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HB 1371

Provisional Licensure of Anesthesiologist Assistants

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bruce Antone

Florida creates provisional licensing for anesthesiologist assistants to expand anesthesia workforce capacity while maintaining physician oversight and patient safety standards.

1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
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Bill Summary · HB 1371

Legislative bill overview

HB 1371 establishes a provisional licensure pathway for anesthesiologist assistants (AAs) in Florida, allowing qualified professionals to practice under specific conditions before obtaining full licensure. The bill creates regulatory standards for these medical professionals who work under physician supervision in anesthesia administration.

Why is this important

Anesthesiologist assistants are critical personnel in operating rooms and surgical settings. A provisional licensure framework could address workforce shortages in anesthesia services across Florida's healthcare system while maintaining patient safety through physician oversight. This particularly affects surgical capacity at hospitals and surgical centers.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of practice definition — The bill must clearly delineate what procedures and responsibilities AAs can perform provisionally versus after full licensure, with important implications for patient safety and supervision requirements
  • Training and qualification standards — Disagreement may arise over educational prerequisites, certification requirements, and whether out-of-state trained AAs meet Florida's provisional standards
  • Physician supervision requirements — Questions about the ratio of AAs to supervising physicians, physical presence requirements, and liability allocation could divide medical boards and anesthesiologists
  • Implementation timeline — Healthcare facilities need clarity on when provisionally-licensed AAs can begin practice and what transition procedures apply

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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