Florida Administrative Code
64 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
64B3 - Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel
Chapter 64B3-12 - DISCIPLINE
Section 64B3-12.001 - Disciplinary Guidelines
Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
(1) Purpose. The Board provides within this rule disciplinary guidelines which shall be imposed upon applicants, registrants or licensees whom it regulates under Chapter 483, Part II, F.S., or a telehealth provider registered under section 456.47(4), F.S. The purpose of this rule is to notify applicants, registrants and licensees of the ranges of penalties which will routinely be imposed unless the Board finds it necessary to deviate from the guidelines for the stated reasons given within this rule. The ranges of penalties provided below are based upon a single count violation of each provision listed and also are provided for repeat violations; multiple counts of the violated provisions or a combination of the violations may result in a higher penalty than that for a single, isolated violation. Each range includes the lowest and highest penalty and all penalties falling between. The purposes of the imposition of discipline are to punish the applicants, registrants or licensees for violations and to deter them from future violations; to offer opportunities for rehabilitation, when appropriate; and to deter other applicants, registrants or licensees from violations. For the purposes of this rule, the descriptions of the violations are abbreviated, and the full statute or rule cited should be consulted to determine the prohibited conduct.
(2) Violations and Range of Penalties. For applicants, all violations are sufficient for refusal to certify an application for licensure. For registrants or licensees, the imposition of probation as a penalty shall ordinarily require compliance with conditions such as restitution, continuing education and/or training, indirect or direct supervision by a Board-approved monitor, restrictions on practice, submission of reports, appearances before the Board, and/or hours of community service. As appropriate, such conditions of probation also shall be required following any period of suspension. In addition to any other discipline imposed, the Board shall assess the actual costs related to the investigation and prosecution of a case. In imposing discipline pursuant to Sections 120.57(1) and (2), F.S., the Board shall act in accordance with the following disciplinary guidelines and shall impose a penalty as authorized by Section 456.072(2), F.S., within the range corresponding to the violations set forth below. Offense identifications are descriptive only; the full language of each statutory provision must be considered in order to determine the conduct included.
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
BRIBERY: FIRST OFFENSE |
$500 fine and up to two (2) years probation or denial of the application |
Revocation |
BRIBERY: SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Revocation and a $10, 000 Fine |
|
FRAUD: FIRST OFFENSE |
$10, 000 fine and six (6) months probation |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
FRAUD: SECOND OFFENSE |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
|
ERROR: FIRST OFFENSE |
$500 fine and a Letter of Concern |
$5, 000 fine and one (1) year suspension followed by two (2) years probation |
ERROR: SECOND OFFENSE |
5, 000 fine and one (1) year suspension followed by two (2) years probation |
Revocation |
ERROR: THIRD AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
|
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS: |
||
FIRST OFFENSE |
Letter of concern |
Revocation |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Reprimand |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
$300 fine and one (1) year probation |
$5, 000 and two (2) years probation |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$5, 000 fine and two (2) years probation |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST OFFENSE |
Letter of concern |
Revocation |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Reprimand |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
$300 fine and two (2) years probation |
$5, 000 and six (6) months suspension |
SECOND OFFENSE |
5, 000 and six (6) months suspension, followed by 2 years probation. |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
THIRD AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
|
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST OFFENSE |
Letter of concern |
Six (6) months suspension |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Suspension and a corrective action plan |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
$500 fine and six (6) months probation |
$1, 500 and one (1) year suspension |
SECOND OFFENSE |
$1, 500 fine and one (1) year suspension |
$5, 000 fine and up to three (3) years suspension |
THIRD AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
|
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST OFFENSE |
Letter of concern |
One (1) year suspension |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
1 -year Suspension and a corrective action plan |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
$500 fine and one (1) year probation |
$4, 000 fine and up to 2 years suspension or revocation |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$4, 000 fine and two (2) years probation |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST OFFENSE |
Letter of concern to suspension and a corrective action plan |
Revocation |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Suspension and a corrective action plan |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Supervised probation until able to demonstrate ability to practice with reasaonble skill and safety without supervision. |
Suspension until licensee is able to demonstrate ability to practice with reasonable skill and safety, completes appropriate remedial education based on the length of time that the licensee has been unable to practice, and appearance before the board |
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Suspension and a corrective action plan requiring, at a minimum, demonstration of the ability to practice with reasonable skill and safety and appearance before the board |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
$500 fine and reprimand |
$3, 000 fine and up to two (2) years suspension followed by a (1) year of probation. |
SECOND OFFENSE |
$6, 000 fine and one (1) year suspension followed by two (2) years probation. |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
THIRD AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
|
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST OFFENSE |
Reprimand |
Revocation |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Suspension and a corrective action plan |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
$3, 000 fine and suspension until completion of required continuing education hours |
$6, 000 fine and suspension until completion of required continuing education hours |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$8, 000 fine and suspension until completion of required continuing education hours |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST OFFENSE |
Suspension and a corrective action plan requiring completion of required continuing education hours |
Suspension and a corrective action plan requiring completion of required continuing education hours |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$10, 000 fine |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE |
Reprimand |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
$10, 000 fine per count or offense and six (6) months probation |
$10, 000 fine per count or offense and One (1) year suspension followed by two (2) years probation |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$10, 000 fine per count or offense |
$10, 000 fine per count or offense and revocation |
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST OFFENSE |
Suspension and a corrective action plan |
One (1) year suspension followed by a corrective action plan |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Suspension and a corrective action plan |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
Discipline comparable to the discipline which would have been imposed if the substantive violation had occurred in Florida |
|
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Discipline consistent with the disciplinary guidelines for a repeat offense had the violation occurred in Florida |
$10, 000 fine per count or offense and revocation |
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Letter of concern to revocation as closely as possible to same penalty which would have been imposed if the substantive violation had occurred in Florida |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
$750 fine and letter of concern |
$3, 000 fine and three (3) months suspension followed by probation |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$5, 000 fine and three (3) months suspension followed by probation |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST OFFENSE |
Letter of concern or Reprimand |
Three (3) months suspension followed by a corrective action plan |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Reprimand and one (1) year suspension |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
Board appearance and referral to PRN for evaluation |
Revocation for non-compliance |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Board appearance and referral to PRN for evaluation |
$3, 000 fine and revocation |
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Suspension and a corrective action plan to include, at a minimum, a PRN evaluation |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
$2, 500 fine and six (6) months probation |
$5, 000 fine and three (3) years suspension followed by two (2) years probation |
SECOND OFFENSE |
$5, 000 fine and a period of suspension followed by one (1) year probation |
$7, 500 fine and revocation |
THIRD AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Revocation |
|
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST OFFENSE |
Suspension and a corrective action plan |
Three (3) years suspension followed by a corrective action plan |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Suspension and a corrective action plan |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
$500 fine, reprimand, and suspension until compliant |
$3, 000 fine and a minimum of one (1) year suspension or suspension until in compliance which ever suspension is greater followed by probation |
SECOND OFFENSE |
$5, 000 fine and suspension until compliant followed by two (2) years probation |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
THIRD AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
|
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST OFFENSE |
Reprimand |
Three (3) years suspension followed by a corrective action plan |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Six (6) months suspension followed by a corrective action plan |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
$800 fine and a letter of concern |
$2, 000 fine and six (6) months suspension followed by probation |
SECOND OFFENSE |
$3, 000 fine and one (1) year suspension followed by (2) years probation. |
$5, 000 fine and two (2) years suspension followed by (3) years probation. |
THIRD AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$6, 000 fine and revocation |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST AND SECOND OFFENSE |
Letter of concern |
Six (6) months suspension followed by a corrective action plan |
THIRD AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Suspension and a corrective action plan |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
$500 fine and a letter of concern |
$3, 000 fine and/or three (3) years of probation |
SECOND OFFENSE |
$3, 500 fine and a reprimand |
$10, 000 fine and two (2) years suspension followed by probation |
THIRD AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
|
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST OFFENSE |
Letter of concern |
Suspension and a corrective action plan |
SECOND OFFENSE |
Reprimand |
Two (2) years suspension followed by a corrective action plan |
THIRD AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Reprimand |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
$3, 000 fine and three (3) months suspension followed by six (6) months probation |
$6, 000 fine and revocation |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$6, 000 fine and three (3) months suspension followed by six (6) months probation |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Three (3) months suspension followed a corrective action plan |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
$4, 000 fine and suspension followed by a minimum of one (1) year probation |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$5, 000 fine, a minimum of one (1) year suspension followed by two (2) years probation |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Suspension and a corrective action plan |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
$1, 000 fine and restitution of improper gains and six (6) months probation |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
|
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Suspension and a corrective action plan including, at a minimum, the restitution of improper gains |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
$1, 000 fine and one (1) year probation |
$4, 000 fine and two (2) years suspension followed by probation |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$5, 000 fine and one (1) year probation |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST OFFENSE |
Suspension and a corrective action plan |
Two (2) years suspension followed by a corrective action plan |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Suspension and a corrective action plan |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
$10, 000 fine per count or offense and six (6) months probation |
$10, 000 fine per count or offense and revocation |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$10, 000 fine per count or offense and at least one (1) year suspension followed by probation |
Revocation |
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST OFFENSE |
Suspension and a corrective action plan |
Revocation |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
One (1) year suspension followed a corrective action plan |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
$4, 000 fine and suspension followed by one (1) year of probation |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
|
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Suspension and a corrective action plan |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
$5, 000 fine and a reprimand and referral for PRN evaluation |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
|
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST OFFENSE |
Reprimand and suspension and a corrective action plan that requires, at a minimum, the completion of a PRN evaluation |
Revocation |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
$2, 500 fine and reprimand and suspension until compliant |
$5, 000 fine and revocation [Further Discussion with Board] |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$5, 000 fine suspension until compliant and one (1) year probation |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST OFFENSE |
Reprimand |
Revocation |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Suspension and a corrective action plan |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$500 and suspension until compliant |
$1, 000 and suspension until compliant to revocation |
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Suspension and a correction action plan requiring, at a minimum, compliance |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
$10, 000 fine and revocation or denial of license |
|
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST OFFENSE |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
Letter of concern to $500 fine and probation |
Reprimand to $2, 500 fine and suspension until amount owed is remitted |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$5, 000 fine and suspension until amount owed is remitted followed by one (year probation). |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST OFFENSE |
Letter of concern |
Suspension and a corrective action plan, including, at a minimum remitting the amound owed. |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Suspension and a corrective action plan, including, at a minimum remitting the amound owed. |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
$2, 500 fine a letter of concern and one (1) year probation |
$5, 000 fine and reprimand to revocation |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$5, 000 fine and suspension |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST OFFENSE |
Letter of concern |
Revocation |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Suspension |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
$10, 000 fine and revocation or denial of license |
|
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST OFFENSE |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
$250 fine and a reprimand |
$500 fine and one (1) year of probation |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
$500 fine, suspension, followed by probation |
$5, 000 fine and revocation |
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST OFFENSE |
Reprimand |
Suspension and corrective action plan |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Suspension and corrective action plan |
Revocation |
APPLICANTS, REGISTRANTS, AND LICENSEES |
MINIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Revocation |
$10, 000 fine and revocation |
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
||
FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Revocation |
Revocation |
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
MIMIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
Letter of Concern to suspension and a corrective action plan |
Suspension and a corrective action plan or revocation if imposed by the other jurisdiction |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Reprimand to suspension and a corrective action plan to revocation if imposed in the other jurisdiction |
Revocation |
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
MIMIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
Letter of Concern and imposition of a penalty as closely as possible to that imposed in the other jurisdiction |
Reprimand and suspension and a penalty as closely as possible to that imposed in the other jurisdiction |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Suspension and a penalty as closely as possible to that imposed in the other jurisdiction |
Revocation |
TELEHEALTH REGISTRANTS |
MIMIMUM |
MAXIMUM |
FIRST OFFENSE |
Reprimand and Suspension |
Suspension and corrective action plan |
SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES |
Suspension and corrective action plan |
Revocation. |
(3) Aggravating and Mitigating Circumstances. Based upon consideration of aggravating and mitigating factors present in an individual case, the Board may deviate from the penalties recommended above. If the Board finds aggravating factors, the Board shall impose a more severe action against the license and a higher administrative fine. If the Board finds mitigating factors, the Board shall impose a less severe action against the license and a lower administrative fine. The Board shall consider as aggravating or mitigating factors the following:
(4) Stipulations or Settlements. The provisions of this rule are not intended and shall not be construed to limit the ability of the Board to dispose informally of disciplinary action by stipulation, agreed settlement, or consent order pursuant to Section 120.57(4), F.S.
(5) Letters of Guidance. The provisions of this rule cannot and shall not be construed to limit the authority of the probable cause panel of the Board to direct the Department to send a letter of guidance pursuant to Section 456.073(4), F.S., in any case for which it finds such action appropriate.
(6) Other Action. The provisions of this rule are not intended to and shall not be construed to limit the ability of the Board to pursue or recommend that the Department pursue collateral civil or criminal actions when appropriate.
Rulemaking Authority 456.079, 456.47(4), 456.47(7), 483.805(4) FS. Law Implemented 456.072, 456.079, 456.47(4), 483.825 FS.
New 8-3-93, Formerly 61F3-12.001, Amended 2-7-95, 5-3-95, 12-4-95, Formerly 59O-12.001, Amended 3-19-98, 9-20-98, 10-6-02, 2-23-06, 3-20-08, 11-25-08, 5-31-10, 3-27-18, 11-7-21.