Is an online ESA letter valid for Florida housing?

It can be. Fla. Stat. 760.27(2)(b)4 lists information from a telehealth provider, as defined in s. 456.47, among the supporting information a housing provider may request, and treats it as reliable when the provider has personal knowledge of the person's disability.

Updated 2026-10-05 · Last checked 2026-10-01.

What the statute says about telehealth

Subsection (2)(b)4 lists information from "a health care practitioner, as defined in s. 456.001; a telehealth provider, as defined in s. 456.47". It then says that such information is reliable if the practitioner or provider has personal knowledge of the person's disability and is acting within the scope of practice to provide the supporting information.

Read the full text: Fla. Stat. 760.27 (2026).

What does not count on its own

Subsection (3)(c) says an internet registration, identification card, patch, certificate, or similar registration is not, by itself, sufficient information to reliably establish a disability or a disability-related need for an emotional support animal.

Out of state clinicians

For a practitioner licensed in another state, 760.27(2)(b)4 applies only if that practitioner has provided in person care or services to the tenant on at least one occasion. An out of state clinician's online letter does not qualify without that in person care. Official ESA Letter evaluations are by a Florida licensed clinician.

What makes an online evaluation real

Personal knowledge. Fla. Stat. 456.072(1)(pp) makes it a ground for discipline to support an ESA need without personal knowledge of the person's disability or disability-related need for the specific emotional support animal. The clinician decides whether a letter is appropriate after speaking with the customer.

What a landlord may and may not ask

• Subsection (3)(a): a housing provider may not request information that discloses the diagnosis or severity of a disability or any medical records. A person may share that information voluntarily.
• Subsection (3)(b): a housing provider may not require the use of a specific form or notarized statement, or deny a request solely because a person did not follow the housing provider's routine method.

See what a landlord can ask and the 30 day rule.

How an Official ESA Letter evaluation works

After payment, a Florida licensed clinician speaks with the customer in English or Spanish. A signed English PDF is issued only if the clinician approves. A new evaluation is $149 and a renewal is $99. Full refund only if the clinician does not approve a letter. A landlord saying no is not a refund.

See how the evaluation works, pricing, and verify a letter.

Frequently asked questions

Is an online ESA letter valid for Florida housing?

It can be. Fla. Stat. 760.27(2)(b)4 lists information from a telehealth provider, as defined in s. 456.47, among the supporting information a housing provider may request. That information is reliable when the provider has personal knowledge of the person's disability. A landlord still reviews each request.

Does an ESA certificate or ID card bought online count?

Not by itself. Fla. Stat. 760.27(3)(c) says an internet registration, identification card, patch, certificate or similar registration is not, by itself, sufficient information to reliably establish a disability or a disability-related need for an emotional support animal.

Can a clinician licensed in another state write the letter?

Only in a narrow case. For a practitioner licensed in another state, 760.27(2)(b)4 applies only if that practitioner has provided in person care or services to the tenant on at least one occasion. Official ESA Letter evaluations are by a Florida licensed clinician.

What makes an online evaluation real?

Personal knowledge. After payment, a Florida licensed clinician speaks with the customer and decides whether a letter is appropriate. A letter is issued only if the clinician approves. Fla. Stat. 456.072(1)(pp) makes it a ground for discipline to support an ESA need without personal knowledge.

Can a landlord ask for my diagnosis or medical records?

No. Fla. Stat. 760.27(3)(a) says a housing provider may not request information that discloses the diagnosis or severity of a disability or any medical records. A person may share that information voluntarily.

What does an Official ESA Letter evaluation cost, and what if the clinician does not approve?

A new evaluation is $149 and a renewal is $99. Full refund only if the clinician does not approve a letter. A landlord saying no is not a refund.

Educational only. Not legal advice. Official letters for landlords are issued in English only. Clinical consultations available in English or Spanish.

Sources: Fla. Stat. 760.27 (2026) · Fla. Stat. 456.072 (2026) · Fla. Stat. 456.47 (2026). Last checked 2026-10-01. More answers: Housing ESA FAQ.