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HB1509 • 2026

Veterinarian Licensure by Endorsement

Veterinarian Licensure by Endorsement

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Johnson ; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Melo ; Plasencia
Last action
2026-05-13
Official status
Chapter No. 2026-79
Effective date
2026-07-01

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not specify a minimum duration of the applicant's out-of-state license beyond requiring it to be valid and active for the past three years.

Veterinarian Licensure by Endorsement

This bill changes how veterinarians can get a license to practice in Florida if they already have a valid license from another state or territory.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the requirements for getting a veterinary license through endorsement in Florida.
  • Requires applicants to show knowledge of Florida's laws and rules about practicing veterinary medicine.
  • Allows veterinarians with licenses from other U.S. states, territories, or the District of Columbia to get a Florida license if they pass an equivalent exam.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Veterinarians who want to practice in Florida but are licensed elsewhere
  • The Department of Health, which issues veterinary licenses

Terms To Know

endorsement
A process for veterinarians with valid out-of-state licenses to get a Florida license without taking the full Florida exam.
clinical competency examination
An exam that tests whether a veterinarian has the skills needed to practice safely and effectively.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if an applicant's out-of-state license is suspended or revoked.
  • It is unclear how many veterinarians will be affected by these changes.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-13 The Florida Senate and Florida House of Representatives

    • Chapter No. 2026-79

  2. 2026-05-12 The Florida Senate and Florida House of Representatives

    • Approved by Governor

  3. 2026-05-11 The Florida Senate and Florida House of Representatives

    • Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

  4. 2026-03-10 Senate

    • Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 738 • Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading • Substituted for SB 1708 -SJ 738 • Read 2nd time -SJ 738 • Read 3rd time -SJ 738 • Passed; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 738

  5. 2026-03-10 House

    • In Messages • Ordered enrolled

  6. 2026-02-18 Senate

    • Received

  7. 2026-02-12 Senate

    • In Messages • Referred to Rules

  8. 2026-02-11 House

    • Read 2nd time • Added to Third Reading Calendar • Read 3rd time • Passed; YEAS 113, NAYS 0

  9. 2026-02-05 House

    • Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/11/2026)

  10. 2026-02-03 House

    • Favorable by Commerce Committee • Reported out of Commerce Committee • Bill released to House Calendar • Added to Second Reading Calendar

  11. 2026-01-30 House

    • Added to Commerce Committee agenda

  12. 2026-01-28 House

    • Favorable by Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee • Reported out of Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee • Now in Commerce Committee

  13. 2026-01-26 House

    • Added to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee agenda

  14. 2026-01-15 House

    • Referred to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee • Referred to Commerce Committee • Now in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee

  15. 2026-01-13 House

    • 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)

  16. 2026-01-09 House

    • Filed

Official Summary Text

Veterinarian Licensure by Endorsement; Revises requirements for licensure by endorsement as veterinarian.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
ENROLLED
HB 1509 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1509 -00-er
Page 1 of 2
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

1
An act relating to veterinarian licensure by 2
endorsement; amending s. 474.217, F.S.; revising 3
requirements for licensure by endorsement as a 4
veterinarian; providing an effective date. 5
6
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 7
8
Section 1. Subsection (1) of section 474.217, Florida 9
Statutes, is amended to read: 10
474.217 Licensure by endorsement.— 11
(1) The department shall issue a license by endorsement to 12
any applicant who, upon applying to the department and remitting 13
a fee set by the board, demonstrates to the board that she or 14
he: 15
(a) Has demonstrated, in a manner designated by rule of 16
the board, knowledge of the laws and rules governing the 17
practice of veterinary medicine in this state; and 18
(b)1. Holds, and has held for the 3 years immediately 19
preceding the application for licensure, a valid, active license 20
in good standing to practice veterinary medicine in another 21
state of the United States, the District of Columbia, or a 22
territory of the United States, provided that the applicant has 23
successfully completed a state, regional, national, or other 24
examination that is equivalent to or more stringent than the 25

ENROLLED
HB 1509 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1509 -00-er
Page 2 of 2
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

examination required by the board; or 26
2. Meets the qualifications of s. 474.207(2)(b) and has 27
successfully completed a state, regional, national, or other 28
examination which is equivalent to or more stringent than the 29
examination given by the department and has passed the board's 30
clinical competency examination or another clinical competency 31
examination specified by rule of the board. 32
Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. 33