Frequently Asked Questions

General | Application and Renewal | Limited Permit | Continuing Education

General

What is the process for having a verification of my Washington occupational therapy practitioner license sent to another jurisdiction?

Submit a written request with the certification fee in a check or money order made payable to:

Department of Health
Occupational Therapy Practice Board
P.O. Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099

Application and Renewal

How much is the application fee?

Application fees can be found on the licensing information webpage.

If I have a student-issued transcript, may I send that with my application?

No. All required documentation must be sent directly from the issuing institution to:

Department of Health
Occupational Therapy Practice Board
P.O. Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504-7877

If I'm licensed in another state, may I begin practicing once you have my application?

No. You must have a valid Washington occupational therapy practitioner license before practicing as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant.

How do personal data questions affect my application?

A "yes" answer to a personal data question or the existence of a criminal conviction does not automatically prohibit the department from issuing a credential. If you answer "yes" on any of the personal data questions or if criminal history appears on a background check, the board or the board's designee will evaluate your file on an individual basis. The application now becomes an exception file and normal processing time does not apply.

How much is my renewal fee?

Review the Occupational Therapist fee schedule on the licensing information webpage.

If you renew after your birth date/expiration date, there is an additional late penalty fee.

It's important to plan ahead. With more than 3,000 licensed occupational therapy practitioners in Washington, the board isn't able to fax copies of licenses or provide written verification for those who renew late. Internet or online verification is available. This verification system meets the requirements of the Joint commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO).

What if I didn't receive my renewal notice?

The renewal notice is a courtesy reminder. You must renew your license on or before the date of expiration with or without a renewal notice. Be sure to contact Customer Service Center at 360-236-4700 to make an address change or verify correct address is on record.

What if I'm not practicing? (inactive status)

There is an inactive status available for individuals not currently practicing. A written request, along with renewal fee must be received. You may not practice while you have this type of license. You'll be required to renew the inactive license every two years. When you choose to return to active practice, you'll be required to verify continuing competency and pay the current active status renewal fee.

Limited Permit

What is the process for obtaining a limited permit?

The applicant will need to download and submit a completed application, application fee, and the required supporting documents.

If your transcripts aren't yet available, you may be issued a limited permit upon submission of a letter from your program director verifying successful program completion and date of graduation.

The applicant needs to provide verification of being scheduled to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination. The limited permit attestation portion of the application must be signed and dated. The sponsor is required to sign and date the limited permit attestation portion of the application

Under my graduate limited permit, may I have more than one sponsoring occupational therapist?

Yes. The law requires you to be under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist. Some limited permit holders work at more than one facility. You may be sponsored by as many supervising occupational therapists as you need.

May I renew my limited permit?

Limited permits aren't renewable. One 90-day extension of this permit may be granted if the applicant has failed the examination.

Continuing Education

How many continuing competency hours am I required to report and when?

Visit the occupational therapy continuing education page or WAC 246-847-065 to learn about continuing education requirements and regulations.