Find your state licensure answers

Occupational therapy is a regulated health care profession in all 50 states, plus Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, and Guam. This means that these jurisdictions have passed a law requiring that occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants hold a license before being allowed to provide occupational therapy services. In order to obtain a license, you must meet certain requirements that are intended to show that you have obtained a certain level of knowledge, experience, and competency so that you will provide high-quality services in a safe manner.

Explore the steps to obtaining a state license.

The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) administers the national certification exam for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants. Learn more about certification requirements by visiting NBCOT's website. State licensure laws establish requirements that must be met before someone can obtain a license and practice their profession. Initial certification with NBCOT is one of the core licensure requirements in the occupational therapy profession.

No. AOTA is the nationwide professional association in the United States for occupational therapy, but we have no authority to issue a license or certification. However, we do offer continuing education, certifications in certain practice areas, networking and leadership opportunities, and support of the profession at the state and federal level, all intended to preserve and promote access to occupational therapy services. We support the state regulation of occupational therapy through state licensure laws.

In most cases, no. You can apply for a license at anytime. However, you will not be issued a license unless you meet all of the requirements established in law or regulation by the state or jurisdiction in which you are applying. Some states have requirements for those that do not become licensed after completing their education and passing the exam.

No. Most state licenses must be renewed every two years. Renewal requirements vary from state to state. It is your responsibility to know what you must do to renew your license. If you fail to renew your license, you cannot work as an occupational therapy practitioner and can get in a lot of trouble if you continue working without a license.

Renewal requirements vary from state to state. Generally, you must fill out a renewal application form, pay a fee, and complete a certain amount of continuing education or continuing competency activities.

Continuing education or continuing competency refers to a set of activities that you must undertake or complete to renew your license. The intent of these activities is to stay current on changes in the occupational therapy profession, enhance your own professional practice, and demonstrate your clinical knowledge and competency. Activities may include volunteering occupational therapy services, conducting occupational therapy research, mentoring another practitioner or supervising fieldwork or doctoral students, or editing occupational therapy journal articles. Each state has its own list of acceptable continuing education or continuing competency activities.

Initial application fees vary from state to state.

Contact AOTA State Affairs staff at stpd@aota.org.