Attention: AHCA Clearinghouse Legacy Applications Downtime

AHCA Clearinghouse Legacy Applications Downtime

The background screening Clearinghouse Results Website will undergo scheduled maintenance as part of the ongoing efforts to update systems. Please make note of the following important information:

Downtime Schedule:

The Clearinghouse Results Website will be down from Friday, November 8th at 5:00 PM to Monday, November 18th at 8:00 AM. During this period, the system will be inaccessible for regular use as AHCA deploys the new system. This downtime could mean delays for applicants who get a LiveScan screening November 8 and thereafter.

Renewal Information


Renewal

The Board has made every effort to include the information you need to renew your license on this website. You can visit our Help CenterFAQs and Resources page for frequently asked questions, links, forms, applications and other helpful information. If you have additional questions about your renewal process, please contact a renewal specialist.

Click on the appropriate tab below to see the Renewal Requirements, Process, Fees and Continuing Education (CE) for Occupational Therapists & Assistants.

Current licenses expire at midnight, Eastern Time, on February 28, 2025

To ensure you receive your renewal notification from the department, your current mailing address must be on file. To verify or update your address visit: www.flhealthsource.gov and login to your account. Failure to renew an active or inactive license by the expiration date will result in the license being placed in delinquent status. Failure by a delinquent licensee to renew before the expiration of the current licensure cycle renders the license null and void without any further action by the board or the department.

Licensees requesting to reactivate their license from inactive or retired status are required to pay additional fees and comply with specific continuing education requirements. Please contact the board office at info@floridasoccupationaltherapy.gov to request your reactivation requirements.

If you are reactivating your license, please refer to the Laws & Rules governing your practice for additional requirements.

For additional information please review our Frequently Asked Questions under: Licensee & Renewal FAQs. What Are My Renewal Options?

The department will renew your license upon receipt of:

  • Completed renewal application
  • Required fees

At least 90 days before your license expires, the department will mail you a renewal notification postcard to your last known mailing address of record. You will have until midnight on the day your license expires to renew. Failure to renew an active or inactive license by the expiration date will result in the license being placed in delinquent status. Failure by a delinquent licensee to become active or inactive before the expiration of the current licensure cycle renders the license null and void without any further action by the board or the department.

Renewal Instructions:

  1. Go to www.flhealthsource.gov and click the “Renew A License” button.
  2. Enter your Personal Identifying Information (PII), then click the Login button.
  3. Confirm or update your MQA Services Account email address, then click the “Continue” button.
  4. You are now in the Dashboard. During renewals, a “Renew My License” option will populate no later than 90 days prior to your license expiration date. (Note: If you do not see the “Renew My License” option, please check back at a later time.)

*** If the “PII Failed” screen displays, click the “Other Login Option” button and enter your existing User ID and password to access your account.***

Additional Information:

  • You may renew online if you have a credit or debit card to complete the transaction. Please note that you can now renew online, print a copy of your application summary and mail it with your cashier’s check or money order to:
    Division of Medical Quality Assurance
    P.O. Box 6320
    Tallahassee, FL 32314-6320
  • If you are renewing your license after the expiration date and your status still indicates Clear/Active or Clear/Inactive, you will be assessed a delinquency fee. The delinquency fee will be in addition to your renewal fees.
  • If your license is Delinquent/Active or Delinquent/Inactive you may still renew prior to the renewal deadline. The following actions must be taken prior to renewing your license:
    • Prior to renewing your license, you must report your continuing education (CE) hours to the Department of Health’s tracking system.
    • To renew a delinquent license, you will need to report your CE hours for your current cycle, as well as your previous cycle.
    • If you did not complete CE courses in your last renewal cycle, you may complete them now and report them to the CE tracking system.
    • To report course completion, log onto your MQA Online Account.  From your dashboard, go to “Additional Activities” and select Report CE/CME.

    Please note, when renewing your license, a delinquent fee will be assessed in addition to all applicable renewal fees.

  • If your license was Delinquent/Active or Delinquent/Inactive before the renewal deadline, it will be moved to Null and Void status after the renewal deadline. You should contact your board office for further instruction.
  • The process of renewing a license and receiving a printed license in the mail may take 7-10 business days. Initiating contact to confirm the receipt of fees or the status of your license prior to this time will not expedite the renewal process.
  • A licensee who remains on inactive status for more than two consecutive biennial licensure cycles and who wishes to reactivate the license may be required to demonstrate the competency to resume active practice by sitting for a special purpose examination or by completing other reactivation requirements.
  • If you are reactivating your license, please refer to the laws and rules governing your practice for additional requirements.
  • For Assistance with Renewal Please call the Customer Contact Center: (850) 488-0595

Information for requesting a Name Change

Name changes require legal documentation showing the name change. Please submit a request including your full name as it appears on your license, profession, license number, your new name, your date of birth, the last four digits of your social security number, and your signature. Attach supporting documents, which must be one of the following:

  1. a copy of a state issued marriage license that includes the original signature and seal from the clerk of the court
  2. a divorce decree showing the name change
  3. a court order showing the name change (Adoption, legal name change, federal identity change)

Any one of these will be accepted unless the department has a question about the authenticity of the document. A social security card is not considered legal documentation.

Please Note: The last four digits of the SSN are requested as required by DOH Policy Number DOHP 385-LS05-12 Name Changes for Existing Licensees, which was established for security purposes due to past instances of fraudulent activity.

Certified check or money order should be made payable to the Florida Department of Health.If renewing BEFORE your license expires, your fees will be:

Active to Active$60.00
Inactive to Inactive$60.00
Active to Inactive$60.00
Inactive to Active$160.00
Active to Retired$55.00
Inactive to Retired$55.00

If renewing AFTER your license expires, your fees will be:

Active to Active$115.00
Inactive to Inactive$115.00
Active to Inactive$165.00
Inactive to Active$265.00
Active to Retired$160.00
Inactive to Retired$160.00

If renewing 120 day Notified Delinquent, your fees will be:

Active to Active$175.00
Inactive to Inactive$175.00
Active to Inactive$175.00
Inactive to Active$275.00
Active to Retired$170.00
Inactive to Retired$170.00

Licenses become Null & Void1 on March 1, 2025.

By submitting the appropriate renewal fees to the department, a licensee acknowledges compliance with all requirements for renewal, including continuing education.

A licensee who remains on inactive status for more than two consecutive biennial licensure cycles and who wishes to reactivate the license may be required to demonstrate competency to resume active practice by sitting for a special purpose examination or by completing other reactivation requirements.

1Null & Void -The licensed practitioner failed to renew their licensure status for two renewal cycles, resulting in their license expiring.

The information provided is an overview only and licensees are encouraged to become familiar with the profession’s continuing education rules, Chapter 64B11-5.001 & Chapter 64B11-6.001, Florida Administrative Code, to ensure that they meet the Board’s specific requirements for renewal. It is important to Review the Fees Tab and submit Required fees.

Continuing Education (CE) Requirements

To locate board approved CE Courses for Occupational Therapists, please check the CE courses.
To locate board approved CE Courses for Occupational Therapy Assistants, please  check assistants CE courses.

REQUIRED SUBJECT AREAREQUIRED NUMBER OF HOURSIMPORTANT INFORMATION
General Hours22A minimum of fourteen (14) “Live” CE hours. Twelve (12) hours limited as Home Study. *See below under “Helpful Information”.
Medical Error2 Must be a course offered by a Board approved provider
Laws and Rules2 Must be a course offered by a Board approved provider

Current licenses expire at midnight, Eastern Time, on February 28, 2025.

First Renewal:  Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants renewing a license for the first time and were licensed in the second half of the biennium (on or after 03/01/2024 through to 02/28/2025) are exempt from the 26 hours of general continuing education. However, you are required to complete 3 hours, consisting of:

  • 1 hour of HIV/AIDS course. For the HIV/AIDS course this is a first renewal only requirement, and any course approved by any of the professions regulated within the Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance is acceptable.
  • 2 hours in Prevention of Medical Errors (must be a Florida OT Board approved course).

Continuing education hours can only be credited after one is licensed and within the current biennium dates in which they are taken.

Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants renewing a license for the first time and were licensed in the first half of the biennium (on or after 03/01/2023 through to 02/28/2024) are required to complete all 26 as stated above, including the HIV/AIDS 1 hour (for first renewal only) requirement. The board approves any course approved by any of the professions regulated within the Division of Medical Quality Assurance, the Department of Health.

  • 1 hour of HIV/AIDS. For the HIV/AIDS course this is a first renewal only requirement, and any course approved by any of the professions regulated within the Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance is acceptable.
  • 2 hours in Prevention of Medical Errors (must be a Florida OT Board approved course) and
  • 2 hours in Florida Laws and Rules (must be a Florida OT Board approved course).
  • Including 14 “Live” hours. At least fourteen (14) of the required hours per biennium must be in person or from interactive, real-time courses. An interactive, real-time course may be a web-based, satellite transmitted, telephone or video conference, or online instruction program that allows or requires the licensee to interact in real time, including live chat, with the instructor during the presentation of the program. See Rule 64B11-5.001(3)
  • No more than 12 Home Study hours. Note CE: Broker identifies Home Study hours as “Anytime hours”). A licensee may receive continuing education credit for no more than twelve (12) hours of home study education per biennium. Home study education is a self-paced, non-interactive independent study that requires a certificate of completion. Taking a computerized exam at the end of the study or being able to email the instructor with a question, does not qualify home study as a live or interactive course. Continuing education credit for video presentations is limited to five (5) credits per subject. See Rule 64B11-5.001(4)for additional information regarding documentation.

Continuing education hours can only be credited after one is licensed and within the current biennium dates in which they are taken when renewing a Clear/Active license.

CE Reporting Information →

Board Rule Approved Providers

    1. Approved providers and courses listed in CEBroker
      1. To find approved Continuing Education courses, Go to www.cebroker.com
      2. Select “Course Search”, Select State: “Florida”, Profession, Choose Course, Type, Subject Areas, etc.
      3. You may then visit the individual providers websites for further information to make your selection of which courses you wish to take.
    2. Courses offered by the Florida Occupational Therapy Association (FOTA), the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and occupational therapy courses, meeting the rule criteria, and provided by an education program approved by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy are approved for continuing education credit by the Board, Per 64B11-6.001(4)(a), F.A.C. Continuing Education Program Approval.

•American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
4720 Montgomery Lane
Bethesda, MD 20814
877-404-AOTA (2682)
http://www.aota.org/

•Florida Occupational Therapy Association (FOTA)
1133 Bal Harbor Blvd, Suite 1139, PMB 200
Punta Gorda, FL 33950-6574
http://www.flota.org/

Other Methods of Obtaining Continuing Education per Biennium

For the following, refer to the Board Rules: 64B11-5.001, F.A.C., Requirements for License Renewal of an Active License; Continuing Education.

  1. Up to 8 hours per biennium: Course Presentations and Attendance at Board meetingsSee 64B11-5.001(10), F.A.C
  2. Up to 6 hours per biennium: Fieldwork or Doctoral Capstone Experience Supervision of Level II OT/OTA student(s): See 64B11-5.001 (11), F.A.C
  3. Up to 10 hours per biennium: Publications. A licensee may earn the following continuing education credit for publication of a peer-reviewed or non peer-reviewed book, chapter, or article directly related to the practice of occupational therapy. See 64B11-5.001 (12), F.A.C.:
    • Up to 10 hours as the author of a book; See 64B11-5.001 (12a), F.A.C.
    • Up to 5 hours as author of a chapter; See 64B11-5.001 (12b), F.A.C.
    • Up to 3 hours as author of a peer-reviewed article; See 64B11-5.001 (12c), F.A.C.
    • Up to 1 hour as author of a non peer-reviewed article; See 64B11-5.001 (12d), F.A.C.
    • Up to 5 hours as an editor of a book; Documentation shall consist of a full reference for the publication including title, author, editor, and date of publication. See 64B11-5.001 (12e), F.A.C.
  4. Up to 5 hours per biennium: Research. Development or Participation in Practice-Related Research Project directly related to the practice of occupational therapy. See 64B11-5.001(13), F.A.C.
  5. Up to 6 hours per biennium: Volunteer Expert Witness ServiceSee 64B11-5.001(14), F.A.C.
  6. Up to 6 hours per biennium: Performance of Pro Bono Services (Volunteer Hours) to the indigent as provided in Section 456.013(9), F.S., or to underserved populations, or in areas of critical need within the state where the licensee practices. In order to receive credit under this rule, licensees must make a written request to the Board and receive approval in advance, PRIOR to services being rendered. One (1) hour credit for each two (2) hours worked. See 64B11-5.001(15), F.A.C.
    • 64B11-5.001 (15) Performance of Pro Bono Services – A licensee may receive up to six (6) hours per biennium of continuing education credit through the performance of pro bono services to the indigent as provided in Section 456.013(9), F.S., or to underserved populations, or in areas of critical need within the state where the licensee practices. In order to receive credit under this rule, licensees must make a written request to the Board and receive approval in advance. One (1) hour credit shall be given for each two (2) hours worked. In the written request, licensees shall disclose the type, nature and extent of services to be rendered, the facility where the services will be rendered, the number of patients expected to be serviced, and a statement indicating that the patients to be served are indigent. If the licensee intends to provide services in underserved or critical need areas, the written request shall provide a brief explanation as to those facts.

Helpful Information

  1. Live vs. Home Study CEs. A minimum of fourteen (14) of the twenty-six (26) CE hours required for licensure renewal must be “live”. Live CE includes approved face-to-face course presentations and interactive, real-time courses that may be web-based, satellite transmitted, hosted via telephone or video conference, or an online instruction program that allows or requires the licensee to interact in real time, including live chat, with the instructor during the presentation of the program. Presentations that do not contain the real-time ability to communicate with the instructor would fall under the “home study” category.
  2. No more than 12 hours of home study courses 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 on-line instruction program that allows or requires the licensee to interact or communicate back and forth with the instructor during the presentation of the program.
  3. The Board’s measurement for Continuing Education hours is by contact hours. 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.
  4. You may wish to Visit the Board’s Continuing Education FAQs page for additional information.

Click on Chapter or Section Number to View

Florida Statutes

Chapter 468, Part III: Occupational Therapy
Chapter 456, Florida Statutes: Health Professions and Occupations: General Provisions
Chapter 120, Florida Statutes: Administrative Procedure Act

Florida Administrative Code

Rules: Chapter 64B11: Board of Occupational Therapy, Florida Administrative Code