Licensure guide · Illinois

How to get a Illinois occupational therapy license

Occupational therapists in Illinois are licensed by the Occupational Therapy Licensure 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: Applicants must show completion of a master's degree or higher from a program that meets or exceeds the standards of the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). [2]
National exam: Applicants must pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification examination for Occupational Therapist, Registered; unsuccessful candidates may retake it as many times as they wish. [3]
Background check: Applicants must disclose criminal convictions on the application; a few convictions (such as offenses requiring sex offender registration) automatically bar licensure, while most others are considered by the Department case by case. [4]
Fees: The application fee for an occupational therapist license is $25; examination candidates also pay a separate fee to the Department or the designated testing service. [5]
Where to apply: New occupational therapist applications are filed online through IDFPR's CORE licensing system, linked from the IDFPR Occupational Therapy page. [9] Open the application →

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

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

Licensed in another state: Occupational therapists currently or previously licensed in another jurisdiction apply by endorsement with the same education and OTR exam proof, plus certification of licensure from the first jurisdiction of licensure and every current jurisdiction. [2]
Interstate compact: Illinois has not joined the OT Compact: the bill to ratify it (HB4976, 104th General Assembly) was filed in 2026 and its last action was referral to the House Rules Committee on 2/06/2026. [8]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: Applicants who meet every requirement except passing the exam may request a letter of authorization to practice under supervision, with a licensed occupational therapist onsite at least 75% of work hours; they have six months from the letter's date to pass the exam, and the letter is not a license. [2]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Occupational therapist licenses expire on December 31 of each odd-numbered year and may be renewed during the month before expiration by paying the renewal fee; renewal requires 24 contact hours of continuing education. [6]
Continuing education: Occupational therapists must complete 24 contact hours of CE in each 24-month prerenewal period, including one contact hour each of ethics, sexual harassment prevention and implicit bias awareness, plus one hour of dementia training for those treating adults age 26 or older; CE is not required for the first renewal. [7]

Working in Illinois

Pay and openings

Occupational therapists in Illinois earn a mean of $99,570 a year (BLS). Most of our Illinois 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 Illinois board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Illinois licenses

Occupational therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

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