FL S1578

Redefines "health care practitioner" in Florida law to include registered diabetes educators as a new category of regulated health care professionals.

Creates a new registration system for diabetes educators requiring proof of national certification (Certified Diabetes Educator or Board Certified—Advanced Diabetes Management) or 250+ practice hours with 100+ hours in the preceding year plus passage of a national examination.

Establishes registration fees not to exceed $100 application fee, $100 initial registration fee, $80 biennial renewal fee, and $135 reactivation fee, to be set by rule by the Department of Health.

Prohibits unregistered individuals from providing diabetes self-management training or representing themselves as diabetes educators, with exemptions for other licensed health care professionals and federal government employees.

Requires the Department of Health to implement the registration system by July 1, 2018, and authorizes disciplinary action against registrants for violations.