Florida

Florida credentials two types of addiction counselors. A Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) requires a high school diploma and requires 6,000 hours of experience. A higher-level degree can substitute the number of hours (i.e. a person with an associate degree needs 4,000 hours). A CAC also requires 250 hours of addictions education. A Certified Addiction Professional (CAP) requires a bachelor’s degree and 6,000 hours of experience. A higher-level degree can substitute the number of hours (i.e. a person with a master’s degree needs 4,000 hours). A CAP also requires 350 hours of addictions education. Florida Certification Board

Licensed mental health counselors are trained in methods of a psychological nature used to evaluate, assess, diagnose, and treat emotional and mental dysfunctions or disorders (e.g., cognitive, affective or behavioral), interpersonal relationships, sexual dysfunction, alcoholism, and substance abuse. Fla. Stat. §491.003(9)

As of August 2018, 173 NPs in Florida have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. Consistent with their prescriptive authority and with proper training or appropriate experience an NP can receive a federal waiver to dispense buprenorphine-containing products, as long as the supervising physician is certified, trained, or permitted to treat and manage patients with opioid use disorder. Fla. Stat. §464.012

As of August 2018, 41 PAs in Florida have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. In Florida, Schedule II-V controlled substances may be prescribed by a PA as outlined by supervisory standards. A Florida PA with proper training or appropriate experience can receive a federal waiver to dispense buprenorphine-containing products, as long as the supervising physician is certified, trained, or permitted to treat and manage patients with opioid use disorder. Fla. Admin. Rules §64B8-30.007 and Fla. Stat. §458.347

The standards and requirements for the certification of a recovery support specialist and a recovery peer specialist are developed and administered by a third-party, non-profit certification provider.

Transition to independent practice and prescribing period required.

Prior to independent practice, the NM must practice and prescribe within an established protocol that has been approved by the medical staff of the health care facility in which the midwifery services are performed or approved by the NM’s physician backup when the delivery is performed in a patient’s home. Fla. Stat. §464.012

An APRN, including NMs, may engage in autonomous advanced practice if: they hold an active license, have not been subject to any disciplinary action within the last five years, and has completed, in any state, jurisdiction or territory of the United States, at least 3,000 hours of clinical practice hours and has completed, within the past five years, three graduate-level semester hours in differential diagnosis and three graduate-level semester hours in pharmacology. They may also prescribe, dispense, administer or order any drug including controlled substances within their specialty area. Fla. Stat. §464.0123

Transition to independent practice and prescribing period required.

Prior to independent practice, an NP must practice and prescribe within the framework of an established protocol that must be maintained on site at the location or locations at which an advanced practice registered nurse practices.  Fla. Stat. §464.012

An APRN, including NPs, may engage in autonomous advanced practice if: they hold an active license, have not been subject to any disciplinary action within the last five years, and has completed, in any state, jurisdiction or territory of the United States, at least 3,000 hours of clinical practice hours and has completed, within the past five years, three graduate-level semester hours in differential diagnosis and three graduate-level semester hours in pharmacology. An NP may prescribe any drug and Schedules II-V controlled substances if the NP is practicing autonomously. Fla. Stat. §464.0123

Florida has not codified language around POLST. Only physicians may sign advance directive forms. Please see the Florida POLST website for more information.

NPs are recognized in state policy as primary care providers. Primary care provider means a health care provider licensed under chapter 458, chapter 459, or chapter 464 who provides medical services to patients which are commonly provided without referral from another health care provider, including family and general practice, general pediatrics, and general internal medicine. Fla. Stat. §381.026

Optometrists may only examine, diagnose and treat conditions of the visual system. Fla. Stat. Ann. §463.002(7) and Fla. Stat. Ann. §463.0140(4)

Optometrists may only administer an epinephrine autoinjector for treatment of anaphylaxis. Fla. Stat. Ann. §463.001(6) and Fla. Stat. Ann. §463.0140(3)

Optometrists may not prescribe controlled substances. Fla. Stat. Ann. §463.0055

A dental hygienist with proper insurance coverage may provide services in health access settings (e.g., a state agency program, nonprofit community health center, Head Start center, federally qualified health center, school-based prevention program, or clinic operated by an accredited dental or dental hygiene program) without the physical presence, prior examination or authorization of a dentist. Fla. Stat. §466.003 Fla. Stat. §466.024

Statute does not identify dental therapists as an oral health provider.

Florida dentists may utilize live video and store-and-forward telehealth technologies. Fl. Stat. §456.47

Florida has not enacted legislation allowing pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the federal PREP Act does allow pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine through the duration of the public health emergency.

Florida does not allow pharmacists to modify prescriptions.

Florida does not allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives.

Florida does not allow pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation aids.

The law outlines the exact means of responsible supervision. Direct supervision is not required, but the supervising physician must be easily available or be physically present for consultation. Fla. Admin. Rules §64B8-30.001(3), Fla. Stat. §459.022(f)

A written agreement between the PA and the supervising physician outlining prescribing privileges is required. PAs may prescribe controlled substances under current supervisory standards  Fla. Admin. Rules §64B8-30.007, Fla. Stat. §458.347.

The duties delegated to the physician assistant must be within the supervising physician’s scope of practice. The PA may work in any setting that is within the scope of practice of the supervising physician’s practice. Fla. Admin. Rules §64B8-30.012