Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you may apply for a temporary permit.  The temporary permit is granted as a courtesy of the Board to eligible applicants for licensure that are scheduled to take the exam for the first time, is only a one-time opportunity, and is immediately invalid upon receipt of unsuccessful examination results.

It is the Board’s strong encouragement for new graduates to focus first on studying and applying for licensure after successfully completing the exam   Temporary permits are not renewable, cannot be re-issued, and often, leave employers with the absence of a therapist or assistant, and applicants without employment, when unsuccessful exam results are received.
Our online application is a streamlined process, reviewed daily, and often licensing is completed the same day with an average of 1-3 days.
To apply for a temporary permit, you must download a paper application found on the Board’s website under the Resources Tab https://floridasoccupationaltherapy.gov/resources/ select the Examination method and mail to the Department with the required application fee payment. A temporary permit may be requested on page 11 of the application.
NOTE: The application is for the issuance of a permanent license with a temporary permit opportunity. Issuance of a temporary permit is a courtesy of the Board and may be granted if eligibility requirements and time deadlines are met.

Before a Temporary Permit may be issued you must submit:
1.    A completed paper application for the Examination Method with the $180 application/licensure fee. (https://floridasoccupationaltherapy.gov/resources/) Must be mailed.
2.    Proof of scheduled Exam Date. This is not the NBCOT Authorization or eligibility to Test (ATT) letter. This proof must be from the exam vendor. Please note any previously submitted documents prior to the submission of an application, must be re-submitted with the paper application.
3.    Proof that NBCOT Exam results (a Score Transfer) have been requested to be sent to Florida. An email confirmation receipt is sufficient.
4.    Employer and a Florida licensed OT Supervisor information. (Employer name, address, phone, Supervisor name, FL license number, email, and phone)
5.    Application must be received and completed at least two weeks prior to the scheduled exam date. We do not issue temporary permits for two weeks or less prior to the scheduled exam date.

Again, it is the Board’s strong encouragement to waive a temporary permit, successfully complete the examination and then apply for licensure.  A completed application must include the $180 fee, and a social security number. Applications without a fee are not processed.  Applications received without a social security number are deficient. NOTE: Applications with an email address listed on the application receive more streamlined correspondence regarding application and licensure status.

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.

No. An applicant can have only one temporary permit and it cannot be extended.

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.

No. You may not work as an occupational therapist/assistant until you have been issued a temporary permit or a permanent license.

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.

Yes, an examination applicant must practice under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist until notification of the results of the examination.