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Florida FES-UA · Therapy

Florida FES-UA therapy providers: how to verify ABA, speech, OT, and PT in EMA

There is no universal public master list of Florida FES-UA therapy providers. The safest way to verify a provider is inside Step Up for Students’ EMA Marketplace → Find Providers. Here is the exact process — and why a provider’s website claim is not enough.

By The School Choice Index Editorial TeamPublished Last reviewed

Quick answer: how to verify a Florida FES-UA therapy provider

The best proof is EMA, not a website claim. The live verification process:

  1. Log in to EMA.
  2. Go to Marketplace → Find Providers.
  3. Search by provider name, email, website, or location.
  4. Open the provider profile.
  5. Confirm the service listed in the catalog.
  6. Use EMA to reserve funds and follow the exact reservation/payment workflow shown for that service before completing payment steps, if needed.

What "approved" means for Florida FES-UA therapy providers

“Approved” does not just mean a business says yes. In practice, the clearest way to confirm provider readiness is that the provider has an active EMA listing with the correct service category in their catalog.

Florida statute under Section 1002.394 names specific specialized services by approved providers:

Therapy typeStatutory basisNotes
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)Section 1002.394ASD-focused; verify exact EMA service category
Speech-Language PathologySection 1002.394One of the most common FES-UA therapy uses
Occupational Therapy (OT)Section 1002.394Fine motor, sensory, daily-living skills
Physical Therapy (PT)Section 1002.394Gross motor, mobility, strength

Why "we accept FES-UA" can be misleading

A company can market itself as FES-UA-friendly and still not be the right match:

  • The provider may not be active in EMA right now
  • The provider may list one location but not the one you need
  • The provider may offer therapy, but not under the exact FES-UA service category you want

That is why the live EMA profile matters more than a flyer, ad, or website badge.

How FES-UA therapy providers show up in EMA

EMA is the place where families verify what is actually available. The Step Up for Students handbook explains that providers may need different account types in EMA, including business and personal provider accounts, and they must submit a service catalog. For therapy services, that catalog is what tells you what can be used for FES-UA.

One common mistake: thinking you can set everything up and pay first. Step Up’s 2024–25 provider handbook indicates direct payment cannot be requested until after the service has been rendered. Ask the provider how they work inside EMA before you book the first visit.

Eligibility basics before you search for providers

Before you shop for therapy, make sure your student is eligible to use the scholarship. Florida DOE guidance says children may be eligible as young as 3 years old. For students ages 3 through grade 12, eligibility can be based on being the subject of an IEP or having a qualifying diagnosis from a Florida-licensed physician or psychologist.

Important: a 504 plan alone is not enough for FES-UA eligibility.

Qualifying disability categories include autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, intellectual disability, speech/language impairment, specific learning disability (including dyslexia and dyscalculia), and many others listed in Florida DOE’s FAQ.

Step-by-step: how to search for a Florida FES-UA therapy provider

  1. Log in to EMA — use your Step Up for Students account.
  2. Open Marketplace → Find Providers.
  3. Search by multiple details — provider name, email, website, or location.
  4. Open the provider profile — do not stop at the search result.
  5. Confirm the service category — ABA, speech-language pathology, OT, or PT.
  6. Check location and service fit — confirm it matches your family’s needs.
  7. Follow the exact EMA workflow for that service before the appointment.

What to ask a therapy provider before you book

  • Are you currently listed in Step Up For Students’ EMA Marketplace?
  • What exact service category is listed for you in EMA?
  • Which location or clinic is your EMA listing tied to?
  • How do you handle payment timing — before or after sessions?
  • Have you served FES-UA families before, and what does your billing process look like?

Related Florida guides

Frequently asked questions

What is the fastest way to verify a Florida FES-UA therapy provider?
Log in to Step Up For Students' EMA Marketplace, go to Marketplace → Find Providers, and search for the provider by name, email, website, or location. Open the provider profile and confirm the service category and location match what your child needs. The live EMA listing is the source of truth — not a provider's website or flyer.
What therapy types does Florida FES-UA cover?
Florida statute under Section 1002.394 specifically names ABA (applied behavior analysis), speech-language pathology, occupational therapy (OT), and physical therapy (PT) as specialized services by approved providers. These are the core therapy categories families should verify in EMA.
Does my child need an IEP to use FES-UA for therapy?
No — an IEP alone is not the eligibility trigger, and a 504 plan alone is not enough. Eligibility can be based on being the subject of an IEP, or having a qualifying diagnosis from a Florida-licensed physician or psychologist, or certain out-of-state equivalents. Children may be eligible as young as 3 years old. Confirm eligibility using official Florida DOE guidance before searching for providers.
Can I pay a therapy provider directly and then seek reimbursement?
Step Up's 2024–25 provider handbook indicates direct payment cannot be requested until after the service has been rendered. Do not assume you can pay before the session or before the service happens. Ask the provider how they work inside EMA before you book the first visit.
Why can a provider say they 'accept FES-UA' and still not be the right fit?
A company can market itself as FES-UA-friendly and still not be active in EMA right now, may list one location but not the one you need, or may offer therapy but not under the exact FES-UA service category you need. The live EMA profile matters more than a flyer, ad, or website badge.
What qualifying disabilities make a student eligible for FES-UA?
Florida DOE's FAQ includes many categories such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, intellectual disability, speech/language impairment, orthopedic impairment, emotional/behavioral disability, specific learning disability (including dyslexia and dyscalculia), hearing impairment, visual impairment, traumatic brain injury, rare disease, and others. If you are not sure, use the official eligibility guidance.
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