How SB 172 changes current law

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill modifies regulations on health care practitioners' use of specialty titles and designations, enhancing enforcement against unlicensed practice.

• 456.003

  must → shall

  The legislative intent now emphasizes the necessity for regulation.

• 456.003

  must be regulated → shall be regulated

  Clarifies the requirement for regulation of health professions.

• 456.065(2)(a)

  When the department has probable cause to believe that any person not licensed by the department, or the appropriate regulatory board within the department, has violated any provision of this chapter or any statute that relates to the practice of a profession regulated by the department, or any rule adopted pursuant thereto, the department may issue and deliver to such person a notice to cease and desist from such violation. → When the department has probable cause to believe that any licensed health care practitioner has engaged in the unlicensed practice of a health care profession by violating s. 456.65, the department may issue and deliver to such health care practitioner a notice to cease and desist from such violation and may pursue other remedies authorized under this section which apply to the unlicensed practice of a health care profession.

  Expands the authority of the Department of Health to issue cease and desist notices to licensed practitioners for violations relating to specialty title misuse.

• 456.65

  (1)(a) A health care practitioner not licensed as a physician under chapter 458 may not hold himself or herself out to a patient or the public at large as a specialist by describing himself or herself or his or her practice through the use of any specialist title or designation specifically listed under s. 458.3312(2), either alone or in combination, or in connection with other words, unless the practitioner is authorized to use such specialist title or designation under subsection (3).

  Prohibits unlicensed health care practitioners from representing themselves as specialists unless specifically authorized.

• 456.65

  (2) A violation of subsection (1) constitutes the unlicensed practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine, as applicable, and the department may pursue remedies under s. 456.065 for such violation.

  Establishes that misuse of specialist titles by unlicensed practitioners constitutes unlicensed practice.

• 456.65(4)(a)

  A health care practitioner not licensed and certified to practice as a certified registered nurse anesthetist under chapter 464 may not use the term "certified registered nurse anesthetist" or the abbreviations "C.R.N.A.,” "nurse anesthetist," or "anesthetist," either alone or in combination with titles or abbreviations authorized under paragraph (3)(f), to describe himself or herself or his or her practice to a patient or the public at large.

  Specifies that unlicensed practitioners cannot use the title of certified registered nurse anesthetist.

• 456.65(5)

  This section may not be construed to prohibit or interfere with the ability of a health care practitioner, group practice as defined in s. 456.053, or health care provider as defined in s. 381.4015 to lawfully bill the Medicare program or other federal health care program using definitions or terminology provided under applicable federal law or regulations for services rendered to a patient enrolled in such program.

  Clarifies that the new regulations do not affect lawful billing practices for federal health care programs.

• 458.3312

  (1) A physician licensed under this chapter may not hold himself or herself out as a board-certified specialist unless the physician has received formal recognition as a specialist from a specialty board of the American Board of Medical Specialties or other recognizing agency that has been approved for that purpose.

  Adds requirements for physicians to only represent themselves as board-certified specialists if formally recognized.