Is an out-of-state ESA letter valid in Florida?
Florida law counts an out-of-state clinician only after at least one in-person visit. See Fla. Stat. 760.27 and how a Florida evaluation works.
4 min read · Educational only · Not legal advice
It depends on who wrote it. Fla. Stat. 760.27(2)(b)4 lets a housing provider treat information from a practitioner licensed in another state as reliable only if that practitioner has provided in-person care or services to the tenant on at least one occasion. An Official ESA Letter evaluation is by a Florida-licensed clinician after a real conversation. This guide quotes the statute and shows the next step.
Updated 2026-10-05 · Last checked 2026-10-05.
What does Fla. Stat. 760.27 say about out-of-state clinicians?
Subsection (2)(b)4 lists information from a health care practitioner, a telehealth provider, or a similarly licensed practitioner in another state. For the out-of-state case, the statute adds a condition.
The statute says the out-of-state path applies:
but only if such out-of-state practitioner has provided in-person care or services to the tenant on at least one occasion.
It then says the information is reliable if the practitioner has personal knowledge of the person's disability and is acting within the scope of practice. Read the full section: Fla. Stat. 760.27 (2026).
Does a letter written while I lived in another state count after I move to Florida?
Only if the out-of-state condition above is met. If the practitioner never saw the tenant in person, that path does not apply under the statute text.
A landlord still reviews each request. Fla. Stat. 760.27(3)(c) also says an internet registration, identification card, patch, certificate, or similar registration is not, by itself, sufficient information. For the statewide overview, see the Florida housing ESA letter page.
What if I am new to Florida and need housing paperwork?
Many new Florida residents need documentation a local landlord can check against Florida MQA. A Florida-licensed clinician who speaks with the customer and decides whether a letter is appropriate matches the personal-knowledge standard in 760.27(2)(b)4.
Official ESA Letter evaluations are by Yudelmy Castaneda Sanchez, APRN (Florida license APRN9355049, NPI 1730630799). Property managers can check the license on /verify. Steps are on how to get an ESA letter in Florida and how it works.
How does an Official ESA Letter evaluation work?
Payment comes first. Then the clinician calls and decides whether to approve a letter.
- The customer pays for the evaluation ($149 new, $99 renew).
- The clinician calls after payment. The clinical conversation can be in English or Spanish.
- The clinician approves or does not approve a letter.
- If approved, the customer gets a signed English PDF for the landlord.
- Full refund only if the clinician does not approve a letter.
A letter, if issued, is valid 1 year from the purchase date. That is an Official ESA Letter term, not a statute term. Official ESA Letter serves Florida housing only.
What can a Florida landlord ask for?
When the need is not obvious, a landlord may request reliable information that supports the disability and the need for the particular animal. A landlord may not request a diagnosis, the severity of a disability, or medical records (760.27(3)(a)). A landlord may not require a specific form or notarized statement (760.27(3)(b)).
Does a landlord's "no" mean a refund?
No. A landlord or HOA saying no is not a refund. Full refund only if the clinician does not approve a letter. See the refund policy.
Looking for a clinical evaluation in Florida?
Price and the refund rule are on the pricing page. Ready? Start the evaluation. Questions: support@officialesaletter.com.
Educational only. Not legal advice. Official letters for landlords are issued in English only. Clinical consultations available in English or Spanish. Last checked 2026-10-05.
Frequently asked questions
Is an out-of-state ESA letter valid in Florida?
It depends. Fla. Stat. 760.27(2)(b)4 counts a practitioner licensed in another state only if that practitioner has provided in-person care or services to the tenant on at least one occasion. A landlord still reviews each request.
I just moved to Florida. Do I need a new letter?
Often yes, if the prior letter came from an out-of-state clinician who never saw you in person. A Florida-licensed clinician evaluation is the path Official ESA Letter offers. See pricing and start evaluation.
Can a telehealth evaluation count?
Yes, when it is from a telehealth provider as defined in s. 456.47 and the provider has personal knowledge of the person's disability (760.27(2)(b)4). Official ESA Letter evaluations are by a Florida-licensed clinician after a real conversation.
How much does a Florida evaluation cost?
A new evaluation is $149 and a renewal is $99. Full refund only if the clinician does not approve a letter.
What if the clinician does not approve?
Full refund only if the clinician does not approve a letter. A landlord saying no is not a refund.
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Looking for a clinical evaluation in Florida?
A new evaluation is $149 and a renewal is $99. Full refund only if the clinician does not approve a letter.