{"application_form_url":null,"application_portal_url":"https://www.pals.pa.gov/","board_contact_url":null,"board_email":"See board website","board_fax":"N/A (contact by phone)","board_mailing_address":"See board website","board_name":"Pennsylvania Board of Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure","board_parent_org":"Pennsylvania Department of State","board_phone":"(717) 783-4849","board_physical_address":"See board website","board_source_url":null,"board_url":null,"canonical_url":"https://statelicensingreference.com/pennsylvania-ot","ce_requirements_url":"https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/occupational-therapy/renewal-information.html","common_delays":[{"description":"Taking a course from a provider not approved by the PA Department of State. Ensure the provider is on the official Act 31 list.","title":"Incorrect Child Abuse Training"},{"description":"Attempting to schedule fingerprinting before receiving the specific service code from the Board after application submission.","title":"Background Check Service Code"},{"description":"Waiting for transcripts or NBCOT scores. These must be sent directly from the source; applicant-uploaded copies are not accepted.","title":"Third-Party Document Delays"},{"description":"Insurance certificates that do not clearly state the $1M per occurrence minimum or do not list the applicant's name correctly.","title":"Liability Insurance Details"}],"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 Pennsylvania Occupational Therapist credential. Learn about the master's degree requirement, NBCOT exam, and state fees.","endorsement_application_url":"https://www.pals.pa.gov/","endorsement_fees":{"app_fee":"N/A","background_check_fee":"$0 (included in application)","jurisprudence_exam_fee":"$0","total_estimated_cost":""},"endorsement_steps":[{"description":"Ensure you hold an active, good-standing license in another jurisdiction with substantially equivalent requirements.","title":"Verify Out-of-State License","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Apply via PALS selecting the 'Licensure by Endorsement' or 'Act 41' pathway.","title":"Submit Endorsement Application","url":"https://www.pals.pa.gov/","url_label":"Apply via PALS"},{"description":"Request that each state where you hold or have held a license send a verification directly to the Pennsylvania Board.","title":"Request Verification of Licensure","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Complete the 3-hour child abuse training and the FBI fingerprinting process as required for all new applicants.","title":"Complete Background and Training Requirements","url":null,"url_label":null}],"exam_registration_url":"https://www.nbcot.org/","faqs":[{"answer":"Licenses expire on June 30 of every odd-numbered year.","question":"When do Pennsylvania OT licenses expire?"},{"answer":"24 contact hours are required every two years, including at least 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting training.","question":"How many continuing education hours are required for renewal?"},{"answer":"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.","question":"Do I need to maintain my NBCOT certification to renew my PA license?"},{"answer":"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.","question":"Is there a temporary license available?"},{"answer":"The initial application fee for an Occupational Therapist is $30.","question":"What is the fee for initial licensure?"}],"fee_payment_url":"https://www.pals.pa.gov/","fingerprint_delay_weeks":"2-4","fingerprint_fee":"$22.60","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":"https://www.identogo.com/","fingerprint_vendor":"IdentoGO / PA State Police","fingerprint_vendor_url":"https://www.identogo.com/locations/pennsylvania","initial_fee_amount":50.0,"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/pennsylvania-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":"https://www.pals.pa.gov/","required_documents":[{"description":"Must be sent directly from the educational institution to the Board.","name":"Official Transcripts","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Official verification of passing the OTR exam sent directly from NBCOT.","name":"NBCOT Score Report","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Certificate of insurance showing a minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence.","name":"Proof of Professional Liability Insurance","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"3-hour course completion submitted electronically by an approved vendor.","name":"Child Abuse Training Certificate","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"FBI fingerprint-based check via IdentoGO and potentially a state check (PATCH) if you have lived out of state.","name":"Criminal History Records Check","url":"https://epatch.pa.gov/","url_label":"PA State Police Check"}],"slug":"pennsylvania-ot","state_name":"Pennsylvania","state_slug":"pennsylvania","statutes_url":"https://www.palegis.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/uconsCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&yr=1982&sessInd=0&smthLwInd=0&act=140","steps":[{"description":"Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy program and complete at least 6 months of supervised fieldwork.","title":"Complete Education and Fieldwork","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Register for and pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) OTR examination.","title":"Pass the NBCOT Exam","url":"https://www.nbcot.org/","url_label":"Register for NBCOT"},{"description":"Complete 3 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting. The provider must submit this electronically to the Board.","title":"Complete Mandated Child Abuse Training","url":"https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Pages/Act-31-Child-Abuse-Reporting-Continuing-Education.aspx","url_label":"Find Approved Providers"},{"description":"Create an account on the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) and submit the initial application for licensure along with the $30 fee.","title":"Submit Online Application via PALS","url":"https://www.pals.pa.gov/","url_label":"Start PALS Application"},{"description":"After submitting your application, you will receive a service code. Use this code to register and schedule a fingerprinting appointment with IdentoGO.","title":"Complete FBI Fingerprinting","url":"https://www.identogo.com/","url_label":"Schedule Fingerprinting"},{"description":"Request official transcripts and NBCOT score transfers to be sent directly to the Board. Provide proof of professional liability insurance ($1,000,000 minimum).","title":"Submit Supporting Documents","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":"2026-05-17T09:01:17.824463+00:00","verify_license_url":"https://www.pals.pa.gov/#/page/search"}