Washington Occupational Therapist License
Washington DOH — Occupational Therapy
Total Fee
$176
Processing Time
4 to 6 Weeks
Fingerprints
Required
IdentoGO / WSP
Temp License
Available
See board
What You'll Need
- Official Transcripts — Must be sent directly from the ACOTE-accredited college or university to the DOH.
- NBCOT Score Report — Verification of passing the OTR exam, sent directly from NBCOT. Request Scores
- Out-of-State License Verification — If you hold or have held a license in another state, that state must send verification directly to Washington. Verification Form (PDF)
- Jurisprudence Exam Completion — Proof of passing the Washington State Occupational Therapy Jurisprudence Exam with 100%.
How to Apply
-
Create a Secure Access Washington (SAW) Account ▾Register for a SAW account to access the Department of Health's Online Application Portal (HELMS).
Sign Up for SAW -
Submit Online Application ▾Log in to HELMS via SAW, add the 'Health Professional and Facility Licensing' service, and complete the Occupational Therapist application.
-
Pay Application Fees ▾Pay the non-refundable application and initial license fee of $166 (includes HEAL-WA surcharge).
-
Request Official Transcripts ▾Contact your educational institution to have official transcripts sent directly to the Washington Department of Health.
-
Verify NBCOT Certification ▾Request that the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) send your exam scores or certification verification directly to the board.
NBCOT Website -
Complete Washington Jurisprudence Exam ▾Take the online, open-book Jurisprudence Exam. You must achieve a score of 100% to pass.
Licensing Info & Exam -
Background Check and Fingerprinting ▾Complete the required background check. Out-of-state applicants may be required to submit fingerprints via IdentoGO after receiving instructions from the DOH.
Fingerprint Info
Total Fee
$176
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 your current license in another jurisdiction is active and in good standing.
-
Submit Endorsement Application ▾Complete the standard application via the HELMS portal, selecting the endorsement path.
-
Submit License Verifications ▾Request official verification from every state where you have ever held a healthcare license.
-
Pass Washington Jurisprudence Exam ▾All endorsement applicants must pass the state-specific laws and rules exam.
Total Fee
$0
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Compact
No
Board
Washington DOH — Occupational Therapy
Keeping Your License Active
Washington Occupational Therapist licenses renew Every 2 years. Contact the Washington DOH — Occupational Therapy for continuing education requirements and renewal deadlines.
Fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application | $141 |
| Endorsement application | $141 |
| Fingerprint check | $35.50 |
| Temporary permit | See board |
Slow Downs
Missing Out-of-State Verifications
▾
Waiting for other state boards to send license verifications is the most frequent cause of delay. Request these early.
Incomplete Transcripts
▾
Transcripts must be official and sent directly from the school; student copies are not accepted.
Jurisprudence Exam Score
▾
Failure to achieve a perfect 100% score on the open-book exam will prevent license issuance.
Fingerprint Processing
▾
Out-of-state background checks can take several weeks. Do not schedule fingerprinting until instructed by the DOH.
Questions
How long does the application process take?
▾
The typical processing time is 6 to 8 weeks once all documents and fees are received.
What are the continuing education (CE) requirements?
▾
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.
Can I get a temporary permit while waiting for my exam results?
▾
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.
When does my license expire?
▾
Your license expires every two years on your birthday.
Board Info
Washington DOH — Occupational Therapy
Phone(360) 236-4700