Information provided in PDF format
will require the free Adobe Reader
will require the free Adobe Reader
- General Questions
- Continuing Education
- Address Changes
- Application Processing
- NBCOT Examination
- Permanent Licensure
- Refunds
- Supervision
- Temporary Permits
- Background Screening
- Renewal Questions
| General Questions | |
| Q: | How do I contact the Board staff by email? |
| A: | Due to the volume of calls we receive, it is more efficient to reach us through email. Review a staff list complete with email addresses. |
| Q: | How can I file a complaint against a licensee? |
| A: | You may print the Complaint Form from our enforcement website or call (850) 488-0595 or (850) 414-1976 to request one by mail. To file a complaint on a non-medical related business or profession, please visit the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. |
| Q: | How can I check if someone is licensed? |
| A: | You may use our License Look-Up Search Screen. The best results often occur when the system receives the least amount of information. If licensee is one of our profiled professions, there will be a link at the upper right portion of the screen that says Link to Practitioner Profile. This will take you to practitioner reported information about their education, specialty certification, etc. |
| Q: | How can I get a list of licensee information? |
| A: | To obtain an electronic listing of active and inactive licensee’s mailing addresses and license status for DOH/MQA regulated professions use our Licensee Data Information service. Please note: The department does not maintain email addresses, fax or telephone numbers in the normal course of business. |
Back to Top |
|
| Continuing Education | |
| Q: | Can continuing education hours be carried over from the previous biennium if the therapist has obtained extra hours? |
| A: | No. Continuing education hours can only be credited within the current biennium dates in which they are taken. |
| Q: | May I take a course that has not been pre-approved by the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice nor sponsored by an approved provider? |
| A: | Yes. Courses and programs not approved by the Board nor sponsored by an approved provider shall be approved as appropriate continuing education if said course or program meets the same criteria for provider approval. In summary, course must be "relevant to the practice occupational therapy"; given by appropriate educators, with experience and credentials relevant to the course or program's subject matter; documentation obtained regarding the course educational goals, objectives and teaching methods; and receipts, vouchers, certificates, or other papers documenting proof of completion and proof of the number of the contact hours awarded. See 64B11-6.001(5), F.A.C. |
| Q: | May I take courses offered by FOTA or AOTA? |
| A: | Yes. Programs offered by the Florida Occupational Therapy Association (FOTA), the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and occupational therapy courses accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy. |
| Q: | I am in an ongoing higher OT education program, may I get continuing education credit for my courses? |
| A: | Yes. Courses sponsored by a college or university when providing a curriculum for occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants shall be awarded 10 hours of continuing education credit per semester hour and shall be verified by official transcripts. |
| Q: | What are the requirements regarding Home study? |
| A: | Twelve (12) hours of home study per biennium are allowed. Home study education is independent study and requires a certificate of completion. Home study education does not include a web-based, satellite transmitted or online instruction program that allows or requires the licensee to interact or communicate back and forth with the instructor during the presentation of the program. |
| Q: | Must all online courses be counted as home study hours? |
| A: | No. If a course is an interactive course, it is not limited to being counted as home study hours. Home study education does not include a web-based, satellite transmitted or online instruction program that allows or requires the licensee to interact or communicate back and forth with the instructor during the presentation of the program. See the Board approved list: Providers Offering Online Interactive Courses (Not counted as home study hours) (pdf - 66kb) |
| Q: | May I get continuing education credit hours by attending the Board of Occupational therapy meetings? |
| A: | Yes. A maximum of eight contact hours may be awarded per biennium for attendance at board meetings. |
| Q: | May I obtain continuing education credit for supervising a student completing their Fieldwork Experience? |
| A: | Yes. A licensee may earn up to 6 continuing education hours per biennium for supervision of a Level II Occupational Therapy or Occupational Therapy Assistant fieldwork student at the rate of no more than 3 hours per student. The licensee must be the primary clinical fieldwork educator for the student. Documentation shall include verification provided by the school to the fieldwork educator with the name of the student, school, and dates of fieldwork or the signature page of the completed student evaluation form. Evaluation scores and comments must be deleted or blocked out. |
| Q: | Must I send all continuing education paperwork to the Board office? |
| A: | No. Keep all proof of continuing education requirements in a personal file. If you are selected for a random audit you will be requested to send copies of continuing education information. |
| Q: | How may I be exempt from continuing education requirements? |
| A: | There are two exemptions allowed for continuing education requirements. One is for the person licensed in the second half of the biennium. They are exempt from continuing education requirements for that biennium, except for the 2 hours prevention of medical errors course and the 1 hour HIV/AIDS education until the beginning of the next renewal, at which time they must begin collecting their continuing education requirements for the next renewal. See 64B11-5.001, F.A.C. for further information. Two, a licensee who is the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States is exempt from all licensure renewal provisions for any period of time in which the licensee is absent from the State of Florida due to the spouse's duties with the Armed Forces. The licensee must document the absence and submit copies of the spouse's military orders/status to the Board. See 64B11-5.0065, F.A.C.. |
| Q: | If someone does not wish to subscribe to CEBroker but wants to know what continuing education CEBroker has on file for them, what can they do? |
| A: | They can make a CE History Public Records Request. When submitting a written public records request include full name, license number, and email address, of the individual(s) to be researched to the address below:
Division of Medical Quality Assurance |
| Q: | If I take a course by a Board approved provider, do I submit the information in CE Broker? |
| A: | No. Florida approved CE providers are required to report your CE course completion credits to CE Broker and are requested to do so within 90 days of course completion. If at that time you do not see credits posted to your records, please contact the CE provider. |
| Q: | If I take a course by a non-approved provider can I submit the information in CE Broker? |
| A: | Yes. There are two ways to self-submit:
|
| Q: | What is a PDU? And what does it equal in regards to ceu's, contact, or clock hours? |
| A: | A PDU is a Professional Development Unit. Most often, it is equal to one contact hour. One AOTA CEU is equal to ten contact hours, or ten PDUs. For more clarification on the conversion from contact hours to PDUs when it is not an AOTA CEU course, please go to www.nbcot.org, click on "Certificants" in the left-hand menu, then on "Renewal Guidelines Handbook" in the left-hand menu. The handbook should give you all the information you need for NBCOT's requirements and how to convert hours. |
| Q: | May I complete all my CEs online? |
| A: | Yes, if all your CEs are interactive online courses. See the current list of Providers Offering Online Interactive Courses (Not counted as home study hours) (pdf - 66kb) |
| Q: | I just took a 2 hour prevention of medical errors CE course to get my license, must I take the same course again, so soon for renewal? |
| A: | Yes, you must complete an additional, update course of a prevention of medical errors, even if you just took one to complete licensure requirements. Every renewal requires another 2 hours of prevention of medical errors CE. There are many providers and you may take one from a different provider to avoid redundancy. |
| Q: | I just got my license last year, am I required to renew and take 26 hours of continuing education, when I've had my license less than a year? |
| A: | Those persons certified for licensure in the second half of a biennium (on or after 3/1/2012) are exempt from the total 26 hours required continuing education requirements for that biennium, except for the mandatory two (2) hours prevention of medical errors course requirement, and the one (1) hour of HIV/AIDS education given by Board approved providers. See list of approved providers for such courses below. (Yes, you must complete an additional, update course of a prevention of medical errors, even if you just took one to complete licensure requirements. Every renewal requires another 2 hours of prevention of medical errors CE. There are many providers and you may take one from a different provider to avoid redundancy.) |
Back to Top |
|
| Address Changes | |
| Q: | How do I change my mailing address with the Department? |
| A: | You may submit your change of address electronically; or write a letter requesting the change and include your name, license number, social security number, and your old and new address. |
Back to Top |
|
| Application Processing | |
| Q: | How long does it take to process my application? |
| A: | Once an application has been received and validated by the revenue section, it is then forwarded to the board office for staff to process. Staff has 30 days to process an application once it has been receipted by revenue. |
| Q: | Can I call to get the status of my application? |
| A: | Yes. You may call (850) 488-0595, the Call Center, designed for this purpose and ask an operator to give you the status of your application. Status information regarding your file will be mailed periodically. |
Back to Top |
|
| NBCOT Examination | |
| Q: | Does Florida require passage of a state Exam for Occupational Therapists or Occupational Therapy Assistants licensure? |
| A: | Florida does not have a state exam, and does not honor other states or country exams for licensure. Licensure in Florida as an OT or an OTA requires the successful passage of the National Board of Certification for Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT) Examination. (www.nbcot.org or 301-990-7979) |
| Q: | How long do I have after I graduate to take the licensure examination? |
| A: | There is no time limitation between graduation date and exam date. |
| Q: | Is there a limit on how many times I can take the Exam? |
| A: | Florida has a statue regarding licensure by the Examination method which limits an applicant’s ability to taking and failing the exam 3 times, and then requiring additional education as prescribed by the Board, and not allowing licensure after failing the exam 5 times. However, Florida is not the owner, nor administrator of the exam, and the national Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) allows one to take the exam as many times as desired or necessary. Therefore, after applying for licensure in Florida by the Examination method if you fail the exam 3 times, you must withdraw your application, if it is not already over a year old, and has expired, and then re-apply later for licensure by the Endorsement method, AFTER passing the exam and having received your proof of NBCOT Certification. |
| Q: | If I do not sit for the scheduled exam, what happens to my temporary permit? Will it be extended? |
| A: | Once approved by the Board, the applicant has twelve months from the meeting date to take the NBCOT examination and submit proof of scores to the Board office. If you re-schedule your exam date with NBCOT, you must notify the Board office in writing. Scores must be requested and received directly from NBCOT. If one does not sit for the examination, or, if scores are not timely submitted, the temporary permit, and application will expire at the end of the twelve-month timeframe and one must immediately cease practice. No extensions are allowed. |
| Q: | I FAILED the exam, what should I do now regarding licensure in Florida? |
| A: | Your application and fees are valid for one year after the date the Board approved your application file. You must re-apply with NBCOT to take the exam, and request (and pay) for your scores to be sent to Florida, again. We will await receipt of your successful scores to process your licensure. |
| Q: | I failed the exam and I am reapplying to NBCOT to sit the exam again. Must I request and pay NBCOT to send my scores again to Florida? |
| A: | Yes. If you do not pay NBCOT to send your scores each time you apply, we will not receive them, and cannot proceed with your licensure. Please note, you may wait until after you recevie your succeessful exam results to request and pay NBCOT to send proof of your scores, but be advised this will delay your licensure until recepit of a certification letter. |
Back to Top |
|
| Permanent Licensure | |
| Q: | When will my permanent licensure be issued? |
| A: | Once a file is complete; it is placed on the next Board meeting agenda for approval. The Board meets every 2-3 months. (See the Board meeting schedule)
|
Back to Top |
|
| Refunds | |
| Q: | What if I choose to withdraw my application and not pursue licensure in Florida, may I receive a refund of fees? |
| A: | The $100 application fee is a non-refundable fee. You must submit a written request, including your original signature, to withdraw your application in order to be refunded the $75 licensure fee and the $5 unlicensed activity fee. |
Back to Top |
|
| Supervision | |
| Q: | Must I work under supervision with my temporary permit? |
| A: | An endorsement applicant may practice without supervision until the next meeting of the Board. An examination applicant must practice under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist until notification of the results of the examination. |
| Q: | If I am not required to be under supervision with my temporary permit by endorsement, then may I supervise others? |
| A: | No. See Section 468.203(8), F.S.. |
| Q: | What does supervision mean in Florida? Must my notes be co-signed? How much supervision is required? Must the licensed therapist be with me at all times? |
| A: | How much supervision is required and the co-signature of notes is determined by the supervising occupational therapist. The supervising occupational therapist takes responsibility for the person they supervise and makes judgment calls regarding co-signatures based on their knowledge of the person's skills, ability and training. Section 468.203(8), F.S., Guidelines to Supervision. |
Back to Top |
|
| Temporary Permits | |
| Q: | Once I have mailed in my application, may I work while l await my licensure? |
| A: | No. You may not work as an occupational therapist/assistant until you have been issued a temporary permit or a permanent license. |
| Q: | When will my temporary permit be issued? |
| A: | Individuals who have applied for permanent licensure and requested a temporary permit will receive a temporary permit when the application is complete and the applicant is deemed eligible. If applying by examination, you must apply by the NBCOT deadline to be eligible for a temporary permit. |
| Q: | What happens if I fail the examination? |
| A: | If you are working on a temporary permit, you must quit working immediately upon notification of your failing results and return your temporary permit to the board office. |
| Q: | May I apply for another temporary permit or ask for an extension? |
| A: | No. An applicant can have only one temporary permit and it cannot be extended. |
| Q: | If I re-apply to take the exam, may I have another temporary permit? |
| A: | No. A temporary permit shall not be issued to an applicant for licensure who has previously failed the examination and has not subsequently passed the examination. |
| Q: | If I re-apply to take the examination, must I re-apply for licensure? |
| A: | No, if you successfully pass the next examination it is possible your application is still in pending examination scores status and may be valid to process your licensure. |
Back to Top |
|
| Background Screening | |
| Q: | Will the Department of Health begin performing background checks pursuant to the passage of HB 7069(2010), Relating to Background Screening? |
| A: | No. Please visit the Agency for Health Care Administrations (AHCA) Background Screening website at http://ahca.myflorida.com/../index.shtml to learn more about its new background screening requirements. You may also contact the agency at (850) 412-4503 for additional information. |
| Q: | The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) indicates that I am unable to work in the facilities it licenses as a result of information revealed on my background screening report and that I must obtain a letter of exemption from the Board of Occupational Therapy in order to begin or resume employment in one of its facilities. How do I obtain this letter? |
| A: | If AHCA notifies you that you must obtain an Exemption from Disqualification from the Florida Board of Occupational Therapy Practice, as a result of your background screening report, you will need to download and complete the form provided on its website at the following address: http://ahca.myflorida.com/.../exemption.shtml The application should then be submitted to the Occupational Therapy Practice Board office, along with all required supporting documentation, at the following address: Florida Department of HealthUpon receipt, Board staff will review the application and documentation to ensure that all required information has been received and will place consideration of the application on the next scheduled Board meeting agenda. The Board meets on a quarterly basis. You will receive a formal meeting notice from the Board office once the application has been agendaed. |
| Q: | Will the Board notify AHCA concerning its decision on my application? |
| A: | No. After the Board has made a determination on your application for exemption, its attorney will prepare a notice indicating whether the exemption was approved or denied. Upon receipt of the order, you should retain the order as proof that you were granted an exemption. |
Back to Top |
|
| Renewal | |
| Q: | When does my license expire? |
| A: | All OT and OTA licenses expire on February 28, 2013. |
| Q: | How long is my license valid? |
| A: | Regardless of when the license is initially granted during the biennium, it will expire on the expiration date of that biennium. It may be that the license is only valid for a few months depending upon when the licensure takes place. |
| Q: | What is a licensure biennium? |
| A: | A licensure biennium is the twenty-four month period between expiration dates. All occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and occupational therapy continuing education provider licenses expire on February 28 of every odd year. (2011, 2013, 2015, ...) It is during this time period that the continuing education requirements must be met for each renewal cycle. |
| Q: | What is a renewal cycle? |
| A: | The renewal cycle starts 120 days prior to the expiration date of a license and ends on the expiration date. It is during this time that you receive your renewal notice and when licensees begin sending in their renewal notices and fees to renew the license for the next biennium. It is your responsibility to notify the department of a change of address. |
| Q: | How long will it take to process my renewal, especially if I wait to renew until the last minute? |
| A: | It takes approximately 4-6 weeks to process a renewal. If you wait until the end of the renewal cycle to mail your renewal notice and fee, you will not be current on the licensure computer system until the renewal is processed. There may be a period of time that your license will be in delinquent status. Your place of employment may not allow you to work during this interim period; consequently, it is recommended that you mail your renewal in no later than 30 days from the expiration date. |
Note: Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. |
|
| Q: | How do I renew if I do not receive a renewal notice? |
| A: | Renewal notices are mailed approximately 120 days prior to the expiration date. It is the responsibility of the licensee to make sure he or she renews on time. If you do not get a notice, chances are that your address is not current on the licensure computer system. These changes can be requested online at our website, fax, mailing a request, or by email. MQA On-line Services account ID and passwords can be found directly on the renewal notice. If you do not receive a renewal notice, the Department can provide you with you account ID and password over the telephone or by email. To receive an account ID and password over the telephone, you should contact the Department at (850) 488-0595 and someone will assist you with this information. To receive an account ID and password by email, you can email your request to LicensureServices@doh.state.fl.us. Blank renewal forms are published on the website and may be found through the Current Licensee portion. There is no grace period after your expiration date. |
| Q: | What happens if I do not renew on time? |
| A: | Failure to renew by the expiration date will cause the license to become delinquent. It is unlawful to practice your profession in Florida on a delinquent license. To renew a delinquent license, you must submit the renewal fee plus the delinquency fee. In addition, you must make the following statement along with your check: "I affirm compliance with all renewal requirements including continuing education requirements." |
| Q: | What happens if I do not renew my delinquent license by the end of the second biennium? |
| A: | Failure by a delinquent licensee to become active or inactive before the expiration date of the current licensure cycle renders the license null and void without any further action by the board or the department. Any subsequent licensure shall be as a result of applying for and meeting all requirements for initial licensure. |
| Q: | Can I place my license in the inactive category and be exempt from the continuing education requirements? |
| A: | All licensees accrue continuing education requirements, whether active or inactive. You can renew without having the continuing education requirements by requesting to put your license in an inactive status and pay the renewal fee. You may even continue to renew inactive. Understand that the only advantage to placing a license in inactive status is to keep your license from becoming null and void for non-renewal because you do not have to maintain and submit proof of continuing education hours upon renewing. However, when you decide to reactivate to an active status you must complete and submit proof of all continuing education equal to the time you have been inactive, and pay the appropriate change of status fee and reactivation fee. |
| Q: | This is my first renewal. Do I need to retake the HIV/Aids one hour continuing education requirement I took for initial licensure? |
| A: | No. As long as you have taken one HIV/AIDS course (ex: for initial licensure) no later than your first renewal, you do not have to take repeat HIV/AIDS courses for subsequent renewals. |
| Q: | How much continuing education is required for me to renew? |
| A: | 26 contact hours of approved continuing education are required to renew. This includes one (1) hour of HIV/AIDS education required by section 456.033, Florida Statutes, and two (2) hours of Prevention of Medical Errors education required by section 456.013(7), Florida Statutes, given by a board approved provider, and two (2) hours of a Laws and Rules education course as required in Rule Chapter 64B11-5.001, Florida Administrative Code (pdf - 50kb), given by a board approved provider. One (1) hour of HIV/AIDS education required by section 456.033, Florida Statutes, is ONLY required for one’s first renewal. You may access the links for the prevention of medical errors courses (pdf - 48kb) and laws and rules courses (pdf - 24kb). |
| Q: | Where can I find a list of the Board approved providers for continuing education? |
| A: | You may go to CE Broker to search for CE Providers. |
| Q: | What if a continuing education course that I took is not approved by one of the approved providers listed in the rule or listed at CE Broker? |
| A: | You as a licensed professional can make the determination if a course is acceptable for OT continuing education. Subsection (5) of rule 64B11-6.001, Florida Administrative Code, states that courses and programs not approved shall be approved as appropriate continuing education if said course or program meets the criteria as specified in rule 64B11-6.001(pdf - 28kb). The course shall be relevant to the practice of occupational therapy and must be offered for the purpose of keeping the licensee apprised of advancements and new development in occupational therapy, and shall be designed to enhance learning and skills consistent with contemporary standards for occupational therapy practice. The Board of Occupational Therapy Practice and the staff do not approve individual courses. |
| Q: | How many home study hours can I take? |
| A: | Up to 12 hours of continuing education per biennium. |
| Q: | How many hours of HIV/AIDS education must I take? |
| A: | Two hours for initial licensure. |
| Q: | How many hours of Prevention of Medical Errors must I take? |
| A: | Two hours for renewal and for initial licensure. Course must be given by a board approved provider. Course must include:
|
| Q: | How many hours of Occupational Therapy Laws and Rules must I take? |
| A: | Two hours for licensure renewal. Course must be given by a board approved provider. |
| Q: | How long is a contact hour and how does a CEU relate to continuing education hours? |
| A: | One (1) contact hour equals a minimum of fifty (50) minutes. One half (1/2 or .5) contact hours equals a minimum of twenty-five (25) minutes. 1 CEU = 10 contact continuing education hours. |
| Q: | I am an OTA currently enrolled in graduate studies to become an OTR, in an accredited program. Will my studies count for any CE requirements, and how do I calculate the hours? |
| A: | Yes, as long as you are in an approved OT program the courses count. Courses must be "relevant to the practice of occupational therapy". Your transcripts would be your documentation. Rule 64B11-6.001(4)(b), Florida Administrative Code (pdf - 28kb), states:
Courses sponsored by a college or university when providing a curriculum for occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants shall be awarded 10 hours of continuing education credit per semester hour and shall be verified by official transcripts |
| Q: | I am an OTR currently enrolled in a master's or Ph.D. program in an accredited program. Will my studies count for any CE requirements, and how do I calculate the hours? |
| A: | Yes, see answer above. |
| Q: | How Do I place my license in a Retired status and what does it mean? |
| A: | You must submit a request to place your license in "retired" status and pay a one-time fee of $50.00 plus the $5 unlicensed activity fee, for a total fee of $55. The Board will no longer contact you regarding your license. Retired status does not allow you to continue providing therapy. |
| Q: | How do I reactivate my Retired license? |
| A: | You must submit a written request to convert your retired license to an active status. To reactivate the license you must pay the same amount as the renewal fee for an active status licensee for each biennial licensure period in which the licensee was in retired status. You must also submit proof of completing 26 hours of CE, including the statutory mandated courses for each biennium the license was in the retired status. |
| Q: | How do I place my license in an Inactive status and what does it mean? |
| A: | You must renew your license every two years and pay the current renewal fee. The Board will continue to contact you regarding licensure renewals. Inactive status does not allow you to continue providing therapy. |
| Q: | How do I reactivate my Inactive license? |
| A: | You must submit a written request to reactivate your inactive license to an active status. You must pay a $100 reactivation fee and submit proof of completing 26 hours of CE, including the statutory mandated courses for each biennium the license was in an inactive status. |
Back to Top |
|
| MISSION: | To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, & community efforts. |
| VISION: | To be the Healthiest State in the Nation |
| PURPOSE: | To protect the public and make Florida the healthiest state in the nation through health care licensure, enforcement, and information. |
| FOCUS: | To be the nation's leader in quality health care regulation. |
| VALUES: | I CARE (Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Responsiveness, Excellence) |
