Licensure guide · Florida

How to get a Florida occupational therapy license

Occupational therapists in Florida are licensed by the Florida Board of Occupational Therapy. Below is what the board requires, from education to renewal, with every requirement linked to the board page it comes from. Checked October 22, 2026.

Step by step

Getting licensed

Education: Graduation from an occupational therapy program accredited through the American Occupational Therapy Association (s. 468.209, F.S. names its Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education), plus 24 weeks of supervised fieldwork. [2]
National exam: The NBCOT certification exam for occupational therapists. Candidates apply to NBCOT directly; the Florida board does not give the exam. [2]
Required courses: A 1-hour HIV/AIDS course is required at the first renewal only (not before initial licensure), along with 2 hours of Prevention of Medical Errors from a Florida OT Board approved provider. [2]
Background check: Required. OT applicants must complete electronic fingerprinting (Livescan) for a background screening before the application can be approved. [2]
Fees: $180 total due with the application: a $100 non-refundable application fee, a $75 initial license fee and a $5 unlicensed activity fee. The fee is the same for exam and MOBILE endorsement applicants. [2]
Where to apply: Apply online through the Florida Department of Health MQA Online Services Portal (create a new applicant account). [4] Open the application →
Processing time: For MOBILE endorsement applications, the board says to allow up to 5 business days for initial review. Under Florida law, initial review must happen within 30 days, and the license is issued within 7 days after all requirements are met. [2]

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

Florida is not a member of the OT Compact: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another state need a full Florida license before starting.

Licensed in another state: Through the MOBILE Endorsement pathway (s. 456.0145, F.S.): an active, unencumbered OT license in another U.S. jurisdiction, NBCOT exam passage or current certification, at least two years of active practice in the last four, and no recent discipline. Applicants request license verification from each state where they were licensed. [2]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: Florida law allows (but does not require) the board to issue a temporary permit to an applicant who meets all other requirements and is registered for the next exam. The permit lets them practice under a licensed OT's supervision until exam results arrive. The board's website does not describe an application for it. [3]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Licenses renew every two years (biennially). Current OT licenses expire at midnight Eastern Time on February 28, 2027. [2]
Continuing education: 26 hours per two-year cycle: 22 general hours, 2 hours of Prevention of Medical Errors and 2 hours of Florida Laws and Rules (both from board-approved providers), plus 1 hour of HIV/AIDS at the first renewal. At least 14 hours must be live; no more than 12 may be home study. [2]

Working in Florida

Pay and openings

Occupational therapists in Florida earn a mean of $95,620 a year (BLS). Most of our Florida searches are confidential and never posted; tell us what you want and we will match you quietly.

Sources

Every requirement above was checked against the official page listed here on October 22, 2026. Boards change fees and rules, so confirm with the Florida board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Florida licenses

Occupational therapy licenses in other states

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