Effective July 2026, Florida has updated its mental health laws and rules for registered interns and qualified supervisors. Full rules can be found here or on the Board’s website here. Our continuing education courses have been revised to include all the updates: Qualified Supervision Training Review: 4 Hour Course and Florida Laws and Rules: 8 Hour Course.
Here is a brief summary of what to expect:
- Telehealth and electronic supervision are expanded in supervision rules.
- Rule 64B4-2.002 now expressly addresses face-to-face psychotherapy by electronic methods for registered interns. It requires a written telehealth protocol and safety plan with the qualified supervisor, and it requires the supervisor to be available during the telehealth therapy session. The same rule allows qualified supervisors to use electronic methods for supervision for all supervisory sessions. However, the supervisor must use professional judgement that such electronic methods are appropriate.
- Qualified Supervisor duties are expanded and clarified.
- Rule 64B4-200.25 spells out several new supervisor duties, including that the supervisor must not start supervision until there has been official approval from the Board. It also includes reporting requirements for the supervisor, both in terms of reporting rule or standard-of-care violations as well as reporting the conclusion of supervision.
- Written supervision policies and contracts are emphasized.
- Rule 64B4-2.0025 requires supervisors to write and follow a written policy that includes a supervision contract. The rule lists the items to be required in the contract. The intent is to ensure that supervisors are not simply meeting to talk about cases; they need to be goal directed and aim to fully prepare the intern for licensure responsibilities.
- Mandatory forms for Qualified Supervisors
- Rule 64B4-2.0025 added Form DH-MQA 5078 Supervision Log as a required process to supervision. Form DH-MQA 5049, Qualified Supervisor Statement Instructions and Form, now emphasizes that supervisory training must be completed before licensure.
- A change in the definition of “on premises”.
- Perhaps the biggest and most anticipated change is to Rules 64B4-2.002, 64B4-2.0025, and 64B4-2.003. These rules redefined “on premises” to include a licensed mental health professional being present by telehealth or other synchronous electronic means. Previously the Rules stated that registered interns could practice using telehealth, but when practicing in private practice settings a licensed professional had to be on the premises. Essentially this meant registered interns could not work from home offices if they’re in private practice settings. With this change, they can work remotely if the intern and their supervisor believe it’s in the best interest of the client and if a licensed mental health professional is available for consult or supervision if needed.
For help staying up to date with Florida’s mental health laws and rules, subscribe to our news page, interact with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram, and subscribe to updates from the Board’s website. Give us a call (561-704-8746) if you have any questions!