REGISTERED INTERNS TELEHEALTH UPDATE

The 491 Board held an emergency meeting to discuss emergency rule 64B4ER20-20, Florida Administrative Codes. This rule allows registered interns to provide telehealth services to existing clients during the next 90 days if they establish and adhere to the following:

• The registered intern has an established qualified supervisor and maintains the same qualified supervisor for the duration of the application of the rule;
• The registered intern has a written telehealth protocol and safety plan in place with their current qualified supervisor which includes the provision that the qualified supervisor must be readily available during the electronic therapy session: and
• The registered intern and the client have an existing therapeutic relationship established prior to the effective date of this rule.

The emergency rule also allows qualified supervisors to utilize face-to-face electronic methods (not telephone only communication) to conduct all supervision sessions for internship hours.