Licensure, Renewal, and Continuing Education Requirements
Licensure Pathways
Florida offers licensure by examination and by endorsement (also called licensure by reciprocity). Examination candidates must graduate from an accredited physical therapy program, complete the required clinical hours, and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and the Florida laws and rules examination. Endorsement applicants must hold a current, active license in another state, meet equivalent education and examination requirements, and pass the Florida laws and rules exam. The Board also licenses physical therapist assistants through a parallel process. Temporary permits may be available under limited conditions, but candidates should know the specific statutory authority.
Renewal Cycle and Fees
Licenses renew biennially, with the renewal deadline generally set by the Board (commonly November 30 of odd-numbered years, but verify the current rule). The renewal requires completing continuing education (CE) and attesting to compliance. Fees are set by rule and must be paid timely. Late renewal may incur additional fees and may require reinstatement procedures if the license lapses.
Continuing Education
Florida requires 24 contact hours of CE per biennium for PTs, including specific mandated topics. Historically, these include 2 hours on the prevention of medical errors, 2 hours on HIV/AIDS, and 2 hours on Florida laws and rules. The Board may also require coursework in other areas such as ethics or human trafficking. PTAs have their own CE requirement (typically 24 hours per biennium as well, with some mandated topics). CE must be from Board-approved providers or activities, and records must be retained. Trap: questions often test the exact number of hours for each mandated topic or whether a course counts. Always check whether the CE is Board-approved and whether it falls within the current biennium.
Worked Example
A PT licensed in Florida completes 24 hours of CE, including 2 hours on medical errors, 2 hours on HIV/AIDS, but no Florida laws and rules course. Is the renewal compliant? No-Florida laws and rules is a required topic. The PT must complete the missing 2 hours before renewal. Rule of thumb: mandated topics are non-negotiable; general CE hours do not substitute for them.