Florida OT License Renewal: Deadlines, CE, and Fees (2026)

Florida OT licenses renew every two years and expire on a fixed date: February 28 of odd-numbered years at midnight Eastern Time. The current renewal cycle expires February 28, 2027, Licenses not renewed by this deadline become delinquent; failure to renew before the end of the current licensure cycle renders the license null and void under Florida law. The on-time renewal fee is $60 for an Active-to-Active renewal.

Florida requires 26 CE contact hours per biennium, tracked through CE Broker. Two of those hours must be in Prevention of Medical Errors and two in Florida Laws and Rules — both through Board-approved providers. At least 14 of the 26 hours must be live or interactive real-time, and no more than 12 hours may be home study. A critical point: the online renewal system will not allow you to complete your renewal until all CE hours are confirmed “COMPLETE” in CE Broker. Report your CE to CE Broker before attempting to renew.

OT Compact and Florida License Renewal

Florida has enacted legislation joining the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact. As of June 2026, Florida is not yet actively issuing compact privileges. There are no compact-specific renewal implications at this time beyond standard Florida renewal procedures. When Florida completes compact implementation, maintaining an active Florida license in good standing will be required to hold and use compact privileges in other member states. Monitor compact status at otcompact.gov.

Continuing Education Requirements for Renewal

Standard Renewal (26 CE Hours)

Florida requires 26 contact hours per biennial renewal period, including:

• 2 hours Prevention of Medical Errors — must be from a Board-approved provider
• 2 hours Florida Laws and Rules — must be from a Board-approved provider
• 22 hours general CE — from approved sources
• Minimum 14 hours must be live or interactive real-time
• Maximum 12 hours may be home study (non-interactive independent study)

One contact hour equals a minimum of 50 minutes. Find Board-approved CE courses at courses.cebroker.com. Courses from FOTA, AOTA, and ACOTE-accredited educational programs are pre-approved for general CE credit per FAC 64B11-6.001(4)(a).

First Renewal Rules

Your CE requirements at first renewal depend on when in the biennium you were licensed:

• Licensed on or after 3/01/2026 through 02/28/2027 (second half of biennium): Exempt from the 26 general hours. Must complete only 3 hours: 1 hour HIV/AIDS + 2 hours Prevention of Medical Errors (Board-approved provider).
• Licensed on or after 03/01/2025 through 02/26/2026 (first half of biennium): Must complete all 26 hours including 1 hour HIV/AIDS (first renewal only), 2 hours Prevention of Medical Errors, 2 hours Florida Laws and Rules, and 14 live hours.

The HIV/AIDS requirement applies only to the first renewal and is not required in subsequent renewal cycles. Per Rule 64B11-5.001, F.A.C. Source: Florida Board of Occupational Therapy

Live vs. Home Study CE

Live CE includes face-to-face presentations and interactive real-time courses — including web-based, satellite, telephone, video conference, or online programs that allow real-time interaction with the instructor (including live chat). A presentation that does not allow real-time communication with the instructor is home study, regardless of format. Video presentations are limited to 5 credits per subject. Home study CE is capped at 12 hours per biennium.

Alternative CE Credit Sources

Per FAC 64B11-5.001, additional CE credit options include: up to 8 hours for course presentations and Board meeting attendance; up to 6 hours for supervising Level II OT/OTA students for fieldwork or doctoral capstone experiences; up to 10 hours for publications; up to 5 hours for practice-related research; up to 6 hours for volunteer expert witness service; and up to 6 hours for pro bono services (advance Board approval required). Source: Florida Board of Occupational Therapy — FAC 64B11-5.001

CE Broker — Critical Requirement

Florida uses CE Broker to track CE completion. All CE hours must be reported and confirmed “COMPLETE” in CE Broker before the online renewal system will allow you to proceed. Do not wait until the last minute to report CE. If you take a course and it is not yet showing as complete in CE Broker, you cannot renew online. Courses from Board-approved providers are typically reported automatically; for others, you may need to self-report.

How to Renew Your Florida OT License

1. Complete your 26 CE hours (or applicable first-renewal hours) during the biennial period, including all mandatory topic requirements.
2. Verify all CE hours are reported and confirmed “COMPLETE” in CE Broker at cebroker.com.
3. Go to flhealthsource.gov and click “Renew A License.” The “Renew My License” option will appear no later than 90 days before your expiration date.
4. Confirm or update your email address, then complete the renewal application.
5. Pay the $60 renewal fee by credit/debit card online, or print your application summary and mail it with a cashier’s check or money order to: Division of Medical Quality Assurance, P.O. Box 6320, Tallahassee, FL 32314-6320.
6. If the $43.25 FDLE fingerprint retention fee applies this cycle, pay it as directed in your renewal application.
7. Submit before February 28, 2027 at midnight ET. You may not practice after your license expires.

Questions? Call (850) 488-0595 or email mqa.occupationaltherapy@flhealth.gov.

What Happens If Your Florida OT License Expires?

Florida uses a tiered delinquency system. Once your license expires on February 28, 2027, you may not practice occupational therapy in Florida.

• Delinquent (expired after February 28, 2027): Your license moves to Delinquent/Active status. You may still renew by paying the $115 delinquent fee and completing CE for both the current and previous cycle. You cannot practice on a delinquent license.
• 120-Day Notified Delinquent: If you receive a 120-day delinquency notice, the renewal fee increases to $175 for Active-to-Active status.
• Null and Void: Under Florida law, failure by a delinquent licensee to renew before the expiration of the current licensure cycle renders the license null and void. A null-and-void license cannot be renewed or reactivated — you must re-apply for licensure and meet current eligibility requirements. Contact the Board at (850) 488-0595 or mqa.occupationaltherapy@flhealth.gov for guidance.

When renewing a delinquent license, you must report CE hours for both the current cycle and the previous cycle before the system will allow renewal. Source: Florida Board of Occupational Therapy

Practical Notes

• CE Broker confirmation is a required compliance checkpoint. The Florida renewal system will not let you proceed until CE Broker shows your hours as “COMPLETE.” If you’re taking a course close to the deadline and the provider hasn’t reported it yet, you may be blocked from renewing. Report CE early and confirm completion in CE Broker well before February 28.
• All Florida licenses expire on the same date. Unlike birthday-based systems, every Florida OT license expires February 28 of odd-numbered years. This creates a peak renewal period — the system can experience delays near the deadline. Don’t wait until the last week of February.
• You cannot practice on a delinquent license. Florida is explicit: “You cannot work legally on a Delinquent status license in Florida.” Delinquent status is not a grace period — it is a non-practicing status that must be resolved before you can resume practice.
• Null and void is not reversible. Under Florida law, failure to renew a delinquent license before the end of the current licensure cycle renders it null and void. A null-and-void license cannot be renewed or reactivated — you must re-apply for licensure from scratch. Do not let your license lapse into delinquent status without acting.
• Update your mailing address before renewal season. The renewal notice postcard is mailed to your address of record. Update your address at flhealthsource.gov now if it has changed — but remember that non-receipt of the notice does not excuse a missed renewal deadline.
• The fingerprint retention fee is often overlooked by licensees. If your FDLE fingerprint retention is expiring this licensure cycle, a $43.25 fee is collected at renewal. This is required under section 456.0135(6)(1), F.S. The renewal system will prompt you if it applies.
• Compact implementation is in progress. Florida enacted OT Compact legislation in 2025 but has not yet completed the integration process to issue compact privileges. Once active, maintaining a current Florida license will be essential to use compact privileges. Watch for Board announcements.

Relevant Statutes and Regulations

• FAC 64B11-5.001 — Requirements for License Renewal of an Active License; Continuing Education
• FAC 64B11-6.001 — Continuing Education Program Approval
• Chapter 468, Part III, Florida Statutes — Occupational Therapy

Related Pages

• Florida Occupational Therapist License — Initial Licensing Requirements
• Texas OT License Renewal Guide
• Occupational Therapist Licensing by State — Complete Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

When does my Florida OT license expire?

Florida OT licenses expire at midnight Eastern Time on February 28 of odd-numbered years. The current cycle expires February 28, 2027. This is a fixed-date system — all Florida OT licenses expire on the same date, regardless of when they were originally issued. Source: Florida Board of Occupational Therapy

What is the renewal fee for a Florida OT license?

The on-time Active-to-Active renewal fee is $60. If renewing after expiration (delinquent), the fee increases to $115. If you are a 120-day notified delinquent, the fee is $175. An additional $43.25 FDLE fingerprint retention fee applies if your fingerprint retention is expiring this licensure cycle. Source: Florida Board of Occupational Therapy

How many CE hours do I need to renew my Florida OT license?

26 contact hours per biennium, including 2 hours Prevention of Medical Errors (Board-approved provider), 2 hours Florida Laws and Rules (Board-approved provider), and 1 hour HIV/AIDS for first renewal only. At least 14 of the 26 hours must be live or interactive real-time; no more than 12 may be home study. All hours must be reported and confirmed in CE Broker before you can renew. Source: Florida Board of Occupational Therapy

Can I practice while my Florida OT license is in delinquent status?

No. The Florida Board states explicitly that you cannot work legally on a delinquent status license in Florida. Delinquent status is not a grace period — it means your license has expired and you may not practice until you renew and your license is restored to Clear/Active status. Source: Florida Board of Occupational Therapy — Practitioner FAQs

When does a Florida OT license become null and void?

Under Florida law, failure by a delinquent licensee to renew before the expiration of the current licensure cycle renders the license null and void without further action by the Board or Department. A null-and-void Florida OT license cannot be renewed or reactivated — you must re-apply for licensure and meet current eligibility requirements. Contact the Board at (850) 488-0595 for guidance. Source: Florida Board of Occupational Therapy — FAQs

Does the OT Compact affect my Florida renewal?

Florida enacted OT Compact legislation in 2025 but has not yet completed implementation to actively issue compact privileges as of June 2026. Standard Florida renewal procedures apply to all licensees at this time. When Florida completes compact implementation, maintaining an active Florida license in good standing will be required to hold compact privileges in other member states. Monitor status at otcompact.gov.

Do Florida OT licenses expire on my birthday?

No. Florida uses a fixed-date system. All Florida OT licenses expire on February 28 of odd-numbered years, regardless of when you were born or when your license was originally issued. The next expiration date is February 28, 2027. Source: Florida Board of Occupational Therapy