# Fla. Stat. § 459.003: 459.003 Definitions

> Florida · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C459_S459.003

## Section

- **Citation:** Fla. Stat. § 459.003
- **Heading:** 459.003 Definitions
- **Jurisdiction:** Florida
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Florida Code / Title XXXII / Chapter 459 / Section 459.003

## Text

As used in this chapter:

(1) “Board” means the Board of Osteopathic Medicine.

(2) “Department” means the Department of Health.

(3) “Practice of osteopathic medicine” means the diagnosis, treatment, operation, or prescription for any human disease, pain, injury, deformity, or other physical or mental condition, which practice is based in part upon educational standards and requirements which emphasize the importance of the musculoskeletal structure and manipulative therapy in the maintenance and restoration of health.

(4) “Osteopathic physician” means a person who is licensed to practice osteopathic medicine in this state.

(5) “Doctor of Osteopathy” and “Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine,” when referring to degrees, shall be construed to be equivalent and equal degrees.

History: ss. 1, 6, ch. 79-230; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; ss. 27, 29, ch. 86-290; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 84, ch. 92-149; s. 109, ch. 94-218; s. 29, ch. 97-264.

## Nearby sections

- [Fla. Stat. § 459.001 459.001 Purpose.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C459_S459.001.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 459.002 459.002 Chapter not applicable to practice of medicine, surgery, chiropractic medicine, etc.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C459_S459.002.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 459.003 459.003 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C459_S459.003.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 459.004 459.004 Board of Osteopathic Medicine.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C459_S459.004.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 459.005 459.005 Rulemaking authority.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C459_S459.005.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 459.008 459.008 Renewal of licenses and certificates.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C459_S459.008.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 459.009 459.009 Inactive status.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C459_S459.009.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 459.011 459.011 Privileges, obligations, and status of osteopathic physicians.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C459_S459.011.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 459.012 459.012 Itemized patient statement.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C459_S459.012.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 459.013 459.013 Penalty for violations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C459_S459.013.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 459.015 459.015 Grounds for disciplinary action; action by the board and department.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C459_S459.015.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 459.016 459.016 Reports of disciplinary actions by medical organizations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C459_S459.016.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 459.017 459.017 Osteopathic physician’s consent; handwriting samples; mental or physical examinations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C459_S459.017.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 459.018 459.018 Search warrants for certain violations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C459_S459.018.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C459_S459.003. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.