Licensure guide · Arkansas

How to get a Arkansas occupational therapy license

Occupational therapists in Arkansas are licensed by the Arkansas State Medical Board. Below is what the board requires, from education to renewal, with every requirement linked to the board page it comes from. Checked October 22, 2026.

Step by step

Getting licensed

Education: Occupational therapists must complete an educational program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education leading to a bachelor's or master's level degree or advanced standing certification, plus at least 6 months of supervised fieldwork. [2]
National exam: Applicants must pass the examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), which the Board has adopted as its licensing exam. [3]
State law exam: Applicants must return a questionnaire on the Arkansas OT Practice Act and Rule No. 6, together with a signed Medical Practices Act and Rules affidavit, with the application. [2]
Background check: All applicants must undergo state and federal criminal background checks; Arkansas residents are fingerprinted electronically and out-of-state applicants receive a background check packet by mail. [2]
Where to apply: Applicants use the Board's Occupational Therapy Licensure Information Packet, which contains the application and all required forms. [2] Open the application →
Processing time: The Board states that processing a permanent license application will take several weeks, and applications are processed in the order received. [2]

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

Arkansas has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Arkansas license for now.

Licensed in another state: An occupational therapist licensed in another state or territory whose requirements were equal to Arkansas's at the time of registration may be licensed by reciprocity, at the Board's discretion. [3]
Interstate compact: The Arkansas State Medical Board states that OT Compact implementation is scheduled to begin October 5, 2026. [1]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: Applicants who meet the education requirements but have not yet passed the NBCOT exam may request a temporary permit for a $1 fee; it expires 30 days after the NBCOT eligibility date and can be extended one time. [2]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Occupational therapist licenses must be renewed annually on or before the last day of the licensee's birth month, with no grace period. [2]
Continuing education: Occupational therapists must complete 10 continuing education credits each year as a prerequisite for license renewal. [3]

Working in Arkansas

Pay and openings

Occupational therapists in Arkansas earn a mean of $104,940 a year (BLS). Most of our Arkansas searches are confidential and never posted; tell us what you want and we will match you quietly.

Sources

Every requirement above was checked against the official page listed here on October 22, 2026. Boards change fees and rules, so confirm with the Arkansas board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Arkansas licenses

Occupational therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

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