A recent change in Florida law has eliminated local caregiver occupational licensing requirements across the state, marking a significant regulatory shift for the home care industry.

During the 2024 legislative session, lawmakers approved SB 1142, signed into law as Chapter 2024-212, Laws of Florida. The measure amended Florida Statute 163.211, which expressly preempts occupational licensing to the state. Effective July 1, 2025, counties and municipalities may no longer require additional licenses or occupational identification badges for individuals to work in their chosen field.

For years, Palm Beach County required caregivers to obtain a county-issued occupational ID badge — a mandate that HCAF strongly opposed as duplicative, burdensome, and invasive. In 2018, HCAF successfully fought legislation (SB 1362/HB 835) that would have expanded Palm Beach County’s badge requirement statewide. Since then, HCAF has continued working to repeal this outdated mandate and ensure caregivers are not saddled with unnecessary barriers to employment.

This reform is a major win — not only for the 372 licensed home health agencies serving Palm Beach County, but for the entire home care provider community across Florida. By permanently preventing local governments from imposing or reinstating caregiver licensing schemes, the law delivers long-overdue uniformity and fairness across the state. It cuts needless red tape, makes it easier for providers to hire and retain staff, and frees caregivers from duplicative costs and administrative hassles when serving families across county lines.

This common-sense change allows caregivers to focus on what matters most — caring for Floridians — while giving employers long-term assurance that local licensing requirements cannot be reintroduced under current state law.