Licensure in Florida: the beginning of political involvement.

This article presents a report on the licensure campaign of the Florida Occupational Therapy Association (FOTA) beginning with the organization of a licensure committee in November 1974 and ending with the governor's signature seven months later. The licensure campaign provided lessons that can be shared with other groups. It is recommended that the membership be educated and involved, that full consent be obtained from all occupational therapists in the state, that a lobbyist be hired, that compromise be anticipated and be possible, and that organizations seeking licensure be aware that this step is just the beginning of political involvement.