Mental Health Professionals
SB 122 revises Florida’s licensing framework for three mental health professions: clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental health counseling. The bill replaces the term “registered intern” with “registered associate” throughout chapter 491 and updates the registration process, title usage, and related definitions to match that terminology. It also keeps in place the requirement that individuals completing supervised experience must register before beginning that work, maintain supervision, and meet background screening, education, and supervision-plan requirements.
A major substantive change is the removal of the statutory requirement that a licensed mental health professional be physically present on the premises when a registered associate is providing clinical services in a private practice setting. The bill also makes conforming changes to disciplinary, violation, exemption, and advertising provisions so they apply to the new “associate” terminology. The act takes effect July 1, 2025.
The bill amends multiple sections of chapter 491, Florida Statutes, affecting licensure by examination, associate registration, discipline, violations, exemptions, and display/use of professional titles. Its practical effect is to modernize terminology from “intern” to “associate” for social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental health counseling, while preserving the supervised-experience pathway to full licensure. The removal of the on-premises supervision requirement in private practice is the most significant operational change for supervisors, private practices, and registered associates.
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate, amendments, or partisan division in the available materials. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears largely administrative and professional-regulatory in nature, with a clear focus on updating terminology and easing a supervision rule rather than expanding or restricting licensure categories. The overall tone of the legislation is neutral and technical.
The most notable point of contention, based on the text, is the elimination of the requirement that a licensed mental health professional be on the premises when registered associates provide clinical services in private practice. Supporters would likely view this as increasing flexibility and access to supervised practice opportunities, while opponents may worry about reduced oversight and patient safety. A secondary issue is the broader terminology change from “intern” to “associate,” which may be seen as clarifying and professionalizing the registration status but also requires conforming changes across the statute.