Florida Respiratory Therapy ceu license Information

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Florida Board of Respiratory Care

FMES offers discount ceus online for all respiratory therapists (RTs). We are here to assist licensees with license renewals (applicants too) by offering continuing education online. FMES is directly approved by the Florida Board of Respiratory Care. Complete your ceus with a Florida approved provider, like FMES. It's simple. Get Started Now!

Please, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask. We are here to help you.

Below are frequently asked questions for Florida respiratory therapy licensees.

When does my respiratory license expire? The licenses expire on May 31st of each odd year regardless of when the license is initially granted during the biennium.

How long is my respiratory license valid? Each license is valid for two years. Regardless of when the license is initially granted during the biennium, it will expire on the expiration date of that biennium. It may be that the license is only valid for a few months.

What is a licensure biennium? A licensure biennium is the twenty-four month period between expiration dates. The biennium is June 1st through May 31st of every odd-numbered year. It is during this time period that the continuing education requirements must be met for each renewal cycle.

What is a renewal cycle? The renewal cycle starts between 90 to 120 days prior to the expiration date of a license and ends on the expiration date. It is during this time that you receive your renewal notice and when licensees begin sending in their renewal notices and fees to renew the license for the next biennium. It is your responsibility to notify the department of a change of address.

What happens if I do not renew on time? Failure to renew by the expiration date will cause the license to become delinquent.. It is unlawful to practice your profession in Florida on a delinquent license. To renew a delinquent license, you must submit the renewal fee plus the delinquency fee. In addition, you must make the following statement along with your check: “I affirm compliance with all renewal requirements including the continuing education requirement.”

Can I place my license in the inactive category and be exempt from the continuing education (ceus) requirements?You can request to put your license in the inactive status and pay the inactive fee. Also, you renew and pay that inactive status each renewal period. No, a licensee can not be exempt, all licensees must accrue continuing education. The only advantage to inactive status is that you do not have to maintain continuing education hours; however, when you reactivate to an active status you must complete continuing education equal to the time you have been inactive. If you went inactive during the biennium cycle, you will have to show proof of the two previous years.

How much continuing education is required for me to renew? 24 contact hours of approved continuing education is required to renew. If you obtain more than 24 hours, those excess hours cannot be carried forward or counted retroactively.

How many home study hours can I have? Up to 12 hours per biennium.

How many hours of Prevention of Medical Errors must I take?
Two hours for renewal and initial licensure.

Florida Board of Respiratory Care-Division of Medical Quality Assurance-MQA
Florida Board of Respiratory Care