Licensure guide · Connecticut

How to get a Connecticut occupational therapy license

Occupational therapists in Connecticut are licensed by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (Practitioner Licensing and Investigations Section). 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 hold a baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy from a program accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and complete at least 24 weeks of supervised fieldwork. [1]
National exam: Applicants must pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification examination. [1]
Background check: The Department of Public Health reviews applicants with criminal or disciplinary backgrounds individually and has authority to deny licensure to anyone who has committed or been found guilty of committing a felony. [2]
Fees: The initial application fee for occupational therapist licensure is $200. [1]
Where to apply: Applications are accepted online only, through the link on the Department of Public Health's occupational therapist licensure requirements page. [1] Open the application →
Processing time: Once an application is complete, the Department of Public Health makes an eligibility determination within three to four weeks and notifies the applicant. [2]

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

Connecticut is not a member of the OT Compact: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another state need a full Connecticut license before starting.

Licensed in another state: Applicants who hold a current license in at least one other U.S. jurisdiction, have practiced for at least four years and have all licenses in good standing may be licensed without transcripts, training verification or an examination. [3]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: Recent graduates of AOTA-accredited programs (or equivalent programs outside the United States) may apply for a temporary permit to practice under the direct and immediate supervision of a Connecticut-licensed occupational therapist, valid for 120 calendar days from the date of application, with a $50 fee. The permit is not renewable and becomes void if the applicant fails the examination. [4]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Occupational therapist licenses renew biennially and expire on July 31 of odd-numbered years. [5]
Continuing education: Occupational therapists must complete at least 24 contact hours of qualifying continued competency activity in the two-year period before renewal, with a contact hour defined as at least 50 minutes. First-time renewals are exempt. [6]

Working in Connecticut

Pay and openings

Occupational therapists in Connecticut earn a mean of $102,140 a year (BLS). Most of our Connecticut 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 Connecticut board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Connecticut licenses

Occupational therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

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