Continuing Education

NEW! CE Broker Information for Providers and Licensees - Licensees may subscribe now and receive the personal benefits of continuing education tracking. Licensees are not required to subscribe; however, you may go to www.CEBroker.com to search for CE Providers authorized by the Board. You may do this by accessing the tab “Licensees” and then click on option 4.

Approved Continuing Education Providers:

• A list of approved continuing education providers is available at www.CEBroker.com
•  You may view and/or print a list of approved providers for the following subject areas:
• Providers Offering Interactive Courses (pdf - 23kb)
• Prevention of Medical Errors (pdf - 61kb)
• Laws and Rules (pdf - 35kb)
• Prescription Devices Courses (pdf - 63kb)
• Programs offered by the Florida Occupational Therapy Association (FOTA), the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and occupational therapy courses accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy shall be deemed approved by this Board for continuing education.

EXEMPTIONS from Continuing Education Requirements:

•  Those persons certified for licensure in the second half of a biennium (on or after 3/1/2008) are exempt from the total 26 hours required continuing education requirements for that biennium, except for the mandatory two (2) hours prevention of medical errors course requirement, two (2) hours of laws and rules course requirement, and the one (1) hour of HIV/AIDS education given by Board approved providers. (See list of approved providers for such courses below.)
• A licensee who is the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States is exempt from all licensure renewal provisions for any period of time in which the licensee is absent from the State of Florida due to the spouse’s duties with the Armed Forces. The licensee must document the absence and the spouse’s military status to the Board. Additionally, if a licensee returns to the state and the licensure status change occurs within the second half of a biennium (on or after 3/1/2008, 3/1/2010, 3/1/2012, etc.), the licensee is exempt from the continuing education requirement for that biennium. See Rule 64B11-5.0065.
  

How to Become a Continuing Education Provider - CE Broker Information for Providers and Licensees. The requirements to become an approved provider are listed in rule 64B11-6.001, F.A.C. (pdf - 28kb)

Continuing Education Requirements - Each licensee is responsible for 26 hours of continuing education.

• Effective July 1, 2006, applicants for licensure are no longer required by Chapter 456, F.S., to show proof of a course on HIV/AIDS as part of the initial process. However, an HIV/AIDS course approved by the board will be required for your first renewal. Additionally as of July 1, 2006, licensees will no longer be required by Chapter 456, F.S. to take an HIV/AIDS course for each subsequent renewal.
• Two (2) hours of the 26 hours shall be in a continuing education course relating to the Prevention of Medical Errors. This course must be provided by an approved occupational therapy continuing education provider.
• Two (2) hours of the 26 hours shall be in a continuing education course relating to the laws and rules for occupational therapy, i.e., chapters 456 and 468 Part III, Florida Statutes, and chapter 64B11, Florida Administrative Code. This course must be provided by an approved occupational therapy continuing education provider. Review a list of approved providers for this laws and rules course.
• Twelve (12) hours of home study per biennium are allowed. Home study education is independent study and requires a certificate of completion. Home study education does not include a web-based, satellite transmitted or online instruction program that allows or requires the licensee to interact or communicate back and forth with the instructor during the presentation of the program.
• A contact hour shall consist of fifty clock minutes.

Additional ways continuing education credits can be earned:

• Programs offered by the Florida Occupational Therapy Association (FOTA), the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and occupational therapy courses accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy.
• Courses sponsored by a college or university when providing a curriculum for occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants shall be awarded 10 hours of continuing education credit per semester hour and shall be verified by official transcripts.
• Courses and programs not approved by Board nor sponsored by an approved provider shall be approved as appropriate continuing education if said course or program meets the same criteria for provider approval. In summary, course must be “relevant to the practice occupational therapy”; given by appropriate educators, with experience and credentials relevant to the course or program’s subject matter; documentation obtained regarding the course educational goals, objectives and teaching methods; and receipts, vouchers, certificates, or other papers documenting proof of completion and proof of the number of the contact hours awarded.
•  Alternative Media – A maximum of five contact hours may be awarded per biennium for approved alternative media, such as video, audio and/or software programs, prepared or updated not more than five years prior to the date of viewing or presentation. At time, of course presentation, rental, or sale, the course vendor, in lieu of the certificate of completion, shall provide the licensee with a signed course validation form. The licensee shall sign this form on the date that the course is actually taken or viewed indicating full attendance and successful completion.
• A maximum of eight contact hours may be awarded per biennium for course presentations and attendance at board meetings. See Rule 64B11-5.001(11), F.A.C., for full review of examples.
• Fieldwork Experience – A licensee may earn up to 6 continuing education hours per biennium for supervision of a Level II Occupational Therapy or Occupational Therapy Assistant fieldwork student at the rate of no more than 3 hours per student. The licensee must be the primary clinical fieldwork educator for the student. Documentation shall include verification provided by the school to the fieldwork educator with the name of the student, school, and dates of fieldwork or the signature page of the completed student evaluation form. Evaluation scores and comments must be deleted or blocked out.
• Continuing education credit for publications is limited to continuing education courses or programs. See Rule 64B11-5.001(13), F.A.C., for further information.
• Research. See Rule 64B11-5.001(14), F.A.C., for further information.
• Any volunteer expert witness who is providing expert witness opinions for cases being reviewed pursuant to Chapter 468, Part III, the Occupational Therapy Practice Act, shall receive 3.0 hours of credit for each case reviewed but not more than 6.0 hours of credit per biennium.

For further requirements refer to Rules 64B11-5.001 and 6.001, F.A.C. (pdf - 49kb)

For Further information please visit our FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS