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Florida Physical Therapy Continuing Education

Updated 8/17/2024

How many continuing education hours are required during a reporting period?

Physical therapists licensed in Florida are required to obtain twenty-four (24) contact hours every two (2) years.

Physical therapy assistants licensed in Florida are required to obtain twenty-four (24) contact hours every two (2) years.

New Licensees

With the exception of the required courses in the prevention of medical errors and HIV/AIDS, applicants who become licensed in the second half of the biennium are exempt from the continuing education requirement for their first renewal.

How is contact hour defined?

A contact hour consists of fifty (50) clock minutes. One half contact hour shall consist of twenty-five (25) clock minutes.

Ten (10) contact hours, also referred to as CE Hours (CEH), constitute one (1) continuing education unit (CEU).

How long is the reporting period?

Two (2) years.

Due date for CE requirements

November 30st.

Can CE credits be carried over into the next reporting period?

Not Specified.

Are there any specific requirements for continuing education?

One (1) contact hour in HIV/AIDS education. HIV/AIDS courses approved by any Board within the Division of Medical Quality Assurance of the Department of Health are approved by this Board. A licensee is not required to complete an HIV/AIDS course for each subsequent renewal biennium.

Two (2) contact hours in prevention of medical errors education.

Are there any specific limitations on course subjects?

No more than five (5) contact hours of courses in risk management shall be accepted within a two (2) year period.

Up to three (3) contact hours in HIV/AIDS education may be included in the twenty-four (24) contact hours.

Up to three (3) contact hours in prevention of medical errors education may be included in the twenty-four (24) contact hours.

What types of activities can be used for the continuing education requirements?

Acceptable subject areas for physical therapy continuing education include professional ethics, clinical education, clinical practice, clinical research, clinical management, clinical science, Florida law relating to physical therapy, basic sciences, risk management, and HIV/AIDS.

Description

Hour Calculation

Maximum

CE Courses

Courses sponsored or approved by the American Physical Therapy Association.

Courses sponsored or approved by the Florida Physical Therapy Association.

One (1) hour of presentation = one (1) contact hour.

No maximum.

Course Instruction

Instructors teaching their normal course of instruction shall not be granted contact hours toward their continuing education.

One (1) hour of presentation = one (1) contact hour.

Six (6) hours per biennium.

Clinical Instruction

Clinical instructors must be credentialed by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) to receive clinical continuing education credits.

One hundred and twenty (120) hours of clinical internship = One (1) contact hour.

Eight (8) hours per biennium.

Home Study

One (1) hour of presentation = one (1) contact hour.

Twelve (12) hours per biennium.

University Courses

Courses sponsored by a program in physical therapy at a college or university which provides a curriculum for training PTs or PTAs, when approved by the physical therapy or physical therapist assistants program, which is accredited by, or has status with an accrediting agency approved by the United States Department of Education.

One (1) credit hour of a college course is equivalent to fifteen (15) contact hours.

N/A

Board Meetings

Attendance at a Florida Physical Therapy Board meetings where disciplinary cases are being heard if the licensee is not on the agenda or appearing for another purpose.

One (1) hour of attendance = One (1) contact hour in risk management.

Five (5) hours per biennium (considered risk management).

Service on the Board’s Probable Cause Panel

Former Board Members.

Five (5) contact hours of risk management.

Five (5) hours per biennium.

DOH form DH-MQA 1144, “Final Order/Continuing Education Credit Florida Laws and Rules Application,”

Take and pass the Florida laws and rules examination shall receive two (2) hours of continuing education per biennium.

Two (2) hours per biennium.

What type of approval is needed for the courses?

Courses sponsored by a program in physical therapy at a college or university which provides a curriculum for training PTs or PTAs, when approved by the physical therapy or physical therapy assistants program, which is accredited by, or has status with an accrediting agency approved by the United States Department of Education.

Courses sponsored or approved by the American Physical Therapy Association.

Courses sponsored or approved by the Florida Physical Therapy Association.

What type of courses or activities are not allowed?

N/A

What are the reporting requirements?

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.

All courses successfully submitted to your CE Broker account. For more information please visit www.CEAtRenewal.com

How long must continuing education records be retained?

Four (4) years.

Can I have my CE requirements waived?

The Board will make exceptions for licensees from the continuing education requirements including waiver of all or a portion of these requirements or the granting of an extension of time in which to complete these requirements upon a finding of good cause by majority vote of the Board at a public meeting following receipt of a written request for exception based upon emergency or hardship. Emergency or hardship cases are those:

  • Involving long term personal illness or illness involving a close relative or person for whom the licensee has care-giving responsibilities;
  • Where the licensee can demonstrate that the required course(s) are not reasonably available; and
  • Other demonstrated economic, technological or legal hardships that substantially relate to the ability to perform or complete the continuing education requirements.

Reference

Fla. Stat. 486.109

FAC 64B17-9.001

FAC 64B17-8.003

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