Frequently Asked Questions

Although the Florida Board of Occupational Therapy Practice does not specify that OT’s or OTA’s must obtain a certain “set” of modality certifications; appropriate training/certification should be sought for the modalities that an OT or OTA intends to use in practice. The Board’s regulations specifically address the type of training required for an OT or OTA to use (1) Electrical Stimulation, (2) Ultrasound Devices or (3) Neurofeedback Device in practice. Those requirements are found in Rule 64B11-4.001, F.A.C., Use of Prescription Devices.

It is important to note that many courses may be Board approved courses for “continuing education credit” purposes, and given by approved providers found in the course search features in www.CEBroker.com.  However, for purpose of fulfilling the “modalities certification” requirements, paragraphs (1)(c), (2)(c) and (3)(c) of this Rule indicate that online courses are NOT approved for either didactic or performance training for these specific modalities.

Many courses may be Board approved courses for “continuing education” credit purposes and found in the course search features in www.CEBroker.com. However, for purpose of “modalities certification” paragraphs (1)(c), (2)(c) and (3)(c) of Rule 64B11-4.001 Use of Prescription Devices indicates Online courses are NOT approved for either didactic or performance training for these specific modalities.

Applicants cannot correct, add or change an application once submitted. You can login to your account (at MQA’s Online Services Licensee Resource page at: www.flhealthsource.gov) and upload documents, add money (under “Other Options”), and view the status of your application (which does not change until an application processor reviews and updates the file.

To address an application deficiency or error in your application, you may send an email to the Board email address at: mqa.occupationaltherapy@flhealth.gov or reply directly to your application processor’s email. PLEASE always include your complete name as entered on your application, your application File# and/or last 4 digits of your social security number with all correspondence. (Note: A license will not be issued without a social security number included in your application). If you did not include your social security number on your application, this will be an application deficiency. Please send your social security number by upload, email or fax to: (850)414-6860 to avoid a delay in your licensure processing.

To pay the required fees online, you may login in to your MQA Online Services Portal account at: www.flhealthsource.gov and follow the steps below:

1). Go to Make Payment under the “Additional Activities” section.
2). Select the application that is pending payment of required fees.
3). Follow the prompts to submit payment by credit card.

If you are choose to pay by cashier’s check or money order please print your application summary; Make payment payable to DOH/Board of Occupational Therapy (include file# on your payment) and mail to:

DOH/Division of Medical Quality Assurance Board of Occupational Therapy Practice
PO Box 6320
Tallahassee, FL 32314-6320

If you have used an “Other Payer Code,” Please contact the institution that provided you the code to arrange payment.

If you have questions or problems while trying to submit your online payment please contact our Customer Care Center at: (850) 488-0595 or Licensure Services Unit at: (850) 245-5773.

A license cannot be issued without a social security number. If you did not include your social security number on your application, this will be an application deficiency.  You must login to your account (at MQA’s Online Services Licensee Resource page at: www.flhealthsource.gov ) and upload a copy of your Social Security card or a written note with your Social security number and name as listed on your application.

NOTE: Applicants cannot correct, add, or change an application once submitted, only upload documents, add money (under “Additional /Other Options”), and view the status of your application. An application status does not change until an application processor reviews and updates the file. After uploading document(s) it is best to send an email to inform staff for prompt review at the Board’s email address: mqa.occupationaltherapy@flhealth.gov

Applications are reviewed in date receipt order. By statute requirement, Board staff has 30 days from the date of submission/receipt, to review an application. However, our reviews are mostly completed within 10 days, at an average of 3-7 days. You will receive an email immediately from the application processor when the initial review is completed, advising the application status, regarding any deficiencies or confirmation of licensure completion. Once a license is issued, the number will be sent to you via email/licensure letter and the actual license should be printed and received within 7- 10 business days.

You may select “Other” or “Out of State” for you school selection and add the name of the school and information in the notes.
You may also send an email to the Board email address: mqa.occupationaltherapy@flhealth.gov or reply to your application processor’s email. PLEASE always include your complete name as entered on your application, your application File# and/or last 4 digits of your social security number with all correspondence. (Note: A license will not be issued without a social security number included in your application). If you did not include your social security number on your application, this will be an application deficiency. Please send your social security number by upload, email or fax to: (850)414-6860 to avoid a delay in your licensure processing.

An OPEN status means an application has not been initially reviewed yet. Applications are reviewed in date receipt order. Staff has 30 days from the date of submission to review applications, however, our reviews are mostly completed within 10 days, at an average of 3-7 days. You will receive an email immediately from the application processor when the initial review is completed, advising the application status, regarding any deficiencies or confirmation of licensure completion. Once a license is issued, the number will be sent to you via email/licensure letter and the actual license should be printed and received within 7- 10 business days.

Board Rule 64B11-2.011 Definition of Supervised Fieldwork Experience identifies the supervision regarding students. The Rule does not state an OTA can supervise an OT student, only indicates a licensed OT as the OT student’s supervisor.

64B11-2.011 Definition of Supervised Fieldwork Experience. Supervision, for purposes of this rule, shall mean that the occupational therapist student or occupational therapy assistant student has daily direct contact at the worksite with his or her supervisor. The term “supervised fieldwork experience,” as provided for in Section 468.209(1)(c), F.S., shall mean:

(1) For an occupational therapy student, experience at an occupational therapist level occuring in a clinical setting affiliated with an educational institution in occupational therapy for a minimum of 6 months, with the fieldwork experience supervised by a licensed occupational therapist.

(2) For an occupational therapy assistant student, experience at an occupational therapy assistant level occuring in a clinical setting affiliated with an educational institution in occupational therapy for a minimum of 2 months, with the fieldwork experience supervised by a licensed occupational therapist or by a licensed occupational therapy assistant under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist.

Additionally: 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. Per Board Rule: 64B11-5.001 (11), F.A.C.

To obtain an electronic listing of active and inactive licensee’s mailing addresses and license status, there is not a fee. Data may be downloaded at the Department’s Health Care Practitioner Data Portal at this link: https://mqa-internet.doh.state.fl.us/downloadnet/Licensure.aspx You may wish to review the FAQ’s on this page also.

If a course allows “interaction” with the provider/host/instructor during the course or program, in “real time”, it may be counted as a “Live” course. The questions you may consider in this determination would be as… Will the Live webinar allow/provide interaction for signing in? attendance recognition? the possibility of asking questions, commenting, etc., i.e. interaction back and forth? If it is only a recording of a previous, in the past live program, and there is not the ability to interact with the presenter/host, it is not a “Live” course. Interactive courses must allow the opportunity for interaction (communication back and forth) with presenter/host/instructor during the presentation of the program.

To find Board approved providers offering such “live” courses, you may search in CE Broker at: www.CEBroker.com. Select the “Live Courses” Tab, and one of the following categories: “Broadcasted Interactive Event” or “Web Based Program”. Interactive courses must be in “real time” and allow the opportunity for interaction with presenter/host.

You will need to log in to your MQA online account and link both of your licenses to the same account. Before submitting a renewal you will need to go to CE Broker and report all continuing education and then go back to the MQA Portal to complete the renewal process.