Licensure by Examination

• Fees for OT/OTA: $180.00 (These fees are the State of Florida application and licensure fees only, there will be additional charges imposed by the NBCOT for the examination, transfer of scores, etc.) You cannot submit a licensure application without submitting the fee. There is no additional fee for a temporary permit.

• Proof of Graduation:
  • New Graduates:
    • Official transcripts are required of examination applicants.It is preferable that the degree granting institution mail official transcripts verifying completion of an OT/OTA certificate or degree directly to the Board office.  Transcripts can be accepted directly from the applicant if they are submitted in a sealed envelope. Recent graduates (within 6 months of graduation date) may request a “school letter” received directly from the program director of their OT/OTA school to verifying ‘completion’ of their ot/ota education and degree issued date.  The letter must state that "all fieldwork and educational requirements have been met as outlined in Part III, section 468.209(1) (a) through (c), F.S.”.  Copies of diplomas or “student issued transcripts” are not acceptable.
    • Foreign Trained Applicants: You must request that the NBCOT submit a letter verifying that you are fully eligible for the examination. The letter must also verify your educational credentials as well as the date of the examination for which you are scheduled. NBCOT charges a fee for this service. Contact the NBCOT for more information at (301) 990-7979, or at www.nbcot.org.  Please note: Foreign trained applicants must submit English translation of any documentation that is written in a foreign language.
• Verifications:
  • Healthcare related paid employment in Florida within the last five years. This must include job description and a letter verifying the dates of employment. Please note: Do not verify fieldwork experience.
  
  
• Continuing Education requirements:
• Prevention of Medical Errors: A two (2) hour Prevention of Medical Errors education course is required for initial licensure.
•  Temporary Permits, Scheduled NBCOT Exam Dates and Scores:
• The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), (301) 990-7979, www.nbcot.org. Applicants must contact NBCOT and apply to take the national board exam.  NBCOT will issue an eligibility/approval to examine letter to applicants with instructions to contact a testing center to schedule a date for the exam.  After applying for the Exam with NBCOT, you may submit your Florida licensure application prior to receiving your NBCOT eligibility/authorization to test letter.  However, a temporary permit will not be issued until your licensure application is deemed completed by the Board office staff, and confirmation of a scheduled exam date, and a written request for a temporary permit is received.  If you cannot enter a scheduled date of examination at the time you complete your online application for licensure, the application will not allow you to request a temporary permit.  (Please Note: This must be a pre-scheduled and verified exam date, not a date you decide or wish to sit the exam.) You may forward the letter received from the testing center (Prometrics) verifying your scheduled date of exam, to the Board office via fax, email or regular mail, and a written request for a temporary permit, after submitting your application. 
• Temporary Permits and licensure applications are valid for 12 months, from the date the Board approves you for licensure. (Approval for licensure is pending receipt of successful exam scores).   If you change your exam date, you must notify the Board office in writing.  If the receipt of your exam scores is delayed due to re-scheduling your exam date, your temporary permit cannot be extended or renewed
• Exam Scores. You must make arrangements with NBCOT to forward your scores to the Board office as they will not be automatically forwarded. There is a fee for this service. Should you fail the exam and re-schedule to sit the exam, you must again request NBCOT to send your scores to Florida.  A copy of your certification is not acceptable.  The Board office must receive the results of your exam. If the receipt of your exam scores is delayed due to your failure to request your scores to be sent to Florida, your temporary permit cannot be extended or renewed. 
• Six month old Exam Scores are not acceptable.  If it has been six months since you took your exam, you must apply for licensure by Endorsement and request verification of your certification (letter) from NBCOT to be mailed to the Board office. 
  
  
• Time Periods for Application Processing:
  • There is no specific time for how long it takes to get a license.  Applications are reviewed in date receipt order, and usually within two to three weeks, based on the application processors current work loads, but always within 30 days. All applicants are notified immediately by email (and regular mail) when an initial review is completed, regarding the status of their application. If an application file is incomplete upon the initial review a Deficiency Notice is sent to the applicant.  When an application file is deemed complete, a completion letter, a temporary permit or the permanent licensure will be issued.  An application status’ is not available until the initial review has been completed.
  
  
• Application Status Check:
  • When you Apply for Initial Licensure Online you will be required to create a login and password.  You may then and follow the status of your application online. Application Status Check   However, you cannot make any changes to your application profile once it has be submitted.  If during the application process you need to submit changes or additional documentation you must contact the Board staff.
  
  
• Licensure Verification and Address Changes:
• After a temporary permit or licensure has been issued you may submit address changes and check your licensure status by accessing the "lookup licensee" screen at FLHealthSource.com.