Apply for a license
- Apply online
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The Washington State Department of Health requires that only the applicant or licensee may complete an attestation for an application, or for continuing education. This is a legal attestation. Completion of the attestation by anyone other than the applicant may constitute a reportable felony offense. The Department of Health can take action against people for perjury or for making a false statement they know to be false.
For further information please see:
- Continuing Education; WAC 246-12-180; How to prove compliance
- Initial and renewal credentialing of practitioners; WAC 246-12-020; How to obtain an initial credential
Washington State law authorizes the Department of Health to obtain fingerprint-based background checks for licensing purposes. This check may be through the Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We may require this if you have lived in another state or if you have a criminal record in Washington State. This would be at your own expense.
You must pay the application fee at the time you apply. You may use a credit or debit card with a VISA or MasterCard logo, or pay by ACH/E-Check. Please make sure your address on the payment information screen matches the address your financial institution has on file for you. This fee is non-refundable. There is a convenience fee to apply online.
If we need additional documentation, we'll notify you by email.
There are additional items you may need, in addition to your application:
- Jurisprudence Exam
- Study the Washington State Occupational Therapy Practice Laws (RCW 18.59 and WAC 246-847). You may print the results page at the end and keep for your records if you'd like but it's not necessary.
- Credential Verification (PDF)
- Employment Verification/Affidavit for Internationally Educated Applications (PDF)
- Limited Permit Sponsor Information Form (PDF)
If you have questions, contact our Customer Service staff members at 360-236-4700.
Getting started
Online Application Instructions
Online application instructions are on our website.
Online applications are accessed through SecureAccess Washington (SAW) security portal. You'll need to add the Department of Health Online Application Portal - Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS) Portal service to access the online applications. The first time you add the service, you'll be prompted to answer several questions to verify your identity. The questions will match the name and address you provide with the existing public record information. Because the questions come from public record, you need to provide a complete address and your full legal name as it appears on your driver's license or birth certificate. You may find you have to enter a former address, especially if your address has changed recently (within the past one or two years) to get the right questions that pertain to your identity. If you don't have sufficient information in the public record to verify your identity and aren't currently credentialed by the Department of Health, then you'll need to submit a paper application, as you won't be able to access the Online Application Portal.
Once you have completed the process, and submitted your application, you will receive an email with your pending credential number, or you may look on Provider Credential Search. Refer to this credential number any time you contact Department of Health or submit paperwork.
- Apply on paper
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- Occupational Therapist/Occupational Therapy Assistant Application Packet (PDF)
- Jurisprudence Exam
Study the Washington State Occupational Therapy Practice Laws (RCW 18.59 and WAC 246-847). You may print the results page at the end and keep for your records if you'd like but it's not necessary.
- Jurisprudence Exam
- Occupational Therapist/Occupational Therapy Assistant Expired License Activation Packet (PDF) (to re-activate a license that has been expired for more than two years).
- Occupational Therapy/Occupational Therapy Assistant Re-entry Form (PDF)
- Occupational Therapy/Occupational Therapy Assistant Inactive to Active Application Packet (PDF)
- Declaration of Completed Statutory Requirements for Wound Care Management and Sharp Debridement Endorsements (PDF)
- Credential Verification (PDF)
- Employment Verification/Affidavit for Internationally Educated Applications (PDF)
- Limited Permit Sponsor Information Form (PDF)
- Occupational Therapist/Occupational Therapy Assistant Application Packet (PDF)
Fee Schedule
- Occupational Therapist
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Non-Refundable Fee Type Fee Amount Application and initial license $166* License renewal $157** Limited permit $55 Late renewal $65 Expired license reissuance $80 Inactive license $47** Expired inactive license reissuance $15 Duplicate $30 Verification of license $30 *Includes a $16 surcharge for the one-year cycle for the University of Washington HEAL-WA website. See RCW 43.70.110.
**Includes a $32 surcharge for the two-year cycle for the University of Washington HEAL-WA website. See RCW 43.70.110.
Refund of fees
Fees submitted with applications for initial credentialing, examinations, renewal and other fees associated with the licensing and regulation of the profession are nonrefundable per WAC 246-12-340 – Refund of fees.
Making payments
Make checks or money orders payable to the Department of Health. Practitioners should include their credential number on the check, draft or money order. Applicants should include profession for which they're applying on the check, draft or money order.
Send check, draft or money order to:
Department of Health
P.O. Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099 - Occupational Therapy Assistant
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Non-Refundable Fee Type Fee Amount Application and initial license $166* License renewal $137** Late renewal fee $55 Expired license reissuance $70 Inactive license $47** Expired inactive license reissuance $14 Limited permit fee $45 Duplicate $30 Verification of license $30 *Includes a $16 surcharge for the one-year cycle for the University of Washington HEAL-WA website. See RCW 43.70.110.
**Includes a $32 surcharge for the two-year cycle for the University of Washington HEAL-WA website. See RCW 43.70.110.
Refund of fees
Fees submitted with applications for initial credentialing, examinations, renewal and other fees associated with the licensing and regulation of the profession are nonrefundable per WAC 246-12-340 – Refund of fees.
Making payments
Make checks or money orders payable to the Department of Health. Practitioners should include their credential number on the check, draft or money order. Applicants should include profession for which they're applying on the check, draft or money order.
Send check, draft or money order to:
Department of Health
P.O. Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099
Licensing Requirements
- See licensing requirements below
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Occupational therapy practitioners and occupational therapy assistants
Graduation from a nationally accredited, board-approved school. We must receive an official transcript with degree and date posted, directly from the education institute. Transcripts not in English must have an official translation. A minimum of six months supervised fieldwork experience for occupational therapists (OT). A minimum of two months supervised fieldwork experience for occupational therapy assistants. This information is on the official transcript. Employment history. Must have complete chronology of activities from graduation from OT program to date of application. Any time gaps must be accounted for. Applicants must obtain a passing score on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy's (NBCOT) exam. Applicants must complete the online jurisprudence examination and pass with a score of 100 percent.State license verification
Applicants must list all states where they do or did hold credentials. This list must also include when the applicant has applied for a credential, even if a credential was not granted. The jurisdiction where the applicant is or was credentialed must complete and submit the verification form. The jurisdiction must send the completed form directly to the department.
Personal data questions
Each applicant must answer the personal data questions. If there is a positive answer to the professional liability claims history question, the applicant must send an explanation of the nature of the case, data and summary of care given, copies of the original complaint, and the settlement or final disposition. If a case is pending, applicant must indicate status.
Process for approving/denying applications
We finish final review for approval after a credentialing specialist verifies that the application is fully complete, and complies with requirements in chapter 18.59 RCW and chapter 246-847 WAC. We complete background checks and make sure applicants have submitted required fees. Credentialing supervisors and lead workers have the authority to approve routine applications. The disciplining authority may conduct further review if the credentialing supervisor can't verify the applicant meets all requirements. We'll formally notify applicants of a denial. Those applicants may request a hearing to appeal the decision.
Renewal requirements
Initial licenses will expire on the practitioner's birthday. Initial credentials issued within 90 days of the practitioner's birthday do not expire until the practitioner's next birthday. After the initial license, occupational therapists must renew their license every two years on or before their birthday. In addition to submitting the appropriate fee, they're required to complete 30 hours of continuing education.
Continuing education requirements
To renew an occupational therapy practitioner license, you must have 30 hours of continuing competency every two years. Occupational therapy practitioners must have completed this requirement by their birth date every two years. The continuing competency must have been obtained during the preceding two years, from birth date to birth date. Continuing competency hours cannot be carried over to the next reporting period. The board does not pre-approve continuing competency courses for presenters or licensees. The 30 contact hours must be obtained through two or more of the categories listed in WAC 246-847-065.