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West Virginia Occupational Therapist License

West Virginia Board of Occupational Therapy

Total Fee
$100
Processing Time
4 to 6 Weeks
Fingerprints
Required
IdentoGO (IDEMIA)
Temp License
Available
See board

What You'll Need

  • Passport-Style Photo — A recent digital photo of passport quality to be uploaded to the Certemy portal.
  • NBCOT Certification/Score Transfer — Official verification of certification and exam scores sent directly from NBCOT. NBCOT Website
  • Verification of Licensure — Official verification from every state where you currently hold or have previously held a license.
  • Social Security Number — Mandatory reporting of SSN is required for all licensure applications per W. Va. Code §30-1-6 (d).

How to Apply

  1. Self-Enroll in Certemy
    Visit the New Applicants page and select the appropriate application (Resident or Non-Resident) to create a Certemy account. Use a personal email address to ensure continued access.
  2. Upload Required Documents
    Upload a recent passport-style photo and provide your Social Security Number as required by state law.
  3. Request NBCOT Score Transfer
    Contact NBCOT to have your official certification scores transferred directly to the West Virginia Board of Occupational Therapy.
  4. Complete Jurisprudence Exam
    Take the West Virginia Jurisprudence Exam, which is typically administered as an integrated step within the Certemy application portal.
  5. Pay Application Fee
    Pay the $75 initial licensure fee for Occupational Therapists through the online application using the state's e-Gov payment processor.
  6. Verify Out-of-State Licenses
    If you hold or have held a license in another state, request official verification from those boards to be sent to the WV Board.
Total Fee
$100
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

  1. Select Non-Resident Application
    Applicants licensed in another state should select the 'New Applicants: Non-WV Resident' path on the board website.
  2. Submit Reciprocity Documentation
    Provide proof of current licensure in good standing from another jurisdiction as per W. Va. Code §30-1-27.
  3. Verification of Practice
    If you have not practiced within the 2 years prior to application, you must submit proof of 24 hours of continuing competency contact hours.
Total Fee
$0
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Compact
No
Board
West Virginia Board of Occupational Therapy

Keeping Your License Active

West Virginia Occupational Therapist licenses renew Every 2 years. Contact the West Virginia Board of Occupational Therapy for continuing education requirements and renewal deadlines.

Fees

ItemAmount
Application$100
Endorsement application$100
Fingerprint check$35-$50 (varies by state)
Temporary permitSee board

Slow Downs

Incomplete Certemy Steps
The application is self-paced; failing to complete all digital steps or upload required files will halt the review process.
NBCOT Score Transfer Lag
The Board cannot issue a full license until official scores are received directly from NBCOT.
Out-of-State Verification Delays
Waiting for other state boards to process and send license verifications is a frequent cause of delay.

Questions

What is the initial application fee for an OTR?
The initial license fee for an Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) is $75.00.
When do West Virginia OT licenses expire?
OT licenses expire biennially on December 31st of either even or odd years, depending on the year of initial licensure.
How many continuing education hours are required for renewal?
Licensees must complete 24 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years. Initial renewals require only 12 hours.
Is a criminal background check required for a West Virginia license?
An FBI fingerprint-based background check is NOT required for a standard WV license; it is only required if you wish to participate in the OT Compact.
Is there a jurisprudence exam?
Yes, a Jurisprudence Exam is required and is typically completed as a step within the online Certemy application portal.

Board Info

West Virginia Board of Occupational Therapy
Sources
State statutes
Last verified 2026-02-25