Continuing Education Accreditation

In accordance with Florida Statute 486.109, Florida Physical Therapy Association approves courses that are required under this statute to be completed by Florida Licensed Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants. 

Continuing Education in the State of Florida

In 1992, the Florida State Legislature passed a law requiring continuing education as a part of license renewal for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants in the State of Florida. From this law the continuing education requirements for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants are defined in the state practice act and in the rules of the Board of Physical Therapy Practice.

Within that law (and rule), the APTA and the FPTA have been given general jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to the approval of Continuing Education courses offered by entities other than CAPTE approved PT and PTA Educational programs.  The Board of Physical Therapy has defined by rule, specific areas as outlined by the law that the FPTA Continuing Education Accreditation Policies and Procedures Committee looks for when accrediting courses, they are: professional ethics, clinical education, clinical management, clinical science, Florida law relating to physical therapy, basic sciences, risk management, and HIV/AIDS. No more than 5 hours may be received in the area of risk management, no more than 3 hours in HIV/AIDS and only 12 total hours may be achieved in home study per biennium. The current biennium began December 1, 2007 and will end November 30, 2009.

FAQ’s Related to Continuing Education Requirements

What does the Board of PT require as far as mandatory continuing edcuation.

(1) Every person licensed pursuant to Chapter 486, F.S., shall be required to complete twenty-four contact hours of continuing education courses approved by the Board in the twenty-four months preceding each biennial renewal period as established by the Department. However, applicants who become licensed in the second half of the biennium are exempt from this continuing education requirement for their first renewal. 

Are there any other requirements to renew my license?

Two (2) hours of prevention of medical errors education

As of July 1, 2006, licensees will no longer be required by Chapter 456, F.S., to take an HIV/AIDS course for each renewal. However, physical therapists and physical therapist assistants are required to take an approved HIV/AIDS for their first renewal only.
Applicants licensed in the second half of the biennium (On and after December 1) are exempt from this CE requirement for their first renewal except for the one (1) hour HIV/AIDS.

How many hours can I obtain via internet or home study courses?

(4) The Board will accept up to twelve contact hours for home study during a biennium.

Am I required to purchase a subscription to CE Broker to track my continuing education?

No, but the board does require the following of license holders:

(8) The licensee must retain such receipts, vouchers, certificates, or other papers as may be necessary to document completion of the appropriate continuing education offerings listed on the renewal form for a period of not less than four years from the date the offering was taken. 

(Go to FAQ's re: CE Broker)

If I place my license on inactive status and pay the inactive renewal fee, am I exempt from the continuing education requirements?

You are not required to obtain continuing education to place or maintain your license on inactive status. However, to reactivate an inactive license, you will be required to show 20 hours of continuing education for each biennium of inactive status and 24 hours of continuing education for the preceding biennium during which the licensee held an active license. If you are not practicing in Florida or in the physical therapy profession and would like to keep your license, you may want to place your license in the inactive status.

To learn more about any of these topics, click on the topic listed below.

CE Requirements

Additional CE Required - HIV

Additional CE Required - Medical Errors Prevention

Requirements for renewal of licensure

Application For Course Providers

Application For Individuals Seeking Course Approval