{"application_form_url":null,"application_portal_url":null,"board_contact_url":null,"board_email":"See board website","board_fax":"N/A (contact by phone)","board_mailing_address":"See board website","board_name":"Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy","board_parent_org":"Tennessee Department of Health","board_phone":"(615) 532-3204","board_physical_address":"See board website","board_source_url":null,"board_url":null,"canonical_url":"https://statelicensingreference.com/tennessee-ot","ce_requirements_url":null,"common_delays":[{"description":"Using the wrong OCA code or failing to follow the IdentoGO instructions precisely can delay the receipt of criminal history reports.","title":"Incomplete Background Checks"},{"description":"Sending transcripts before the degree is officially conferred and posted will result in the Board rejecting the document.","title":"Transcript Timing"},{"description":"Delays often occur when applicants forget to request verifications from states where they held a license that is now inactive.","title":"Missing Verifications"}],"compact_member":false,"compact_name":"OT Compact (Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact)","compact_privilege_fee":"N/A","created_at":"2026-04-09T17:05:34.583742+00:00","credential_type":"Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR)","description":"Apply for a Tennessee Occupational Therapist credential. Learn about the master's degree requirement, NBCOT exam, and state fees.","endorsement_application_url":null,"endorsement_fees":{"app_fee":"N/A","background_check_fee":"$0 (included in application)","jurisprudence_exam_fee":"$0","total_estimated_cost":""},"endorsement_steps":[{"description":"Request official verification of licensure from every state where you have ever held a license, to be sent directly to the Tennessee Board.","title":"Verify Out-of-State Licenses","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Request that NBCOT send a verification of your current certification status to the Tennessee Board.","title":"NBCOT Verification","url":"https://www.nbcot.org/","url_label":"NBCOT Verification"},{"description":"Submit the application via the LARS portal, selecting the 'Reciprocity/Endorsement' path.","title":"Complete Tennessee Application","url":"https://apps.tn.gov/hlrs/","url_label":"Start Endorsement Application"}],"exam_registration_url":"https://www.nbcot.org/","faqs":[{"answer":"The typical timeline for licensure is 6 to 9 weeks once all documentation is received.","question":"How long does the application process take?"},{"answer":"OTs must complete 24 hours of continued competence every two years, including 1 hour of ethics and 1 hour of Tennessee Jurisprudence (Rules and Laws).","question":"What are the continuing education (CE) requirements?"},{"answer":"Licenses expire every two years on the last day of the licensee's birth month.","question":"When does my license expire?"},{"answer":"Tennessee has enacted OT Compact legislation but is currently in the implementation phase and not yet issuing or accepting compact privileges.","question":"Is Tennessee part of the OT Compact?"}],"fee_payment_url":null,"fingerprint_delay_weeks":"2-4","fingerprint_fee":"$35-$50 (varies by state)","fingerprint_method_in_state":"LiveScan (IdentoGO)","fingerprint_method_out_of_state":"IdentoGO Out-of-State Live Scan (adds ~$39.95 fee) OR FD-258 hard card via mail (tip: moisturize hands for days prior to reduce smudge rejects)","fingerprint_required":true,"fingerprint_url":null,"fingerprint_vendor":"IdentoGO (IDEMIA)","fingerprint_vendor_url":"https://uenroll.identogo.com/","initial_fee_amount":165.0,"initial_fee_breakdown":"{\"app_fee\": \"N/A\", \"background_check_fee\": \"$0 (included in application)\", \"jurisprudence_exam_fee\": \"$0\", \"total_estimated_cost\": \"\"}","last_updated":"2026-02-25","last_verified":"2026-02-25","license_duration":"2 Years","licensing_pathway":"endorsement","payload_url":"https://statelicensingreference.com/api/tennessee-ot.json","processing_time":"4 to 6 Weeks","profession":"Occupational Therapist","provisional_info":"Many states offer a limited permit or provisional license for new graduates waiting to take the NBCOT exam. Check specific board rules for supervisory requirements.","reciprocity_info":"Occupational therapists licensed in another state can often apply via endorsement by providing license verification and current NBCOT certification.","renewal_cycle":"Every 2 years","renewal_fee_amount":0.0,"renewal_portal_url":null,"required_documents":[{"description":"A recent (within 12 months) passport-style photograph, signed on the back.","name":"Passport Style Photo","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"One original letter of recommendation from a professional attesting to your good moral character (cannot be from a relative).","name":"Letter of Recommendation","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"A completed and notarized Declaration of Citizenship form with a copy of a valid ID (e.g., Driver's License or Birth Certificate).","name":"Declaration of Citizenship","url":"https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/healthprofboards/PH-4183.pdf","url_label":"Download Form"},{"description":"Transcripts must be sent directly from the ACOTE-accredited institution to the Board.","name":"Official Transcripts","url":null,"url_label":null}],"slug":"tennessee-ot","state_name":"Tennessee","state_slug":"tennessee","statutes_url":null,"steps":[{"description":"Register for an account on the Tennessee Licensure and Regulatory System (LARS) portal to begin the online application process.","title":"Create a LARS Account","url":"https://apps.tn.gov/hlrs/","url_label":"Access LARS Portal"},{"description":"Complete the online application for Occupational Therapist licensure and pay the required fees ($110 total).","title":"Submit Initial Application","url":"https://apps.tn.gov/hlrs/","url_label":"Apply Online"},{"description":"Schedule a fingerprinting appointment through IdentoGO using the Tennessee-specific OCA code 1594 for Occupational Therapists.","title":"Criminal Background Check","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Contact your educational institution to have official transcripts sent directly to the Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy.","title":"Request Official Transcripts","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Request that your official OTR examination scores be sent directly from NBCOT to the Tennessee Board.","title":"NBCOT Score Transfer","url":"https://www.nbcot.org/","url_label":"Request NBCOT Scores"},{"description":"Complete the Mandatory Practitioner Profile Questionnaire, which is required for all licensed health care providers in Tennessee.","title":"Submit Mandatory Practitioner Profile","url":null,"url_label":null}],"temp_license_available":true,"temp_license_duration":"See board","temp_license_fee":"See board","temp_license_processing_time":"See board","updated_at":"2026-05-24T09:26:42.497224+00:00","verify_license_url":null}