Music Therapy

HB 829 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb829-00
Page 1 of 14
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to music therapy; creating part XVII 2
of ch. 468, F.S., entitled "Music Therapy"; creating 3
s. 468.8501, F.S.; defining terms; creating s. 4
468.8502, F.S.; creating the Music Therapy Advisory 5
Committee within the Department of Health for a 6
specified purpose; providing for membership and 7
meetings of the committee; authorizing the committee 8
to facilitate the development of certain materials and 9
act as a facilitator of statewide dissemination of 10
information between certain entities; requiring the 11
committee to provide an annual analysis of certain 12
licensure data; requiring the department to seek the 13
advice of the committee on issues relating to music 14
therapy; providing for future legislative review and 15
repeal of the committee; creating s. 468.8503, F.S.; 16
requiring the department to issue a license to 17
practice as a professional music therapist to 18
applicants meeting specified criteria; providing for 19
licensure by endorsement; providing for licensure 20
renewal; providing that licensees are responsible for 21
the timely renewal of their licenses; requiring 22
licensees to inform the department of any change in 23
their address within a specified timeframe; providing 24
for expiration and termination of licenses; requiring 25

HB 829 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb829-00
Page 2 of 14
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

the department to place an active license on an 26
inactive status upon written request of a licensee; 27
authorizing a license to remain on inactive status for 28
a specified timeframe; providing for reactivation of 29
such licenses; creating s. 468.8504, F.S.; specifying 30
collaboration requirements for licensees engaging in 31
the practice of music therapy; providing construction; 32
creating s. 468.8505, F.S.; beginning on a specified 33
date, prohibiting unlicensed individuals from using 34
specified titles related to the practice of music 35
therapy; providing exceptions; authorizing unlicensed 36
individuals meeting specified criteria to practice 37
without a license under the supervision of a licensed 38
professional music therapist for a specified 39
timeframe; creating s. 468.8506, F.S.; providing 40
grounds for disciplinary action; authorizing the 41
department to conduct investigations of alleged 42
misconduct; providing administrative penalties; 43
creating s. 468.8507, F.S.; requiring the department 44
to adopt rules by a specified date; providing an 45
effective date. 46
47
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 48
49
Section 1. Part XVII of chapter 468, Florida Statutes, 50

HB 829 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb829-00
Page 3 of 14
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

consisting of ss. 468.8501-468.8507, Florida Statutes, is 51
created and entitled "Music Therapy." 52
Section 2. Section 468.8501, Florida Statutes, is created 53
to read: 54
468.8501 Definitions.—As used in this part, the term: 55
(1) "Advisory committee" means the Music Therapy Advisory 56
Committee. 57
(2) "Board-certified music therapist" means an individual 58
who holds current board certification from the Certification 59
Board for Music Therapists. 60
(3) "Department" means the Department of Health. 61
(4) "Licensed professional music therapist" means a person 62
licensed under this part to practice music therapy. 63
(5) "Practice of music therapy" means clinical and 64
evidence-based music interventions used by a board-certified 65
music therapist within a therapeutic relationship to accomplish 66
individualized goals for people of all ages and ability levels. 67
The term includes all of the following: 68
(a) Accepting referrals for music therapy services from 69
medical, developmental, mental health, or education 70
professionals; family members; clients; caregivers; or other 71
professionals authorized to provide client services. 72
(b) Conducting music therapy assessments of clients to 73
determine whether treatment is indicated. If treatment is 74
indicated, the term includes the collection of systematic, 75

HB 829 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb829-00
Page 4 of 14
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

comprehensive, and accurate information to determine the 76
appropriateness and type of music therapy services to provide 77
for the client. 78
(c) Development of music therapy treatment plans 79
individualized to the needs and strengths of the specific 80
client, who may be seen individually or in groups, based upon 81
the results of the music therapy assessment as well as the 82
goals, objectives, and potential strategies for music therapy 83
services to achieve such goals in a manner appropriate for the 84
client and setting. 85
(d) Use of interventions such as music improvisation, 86
receptive music listening, song writing, lyric discussion, music 87
and imagery, singing, music performance, learning through music, 88
music combined with other arts, music-assisted relaxation, 89
music-based patient education, electronic music technology, 90
adapted music intervention, and movement to music. 91
(e) Implementing an individualized music therapy treatment 92
plan consistent with any other developmental, rehabilitative, 93
habilitative, medical, mental health, preventive, wellness care, 94
or educational services being provided to the client. 95
(f) Evaluating the client's response to music therapy and 96
the music therapy treatment plan, documenting changes and 97
progress, and suggesting modifications, as appropriate. 98
(g) Developing a plan, in collaboration with the client, a 99
physician or other provider of health care or education to the 100

HB 829 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb829-00
Page 5 of 14
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

client, family members of the client, and any other appropriate 101
person upon whom the client relies for support, for determining 102
when the provision of music therapy services is no longer 103
needed. 104
(h) Minimizing any barriers to ensure that the client 105
receives music therapy services in the least restrictive 106
environment. 107
(i) Collaborating with and educating the client and the 108
family, caregiver of the client, or any other appropriate person 109
regarding the needs of the client which are being addressed in 110
music therapy and the manner in which the music therapy 111
treatment addresses those needs. 112
(j) Using appropriate knowledge and skills to inform 113
practice, including use of research, reasoning, and problem-114
solving skills to determine appropriate actions in the context 115
of each specific clinical setting. 116
117
The term does not include the screening, diagnosis, or 118
assessment of any physical, mental, or communication disorder. 119
Section 3. Section 468.8502, Florida Statutes, is created 120
to read: 121
468.8502 Music Therapy Advisory Committee.— 122
(1) There is created within the department the Music 123
Therapy Advisory Committee to advise the department on its 124
duties under this part. 125

HB 829 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb829-00
Page 6 of 14
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

(2) The committee shall consist of five members appointed 126
by the State Surgeon General to serve staggered 4-year terms. 127
(a) Members must be familiar with the practice of music 128
therapy in order to serve on the committee. Three members must 129
be licensed professional music therapists under this part, one 130
member must be a licensed health care practitioner who is not a 131
licensed professional music therapist, and one member must be a 132
consumer. The initial appointments to the committee shall 133
consist of three music therapists who are not licensed under 134
this part but who have been engaged in their respective 135
practices for at least 3 years preceding the appointment. Once 136
licensing under this part is implemented, music therapists 137
appointed to the committee must hold the requisite license. 138
(b) Members may serve consecutive terms at the will of the 139
State Surgeon General. Any vacancy shall be filled in the same 140
manner as the original appointment. 141
(c) Members shall serve without compensation but are 142
entitled to reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses 143
pursuant to s. 112.061. 144
(3) The committee shall meet at least once per year and 145
upon the call of the State Surgeon General. 146
(4) The committee may facilitate the development of 147
materials that the department may use to educate the public 148
concerning professional music therapist licensure, the benefits 149
of music therapy, and the use of music therapy by individuals 150

HB 829 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb829-00
Page 7 of 14
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

and in facilities or institutional settings. 151
(5) The committee may act as a facilitator of statewide 152
dissemination of information between music therapists, the 153
American Music Therapy Association or any successor 154
organization, the Certification Board for Music Therapists or 155
any successor organization, and the department. 156
(6) The committee shall provide analysis of disciplinary 157
actions taken, appeals and denials, or revocation of licenses at 158
least once per year. 159
(7) The department shall seek the advice of the committee 160
for issues related to music therapy which come before the 161
department. 162
(8) In accordance with s. 20.052(8), this section is 163
repealed October 2, 2029, unless reviewed and saved from repeal 164
through reenactment by the Legislature. 165
Section 4. Section 468.8503, Florida Statutes, is created 166
to read: 167
468.8503 Licensure of music therapists.— 168
(1) The department shall issue a license to practice as a 169
professional music therapist to an applicant who meets all of 170
the following requirements: 171
(a) Has submitted a completed application in a form and 172
manner prescribed by department rule. 173
(b) Is at least 18 years of age. 174
(c) Holds a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a music 175

HB 829 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb829-00
Page 8 of 14
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

therapy program, or its equivalent, including clinical training 176
hours, from an accredited college or university. 177
(d) If applicable, is in good standing based on a review 178
of the applicant's music therapy licensure history in other 179
jurisdictions, including a review of any alleged misconduct or 180
negligence in the practice of music therapy on the part of the 181
applicant. 182
(e) Provides proof of passing the examination for board 183
certification offered by the Certification Board for Music 184
Therapists or its successor organization and provides proof that 185
the applicant is currently a board-certified music therapist or 186
in the process of being transitioned to board-certified status. 187
(2) The department shall issue a license by endorsement to 188
practice as a professional music therapist to an applicant who 189
has submitted a completed application in a form and manner as 190
prescribed by department rule and provides evidence satisfactory 191
to the department that he or she is licensed and in good 192
standing as a music therapist in another jurisdiction and that 193
the qualifications required for licensure in that jurisdiction 194
are equal to or greater than those required by this part at the 195
date of application. 196
(3) Professional music therapist licenses must be renewed 197
biennially. Each licensee is responsible for timely renewal of 198
his or her license. The department shall renew a professional 199
music therapist license upon submission of a renewal application 200

HB 829 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb829-00
Page 9 of 14
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

and proof of maintenance of the applicant's status as a board-201
certified music therapist. The department may not renew a 202
license if the applicant is in violation of any provision of 203
this part at the time of application for renewal. 204
(4) A licensee shall inform the department of any changes 205
to his or her address within 30 days after the change. 206
(5) Failure to renew a license shall result in expiration 207
of the license. Expired licenses may be restored within 1 year 208
after the expiration date. Failure to restore an expired license 209
within 1 year after the date of its expiration results in the 210
automatic termination of the license, after which the individual 211
must reapply for a new license in order to practice under this 212
part. 213
(6) Upon written request of a licensee, the department 214
shall place an active license on an inactive status. The 215
licensee, upon request, may continue on inactive status for a 216
period up to 2 years. An inactive license may be reactivated at 217
any time by making a written request to the department and by 218
fulfilling the applicable requirements for licensure under this 219
section. 220
Section 5. Section 468.8504, Florida Statutes, is created 221
to read: 222
468.8504 Practice standards; collaboration.— 223
(1) Before a licensed professional music therapist 224
provides music therapy services to a client for an identified 225

HB 829 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb829-00
Page 10 of 14
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

clinical or developmental need, the licensee shall review the 226
client's diagnosis, treatment needs, and treatment plan with the 227
health care providers involved in the client's care. Before a 228
licensed professional music therapist provides music therapy 229
services to a student for an identified educational need in a 230
special education setting, the licensee shall review with the 231
individualized family service plan team or individualized 232
education program team the student's diagnosis, treatment needs, 233
and treatment plan. 234
(2) During the provision of music therapy services to a 235
client, the licensed professional music therapist shall 236
collaborate, as applicable, with the client's treatment team, 237
including the client's physician, psychologist, licensed 238
clinical social worker, or other mental health professional, if 239
any. 240
(3) During the provision of music therapy services to a 241
client with a communication disorder, the licensed professional 242
music therapist shall collaborate and discuss the music therapy 243
treatment plan with the client's audiologist or speech-language 244
pathologist so that the music therapist may work with the client 245
and address communication skills. When providing educational or 246
health care services, a licensed professional music therapist 247
may not replace the services provided by an audiologist or a 248
speech-language pathologist. Unless authorized to practice 249
speech-language pathology, music therapists may not evaluate, 250

HB 829 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb829-00
Page 11 of 14
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

examine, instruct, or counsel on speech, language, 251
communication, and swallowing disorders and conditions. An 252
individual licensed as a professional music therapist may not 253
represent to the public that the individual is authorized to 254
treat a communication disorder. This subsection does not 255
prohibit an individual licensed as a professional music 256
therapist from representing to the public that the individual 257
may work with clients who have a communication disorder and 258
address communication skills. 259
Section 6. Section 468.8505, Florida Statutes, is created 260
to read: 261
468.8505 Unlicensed practice prohibited; exemptions.— 262
(1) Beginning January 1, 2027, a person without a license 263
as a professional music therapist is prohibited from using the 264
title "music therapist," "licensed professional music 265
therapist," or similar title to practice music therapy. This 266
section may not be construed to prohibit or restrict any of the 267
following: 268
(a) A person licensed, certified, or regulated under the 269
laws of this state in another profession or occupation, 270
including, but not limited to, physicians, psychologists, 271
psychoanalysts, registered nurses, marriage and family 272
therapists, mental health counselors, social workers, 273
occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists or 274
audiologists, or personnel supervised by a licensed 275

HB 829 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb829-00
Page 12 of 14
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

professional, performing work, including the use of music, 276
incidental to the practice of his or her licensed, certified, or 277
regulated profession or occupation, if that person does not 278
represent himself or herself as a professional music therapist. 279
(b) The practice of a person whose training and national 280
certification attests to the individual's preparation and 281
ability to practice his or her certified profession or 282
occupation, if that person does not represent himself or herself 283
as a professional music therapist. 284
(c) Any practice of music therapy as an integral part of a 285
program of study for students enrolled in an accredited music 286
therapy program, if the student does not represent himself or 287
herself as a professional music therapist. 288
(2) A person who is not a licensed professional music 289
therapist may provide music therapy under the supervision of a 290
licensed professional music therapist for a period not to exceed 291
180 days after the start of practice if: 292
(a) The person's application to obtain board certification 293
is pending; and 294
(b) The person meets the remaining requirements for 295
licensure under this part. 296
Section 7. Section 468.8506, Florida Statutes, is created 297
to read: 298
468.8506 Discipline.— 299
(1) The following acts constitute grounds for denial of a 300

HB 829 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb829-00
Page 13 of 14
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

license or for disciplinary action, as applicable: 301
(a) Failing to comply with the requirements for licensure, 302
including, but not limited to, failing to maintain board 303
certification as a music therapist; failing to provide updated 304
information to the department in a timely manner; or making 305
misleading, untrue, deceptive, or fraudulent representations on 306
an initial or renewal licensure application. 307
(b) Failing to provide requested information to the 308
department in a timely manner. 309
(c) Being convicted of a felony. 310
(d) Being convicted of any crime that reflects an 311
inability to practice music therapy with due regard for the 312
health and safety of clients and patients or with due regard for 313
the truth in filing claims with Medicare, Medicaid, or any 314
third-party payor. 315
(e) Being unable or failing to practice music therapy with 316
reasonable skill and consistent with the welfare of clients, 317
including, but not limited to, by being negligent in the 318
practice of music therapy, being intoxicated, being 319
incapacitated, abusing a client, or engaging in sexual contact 320
with a client. 321
(f) Having disciplinary action taken against a license to 322
practice music therapy by another jurisdiction. 323
(g) Violating any provision of this part. 324
(2) The department may conduct investigations into 325

HB 829 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb829-00
Page 14 of 14
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

allegations of misconduct described in subsection (1). 326
(3) The department may impose one or more of the following 327
sanctions for a violation of this part: 328
(a) Suspension, revocation, or denial of a license. 329
(b) Refusal to renew a license. 330
(c) Probation with conditions. 331
(d) A reprimand. 332
(e) A fine of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 333
for each violation. 334
Section 8. Section 468.8507, Florida Statutes, is created 335
to read: 336
468.8507 Rules.—By October 1, 2026, the department shall 337
adopt rules to implement this part. 338
Section 9. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. 339