No. SB 478
Filed under Healthcare.
Music Therapy; Creating the Music Therapy Advisory Committee within the Department of Health for a specified purpose; authorizing the committee to facilitate the development of certain materials and act as a facilitator of statewide dissemination of information between certain entities; requiring the department to issue a license to practice as a professional music therapist to applicants meeting specified criteria; specifying collaboration requirements for licensees engaging in the practice of music therapy, etc.
Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATEDFlorida creates a licensed "professional music therapist" credential, requiring a bachelor's degree in music therapy, board certification, and a state application before anyone may hold the license.
Starting January 1, 2027, only licensed music therapists may use that title while providing music therapy, though other licensed professionals may still use music incidentally in their own work.
Licensed music therapists must coordinate with a client's doctors, therapists, or school team, and may not evaluate or treat communication disorders unless also licensed in speech-language pathology.
The Department of Health can suspend, revoke, or fine a therapist up to $1,000 per violation for misconduct, and a five-member advisory committee will guide the new licensing program until 2029.
AIThe Department of Health must issue a professional music therapist license to any applicant who submits a completed application, is at least 18, holds the required education, and is in good standing, creating a state credential where none existed.
AIApplicants must hold at least a bachelor's degree in a music therapy program, or its equivalent with clinical training hours, from an accredited college or university, and must pass the national board certification exam.
AIBeginning January 1, 2027, anyone without a state license may not call themselves a music therapist or a similar title while providing music therapy services, though several categories of already-licensed or certified professionals are exempted.
AIUnless separately licensed in speech-language pathology, a music therapist may not evaluate, diagnose, or counsel on speech, language, communication, or swallowing disorders, keeping that clinical territory reserved for audiologists and speech-language pathologists.
AIBefore treating a client for a clinical or developmental need, a licensed music therapist must review the client's diagnosis and treatment plan with the client's other health care providers, or with the school's IEP or IFSP team for students.
AIThe department may suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a license, place a therapist on probation, issue a reprimand, or impose a fine of $100 to $1,000 per violation for misconduct such as negligence or a felony conviction.