Licensure guide · Colorado

How to get a Colorado occupational therapy license

Occupational therapists in Colorado are licensed by the Colorado Office of Occupational Therapy. 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: Applicants must have completed an educational program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), WFOT-approved education, or another program approved by the Director, plus the supervised fieldwork that program requires. [2]
National exam: Applicants must pass the NBCOT examination at the passing score set by NBCOT. To be licensed by examination, the passing score must have been achieved within two years immediately preceding the application. [2]
Background check: Applicants who must be fingerprinted submit fingerprints through an approved vendor (IdentoGO or American BioIdentity) for a state and national criminal history check by the CBI and FBI; the Division lists occupational therapists among the license types for fingerprint background checks. [3]
Where to apply: Applicants apply online through the Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO) Online Services system, linked from the Office's Applications and Forms page. [4] Open the application →

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

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

Licensed in another state: Occupational therapists licensed in a jurisdiction with substantially equivalent qualifications apply by endorsement; any jurisdiction that requires or accepts the NBCOT exam is deemed equivalent. Applicants must also show recent practice (at least 400 hours in a twelve month period within the prior two years), at least one year of licensure elsewhere, or otherwise maintained competency. [2]
Interstate compact: Colorado is a member of the Occupational Therapy Compact but is not yet accepting OT Compact privilege applications; the Commission lists Colorado's jurisprudence requirement as not required. [6]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: The Office of Occupational Therapy offers a provisional occupational therapist (OTP) initial application. [4]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Occupational therapist licenses expire on December 31 of even-numbered years and must be renewed to continue practicing; renewals open approximately 4-5 weeks before the expiration date. [4]
Continuing education: Occupational therapists must complete at least 24 professional development activity (PDA) hours during each 2-year license period, across at least two PDA categories. Continuing competency requirements begin after the first renewal of the license. [5]

Working in Colorado

Pay and openings

Occupational therapists in Colorado earn a mean of $111,620 a year (BLS). Most of our Colorado 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 Colorado board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Colorado licenses

Occupational therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

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