Click on the appropriate tab below to see the Initial Licensing Requirements, Process, Fees, Statutes and Administrative Rules for a MOBILE Endorsement.
SB 1600, Mobile Endorsement was signed into law with an effective date of July 1, 2024. This legislation establishes a new universal process for licensure by endorsement for health care professions regulated by the Florida Department of Health’s (the Department’s) Division of Medical Quality Assurance. To qualify, the health care practitioner must meet specific criteria, including various testing, training, and experience qualifications for their profession. The bill also repeals existing licensure by endorsement statutes from various individual practice acts.
To be licensed as an optician in Florida through the MOBILE Endorsement pathway you must meet the following requirements in section 456.0145(2)(a), Florida Statutes:
- Must hold an active, unencumbered license issued by another state, the District of Columbia, or a territory of the United States in a profession with a similar scope of practice, determined by the board or the department, as applicable.
- Must have obtained a passing score on a national licensure examination or hold a national certification recognized by the Board;
- Must have actively practiced the profession for at least three years during the four-year period immediately preceding the date of submission of this application.
- Must not have ever been reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank, unless the applicant successfully appealed to have the report removed.
- Must not be the subject of a disciplinary proceeding in a jurisdiction in which he or she holds a license or by the United States Department of Defense for reason related to the practice of the profession for which the applicant is applying.
- Must not have had disciplinary action taken in the five years immediately preceding the date of submission of the application.
Pursuant to section 456.0145(2)(c), Florida Statutes, a person is ineligible for endorsement if they:
- Have a complaint, an allegation, or an investigation pending before a licensing entity in another state, the District of Columbia, or a possession or territory of the United States;
- Have been convicted of or pled nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, any felony or misdemeanor related to the practice of a health care profession;
- Have had a health care provider license revoked or suspended by another state, the District of Columbia, or a territory of the United States, or have voluntarily surrendered any such license in lieu of having disciplinary action taken against the license; or
- Has been reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank, unless the applicant has successfully appealed to have his or her name removed from the data bank.
Applicants must complete the following steps:
- Have a license verification submitted to Florida from any state board(s), U.S. territory, or foreign country in which you held a license. If the state has an online verification including disciplinary actions, we will accept the online verification. License verification may be submitted by mail or by secure electronic delivery to OrthoPros@flhealth.gov
- Submit proof of passing the orthotics and prosthetics examination through the American Board of Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics, Inc. (ABC). Proof must be sent directly from the (ABC) to this office, and may be submitted via mail or by secure electronic delivery to OrthoPros@flhealth.gov
- Apply online at flhealthsource.gov, or mail a completed application to the address provided below along with the applicable fees, and submit any supplemental documentation.
Department of Health
Board of Orthotists and Prosthetists
4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin C-08
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3258
- If applicants have any affirmative answers in the Criminal History, Health History, or Disciplinary History sections of the application, the following must be submitted:
- Self-Explanation – A letter personally describing the circumstances of the offense. The letter must include the date of the original offense, the charge, and the jurisdiction where the incident occurred.
- Completion of Sanctions– Probation and financial sanction records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. Parole records for offenses can be obtained from the Department of Corrections or at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. If the records are not available, a letter on court letterhead must be sent from the clerk of the court attesting to records unavailability.
- Final Dispositions/Arrest Records– Final disposition records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. If the records are not available, a letter on court letterhead must be sent from the clerk of the court attesting to records unavailability.
- Board Actions– If applicant has disciplinary action against any license, submit certified copies of documents relative to those disciplinary action. The documents must be certified and submitted by the agency or board that finalized the disciplinary action.
- Health History – If the applicant answered in the affirmative to any of the questions, submit supporting documentation including the relevant dates and circumstances and the names and addresses of the medical practitioners or hospitals who performed related treatments.
- Please allow up to 30 business days for initial review of new applications. All applications and document submissions are reviewed in the order they are received. After your application is reviewed, any deficiencies will be communicated to you in writing by our Board staff. To expedite processing, please submit all required supporting documentation with your application and the requisite fees. If you are having documentation submitted by another entity on your behalf, please verify the Board office’s mailing address to ensure delivery.
- When all requirements are met the license will be issued within 7 days pursuant to section 456.0145(2)(e), Florida Statutes.
There are several ways to submit supporting documents:
- Upload to your online account at https://mqa-vo.doh.state.fl.us/datamart/voservicesportal
- Email to OrthoPros@flhealth.gov,
- Fax to 850-413-6982, or mail to the address below:
Florida Department of Health
Board of Orthotists and Prosthetists
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-08
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3258
| Documents to Gather for the Application Process: |
|---|
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Make checks or money orders payable to the “Department of Health.”
| Application Fee | $400.00 (non-refundable) |
| Initial Licensure Fee | $400.00 |
| Unlicensed Activity Fee | $5.00 |
| TOTAL FEE | $805.00 |
Florida Statutes
Chapter 468, Part XIV: Orthotists & Prosthetists Practice Act
Chapter 456: Health Professions and Occupations: General Provisions
Chapter 120: Administrative Procedure Act
Chapter 119: Public Records
Chapter 408: Health Care Administration
Chapter 112: Public Officers and Employees: General Provisions
Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.)
Rules: Chapter 64B14: Board of Orthotists & Prosthetists Rules
