Speech Language Pathologist Licensure in Florida
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Timeline 6-9 weeks
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Initial Costs $260
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Renewal Costs $80
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CE Requirements 30 Hours
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Compact No
How to apply
To secure your Travel Speech Language Pathologist license in Florida, you'll be working with the Florida Board of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology. You will submit your application through the MQA Online Services portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to avoid delays.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Hit Submit: Head over to the MQA Online Services portal to create an account and start your application. Select "Speech-Language Pathologist" and complete the online forms. You'll pay your application fees here as well.
- Background Check: Florida requires a Level II background screening via Livescan. You must use a Livescan service provider that is approved by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). You will need the Board's specific ORI number (EDOH4740Z) to ensure your results are routed correctly. If you are out of state, you may need to visit a local law enforcement agency or a specific vendor like IdentoGO that offers Florida hard card scanning services.
- Transcripts & Scores: Request your official transcripts directly from your university. They must be sent directly to the Board, not to you. Similarly, log in to your ETS account and request that your Praxis scores be sent directly to the Florida Board.
- Prevention of Medical Errors: You are required to complete a 2-hour course on the "Prevention of Medical Errors" from a Board-approved provider. This is a specific Florida requirement that must be completed before your license can be issued.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Your Social Security Number, driver's license, and a detailed employment history for the last few years.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent from your school), Praxis scores (sent from ETS), and License Verifications from any other states where you hold a license (use VeriDoc if applicable).
- Exams: While there is no separate jurisprudence exam, you must complete the 2-hour Prevention of Medical Errors course.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Florida:
- Application Fee: $155
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $75 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $30 (if applicable)
- Verifications: $0 (if the board charges to verify other licenses)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $260
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 Speech Language Pathologist renewal happens biennially and is due by December 31st of odd-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $80.
Note: Watch out—this state does not have a grace period! If you miss the deadline, your license status immediately becomes delinquent, and you cannot practice until you pay increased fees and meet all requirements.
CE Requirements
30 Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: December 31st of odd-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Speech Language Pathologist CEUs: you can complete all 30 hours through home-study or online courses, provided they are from board-approved providers.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the Florida Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, ASHA, or FSHA. General portals like MedBridge are accepted as they are ASHA-approved providers.
Mandatory Topics
- Prevention of Medical Errors (2 Hours)
- Florida Laws and Rules (2 Hours)
- HIV/AIDS (1 Hour): Required for the first renewal only.
- Jurisprudence: The 2-hour Laws and Rules course serves as the required regulatory review.
Excluded Topics: Hours cannot be earned for CPR, basic life support, or courses focused on office management, marketing, or personal finances.
New Licensee Rule: If you were licensed within the second half of the biennium, you are exempt from the 30-hour requirement for your first renewal, except for the mandatory Medical Errors and HIV/AIDS courses.
Reporting: Florida is a CE Broker state. You must ensure all hours are reported to the CE Broker digital system before your license can be renewed.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Florida Department of Health:
- Address: 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C06 Tallahassee, FL 32399-3258
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (850) 245-4161
- Fax: (850) 921-6184
- Email: MQA.SpeechLanguage@flhealth.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.
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How to Apply
To secure your Travel Speech Language Pathologist license in Florida, you'll be working with the Florida Board of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology. You will submit your application through the MQA Online Services portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to avoid delays.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Hit Submit: Head over to the MQA Online Services portal to create an account and start your application. Select "Speech-Language Pathologist" and complete the online forms. You'll pay your application fees here as well.
- Background Check: Florida requires a Level II background screening via Livescan. You must use a Livescan service provider that is approved by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). You will need the Board's specific ORI number (EDOH4740Z) to ensure your results are routed correctly. If you are out of state, you may need to visit a local law enforcement agency or a specific vendor like IdentoGO that offers Florida hard card scanning services.
- Transcripts & Scores: Request your official transcripts directly from your university. They must be sent directly to the Board, not to you. Similarly, log in to your ETS account and request that your Praxis scores be sent directly to the Florida Board.
- Prevention of Medical Errors: You are required to complete a 2-hour course on the "Prevention of Medical Errors" from a Board-approved provider. This is a specific Florida requirement that must be completed before your license can be issued.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Your Social Security Number, driver's license, and a detailed employment history for the last few years.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent from your school), Praxis scores (sent from ETS), and License Verifications from any other states where you hold a license (use VeriDoc if applicable).
- Exams: While there is no separate jurisprudence exam, you must complete the 2-hour Prevention of Medical Errors course.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Florida:
- Application Fee: $155
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $75 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $30 (if applicable)
- Verifications: $0 (if the board charges to verify other licenses)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $260
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 Speech Language Pathologist renewal happens biennially and is due by December 31st of odd-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $80.
Note: Watch out—this state does not have a grace period! If you miss the deadline, your license status immediately becomes delinquent, and you cannot practice until you pay increased fees and meet all requirements.
CE Requirements
30 Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: December 31st of odd-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Speech Language Pathologist CEUs: you can complete all 30 hours through home-study or online courses, provided they are from board-approved providers.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the Florida Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, ASHA, or FSHA. General portals like MedBridge are accepted as they are ASHA-approved providers.
Mandatory Topics
- Prevention of Medical Errors (2 Hours)
- Florida Laws and Rules (2 Hours)
- HIV/AIDS (1 Hour): Required for the first renewal only.
- Jurisprudence: The 2-hour Laws and Rules course serves as the required regulatory review.
Excluded Topics: Hours cannot be earned for CPR, basic life support, or courses focused on office management, marketing, or personal finances.
New Licensee Rule: If you were licensed within the second half of the biennium, you are exempt from the 30-hour requirement for your first renewal, except for the mandatory Medical Errors and HIV/AIDS courses.
Reporting: Florida is a CE Broker state. You must ensure all hours are reported to the CE Broker digital system before your license can be renewed.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Florida Department of Health:
- Address: 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C06 Tallahassee, FL 32399-3258
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (850) 245-4161
- Fax: (850) 921-6184
- Email: MQA.SpeechLanguage@flhealth.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.