The bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes related to acupuncture, specifically updating definitions, licensure requirements, and continuing education standards. Notably, it revises the definition of "acupuncture" to replace "oriental" with "eastern" medical techniques and expands the scope of practice to include additional therapies such as acupoint injection and the use of herbs and nutritional supplements. The bill also introduces a new definition for "direct supervision" and clarifies the practice of acupuncture, emphasizing the integration of traditional Chinese medical concepts with modern techniques.

In terms of licensure, the bill modifies the educational prerequisites for acupuncturists, requiring completion of a 4-year course of study in eastern medicine and the successful completion of a board-approved national examination. It also allows acupuncturists licensed in other jurisdictions to perform procedures for educational purposes at board-approved programs. Additionally, the bill mandates that continuing education programs must be approved by the board and outlines the types of subjects that qualify for continuing education credits. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 169 Filed: 457.102, 457.1085, 457.116