
 1047  of Professional Psychology, Inc.; or
 1048         (b) Possesses a doctoral degree in psychology and has at
 1049  least 10 years of experience as a licensed psychologist in any
 1050  jurisdiction or territory of the United States within the 25
 1051  years preceding the date of application.
 1052         Section 35. Subsections (1), (2), (4), and (6) of section
 1053  491.0045, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1054         491.0045 Intern registration; requirements.—
 1055         (1) An individual who has not satisfied the postgraduate or
 1056  post-master’s level experience requirements, as specified in s.
 1057  491.005(1)(d), (3)(d), or (4)(d) s. 491.005(1)(c), (3)(c), or
 1058  (4)(c), must register as an intern in the profession for which
 1059  he or she is seeking licensure before commencing the post
 1060  master’s experience requirement or an individual who intends to
 1061  satisfy part of the required graduate-level practicum,
 1062  internship, or field experience, outside the academic arena for
 1063  any profession, and must register as an intern in the profession
 1064  for which he or she is seeking licensure before commencing the
 1065  practicum, internship, or field experience.
 1066         (2) The department shall register as a clinical social
 1067  worker intern, marriage and family therapist intern, or mental
 1068  health counselor intern each applicant who the board certifies
 1069  has met all of the following criteria:
 1070         (a) Completed the application form and remitted a
 1071  nonrefundable application fee not to exceed $200, as set by
 1072  board rule.;
 1073         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
 1074  456.0135.
 1075         (c)1. Completed the education requirements as specified in
 1076  s. 491.005(1)(d), (3)(d), or (4)(d) s. 491.005(1)(c), (3)(c), or
 1077  (4)(c) for the profession for which he or she is applying for
 1078  licensure, if needed; and
 1079         2. Submitted an acceptable supervision plan, as determined
 1080  by the board, for meeting the practicum, internship, or field
 1081  work required for licensure that was not satisfied in his or her
 1082  graduate program.
 1083         (d)(c) Identified a qualified supervisor.
 1084         (4) An individual who fails to comply with this section may
 1085  not be granted a license under this chapter, and any time spent
 1086  by the individual completing the experience requirement as
 1087  specified in s. 491.005(1)(d), (3)(d), or (4)(d) s.
 1088  491.005(1)(c), (3)(c), or (4)(c) before registering as an intern
 1089  does not count toward completion of the requirement.
 1090         (6) Any registration issued after March 31, 2017, expires
 1091  60 months after the date it is issued. The board may make a one
 1092  time exception to the requirements of this subsection in
 1093  emergency or hardship cases, as defined by board rule, if the
 1094  candidate has passed the theory and practice examination
 1095  described in s. 491.005(1)(e), (3)(e), and (4)(e) s.
 1096  491.005(1)(d), (3)(d), and (4)(d).
 1097         Section 36. Subsection (2) of section 491.0046, Florida
 1098  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1099         491.0046 Provisional license; requirements.—
 1100         (2) The department shall issue a provisional clinical
 1101  social worker license, provisional marriage and family therapist
 1102  license, or provisional mental health counselor license to each
 1103  applicant who the board certifies has met all of the following
 1104  criteria:
 1105         (a) Completed the application form and remitted a
 1106  nonrefundable application fee not to exceed $100, as set by
 1107  board rule.; and
 1108         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
 1109  456.0135.
 1110         (c) Earned a graduate degree in social work, a graduate
 1111  degree with a major emphasis in marriage and family therapy or a
 1112  closely related field, or a graduate degree in a major related
 1113  to the practice of mental health counseling.; and
 1114         (d)(c) Met the following minimum coursework requirements:
 1115         1. For clinical social work, a minimum of 15 semester hours
 1116  or 22 quarter hours of the coursework required by s.
 1117  491.005(1)(c)2.b. s. 491.005(1)(b)2.b.
 1118         2. For marriage and family therapy, 10 of the courses
 1119  required by s. 491.005(3)(c) s. 491.005(3)(b), as determined by
 1120  the board, and at least 6 semester hours or 9 quarter hours of
 1121  the course credits must have been completed in the area of
 1122  marriage and family systems, theories, or techniques.
 1123         3. For mental health counseling, a minimum of seven of the
 1124  courses required under s. 491.005(4)(c)1.a., b., or c. s.
 1125  491.005(4)(b)1.a.-c.
 1126         Section 37. Subsections (1) through (4) of section 491.005,
 1127  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1128         491.005 Licensure by examination.—
 1129         (1) CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK.—Upon verification of
 1130  documentation and payment of a fee not to exceed $200, as set by
 1131  board rule, the department shall issue a license as a clinical
 1132  social worker to an applicant whom the board certifies has met
 1133  all of the following criteria:
 1134         (a) Submitted an application and paid the appropriate fee.
 1135         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
 1136  456.0135.
 1137         (c)1. Received a doctoral degree in social work from a
 1138  graduate school of social work which at the time the applicant
 1139  graduated was accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by
 1140  the United States Department of Education or received a master’s
 1141  degree in social work from a graduate school of social work
 1142  which at the time the applicant graduated:
 1143         a. Was accredited by the Council on Social Work Education;
 1144         b. Was accredited by the Canadian Association for Social
 1145  Work Education; or
 1146         c. Has been determined to have been a program equivalent to
 1147  programs approved by the Council on Social Work Education by the
 1148  Foreign Equivalency Determination Service of the Council on
 1149  Social Work Education. An applicant who graduated from a program
 1150  at a university or college outside of the United States or
 1151  Canada must present documentation of the equivalency
 1152  determination from the council in order to qualify.
 1153         2. The applicant’s graduate program emphasized direct
 1154  clinical patient or client health care services, including, but
 1155  not limited to, coursework in clinical social work, psychiatric
 1156  social work, medical social work, social casework,
 1157  psychotherapy, or group therapy. The applicant’s graduate
 1158  program must have included all of the following coursework:
 1159         a. A supervised field placement which was part of the
 1160  applicant’s advanced concentration in direct practice, during
 1161  which the applicant provided clinical services directly to
 1162  clients.
 1163         b. Completion of 24 semester hours or 32 quarter hours in
 1164  theory of human behavior and practice methods as courses in
 1165  clinically oriented services, including a minimum of one course
 1166  in psychopathology, and no more than one course in research,
 1167  taken in a school of social work accredited or approved pursuant
 1168  to subparagraph 1.
 1169         3. If the course title which appears on the applicant’s
 1170  transcript does not clearly identify the content of the
 1171  coursework, the applicant provided additional documentation,
 1172  including, but not limited to, a syllabus or catalog description
 1173  published for the course.
 1174         (d)(c) Completed at least 2 years of clinical social work
 1175  experience, which took place subsequent to completion of a
 1176  graduate degree in social work at an institution meeting the
 1177  accreditation requirements of this section, under the
 1178  supervision of a licensed clinical social worker or the
 1179  equivalent who is a qualified supervisor as determined by the
 1180  board. An individual who intends to practice in Florida to
 1181  satisfy clinical experience requirements must register pursuant
 1182  to s. 491.0045 before commencing practice. If the applicant’s
 1183  graduate program was not a program which emphasized direct
 1184  clinical patient or client health care services as described in
 1185  subparagraph (c)2. (b)2., the supervised experience requirement
 1186  must take place after the applicant has completed a minimum of
 1187  15 semester hours or 22 quarter hours of the coursework
 1188  required. A doctoral internship may be applied toward the
 1189  clinical social work experience requirement. A licensed mental
 1190  health professional must be on the premises when clinical
 1191  services are provided by a registered intern in a private
 1192  practice setting.
 1193         (e)(d) Passed a theory and practice examination designated
 1194  by board rule.
 1195         (f)(e) Demonstrated, in a manner designated by board rule,
 1196  knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of
 1197  clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental
 1198  health counseling.
 1199         (2) CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK.—
 1200         (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1)(c)
 1201  (1)(b), coursework which was taken at a baccalaureate level
 1202  shall not be considered toward completion of education
 1203  requirements for licensure unless an official of the graduate
 1204  program certifies in writing on the graduate school’s stationery
 1205  that a specific course, which students enrolled in the same
 1206  graduate program were ordinarily required to complete at the
 1207  graduate level, was waived or exempted based on completion of a
 1208  similar course at the baccalaureate level. If this condition is
 1209  met, the board shall apply the baccalaureate course named toward
 1210  the education requirements.
 1211         (b) An applicant from a master’s or doctoral program in
 1212  social work which did not emphasize direct patient or client
 1213  services may complete the clinical curriculum content
 1214  requirement by returning to a graduate program accredited by the
 1215  Council on Social Work Education or the Canadian Association of
 1216  Schools of Social Work, or to a clinical social work graduate
 1217  program with comparable standards, in order to complete the
 1218  education requirements for examination. However, a maximum of 6
 1219  semester or 9 quarter hours of the clinical curriculum content
 1220  requirement may be completed by credit awarded for independent
 1221  study coursework as defined by board rule.
 1222         (3) MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY.—Upon verification of
 1223  documentation and payment of a fee not to exceed $200, as set by
 1224  board rule, the department shall issue a license as a marriage
 1225  and family therapist to an applicant whom the board certifies
 1226  has met all of the following criteria:
 1227         (a) Submitted an application and paid the appropriate fee.
 1228         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
 1229  456.0135.
 1230         (c)1. Attained one of the following:
 1231         a. A minimum of a master’s degree in marriage and family
 1232  therapy from a program accredited by the Commission on
 1233  Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education.
 1234         b. A minimum of a master’s degree with a major emphasis in
 1235  marriage and family therapy or a closely related field from a
 1236  university program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of
 1237  Counseling and Related Educational Programs and graduate courses
 1238  approved by the board.
 1239         c. A minimum of a master’s degree with an emphasis in
 1240  marriage and family therapy or a closely related field, with a
 1241  degree conferred before September 1, 2027, from an
 1242  institutionally accredited college or university and graduate
 1243  courses approved by the board.
 1244         2. If the course title that appears on the applicant’s
 1245  transcript does not clearly identify the content of the
 1246  coursework, the applicant provided additional documentation,
 1247  including, but not limited to, a syllabus or catalog description
 1248  published for the course. The required master’s degree must have
 1249  been received in an institution of higher education that, at the
 1250  time the applicant graduated, was fully accredited by an
 1251  institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for
 1252  Higher Education Accreditation or its successor organization or
 1253  was a member in good standing with Universities Canada, or an
 1254  institution of higher education located outside the United
 1255  States and Canada which, at the time the applicant was enrolled
 1256  and at the time the applicant graduated, maintained a standard
 1257  of training substantially equivalent to the standards of
 1258  training of those institutions in the United States which are
 1259  accredited by an institutional accrediting body recognized by
 1260  the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its successor
 1261  organization. Such foreign education and training must have been
 1262  received in an institution or program of higher education
 1263  officially recognized by the government of the country in which
 1264  it is located as an institution or program to train students to
 1265  practice as professional marriage and family therapists or
 1266  psychotherapists. The applicant has the burden of establishing
 1267  that the requirements of this provision have been met, and the
 1268  board shall require documentation, such as an evaluation by a
 1269  foreign equivalency determination service, as evidence that the
 1270  applicant’s graduate degree program and education were
 1271  equivalent to an accredited program in this country. An
 1272  applicant with a master’s degree from a program that did not
 1273  emphasize marriage and family therapy may complete the
 1274  coursework requirement in a training institution fully
 1275  accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and
 1276  Family Therapy Education recognized by the United States
 1277  Department of Education.
 1278         (d)(c) Completed at least 2 years of clinical experience
 1279  during which 50 percent of the applicant’s clients were
 1280  receiving marriage and family therapy services, which must be at
 1281  the post-master’s level under the supervision of a licensed
 1282  marriage and family therapist with at least 5 years of
 1283  experience, or the equivalent, who is a qualified supervisor as
 1284  determined by the board. An individual who intends to practice
 1285  in Florida to satisfy the clinical experience requirements must
 1286  register pursuant to s. 491.0045 before commencing practice. If
 1287  a graduate has a master’s degree with a major emphasis in
 1288  marriage and family therapy or a closely related field which did
 1289  not include all of the coursework required by paragraph (c) (b),
 1290  credit for the post-master’s level clinical experience may not
 1291  commence until the applicant has completed a minimum of 10 of
 1292  the courses required by paragraph (c) (b), as determined by the
 1293  board, and at least 6 semester hours or 9 quarter hours of the
 1294  course credits must have been completed in the area of marriage
 1295  and family systems, theories, or techniques. Within the 2 years
 1296  of required experience, the applicant shall provide direct
 1297  individual, group, or family therapy and counseling to cases
 1298  including those involving unmarried dyads, married couples,
 1299  separating and divorcing couples, and family groups that include
 1300  children. A doctoral internship may be applied toward the
 1301  clinical experience requirement. A licensed mental health
 1302  professional must be on the premises when clinical services are
 1303  provided by a registered intern in a private practice setting.
 1304         (e)(d) Passed a theory and practice examination designated
 1305  by board rule.
 1306         (f)(e) Demonstrated, in a manner designated by board rule,
 1307  knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of
 1308  clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental
 1309  health counseling.
 1310  
 1311  For the purposes of dual licensure, the department shall license
 1312  as a marriage and family therapist any person who meets the
 1313  requirements of s. 491.0057. Fees for dual licensure may not
 1314  exceed those stated in this subsection.
 1315         (4) MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING.—Upon verification of
 1316  documentation and payment of a fee not to exceed $200, as set by
 1317  board rule, the department shall issue a license as a mental
 1318  health counselor to an applicant whom the board certifies has
 1319  met all of the following criteria:
 1320         (a) Submitted an application and paid the appropriate fee.
 1321         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
 1322  456.0135.
 1323         (c)1. Attained a minimum of an earned master’s degree from
 1324  a mental health counseling program accredited by the Council for
 1325  the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
 1326  which consists of at least 60 semester hours or 80 quarter hours
 1327  of clinical and didactic instruction, including a course in
 1328  human sexuality and a course in substance abuse. If the master’s
 1329  degree is earned from a program related to the practice of
 1330  mental health counseling which is not accredited by the Council
 1331  for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational
 1332  Programs, then the coursework and practicum, internship, or
 1333  fieldwork must consist of at least 60 semester hours or 80
 1334  quarter hours and meet all of the following requirements:
 1335         a. Thirty-three semester hours or 44 quarter hours of
 1336  graduate coursework, which must include a minimum of 3 semester
 1337  hours or 4 quarter hours of graduate-level coursework in each of
 1338  the following 11 content areas: counseling theories and
 1339  practice; human growth and development; diagnosis and treatment
 1340  of psychopathology; human sexuality; group theories and
 1341  practice; individual evaluation and assessment; career and
 1342  lifestyle assessment; research and program evaluation; social
 1343  and cultural foundations; substance abuse; and legal, ethical,
 1344  and professional standards issues in the practice of mental
 1345  health counseling. Courses in research, thesis or dissertation
 1346  work, practicums, internships, or fieldwork may not be applied
 1347  toward this requirement.
 1348         b. A minimum of 3 semester hours or 4 quarter hours of
 1349  graduate-level coursework addressing diagnostic processes,
 1350  including differential diagnosis and the use of the current
 1351  diagnostic tools, such as the current edition of the American
 1352  Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
 1353  Mental Disorders. The graduate program must have emphasized the
 1354  common core curricular experience.
 1355         c. The equivalent, as determined by the board, of at least
 1356  700 hours of university-sponsored supervised clinical practicum,
 1357  internship, or field experience that includes at least 280 hours
 1358  of direct client services, as required in the accrediting
 1359  standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and
 1360  Related Educational Programs for mental health counseling
 1361  programs. This experience may not be used to satisfy the post
 1362  master’s clinical experience requirement.
 1363         2. Provided additional documentation if a course title that
 1364  appears on the applicant’s transcript does not clearly identify
 1365  the content of the coursework. The documentation must include,
 1366  but is not limited to, a syllabus or catalog description
 1367  published for the course.
 1368  
 1369  Education and training in mental health counseling must have
 1370  been received in an institution of higher education that, at the
 1371  time the applicant graduated, was fully accredited by an
 1372  institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for
 1373  Higher Education Accreditation or its successor organization or
 1374  was a member in good standing with Universities Canada, or an
 1375  institution of higher education located outside the United
 1376  States and Canada which, at the time the applicant was enrolled
 1377  and at the time the applicant graduated, maintained a standard
 1378  of training substantially equivalent to the standards of
 1379  training of those institutions in the United States which are
 1380  accredited by an institutional accrediting body recognized by
 1381  the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its successor
 1382  organization. Such foreign education and training must have been
 1383  received in an institution or program of higher education
 1384  officially recognized by the government of the country in which
 1385  it is located as an institution or program to train students to
 1386  practice as mental health counselors. The applicant has the
 1387  burden of establishing that the requirements of this provision
 1388  have been met, and the board shall require documentation, such
 1389  as an evaluation by a foreign equivalency determination service,
 1390  as evidence that the applicant’s graduate degree program and
 1391  education were equivalent to an accredited program in this
 1392  country. Beginning July 1, 2025, an applicant must have a
 1393  master’s degree from a program that is accredited by the Council
 1394  for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational
 1395  Programs, the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation
 1396  Council, or an equivalent accrediting body which consists of at
 1397  least 60 semester hours or 80 quarter hours to apply for
 1398  licensure under this paragraph.
 1399         (d)(c) Completed at least 2 years of clinical experience in
 1400  mental health counseling, which must be at the post-master’s
 1401  level under the supervision of a licensed mental health
 1402  counselor or the equivalent who is a qualified supervisor as
 1403  determined by the board. An individual who intends to practice
 1404  in Florida to satisfy the clinical experience requirements must
 1405  register pursuant to s. 491.0045 before commencing practice. If
 1406  a graduate has a master’s degree with a major related to the
 1407  practice of mental health counseling which did not include all
 1408  the coursework required under sub-subparagraphs (c)1.a and b.
 1409  (b)1.a. and b., credit for the post-master’s level clinical
 1410  experience may not commence until the applicant has completed a
 1411  minimum of seven of the courses required under sub-subparagraphs
 1412  (c)1.a and b. (b)1.a. and b., as determined by the board, one of
 1413  which must be a course in psychopathology or abnormal
 1414  psychology. A doctoral internship may be applied toward the
 1415  clinical experience requirement. A licensed mental health
 1416  professional must be on the premises when clinical services are
 1417  provided by a registered intern in a private practice setting.
 1418         (e)(d) Passed a theory and practice examination designated
 1419  by board rule.
 1420         (f)(e) Demonstrated, in a manner designated by board rule,
 1421  knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of
 1422  clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental
 1423  health counseling.
 1424         Section 38. Subsection (1) of section 491.006, Florida
 1425  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1426         491.006 Licensure or certification by endorsement.—
 1427         (1) The department shall license or grant a certificate to
 1428  a person in a profession regulated by this chapter who, upon
 1429  applying to the department and remitting the appropriate fee,
 1430  demonstrates to the board that he or she:
 1431         (a) Has demonstrated, in a manner designated by rule of the
 1432  board, knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of
 1433  clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental
 1434  health counseling.
 1435         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
 1436  456.0135.
 1437         (c)1. Holds an active valid license to practice and has
 1438  actively practiced the licensed profession in another state for
 1439  3 of the last 5 years immediately preceding licensure;
 1440         2. Has passed a substantially equivalent licensing
 1441  examination in another state or has passed the licensure
 1442  examination in this state in the profession for which the
 1443  applicant seeks licensure; and
 1444         3. Holds a license in good standing, is not under
 1445  investigation for an act that would constitute a violation of
 1446  this chapter, and has not been found to have committed any act
 1447  that would constitute a violation of this chapter.
 1448  
 1449  The fees paid by any applicant for certification as a master
 1450  social worker under this section are nonrefundable.
 1451         Section 39. Section 486.025, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1452  to read:
 1453         486.025 Powers and duties of the Board of Physical Therapy
 1454  Practice.—The board may administer oaths, summon witnesses, take
 1455  testimony in all matters relating to its duties under this
 1456  chapter, establish or modify minimum standards of practice of
 1457  physical therapy as defined in s. 486.021, including, but not
 1458  limited to, standards of practice for the performance of dry
 1459  needling by physical therapists, and adopt rules pursuant to ss.
 1460  120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement this chapter. The board may
 1461  also review the standing and reputability of any school or
 1462  college offering courses in physical therapy and whether the
 1463  courses of such school or college in physical therapy meet the
 1464  standards established by the appropriate accrediting agency
 1465  referred to in s. 486.031(4)(a) s. 486.031(3)(a). In determining
 1466  the standing and reputability of any such school and whether the
 1467  school and courses meet such standards, the board may
 1468  investigate and personally inspect the school and courses.
 1469         Section 40. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
 1470  486.0715, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1471         486.0715 Physical therapist; issuance of temporary permit.—
 1472         (1) The board shall issue a temporary physical therapist
 1473  permit to an applicant who meets the following requirements:
 1474         (b) Is a graduate of an approved United States physical
 1475  therapy educational program and meets all the eligibility
 1476  requirements for licensure under chapter ch. 456, s. 486.031(1)
 1477  (4)(a) s. 486.031(1)-(3)(a), and related rules, except passage
 1478  of a national examination approved by the board is not required.
 1479         Section 41. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
 1480  486.1065, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1481         486.1065 Physical therapist assistant; issuance of
 1482  temporary permit.—
 1483         (1) The board shall issue a temporary physical therapist
 1484  assistant permit to an applicant who meets the following
 1485  requirements:
 1486         (b) Is a graduate of an approved United States physical
 1487  therapy assistant educational program and meets all the
 1488  eligibility requirements for licensure under chapter ch. 456, s.
 1489  486.102(1)-(4)(a) s. 486.102(1)-(3)(a), and related rules,
 1490  except passage of a national examination approved by the board
 1491  is not required.
 1492         Section 42. Subsections (15), (16), and (17) of section
 1493  491.003, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1494         491.003 Definitions.—As used in this chapter:
 1495         (15) “Registered clinical social worker intern” means a
 1496  person registered under this chapter who is completing the
 1497  postgraduate clinical social work experience requirement
 1498  specified in s. 491.005(1)(d) s. 491.005(1)(c).
 1499         (16) “Registered marriage and family therapist intern”
 1500  means a person registered under this chapter who is completing
 1501  the post-master’s clinical experience requirement specified in
 1502  s. 491.005(3)(d) s. 491.005(3)(c).
 1503         (17) “Registered mental health counselor intern” means a
 1504  person registered under this chapter who is completing the post
 1505  master’s clinical experience requirement specified in s.
 1506  491.005(4)(d) s. 491.005(4)(c).
 1507         Section 43. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.

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