FloridaHB 12992025House

Department of Health

Sponsored By: Taylor Michael Yarkosky (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationHealth Professions & Programs SubcommitteeHealth Care Budget SubcommitteeHealth & Human Services CommitteeHouse CalendarRules

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

Easier Florida licensing for health professionals

Health professionals applying through the MOBILE Act need two years of active practice within the past four, down from three. Florida officials may approve applicants whose reported out-of-state discipline involved conduct allowed under Florida law, with restrictions, probation, or denial possible. A separate physician endorsement route accepts board-approved postgraduate training completed within two years or a clinical competency exam within one year. Applicants must meet the remaining endorsement requirements and use department forms. The board-set physician application fee cannot exceed $500.

More medical faculty qualify without exams

Qualifying doctors at more schools can receive a medical faculty certificate without an exam. Added schools include Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine and Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Orange Park. The law also adds Loma Linda University School of Medicine–AdventHealth regional campuses in Orlando. It specifies Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Bradenton. Doctors must meet certificate requirements and accept a full-time appointment teaching in a medicine program at a listed school.

More specialty credentials count for doctors

Florida recognizes pain credentials from specialty boards recognized by the American Board of Physician Specialties, replacing the prior association reference. Its approved specialist credentials also count toward a pain-clinic registration exemption for wholly physician-owned and operated multispecialty practices. Qualifying specialists must perform interventional pain procedures routinely billed with surgical codes. An affiliated anesthesiology board's certification also counts under rules governing anesthesiologist assistants. Anesthesiologists still need an active, unrestricted license, approved training, and an accepted certification or exam-eligibility option.

Vaccine definition extended for choice protections

Beginning June 1, 2025, Florida keeps its messenger RNA vaccine definition for health-care choice protections and certain school mandate restrictions. The definition now expires June 1, 2027, instead of June 1, 2025.

Stricter checks for compact therapy practice

Compact states must use FBI criminal-record checks, require a recognized national exam, and require continued competence for license renewal. Commission rules set the background-check rollout deadline. A state where a licensee practices must provide due process but can remove practice privileges, impose fines, and recover case costs when state law allows. Regaining compact eligibility requires the removal period to end, all fines to be paid, and two years since the adverse action. Restored home-state licenses must again meet compact requirements; alternative-program participants need another state's prior approval to practice there during the program.

Physical therapists gain interstate practice options

Florida joins the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Interstate privileges require a valid home-state license, no restrictions on any state license, and no adverse action within two years. Applicants must notify the commission, meet the destination state's legal-knowledge requirements, and remain eligible; privileges expire with the home-state license. Active-duty licensees and military spouses can choose their home of record, permanent duty station, or different current residence as home state. Member states must share required records, handle complaints, and report disciplinary and investigative information.

Temporary licenses expand for physician assistants

Physician assistants licensed in any U.S. state or Washington, D.C., can receive a temporary Florida certificate. Their license must be currently valid, and practice is limited to a Florida area of critical need. The temporary certificate fee is $300.

Marijuana businesses face broader safety checks

Medical marijuana license applicants must show all owners and managers passed background checks; owners include those with 5% beneficial or voting interests. Centers must apply age and screening rules to workers in every role, paid or unpaid. Testing labs must require level 2 checks for compliance and research testing workers, managers, and owners with at least 5% interests. Managers include people exercising operational or supervisory authority through board roles or contracts. Within 24 hours of learning about actual or attempted theft, diversion, or loss, centers must report to local police and email the health department.

Therapy compact shares records, authorizes fees

Compact states must submit identity, license, investigation, discipline, denial, and specified alternative-program records to a shared system. Investigative records are limited to member states; discipline records go to all member states. States can restrict public disclosure, and records must be removed when the contributing state's law requires expungement. Existing commission rules become binding when a later state joins. Withdrawal takes effect six months after repeal, with investigative and disciplinary reporting required until then. The commission can assess states or charge other parties for budget costs not covered by other revenue; no amounts are set.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Taylor Michael Yarkosky
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Health & Human Services Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee
Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 264 • No: 1

House vote • 5/2/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 113 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/30/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 37 • No: 0

House vote • 4/23/2025