Pennsylvania Occupational Therapist License
Pennsylvania Board of Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure
Total Fee
$72
Processing Time
4 to 6 Weeks
Fingerprints
Required
IdentoGO / PA State Police
Temp License
Available
See board
What You'll Need
- Official Transcripts — Must be sent directly from the educational institution to the Board.
- NBCOT Score Report — Official verification of passing the OTR exam sent directly from NBCOT.
- Proof of Professional Liability Insurance — Certificate of insurance showing a minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence.
- Child Abuse Training Certificate — 3-hour course completion submitted electronically by an approved vendor.
- Criminal History Records Check — FBI fingerprint-based check via IdentoGO and potentially a state check (PATCH) if you have lived out of state. PA State Police Check
How to Apply
-
Complete Education and Fieldwork ▾Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy program and complete at least 6 months of supervised fieldwork.
-
Pass the NBCOT Exam ▾Register for and pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) OTR examination.
Register for NBCOT -
Complete Mandated Child Abuse Training ▾Complete 3 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting. The provider must submit this electronically to the Board.
Find Approved Providers -
Submit Online Application via PALS ▾Create an account on the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) and submit the initial application for licensure along with the $30 fee.
Start PALS Application -
Complete FBI Fingerprinting ▾After submitting your application, you will receive a service code. Use this code to register and schedule a fingerprinting appointment with IdentoGO.
Schedule Fingerprinting -
Submit Supporting Documents ▾Request official transcripts and NBCOT score transfers to be sent directly to the Board. Provide proof of professional liability insurance ($1,000,000 minimum).
Total Fee
$72
Processing Time
4 to 6 Weeks
Fingerprints
Required
Temp License
Available
Transfer License
Requirements ▾
Occupational therapists licensed in another state can often apply via endorsement by providing license verification and current NBCOT certification.
Steps
-
Verify Out-of-State License ▾Ensure you hold an active, good-standing license in another jurisdiction with substantially equivalent requirements.
-
Submit Endorsement Application ▾Apply via PALS selecting the 'Licensure by Endorsement' or 'Act 41' pathway.
Apply via PALS -
Request Verification of Licensure ▾Request that each state where you hold or have held a license send a verification directly to the Pennsylvania Board.
-
Complete Background and Training Requirements ▾Complete the 3-hour child abuse training and the FBI fingerprinting process as required for all new applicants.
Total Fee
$0
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Compact
No
Board
Pennsylvania Board of Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure
Keeping Your License Active
Pennsylvania Occupational Therapist licenses renew Every 2 years. Contact the Pennsylvania Board of Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure for continuing education requirements and renewal deadlines.
Renew on the board siteFees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application | $50 |
| Endorsement application | $50 |
| Fingerprint check | $22.60 |
| Temporary permit | See board |
Slow Downs
Incorrect Child Abuse Training
▾
Taking a course from a provider not approved by the PA Department of State. Ensure the provider is on the official Act 31 list.
Background Check Service Code
▾
Attempting to schedule fingerprinting before receiving the specific service code from the Board after application submission.
Third-Party Document Delays
▾
Waiting for transcripts or NBCOT scores. These must be sent directly from the source; applicant-uploaded copies are not accepted.
Liability Insurance Details
▾
Insurance certificates that do not clearly state the $1M per occurrence minimum or do not list the applicant's name correctly.
Questions
When do Pennsylvania OT licenses expire?
▾
Licenses expire on June 30 of every odd-numbered year.
How many continuing education hours are required for renewal?
▾
24 contact hours are required every two years, including at least 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting training.
Do I need to maintain my NBCOT certification to renew my PA license?
▾
No. While you must pass the NBCOT exam for initial licensure, you do not need to maintain active NBCOT certification to renew your state license.
Is there a temporary license available?
▾
Yes, a temporary license may be issued to applicants who have met education requirements and are waiting to take or receive results from the NBCOT exam.
What is the fee for initial licensure?
▾
The initial application fee for an Occupational Therapist is $30.
Board Info
Pennsylvania Board of Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure
Phone(717) 783-4849