How to Get an Occupational Therapy License in 4 Steps

If you’re passionate about helping others, you may have started exploring the idea of pursuing a career in healthcare. But with more than 160 medical specialties and subspecialties in the United States alone, how can you decide which role is right for you?¹

If becoming an occupational therapist practitioner has been on your list, then you’re in the right place. Also known as “OTs,” these highly trained medical experts assist people of all ages with gaining—or renewing—their highest level of independence.² But what does an occupational therapist do exactly? They guide patients through various therapeutic practices to help them achieve or regain the skills necessary for daily living and working.

Below, we’ll demystify the process of becoming a practitioner and show you how to get an occupational therapy license in four straightforward, achievable steps.

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How to Get an OT License

Occupational therapists are vital to holistic health. Whether they’re tasked with assisting an older adult with organizing their medications or showing an amputee how to master an assistive device, OTs help clients nail the skills and confidence they need to tackle life’s daily duties and activities.³

Being able to work directly with clients (and possibly make a meaningful, lasting difference in their lives) comes down to following a set of requirements set forth by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

#1 Meeting the Educational Prerequisites for Licensure

How to get an occupational therapy license starts with obtaining a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. While the AOTA does not require a specific major, some OT hopefuls hold undergraduate degrees in a related discipline, such as:⁴

Biology
Psychology
Kinesiology
Sociology
Education

No matter your field of study, you can start applying to a graduate program once your prerequisites have been fulfilled. These vary by state and institution, but a few of the most common include biology, human development, psychology, medical terminology, and statistics. A strong professional education background is, after all, crucial for this profession.

Next up? Earning an advanced degree, which is required to qualify for licensure in every state. This may be either:⁵

Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD)

How long is OT school? The main differences between the two degrees are the length of time they require and the depth of study. An MOT may take two to three years to complete, while an OTD typically averages between three and four years.⁶ Further, an OTD may be a savvier choice for those who are drawn to teaching. An MOT, meanwhile, is ideal for students who want to start practicing as soon as possible.

Regardless of the degree you obtain, you will likely have to complete what’s known as “observational hours” (or shadowing a licensed occupational therapist) prior to applying for graduate school.

You’ll also be asked to gain fieldwork experience before moving to Step #2. The return on your investment in terms of time? A first-hand understanding of the rigors and joys of the job.

#2 Taking the NBCOT Exam

To earn an OT license, you must pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. The test—which is seen as a critical milestone on the path toward licensure and professional practice—is composed of 180 questions.⁷ Candidates have four hours to complete the certification examination, and must take it within three months of registering.

Passing the NBCOT examination enables you to apply for licensure in all 50 states.

#3 Navigating the Licensure Application Process

Once you’ve passed the NBCOT exam (and, if it applies, your state’s own test), it’s time to fulfill the final requirements needed to jumpstart your profession in occupational therapy.

Every state has its own rules and standards. In addition to passing a state-specific exam, you may be asked to:

Complete a federal or state criminal background check
Submit an official transcript from your master’s degree program
Complete an initial license application (and pay a fee)

As you might imagine, paperwork can take some time. Here’s the good news: Not only can you apply in multiple states at the same time (indeed, there’s no limit to how many states you can apply for licensure in), but many states also let recent OT graduates practice with a temporary license or limited permit.

Again, review your state’s requirements so that you can start putting your knowledge to work.

#4 Maintaining and Renewing Your OT License

Obtaining your license for occupational therapy practice is a cause for celebration. Keep in mind, though, that OTs must maintain their license to continue practicing.

We might sound like a broken record here but every state—you guessed it—has its own requirements. However, most ask for:

Continuing education credits, and
Professional development hours (generally between 10 and 40 hours every two years)

Eyeing the idea of going after a special certifications in occupational therapy, like becoming a Certified Autism Specialist (CAS) or Board Certified in Gerontology (BCG)?⁸

You may have additional requirements to maintain your license. These, too, differ, depending on your state and your NBCOT certification.⁹

All told, the importance of maintaining your OT license cannot be overstated.¹⁰ If it lapses, you may face a complicated, time-consuming journey towards getting it back. And if you practice on an expired license, you could be hit with penalties or be charged with a crime.

The whole concept of doing more work to hold onto your ability to practice might seem like a lot. And yet, it’s to your benefit: Staying on top of the latest research and evidence-based interventions will place you in the perfect position to offer efficient, transformative care.

Your Path to a Fulfilling OT Career

If you’ve found yourself asking how to get an occupational therapy license, consider yourself on the right track: Having a full understanding of what licensure requires early on can help you plan for, and accomplish, each step on your educational and professional path.

ӣ��Ƶ is your ticket to obtaining the occupational therapy education you need to succeed. ӣ��Ƶ offers a Master of Occupational Therapy program that provides aspiring OTs with a combination of online courses, in-person classes, and labs. And with all of it led by a world-class faculty, you may find yourself well-prepared to apply for licensure.

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Sources:

“Specialty Profiles.” Careers in Medicine. . Accessed September 17, 2024.
Aota.org. . Accessed August 24. 2024.
Borst, Heidi. “How to Become an Occupational Therapist: A Step-by-Step Guide.” Forbes, April 17, 2024. . Accessed September 18, 2024.
“How to Get into Occupational Therapy School.” CORP-MAT1 (TEACH), September 26, 2022. . Accessed September 18, 2024.
Aota.org. . Accessed August 24, 2024.
Schwartz, Michele. “Masters vs Doctorate in Occupational Therapy.” The Virtual Pediatric OT, April 24, 2024. . Accessed August 24, 2024.
Foundations of the certification examinations. . Accessed August 24, 2024.
Sarah Lyon, Jeanette Runningssays:, Sarah Lyon, Viviana Morenosays:, Meghann Ehlingsays:, Karen Speicher, Karensays:, et al. “30+ OT Certifications and Specialties • OT Potential.” OT Potential • Occupational Therapy Continuing Education, February 8, 2024. . Accessed September 17, 2024.
“OT Continuing Education Requirements (2024) • OT Potential.” OT Potential • Occupational Therapy Continuing Education, September 12, 2024. . Accessed September 18, 2024.
Aota.org. . Accessed September 18, 2024.

Author

Lisa Radesi

Associate Professor

School of Nursing and Health Sciences

Dr. Lisa Radesi DNP, MSN-Ed, MSN-CNS, RN, PHN, is the Associate Dean/Program Director/Associate Professor for the School of Nursing and...

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