Committee advances bill to ease license-by-endorsement requirements for veterinarians

Representative Gentry, presenting for Representative Johnson, explained HB 1509 would remove the requirement that veterinarians be licensed in another jurisdiction for the three years immediately preceding application for Florida licensure by endorsement. Instead, the bill requires that the issuing jurisdiction’s standards be equivalent to or more stringent than Florida’s and that the veterinarian’s license be in good standing.

Jennifer Hopgood of the ASPCA waived in support. Committee members offered brief, favorable remarks and the bill was reported favorably by roll call.

The bill will proceed with a favorable committee report to the next stage in the legislative process.