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Panel moves bill to align state lab licensing with federal CLIA standards
Summary
HB 115, as amended, would permit clinical laboratory technicians who meet federal CLIA education and training requirements to obtain Florida licensure without Florida‑specific additional requirements; the committee adopted a strike-all amendment and reported the bill favorably, 15-0.
Representative Chamberlain presented HB 115, which would amend Florida licensure requirements for clinical laboratory personnel to conform to federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) standards. Chamberlain said Florida faces a workforce shortfall and that the bill would allow applicants with an approved bachelor’s degree and CLIA-qualified training to obtain state licensure without additional Florida‑only testing requirements.
Chamberlain introduced a strike‑all amendment (barcode 684827) that authorizes licensure for clinical laboratory technicians who meet federal laboratory testing education and training requirements while retaining Department of Health authority to conduct examinations, register trainees, collect fees and approve curricula for clinical laboratory personnel. Industry witnesses from Quest Diagnostics and Laboratory Corporation of America were listed as present and waived support.
The committee adopted the amendment without objection and reported the bill favorably as amended, 15 yeas, 0 nays.
Why it matters: Sponsors said the change would help relieve an estimated laboratory workforce shortage by bringing state licensure rules into alignment with federal CLIA standards and allowing qualified degree-holders to begin on‑the‑job training.
The amended bill was reported favorably and will continue through the legislative process.
