{"application_form_url":"https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Documents/Pubs/683032.pdf","application_portal_url":null,"board_contact_url":"https://doh.wa.gov/about-us/contact-us","board_email":"See board website","board_fax":"N/A (contact by phone)","board_mailing_address":"See board website","board_name":"Washington DOH \u2014 Occupational Therapy","board_parent_org":"Washington State Department of Health (DOH)","board_phone":"(360) 236-4700","board_physical_address":"See board website","board_source_url":null,"board_url":null,"canonical_url":"https://statelicensingreference.com/washington-ot","ce_requirements_url":"https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/occupational-therapist-and-occupational-therapy-assistant/continuing-education","common_delays":[{"description":"Waiting for other state boards to send license verifications is the most frequent cause of delay. Request these early.","title":"Missing Out-of-State Verifications"},{"description":"Transcripts must be official and sent directly from the school; student copies are not accepted.","title":"Incomplete Transcripts"},{"description":"Failure to achieve a perfect 100% score on the open-book exam will prevent license issuance.","title":"Jurisprudence Exam Score"},{"description":"Out-of-state background checks can take several weeks. Do not schedule fingerprinting until instructed by the DOH.","title":"Fingerprint Processing"}],"compact_member":false,"compact_name":"OT Compact (Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact)","compact_privilege_fee":"N/A","created_at":"2026-04-09T17:05:35.316782+00:00","credential_type":"Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR)","description":"Apply for a Washington Occupational Therapist credential. Learn about the master's degree requirement, NBCOT exam, and state fees.","endorsement_application_url":"https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/occupational-therapist-and-occupational-therapy-assistant/licensing-information","endorsement_fees":{"app_fee":"N/A","background_check_fee":"$0 (included in application)","jurisprudence_exam_fee":"$0","total_estimated_cost":""},"endorsement_steps":[{"description":"Ensure your current license in another jurisdiction is active and in good standing.","title":"Verify Out-of-State License","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Complete the standard application via the HELMS portal, selecting the endorsement path.","title":"Submit Endorsement Application","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Request official verification from every state where you have ever held a healthcare license.","title":"Submit License Verifications","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"All endorsement applicants must pass the state-specific laws and rules exam.","title":"Pass Washington Jurisprudence Exam","url":null,"url_label":null}],"exam_registration_url":"https://www.nbcot.org","faqs":[{"answer":"The typical processing time is 6 to 8 weeks once all documents and fees are received.","question":"How long does the application process take?"},{"answer":"Occupational Therapists must complete 24 hours of continuing competency every two years, including 3 hours of suicide assessment training every 6 years and 2 hours of health equity training every 4 years.","question":"What are the continuing education (CE) requirements?"},{"answer":"Yes, a limited permit may be issued to applicants who have completed their education and are waiting to take the NBCOT exam, provided they work under supervision.","question":"Can I get a temporary permit while waiting for my exam results?"},{"answer":"Your license expires every two years on your birthday.","question":"When does my license expire?"}],"fee_payment_url":null,"fingerprint_delay_weeks":"2-4","fingerprint_fee":"$35.50","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://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/fingerprint-background-check-information","fingerprint_vendor":"IdentoGO / WSP","fingerprint_vendor_url":"https://www.identogo.com/locations/washington","initial_fee_amount":141.0,"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/washington-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":"Must be sent directly from the ACOTE-accredited college or university to the DOH.","name":"Official Transcripts","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Verification of passing the OTR exam, sent directly from NBCOT.","name":"NBCOT Score Report","url":"https://www.nbcot.org","url_label":"Request Scores"},{"description":"If you hold or have held a license in another state, that state must send verification directly to Washington.","name":"Out-of-State License Verification","url":"https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Documents/Pubs/683032.pdf","url_label":"Verification Form (PDF)"},{"description":"Proof of passing the Washington State Occupational Therapy Jurisprudence Exam with 100%.","name":"Jurisprudence Exam Completion","url":null,"url_label":null}],"slug":"washington-ot","state_name":"Washington","state_slug":"washington","statutes_url":"https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.59","steps":[{"description":"Register for a SAW account to access the Department of Health's Online Application Portal (HELMS).","title":"Create a Secure Access Washington (SAW) Account","url":"https://secureaccess.wa.gov/","url_label":"Sign Up for SAW"},{"description":"Log in to HELMS via SAW, add the 'Health Professional and Facility Licensing' service, and complete the Occupational Therapist application.","title":"Submit Online Application","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Pay the non-refundable application and initial license fee of $166 (includes HEAL-WA surcharge).","title":"Pay Application Fees","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Contact your educational institution to have official transcripts sent directly to the Washington Department of Health.","title":"Request Official Transcripts","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Request that the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) send your exam scores or certification verification directly to the board.","title":"Verify NBCOT Certification","url":"https://www.nbcot.org","url_label":"NBCOT Website"},{"description":"Take the online, open-book Jurisprudence Exam. You must achieve a score of 100% to pass.","title":"Complete Washington Jurisprudence Exam","url":"https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/occupational-therapist-and-occupational-therapy-assistant/licensing-information","url_label":"Licensing Info & Exam"},{"description":"Complete the required background check. Out-of-state applicants may be required to submit fingerprints via IdentoGO after receiving instructions from the DOH.","title":"Background Check and Fingerprinting","url":"https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/fingerprint-background-check-information","url_label":"Fingerprint Info"}],"temp_license_available":true,"temp_license_duration":"See board","temp_license_fee":"See board","temp_license_processing_time":"See board","updated_at":"2026-05-24T09:27:55.380026+00:00","verify_license_url":null}