Orthotist

Orthotists-Prosthetists license requirements are specified in section 468.803, Florida Statutes.

Online Application: Submit a completed application and the required fees to the Board Office. Select the “Apply Online” button and follow the prompts to complete the application. The associated fee payment screen will provide an invoice that must be paid by credit card before the application can be processed. Once the application has been submitted, the status of application processing may be verified by selecting the “Status” button from the menu on the top right side of the page.

Paper Application: If submission of a paper application or payment by check is required, applicants may download a fillable pdf file, complete the application, print, and submit. Submit the completed paper application and required fees to the address listed below:

Florida Board of Orthotists and Prosthetists
Post Office Box 6330
Tallahassee, FL 32314-6330

Read Affirmation and Sign Application: The applicant must agree by signing the application that: “I have carefully read the questions in the foregoing application and have answered them completely, without reservation of any kind, and I state that my answers and all statements made by me herein are true and correct. I understand that if I provide false information that such action shall constitute cause for denial, suspension, or revocation of licensure to practice for which I am applying in the state of Florida”.

The Board of Orthotists and Prosthetists will consider denial of any application that is submitted with incomplete or inaccurate information disclosures related to criminal history or discipline. Applicants must disclose all information accurately, completely, and include all required documentation. You will be notified in writing by the Board Office if any additional documentation is required to complete your application.

Application Process

Education

• Have official final transcripts sent from the accredited institution at which the applicant’s Bachelor of Science or higher-level postgraduate degree in Orthotics and Prosthetics was awarded and recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Transcripts should be submitted directly from the college or university to the Board Office and may be mailed, or sent by secure electronic delivery to MQA.OrthoPros@flhealth.gov

Florida Board of Orthotists and Prosthetists
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-08
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3257

• If the applicant’s bachelor’s degree was not awarded in Orthotics and Prosthetics, have the official final transcripts of the bachelor’s degree, and a certificate awarded in orthotics and prosthetics from a program recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) sent directly to the Board Office. Transcripts and certificates should be submitted directly from the college or university to the Board Office and may be mailed, or sent by secure electronic delivery to MQA.OrthoPros@flhealth.gov

ABC Test Scores

• Submit orthotics and prosthetics examination scores through the American Board of Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics, Inc. (ABC). Contact (ABC) at the contact information below on how to submit examination scores to the Board Office. Verification must be submitted directly to the Board Office from ABC.

American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, Inc. (ABC)
330 John Carlyle Street, Suite 210
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
(703) 836-7114

Residency

• If the applicant has completed an NCOPE Certified Residency Program, verification should be submitted from NCOPE directly to the Board Office certifying completion of the residency program.
• If the applicant has completed an internship;
• If a 1900-Hour Internship Program has been completed, documentation from the qualified supervisor that specifies the number of hours worked that demonstrates compliance with Rule 64B14-4.100, F.A.C.
• The Board Office will also accept written documentation from the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, Inc. (ABC) establishing the completion of an internship. Such documentation must be submitted to the Board Office directly from ABC and must demonstrate the applicant’s internship was in compliance with rule 64B14-4.100, F.A.C.

Mandatory Courses – 64B14-5.005, F.A.C.

• Provide proof of completion of the 1-hour of laws and rules in the area of Chapters 456, 468 Part XIV, F.S., and Rule Division 64B14, F.A.C.
• Provide proof of completion of the 1-hour of medical errors, which shall include a study of root cause analysis, error reduction and prevention, patient safety and medical records training.
• Provide proof of completion of the 1-hour on infection disease control, including HIV/AIDS.

For more information finding board approved courses, please visit www.cebroker.com or call 1-877-434-6323

License Verification
If any type of license has ever been issued to the applicant in another state, contact the state licensing office and request license verification to be sent directly to the Board Office for each license issued. License verification may be mailed to the address provided below or by e-mail to MQA.OrthoPros@flhealth.gov.

Florida Board of Orthotists and Prosthetists
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-08
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3257

If a “yes” response is provided to any of the health history questions on the application, the applicant is required to submit supporting documentation including the relevant dates and circumstances and the names and addresses of the medical practitioners or hospitals who performed related treatments. The application is considered incomplete until all supporting documentation is provided to the department.

Applicants with prior disciplinary actions on any license from any state are required to submit the following supplemental documentation:

• Board Actions – Certified copies of documents relative to any disciplinary action taken against any license. The documents must be certified and submitted by the agency or board that finalized the disciplinary action.
• Self-Explanation – Applicants who have listed license discipline on the application must submit a letter to the board personally describing the circumstances that led to the disciplinary action. The letter should also include a thorough description of the rehabilitation taken by the applicant since the time of the event which would facilitate prevention of future

Applicants who have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony; or entered a plea of guilty, nolo contendere, or no contest to any crime in any jurisdiction; even if adjudication was withheld by the court; must answer the criminal history questions on the application and provide the following supplemental documentation:

• 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
• 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 If the records are not available, a letter on court letterhead must be sent from the clerk of the court attesting to records unavailability.
• Self-Explanation – Applicants who have listed offenses on the application must submit 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

Note: All applications with “yes” responses to the history questions on the application will be reviewed by the Board office for possible consideration by the Board of Orthotists and Prosthetists. If required, the Board staff will notify you of the date that your application will be presented in the event that you would like to attend.

The applicant must complete a criminal background screening pursuant to section 456.0135, Florida Statutes, by submitting fingerprints electronically through a service provider approved by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The results will be returned to the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse and are made available to the Department for review during the licensure process. Applicant fingerprints will be retained by FDLE and the Clearinghouse. All costs for conducting criminal history background screening and the retention of fingerprints are the responsibility of the applicant.

It is important to use the correct Originating Agency Identification (ORI) when submitting fingerprints. If an incorrect ORI number is provided to the Livescan service provider, the Department will not receive your fingerprint results.

The ORI number for the Board of Orthotists & Prosthetist is EDOH3451Z.

The applicant is responsible for selecting an approved Livescan Service Provider and for ensuring the results are reported to the Department. Print the electronic fingerprinting form, complete the information, and take the form to a Livescan Service Provider. Upon completion of electronic fingerprinting, document the Transaction Control Number. This number is useful to track the fingerprint records in the event they are not properly transmitted to the Department.

For more information, frequently asked questions, and a list of all approved Livescan Service Providers, visit the Background Screening website at: https://www.flhealthsource.gov/background- screening.

Effective July 1, 2012, Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes (F.S.), provides that health care boards or the department shall refuse to issue a license, certificate or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant:

• Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under Chapter 409, F.S., (relating to social and economic assistance), Chapter 817, F.S., (relating to fraudulent practices), Chapter 893, F.S., (relating to drug abuse prevention and control) or a similar felony offense(s) in another state or jurisdiction unless the candidate or applicant has successfully completed a drug court program for that felony and provides proof that the plea has been withdrawn or the charges have been dismissed. Any such conviction or plea shall exclude the applicant or candidate from licensure, examination, certification, or registration, unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or plea ended:
  • For the felonies of the first or second degree, more than 15 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
  • For the felonies of the third degree, more than 10 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
  • For the felonies of the third degree under section 893.13(6)(a), F.S., more than five years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
• Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under 21 S.C. ss. 801-970 (relating to controlled substances) or 42

U.S.C. ss. 1395-1396 (relating to public health, welfare, Medicare and Medicaid issues), unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the date of the application;

• Has been terminated for cause from the Florida Medicaid program pursuant to section 913, F.S., unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with the Florida Medicaid program for the most recent five years;
• Has been terminated for cause, pursuant to the appeals procedures established by the state or Federal Government, from any other state Medicaid program, unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with a state Medicaid program for the most recent five years and the termination occurred at least 20 years before the date of the application;
• Is currently listed on the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s List of Excluded Individuals and

At least 90 days before your license expires, the department will mail you a renewal notification postcard to your last known mailing address of record. You will have until midnight on the day your license expires to renew. Failure to renew an active or inactive license by the expiration date will result in the license being placed in delinquent status. Failure by a delinquent licensee to become active or inactive before the expiration of the current licensure cycle renders the license null and void without any further action by the board or the department.

Renewal Instructions:

1. Go to www.flhealthsource.gov and click the “Renew A License” button.
2. Enter your Personal Identifying Information (PII), then click the Login button.
3. Confirm or update your MQA Services Account email address, then click the “Continue” button.
4. You are now in the Dashboard. During renewals, a “Renew My License” option will populate no later than 90 days prior to your license expiration date. (Note: If you do not see the “Renew My License” option, please check back at a later time.)

*** If the “PII Failed” screen displays, click the “Other Login Option” button and enter your existing User ID and password to access your account.***

Additional Information:

• The process of renewing and retrieving an e-license may take 3-5 business days. Initiating contact to confirm the receipt of fees or the status of your license prior to this time will not expedite the renewal process.
• You may renew online if you have a credit or debit card to complete the transaction. Please note that you can now renew online, print a copy of your application summary and mail it with your cashier’s check or money order to: Division of Medical Quality Assurance
  P.O. Box 6320
  Tallahassee, FL 32314-6320
• If you are renewing your license after the expiration date and your status still indicates Clear/Active or Clear/Inactive, you will be assessed a delinquency fee. The delinquency fee will be in addition to your renewal fees.
• If your license was Delinquent/Active or Delinquent/Inactive before the renewal deadline, it will be moved to Null and Void status after the renewal deadline. A Null & Void license cannot be reactivated. If you wish to be licensed in Florida and have a Null & Void license you will need to reapply for licensure.
• A licensee whose license is in inactive status for more than two consecutive biennial licensure cycles may be required to demonstrate competency to resume active practice before reactivating the license. Sitting for a special purpose examination or by completing other reactivation requirements may be required.

Note: Report continuing education credits to the Department of Health through our CE tracking system at www.cebroker.com. Do not submit certificates of completion of continuing education hours.

If you are renewing online and need to change your name, please follow these instructions prior to renewing your license:

Name changes require legal documentation showing the name change. Please log into your MQA Online Services Portal account to submit your request and enter your full name as it appears on your legal documentation. If you are submitting your request online, please attach/upload supporting documents, which must be one of the following:

• A copy of a state issued marriage license that includes the original signature and seal from the clerk of the court
• A divorce decree showing the name change
• A court order showing the name change (Adoption, legal name change, federal identity change)
• A copy of a certificate of naturalization or H1B Employment Visa (Note: Foreign applicants and/or licensees may not have state issued documents)

Any one of these will be accepted unless the department has a question about the authenticity of the document.

NOTE: Please allow 5-7 business days for your request to be processed. If you are requesting a name change outside of renewal and wish to receive a new license reflecting the name change, you must request a duplicate license and pay the $25.00 fee.