EDUCATION: Autonomous Practice Registration for Nurse Practitioners in Florida

Effective July 1, 2020, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (“APRN”) will be able to register their own autonomous practice throughout Florida with the passage of House Bill 607. No longer will the APRN have to provide patient care within the framework of an established protocol with a supervising physician if they are properly registered. If the APRN is not registered then an established protocol will still be required. The term Health Care Provider has been re-defined to mean a physician, osteopathic physician, podiatric physician or an APRN registered under Florida Statute §464.0123. A registered APRN may only establish an autonomous practice in primary care, including family medicine, general pediatrics, and general internal medicine. APRNs certified as nurse midwives may engage in the practice of midwifery in accordance with Florida Statute §464.012(4)(c). APRNs engaging in autonomous practice must provide information in writing to a new patient about his or her qualifications and the nature of the autonomous practice before or during the initial patient encounter. A registered APRN may also (1) admit a patient to a health care facility; (2) manage the care that the patient receives at the facility: and (3) discharge the patient from the facility, unless prohibited by federal law. The ARPN may provide a signature, certification, stamp, etc., that is otherwise required by law to be provided by a physician so long as the APRN is not issuing a physician certification. There are many other requirements that an APRN has to comply with in order to legally establish and operate their autonomous practice in Florida. As more APRNs register I’m confident that additional laws and/or rules will be created to further regulate the practice area. It is important to hire a health law attorney who has the requisite experience, knowledge and training required to help you navigate the laws. Web: www.JonesHealthLaw.com Phone: (305)877-5054 Instagram: @JonesHealthLaw Facebook: @JonesHealthLaw Youtube: @JonesHealthLaw