Physical Therapist Licensure in Florida
-
Timeline 4-6 weeks
-
Initial Costs $381
-
Renewal Costs $80
-
CE Requirements 24 Hours
-
Compact No
How to apply
To secure your Travel Physical Therapist license in Florida, you'll be working with the Florida Board of Physical Therapy. You will submit your application through MQA Online Services. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Submit Your Application: Head over to the MQA Online Services portal to create an account and hit submit on the "Physical Therapist" application. This gets your file open so the Board can start receiving your documents.
- Background Check: You’ll need to complete a Livescan background check. Find a Livescan service provider near you and provide them with the specific ORI number for Physical Therapy: EDOH4690Z. This ensures your results go straight to the Board.
- Jurisprudence Exam: Florida requires the Florida Laws and Rules Examination. You must register for this exam through the FSBPT website. It’s a multiple-choice test covering the state's specific practice act.
- Transcripts & Scores: Request your official transcripts from your university and your NPTE scores from the FSBPT. These must be sent directly from the source to the Board; they won't accept copies from you.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Social Security Number, Driver's License, and your employment history for the application.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school) and NPTE Scores (transferred via FSBPT).
- Exams: Florida Laws and Rules Exam (Jurisprudence).
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Florida:
- Application Fee: $180
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $75 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $96
- Verifications: $30
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $381
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Florida Physical Therapist renewal happens biennially and is due by March 31 of even-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $80.
Note: Florida requires all continuing education credits to be recorded in the CE Broker database before your license can be renewed.
CE Requirements
24 Contact Hours required every two years (biennium).
Deadline: November 30th of odd-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: To maintain your Travel Physical Therapist CEUs, note that Florida limits home-study to a maximum of 12 Contact Hours per biennium. The remaining 12 hours must be "Live," which includes in-person classes or interactive real-time webinars where you can communicate with the instructor.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the Florida Board of Physical Therapy, the APTA, or the Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA). Popular platforms like MedBridge are accepted provided the specific course is Florida-approved.
Mandatory Topics
- Prevention of Medical Errors (2 Contact Hours)
- Human Trafficking (1 Contact Hour)
- HIV/AIDS (1 Contact Hour) — Required for the first renewal only.
- Jurisprudence: While no separate exam is required for renewal, courses on the Florida Physical Therapy Practice Act are highly recommended.
Excluded Topics: Courses in basic CPR, office management, billing, marketing, or social science do not count toward the required total.
New Licensee Rule: If you were licensed in the second half of the biennium (on or after 12/01 of an even year), you are exempt from the general 24-hour requirement for your first renewal, but you must still complete the mandatory Medical Errors and HIV/AIDS courses.
Reporting: Florida utilizes CE Broker for mandatory tracking. You must ensure all hours are recorded in the CE Broker system before the deadline to successfully renew your license.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Florida Board of Physical Therapy:
- Address: PO Box 6330 Tallahassee, FL 32314-6330
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (850) 245-4373
- Fax: (850) 414-6860
- Email: MQA.PhysicalTherapy@flhealth.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.
Start your job search
Find vetted recruiters who have the jobs you want!
Get matched with vetted recruiters from multiple agencies who have the most jobs in your preferences!
How to Apply
To secure your Travel Physical Therapist license in Florida, you'll be working with the Florida Board of Physical Therapy. You will submit your application through MQA Online Services. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Submit Your Application: Head over to the MQA Online Services portal to create an account and hit submit on the "Physical Therapist" application. This gets your file open so the Board can start receiving your documents.
- Background Check: You’ll need to complete a Livescan background check. Find a Livescan service provider near you and provide them with the specific ORI number for Physical Therapy: EDOH4690Z. This ensures your results go straight to the Board.
- Jurisprudence Exam: Florida requires the Florida Laws and Rules Examination. You must register for this exam through the FSBPT website. It’s a multiple-choice test covering the state's specific practice act.
- Transcripts & Scores: Request your official transcripts from your university and your NPTE scores from the FSBPT. These must be sent directly from the source to the Board; they won't accept copies from you.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Social Security Number, Driver's License, and your employment history for the application.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school) and NPTE Scores (transferred via FSBPT).
- Exams: Florida Laws and Rules Exam (Jurisprudence).
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Florida:
- Application Fee: $180
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $75 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $96
- Verifications: $30
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $381
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Florida Physical Therapist renewal happens biennially and is due by March 31 of even-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $80.
Note: Florida requires all continuing education credits to be recorded in the CE Broker database before your license can be renewed.
CE Requirements
24 Contact Hours required every two years (biennium).
Deadline: November 30th of odd-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: To maintain your Travel Physical Therapist CEUs, note that Florida limits home-study to a maximum of 12 Contact Hours per biennium. The remaining 12 hours must be "Live," which includes in-person classes or interactive real-time webinars where you can communicate with the instructor.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the Florida Board of Physical Therapy, the APTA, or the Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA). Popular platforms like MedBridge are accepted provided the specific course is Florida-approved.
Mandatory Topics
- Prevention of Medical Errors (2 Contact Hours)
- Human Trafficking (1 Contact Hour)
- HIV/AIDS (1 Contact Hour) — Required for the first renewal only.
- Jurisprudence: While no separate exam is required for renewal, courses on the Florida Physical Therapy Practice Act are highly recommended.
Excluded Topics: Courses in basic CPR, office management, billing, marketing, or social science do not count toward the required total.
New Licensee Rule: If you were licensed in the second half of the biennium (on or after 12/01 of an even year), you are exempt from the general 24-hour requirement for your first renewal, but you must still complete the mandatory Medical Errors and HIV/AIDS courses.
Reporting: Florida utilizes CE Broker for mandatory tracking. You must ensure all hours are recorded in the CE Broker system before the deadline to successfully renew your license.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Florida Board of Physical Therapy:
- Address: PO Box 6330 Tallahassee, FL 32314-6330
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (850) 245-4373
- Fax: (850) 414-6860
- Email: MQA.PhysicalTherapy@flhealth.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.