You've graduated from an occupational therapy program, passed the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam, and obtained licensure in the state where you plan to work. You are now a nationally registered and state-licensed occupational therapy practitioner, poised to advance in your new career.
Occupational therapy education doesn't end with graduation from your OT program, however, you'll need to keep up with continuing education requirements to maintain your hard-earned credentials.
This article will help with understanding the basics of obtaining and maintaining state licensure and national certification.
Understanding Occupational Therapy Licensure Requirements
Initial Occupational Therapy Licensure
All fifty states, plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Guam, require occupational therapists to be licensed to provide occupational therapy services.
Occupational therapy licensure differs from the certification that OTs earn after passing the NBCOT exam. Occupational therapy licensure is issued through state regulatory agencies.
Each state may require different specific documentation and different fees to apply for licensure. However, generally, you may expect to:
- Pass the NBCOT exam
- Complete an initial application and pay a fee
- Complete a state and/or federal background check
- Provide an official transcript from your OT program
- Pass an exam on the state's laws and regulations on occupational therapy
Renewing OT licensure
Once you have met all requirements and obtained initial state licensure, you'll be required to complete a specific number of continuing education units (CEU) or contact hours before the renewal date. Additionally, there may be particular types of continuing education requirements or additional training that are required. The number of units, the kind of continuing education accepted, and the renewal date vary by state.
To use the state of Virginia as an example, occupational therapy licensure is issued by the Virginia Board of Medicine, a division of the Virginia Department of Health Professions.
Licenses must be renewed every two years by the end of the applicant's birth month. Occupational therapists are required to complete twenty contact hours of continuing education each renewal period and complete a one-hour human trafficking training course during the present renewal period.
To continue to practice as an occupational therapist in the United States, you're required to renew your occupational therapy licensure. With occupational therapy licensure in good standing, you can use the "L" credential after your OT credential (OT/L).
NBCOT Certification Renewal: How to Maintain Your OTR Credential
Initial Occupational Therapy Certification
After graduation from an entry-level occupational therapy program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), you are eligible to take the NBCOT.
The initial application process for obtaining certification is a multi-step process:
- Create an account on the NBCOT website
- Complete the online exam application and pay the fee
- Request final and official transcripts or a degree verification form to be sent from your occupational therapy school
Once you pass the NBCOT exam, you are recognized as a nationally certified and registered occupational therapist and can use the "R" credential after your OT credential (OTR).
Renewing OT Certification
Unlike occupational therapy licensure, you are not required to renew your NBCOT certification and maintain your OTR status to continue practicing as an occupational therapist. However, there are significant benefits to renewing the credential.
Certification renewal is a recognition that you, as an OTR, have met national standards for professionalism and continue to pursue professional development.
NBCOT renewal occurs every three years between January and March annually. Once you successfully renew your certification, you will be granted Active in Good Standing Status for another three years and may continue to use the OTR credential.
The NBCOT requires occupational therapists to complete 36 units of continuing education within a three-year period and submit an online renewal application, along with the associated fee.
How to Choose the Right Continuing Education for OT Licensure Renewal
Know that you can use your continuing education units towards renewing both your OT licensure and OT certification renewal. Review the continuing education requirements and accepted activities with your state licensing board and NBCOT's accepted renewal activities to ensure you meet all requirements.
Choosing the proper continuing education is essential to avoid losing time and money, and it's crucial to be aware of scams or paying for continuing education that will not count towards renewal.
Continuing education used to apply for license or certification renewal should be provided by an American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) approved provider of continuing education or an NBCOT professional development provider to ensure that it will be accepted towards renewal.
Courses or professional development events that you may attend at work may or may not count toward renewal. It's best to check with your licensing board and NBCOT's website for confirmation.
For example, a CPR course you take at work may count towards your continuing education credits, but the human resources training you participate in every year may not count.
CEUs, PDUs, and CAUs: What They Mean for OT Continuing Education
Occupational therapy continuing education credits are typically measured in CEUs, PDU's, or CAUs. Here's a breakdown of what all those letters mean when it comes to receiving credit towards licensure and certification.
CEUs
A continued education unit (CEU) is a term used by organizations to indicate the value of a professional development activity.
CEUs are equivalent to ten contact hours for each CEU. Therefore, a one-hour continuing education course will be comparable to 0.1 CEUs.
PDUs
A professional development unit (PDU) is the term used by NBCOT in its renewal program.
PDUs are equivalent to one contact hour. Therefore, a one-hour course is equivalent to one PDU. If the course includes an assessment component at the end, such as a post-test, then the PDUs awarded will equal 1.25 PDUs.
However, the course or workshop must be provided through an AOTA-approved provider, an International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) authorized provider, or a regionally accredited college or university.
CAUs
A competency assessment unit (CAU) is specific to NBCOT certification renewal and is awarded for continuing education activities completed on NBCOT's platform.
Forty-three states and the District of Columbia accept CAUs, in part, to fulfill renewal requirements for occupational therapy licensure.
Key Takeaways: Lifelong Learning in Occupational Therapy Practice
Being an occupational therapist means participating in lifelong learning and continuing education throughout your career. Continuing education is a professional responsibility and a requirement for occupational therapy licensure and certification renewal.
Knowing about what continuing education you need and when you need to complete it will set you up for success with the renewal process.
