Skip to agency navigation
Skip to main content

Official Website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means its official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Pennsylvania Licensure Requirements

    Four-Year Educational Program in Occupational Therapy

    1 Examination

    6 Months of Experience

    3 Hours of Continuing Education
     

    $30.00 Initial Fee

    $55.00 Renewal Fee

    Licensed individuals who treat injured, ill, or disabled patients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. 

    Occupational therapists help patients develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working.

    Degree Requirement: 

    Four-Year Educational Program in Occupational Therapy

    Applicant has met the academic requirements of an educational program in occupational therapy approved by the Board.

    Examination Requirement: 

    1 Examination

    Applicant has passed the Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) licensure examination or has qualified for a waiver of the licensure examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

    Experience: 

    6 Months Experience

    An applicant must successfully complete 6 months of supervised fieldwork experience at a recognized educational institute or a training program approved by the educational institution. 

    Professional Liability Insurance 

    Evidence of professional liability insurance coverage in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence or claims made.

    Continuing Education:

    3 Hours (for initial licensure) 

    Applicants must complete 3 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting for initial licensure. 

     

    24 Hours (when renewing license)

    24 hours of continued competency for licensure renewal. Of those 24 hours, 2 hours must be Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting. 

    Initial Licensing Fee: 

    $30.00

    Licensure Renewal Fee: 

    $55.00

    Biennial renewal of license.

    Licensure by Act 41:

    Act 41 allows for portability of out-of-state professional licensees coming to work in Pennsylvania. Act 41 does this by granting all boards and commissions within the Commonwealth the authority to endorse licensees from other states, territories or jurisdictions (with substantially equivalent licensing requirements) who are active, in good standing and without discipline against their license or criminal conviction.