The Florida Board of Acupuncture has recently introduced several key updates and changes that all acupuncturists in the state should be aware of. These developments impact the practice, continuing education requirements, and overall regulatory landscape for acupuncture professionals in Florida. HealthCMi provides acupuncture CEU credit for the USA, Canada, New Zealand and more. Here’s a summary of the most important news and information coming out of the Florida Board of Acupuncture in recent months for licensed acupuncturists.
Telehealth Regulations for Acupuncture
The rise of telehealth has led to new regulations concerning its use in acupuncture practice. The Florida Board of Acupuncture has clarified the conditions under which telehealth may be used by licensed acupuncturists. According to the new guidelines, telehealth can be utilized for patient consultations, follow-ups, and certain aspects of patient care that do not require in-person interaction. However, initial diagnoses and treatments must still be conducted face-to-face, ensuring that the practitioner can thoroughly assess the patient’s condition.
The Board encourages practitioners to familiarize themselves with the telehealth regulations and incorporate them into their practice where applicable. This includes ensuring compliance with all patient privacy laws and maintaining detailed records of all telehealth interactions.
Florida has passed a law on telehealth, Chapter 2019-137, which sets clear standards for providing telehealth services. These standards cover important areas such as patient evaluations, record-keeping, and the prescribing of controlled substances. The law also allows healthcare practitioners from other states to offer telehealth services to patients in Florida, as long as they meet specific eligibility criteria and register with the Department of Health.
New Licensing and Renewal Procedures
In an effort to streamline administrative processes, the Board has introduced new online systems for licensing and renewal. The updated system is designed to be more user-friendly, allowing practitioners to manage their credentials, update personal information, and submit CE credits more efficiently through CE Broker. HealthCMi is an officially approved Florida Board of Acupuncture provider of continuing education and automatically sends your certificate of completion CE/CEU credit to CE Broker for you.
Additionally, the Board has implemented stricter deadlines for renewal submissions. Practitioners are advised to complete their renewal process well before the deadline to avoid any disruptions in their ability to practice. Late renewals may result in penalties or temporary suspension of licensure until compliance is met. HealthCMi helps to streamline this process by instantly sending your CE credits to the Florida Board of Acupuncture upon completion of acupuncture continuing education courses. This helps to ensure your license renewal process is simple and straightforward.
Acupuncture Continuing Education Requirements
One of the most significant updates pertains to continuing education (CE) requirements. The Florida Board of Acupuncture has revised the CE criteria to ensure that practitioners remain current with the latest advancements in acupuncture and related fields. Practitioners are now required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of approved continuing education during each biennial renewal cycle. This includes:
- 2 CEs in Florida laws and rules.
- 2 CEs in prevention of medical errors.
- 5 CEs in biomedical sciences.
- 21 CEs in general hours.
HealthCMi is a provider approved by the Florida Board of Acupuncture to ensure that the content meets the required standards (1 CEU = 1 CE).
Public Health Initiatives and Community Outreach
The Florida Board of Acupuncture is also placing a stronger emphasis on public health initiatives. Recent campaigns have focused on increasing public awareness about the benefits of acupuncture and its role in integrative medicine. The Board has partnered with local health organizations to promote acupuncture as a viable treatment option for various conditions, including chronic pain, stress management, and mental health support.
Practitioners are encouraged to participate in these outreach efforts by engaging with their local communities, offering informational sessions, and collaborating with other healthcare providers to expand access to acupuncture services. The Florida Board of Acupuncture website has additional information on outreach.
