Frequently Asked Questions

No. Applicants must demonstrate passing the NBCOT certification examination for initial licensure, but maintenance of certification is not necessary for renewal.

IF you were licensed in the first half of the biennium (Visit the Renewals, CE TAB for specific dates information at this link: https://floridasoccupationaltherapy.gov/renewals/#tab-ce)

OR

This is a second or subsequent renewal, you are required to complete and confirm in CE Broker, 26 contact hours of approved continuing education to renew. The 26 hours must include:
• Two (2) hours of Prevention of Medical Errors education required by section 456.013(7), Florida Statutes, given by an FL OT board approved provider
• Two (2) hours of a Laws and Rules education course as required in Rule Chapter 64B11-5.001, Florida Administrative Code, given by an FL OT board approved provider
• A minimum of 14 “live” CE hours.

NOTE: A minimum of 14 “live” CE hours are required if you take 12 hours of Home Study CE. Home Study hours are not required, only “limited” to 12 hours. You can take all 26 CE hours as “live” hours, if you wish, or as online “live interactive” courses (in real-time). Interactive courses must allow the opportunity for interaction with presenter/host.

IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST RENEWAL and you were licensed in the second half of the biennium you are exempt the 26 hours requirement and must only complete three (3) contact hours of approved continuing education as stated: (Visit the Renewals, CE TAB for specific dates information at this link: https://floridasoccupationaltherapy.gov/renewals/#tab-ce)

• Two (2) hours of Prevention of Medical Errors education required by section 456.013(7), Florida Statutes, given by an FL OT board approved provider, and
• One (1) hour of HIV/AIDS education as required by section 456.033, Florida Statutes.

The department will mail a renewal notification to your last known address at least 90 days prior to the expiration of your license. Your license also indicates the date it will expire. All OT and OTA licenses expire on February 28, of each odd year.

During an open renewal period, if your license is in Clear/Inactive status, to reactivate to Clear/Active status you must pay a $160 ($100 reactivation fee + $60 Renewal fee). You must also submit online in CE Broker, the required 26 hours of continuing education for the renewal biennium you changed your status to Inactive and 26 hours for each licensure biennium, in which the license remained in an Inactive status. If you are reactivating your license outside of a renewal period, an additional $50 change of status fee is required.

If your license is in a Delinquent/Active or Delinquent/Inactive status, additional delinquent fees will apply. You will need to contact the Customer Care Center (850) 488-0595 or email the Board office at: mqa.occupationaltherapy@flhealth.gov for specific requirements.

These transactions cannot be completed online. These fees and changes must be completed by mail.  You must submit the Reactivation Application form (download from the Board’s website, “Resources” tab or send a request to the Board office at: mqa.occupationaltherapy@flhealth.gov). See Rule 64B11-5.006 Inactive and Delinquent Status Fees.

You must renew your license every two years and pay the current renewal fee. The Board will continue to contact you regarding renewals. Inactive status does not allow you to continue providing therapy. However, all licensees accrue continuing education requirements, in an and and inactive status. You may continue to renew inactive without having to submit continuing education requirements, however, when you choose to reactivate to an active status you must complete and submit proof of all continuing education (26 hours), for EACH renewal biennium you have been inactive, and pay the $50 change of status fee and $100 reactivation fee.

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 $60 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, in CE Broker (www.CEBroker.com) including the statutory mandated courses (2 hours laws and rules and 2 hours medical errors) for each biennium the license was in a retired status.

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.

According to Chapter 64B11-5.001(5) HIV/AIDS, Licensees must take one hour of HIV/AIDS education no later than their first renewal. HIV/AIDS courses approved by any Board within the Division of Medical Quality Assurance of the Department of Health is acceptable for this requirement. There is no requirement to take repeat HIV/AIDS courses for subsequent renewals.

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 $60 renewal fee. You may even continue to renew inactive at subsequent renewals. However, understand the main advantage to placing a license in inactive status is to keep your license from becoming delinquent or null and void for non-renewal because you have not completed the required continuing education hours. When you decide to reactivate to a Clear/Active status you must complete and submit proof of 26 continuing education hours for the licensure biennium you changed your license to an  inactive status, and for each subsequent biennium you renewed inactive. You must also pay a $100 reactivation fee and appropriate $50 change of status fee if outside of a renewal window. Because you choose not to work in Florida, does not mean your license must be in an Inactive status. See FAQ: What are my Renewal options?

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.

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 and complete required continuing education hours online in CE Broker at www.cebroker.com. You may complete your renewal online at: www.flhealthsource.gov

The department will mail a renewal notification to your last known address at least 90 days prior to the expiration of your license. It is the responsibility of the licensee to make sure he or she renews on time. Your license expiration date is printed on your license. If you do not get a notice, chances are that your address is not current in the licensure system. Address changes can be completed by you online, or submitted to the Department online on the website, by email, or by mailing a request. MQA On-line Services account ID and passwords can be found directly on your renewal notice. If you do not receive a renewal notice, it is best that you go online and register in our new online service system where you can acquire a new account ID and password and change your address in the system, to become familiar prior to the upcoming renewal. However, the Department can provide you with your account ID and password over the telephone, or by email if a request is sent online from the website.Should you need assistance you may contact the Customer Contact Center

Should you need assistance you may contact the Customer Contact Center at: (850) 488-0595 and someone will assist you, Or you may email at: MedicalQualityAssurance@doh.state.fl.us, Blank renewal forms may also be printed from the website. PLEASE NOTE: There is no grace period after the license expiration date. Failure to renew by the expiration date will cause the license to become delinquent. You will not be able to renew your license if your continuing education requirements are not Completed in CE Broker Prior to processing your Renewal. It is unlawful to practice your profession in Florida on a delinquent license.