The bill amends various sections of the Florida Statutes related to acupuncture, specifically updating definitions, licensure requirements, and continuing education standards. Notably, it revises the definition of "acupuncture" to replace the term "oriental" with "eastern" and introduces new definitions such as "direct supervision" and "practice of acupuncture." The licensure requirements are also updated to reflect a shift from a 3-year to a 4-year course of study in acupuncture and eastern medicine, along with the completion of a board-approved national examination. Additionally, the bill clarifies the prescriptive rights of acupuncturists, allowing for the administration of certain herbs and nutritional supplements.

The bill further mandates that continuing education programs must be approved by the board and specifies that up to 30 hours of education biennially are required for license renewal. It also removes obsolete provisions regarding infection control and emphasizes the necessity for sterile, disposable acupuncture needles. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and includes provisions that allow licensed acupuncturists from other jurisdictions to perform acupuncture procedures for educational purposes at board-approved programs.

Statutes affected:
H 803 Filed: 457.102, 457.107, 457.1085, 457.116
H 803 c1: 457.102, 457.1085, 457.116