| Applicant Questions | |
| Q: | How long do I have to complete my application? |
| A: | Rule 64B17-2.001(1), F.A.C., provides that an incomplete application shall be administratively closed one year after initial filing with the department. If your application is closed, you will be required to complete another application and application fee. Back to top |
| Q: | If the applicant was approved (education) and has taken and passed the exam(s) but has not received a social security number, will they have to reapply again? |
| A: | The applicant will not have to reapply as they have already met licensure requirements. Staff will keep their files and upon being issued a social security number, will be licensed. Back to top |
| Q: | Must I take a medical errors course prior to submitting my application? |
| A: | No, however it will avoid processing delays. The two-hour medical errors course is mandated by statute for all initial licensees and for every licensee renewal. Applicants will be required to complete the medical errors course prior to licensure.
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| Q: | Can I transfer my license from one state to Florida? |
| A: | No, Florida does not have reciprocity with any state; we endorse the National Physical Therapy Examination given by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). Back to top |
| Q: | Is my score of 132 in Michigan high enough for Florida? |
| A: | The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) must transfer the scores directly to Florida before a determination can be made about whether or not the scores are high enough. The scores differ for each examination and the results are calculated according to each individual state's laws. Back to top |
| Q: | Does Florida recognize the Registry Examination? |
| A: | Legislation passed in 1997 that would allow Florida to recognize this examination; however, the final determination is up to the Board of Physical Therapy. Back to top |
| Q: | Does Florida require applicants to take and pass a laws and rules examination? |
| A: | Yes, all applicants applying for licensure by endorsement or examination must take and pass the Florida laws and rules exam before they can be licensed. Back to top |
| Q: | When does my license expire? |
| A: | All licenses expire on November 30th of every odd year regardless when it was issued. Back to top |
| Q: | Can I apply for licensure if I have passed the NPTE in another state, but do not hold an active license? |
| A: | Yes, an applicant for licensure by examination must have obtained a passing score on the NPTE examination within the five (5) years immediately prior to filing of the application. Back to top |
| Licensee Questions | |
| Q: | How long is my license valid? |
| A: | Each license is valid for two years. 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. Back to top |
| Q: | What is a licensure biennium? |
| A: | Licensure biennium is the twenty-four month period between expiration dates. The biennium is December 1st through November 30th of every odd-numbered year. It is during this time period that the continuing education requirements must be met for each renewal cycle. Back to top |
| Q: | What is a renewal cycle? |
| A: | The renewal cycle starts between 90 to 120 days prior to the expiration date of a license and ends on the expiration date. It is during this time that a renewal postcard is mailed, providing you with instructions to renew. It is your responsibility to notify the department of a change of address. Back to top |
| Q: | How do I renew if I do not receive a renewal postcard? |
| A: | If you do not receive your postcard instructions, renewing online is as simple as going to www.FLHealthsource.com. If you do not know your UserID and Password, the system will assist you in logging in after you answer several specific validation questions. You may also contact our Call Center at (850) 488-0595 for assistance. If it is longer than 90 days before your license renewal is due, the system may not yet be activated for your profession. If this is the case, please return to the online renewal system within the 90 days prior to your renewal due date. If you have any problems using online renewal or other questions about your renewal, please contact the division's customer contact center at 850-488-0595 and choose option 3. Back to top |
| 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 the continuing education requirement." Back to top |
| Q: | How much continuing education is required for me to renew? |
| A: | 24 contact hours of approved continuing education is required to renew. This includes the Prevention of Medical Errors education required by section 456.013(7), F.S. The approved providers are listed in Rules 64B17-8.001 and 64B17-9.001, Florida Administrative Code. Completion of an approved HIV/AIDS course for the first renewal after initial licensure is required. Please review our continuing education pages for more information. Back to top |
| Q: | Who provides the continuing education courses required for license renewal? |
| A: | Continuing education credits are awarded only for educational experiences received through the methods listed in Rule 64B17-9.001 and may be self-reported through CE Broker (Website: www.CEBroker.com) Back to top |
| Q: | What if a continuing education course that I took is not approved by one of the approved providers listed in the rule? |
| A: | You can obtain individual course approval from the Florida Physical Therapy Association who can be reached at (850) 222-1243. The Board of Physical Therapy staff does not perform this service. Back to top |
| 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 long do I have to keep my continuing education certificates? |
| A: | All continuing education information must be maintained for at least 4 years from the date the course was taken. The Board conducts random audits to verify compliance and you must have your certificates if you are audited. Back to top |
| Q: | If I place my license on inactive status, am I exempt from the continuing education requirements? |
| A: | You are required to pay the inactive renewal fee each biennium. You are not required to obtain continuing education to place or maintain your license on inactive status. However, to reactivate an inactive license, you will be required to show 20 hours of continuing education for each biennium of inactive status and 24 hours of continuing education for the preceding biennium during which the licensee held an active license. Back to top |
| Q: | How many home study hours can I have? |
| A: | Up to 12 hours per biennium. Back to top |
| Q: | How many hours of HIV/AIDS education must I take? |
| A: | As of July 1, 2006, licensees will no longer be required by Chapter 456, F.S., to take an HIV/AIDS course for each renewal. A newly licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant is required to take an approved one hour HIV/AIDS course for his/her first renewal. Back to top |
| Q: | How many hours of Prevention of Medical Errors must I take? |
| A: | Two hours for renewal and for initial licensure. Course must also include the following: a) medical documentation and communication; b) contraindications and indications for PT management and c) pharmacological components of pt and patient management. Back to top |
| Q: | How does the Board feel about Physical Therapists serving as monitors? |
| A: | Licensees that are subject to disciplinary action, as ordered by the Florida Board of Physical Therapy Practice, frequently require monitors to supervise the practice of those licensees. The monitor is providing a service to the board, the licensee, the physical therapy profession and the citizens that we protect. Monitors are applauded for their willingness to participate in this process and are not under scrutiny by the physical therapy board. Monitors are approved by the board or board chair after submission of acceptable credentials. Back to top |
| General Questions | |
| Q: | How can I become a Board member? |
| A: | Board members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. For more information about Gubernatorial Appointments, please visit the Governors website at: http://wp.flgov.com/appointments/ Back to top |
| Q: | Who can attend Board meetings? |
| A: | All Board meetings are open to the public and you are encouraged to attend. Back to top |
| Q: | How many times may I take the exam? |
| A: | Any applicant who has failed the NPTE exam three times in any jurisdiction must complete remedial training approved by the Board prior to being seated for the NPTE on the fourth time. The remedial training must be taken after the third attempt. An applicant who has failed to pass the NPTE by or on the fifth attempt, regardless of the jurisdiction through which the exam was taken, is precluded from licensure in Florida. Back to top |
| 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 can I get a Board agenda? |
| A: | You may request to be placed on the Boards Interested Parties list. The Board routinely sends out Agenda Outlines to interested parties 7-10 days prior to an upcoming board meeting. Copies of the full "public" agenda are also available, but are subject to a duplication fee. Back to top |
| Q: | How can I file a complaint against a licensee? |
| A: | You may print the Complaint Form from our 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. Back to top |
| 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. Back to top |
| Q: | How can I get a list of licensee information? |
| A: | To obtain an electronic listing of active and inactive licensees 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 |
| Foreign Trained Questions | |
| Q: | Where do I find the requirements for foreign trained applicants? |
| A: | You can view specific requirements for foreign trained graduates at Requirements for Foreign Trained Individuals (pdf - 28kb). Back to top |
| Q: | What credentialing agencies have been approved by the Florida Board of Physical Therapy (Board), and how do I contact them? |
| A: | The Board has approved the following two credentialing agencies.
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| Q: | What must the credential evaluation include? |
| A: | The credential evaluation must address each of the requirements outlined in Rule 64B17-3.001(5). You can view these requirements at Requirements for Credential Evaluations (pdf - 14kb). Back to top |
| Q: | Is proof of English proficiency required? |
| A: | No Back to top |
| Q: | Do I need a social security number to apply for licensure? |
| A: | No, you can apply for licensure and take the exam prior to getting a social security number. However, you will need the social security number prior to receiving your license. Back to top |
| Q: | Can I use CLEP examinations to substitute for coursework? |
| A: | Yes, in some cases. You can use CLEP examinations to substitute for any of the 60 required general education credits. You cannot use CLEP examinations to substitute for any of the required professional education credits. Back to top |
| Q: | I have received my credential evaluation and have been told I am deficient in professional education credits. What can I do? |
| A: | We suggest you contact a Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited university that has an approved physical therapy program. They may allow you to enroll and take the courses through their program. You may visit the American Physical Therapy Associations website at www.apta.org for a list of approved schools. The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy has a service, Planned Learning and Assistance Network (P-L-A-N), which will assist foreign applicants whose educational credentials evaluation has been found to be not equivalent to the first professional degree in physical therapy in the United States, or who have not met specific requirements in a jurisdiction. Please visit their website at www.fccpt.org for more information. Back to top |
| Q: | I have been trained as a physical therapist assistant (PTA) outside the U.S. Can I be licensed in Florida? |
| A: | Yes. According to Section 486.102, F.S, you must have graduated from a school giving a course for physical therapist assistants in a foreign country and have educational credentials deemed equivalent to those required for the educational preparation of physical therapist assistants in this country. Back to top |
| Q: | Are degrees obtained in a transitional program equivalent to a professional entry-level physical therapy degree? |
| A: | No. Transitional degrees will not be accepted for initial licensure. Back to top |
| Q: | I received my first professional degree from a non-CAPTE school, but have since received my transitional DPT degree; do I still have to complete a credential evaluation? |
| A: | Yes, as the transitional DPT program is not entry level, therefore, you must submit a current credential evaluation. Back to top |
| Q: | I have taken the NPTE exam more than five times. Can I apply for licensure as a physical therapist assistant? |
| A: | No, you are not eligible for licensure as a PT or a PTA. Back to top |
| Q: | I do not have a CAPTE approved degree and my credential evaluation says my education is not equivalent to what is required for physical therapists in Florida: Can I apply for licensure as a physical therapist assistant? |
| A: | No. You cannot apply for a PTA license if you do not have a CAPTE approved degree or a credentials evaluation saying your education is equivalent to CAPTE approved degree. Back to top |
| Q: | Do I have to have a master's degree to be eligible for licensure in Florida? |
| A: | No. However, your education must be deemed equivalent to a US degree based on your time of graduation. Back to top |
| Q: | Can I request an extension to complete my CEs? |
| A: | Rule 64B17-9.001(7) states: The Board shall make exceptions for licensees from the continuing education requirements including waiver of all or a portion of these requirements or the granting of an extension of time in which to complete these requirements upon a finding of good cause by majority vote of the Board at a public meeting following receipt of a written request for exception based upon emergency or hardship. Emergency or hardship cases are those: 1) involving long term personal illness or illness involving a close relative or person for whom the licensee has care-giving responsibilities; 2) where the licensee can demonstrate that the required course(s) are not reasonably available; and 3) other demonstrated economic, technological or legal hardships that substantially relate to the ability to perform or complete the continuing education requirements. If you wish to request an exception and you have a hardship listed above, you must submit your request in writing to MQA_PhysicalTherapy@doh.state.fl.us, or Board of Physical Therapy, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, C-05, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3255. Your request will be placed on the next available board meeting agenda for consideration. 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) |
