FL · OJT

How Florida OJT Reimbursement Actually Works for Employers

Florida OJT runs through the local CareerSource boards under WIOA, not through a state grant. You hire an eligible job seeker, sign an OJT agreement with your board before the start date, and the board reimburses part of the trainee's wages. Federal rules allow up to 50% of wages, up to 75% when documented, and boards set their own rates: South Florida and Suncoast pay up to 50%. CareerSource Broward's website advertises 90%, which is above the usual federal 75% cap, so confirm the current rate with the board.

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State pre-filled: FL
Program type pre-filled: OJT

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HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

1
Contact your local CareerSource board
2
Agree on the trainee, job and training plan
3
Sign the OJT agreement before the start date
4
Pay wages, then invoice the board

1 VERIFIED PROGRAM

Where the Florida money comes from.

Run by Local CareerSource boards, under CareerSource Florida and WIOA. Every figure is from an official page, linked on each card.

WIOA On-the-Job Training through your local CareerSource board

Up to 50% of wages (75% if documented); Broward advertises 90%, confirm

THROUGH YOUR LOCAL BOARD

WHAT YOU GET

Reimbursement of part of the trainee's wages during training, to offset extra training and supervision costs. You do not have to document those costs.

HOW MUCH

Federal rule: up to 50% of wage rate, up to 75% with documented factors. Local examples: South Florida up to 50%; Suncoast up to 50%. CareerSource Broward's site advertises 90% of wages; confirm the current rate with the board.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The employer, as reimbursement. You pay the trainee's wages as usual.

WHO QUALIFIES

The trainee must be an eligible job seeker referred or screened by the board
Same wage, benefits and working conditions as similar employees
South Florida: employer operates in Miami-Dade, trainee needs at least 8 weeks of training, job pays a minimum hourly wage set by the board
Suncoast: participants must be recruited and screened through a board center

Before you start: Yes. The agreement must be signed before the candidate starts.

LOCAL BOARDS

Same program, different rules by board.

CareerSource Broward

Advertises reimbursement of 90% of the candidate's wages during training, which is above the federal 75% cap; confirm the current rate with the board. The candidate cannot start before the agreement is approved.

SOURCE: CAREERSOURCEBROWARD.COM

CareerSource South Florida

Pays up to 50% of wages. Requires at least 8 weeks of training and the agreement signed before hiring (unless applying through its Employed Worker Training program).

SOURCE: CAREERSOURCESFL.COM

CareerSource Suncoast

Reimburses up to 50% of the participant's wages for the training period; new hires are screened through a board center.

SOURCE: CAREERSOURCESUNCOAST.COM

AVOID THESE

What gets Florida OJT claims denied.

Hiring the candidate before the OJT agreement is approved.
SOURCE: CAREERSOURCEBROWARD.COM
Paying trainees less than similar employees.
SOURCE: CAREERSOURCESFL.COM
Using OJT funds to fill a job left open by a strike or lockout.
SOURCE: ECFR.GOV
Expecting more than 50% without board approval. Rates above 50% need documented factors.
SOURCE: ECFR.GOV

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

Florida OJT questions.

Who gets the money?

The employer. The board reimburses part of the trainee's wages after you pay them.

SOURCE: ECFR.GOV

Can I get reimbursed for someone I already hired?

Generally no. Agreements must be signed first. CareerSource South Florida says the agreement must be signed before hiring.

SOURCE: CAREERSOURCESFL.COM

How much will I get?

It depends on the board. Federal rules cap it at 50%, or 75% when documented. CareerSource Broward advertises 90%; confirm the current rate with the board before you plan around it.

SOURCE: CAREERSOURCEBROWARD.COM

Do I have to prove my training costs?

No. Federal rules say employers are not required to document the extraordinary costs of OJT.

SOURCE: ECFR.GOV

How we checked. Every fact on this page comes from a state agency, a local workforce board or federal regulation, read on September 30, 2026. Where a board publishes nothing, we say so instead of guessing. Programs and funding change often; confirm with the program before you commit. Written by Jason Meehl, founder of Reimbursa. Found an error? Email hello@reimbursa.com.

OTHER PROGRAMS IN FLORIDA

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