Licensure guide · Kentucky

How to get a Kentucky occupational therapy license

Occupational therapists in Kentucky are licensed by the Kentucky Board of Licensure for 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 complete an occupational therapy program accredited by ACOTE (or its equivalent), including the equivalent of 24 weeks of supervised fieldwork. [2]
National exam: Applicants must take the NBCOT certification examination for occupational therapists and receive a passing score, with NBCOT sending electronic evidence of passing to the board. [3]
State law exam: Applicants for initial and reciprocal licensure must submit evidence of successful completion of Kentucky's jurisprudence exam. [4]
Background check: New applicants must complete an FBI fingerprint background check through IdentoGO (board service code 27GN14), with results sent directly to the board by the Kentucky State Police; results take 5 to 10 business days to arrive and applicants pay the fees. [5]
Fees: The licensure fee is $50 for an occupational therapist (OT/L). [4]
Where to apply: Applicants who have never been licensed in Kentucky apply online through the Department of Professional Licensing's new-application portal, linked from the board's Licensing page. [11] Open the application →
Processing time: The board estimates that once a completed application is received, review by the board and license issuance takes about 2 to 3 weeks on average. [10]

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

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

Licensed in another state: Therapists licensed in another state apply for reciprocal licensure by submitting the application, good-standing statements from every jurisdiction where they have held a license, a copy of their NBCOT certificate, proof of passing the jurisprudence exam and the licensure fee. [6]
Interstate compact: Kentucky is listed as an Occupational Therapy Compact state, but the OT Compact Commission shows Kentucky as not yet accepting applications for compact privileges to practice. [9]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: An applicant who has completed the education and experience requirements and applied for licensure may receive one temporary permit to practice under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist; it lasts until a license is issued or denied, and never more than 60 days after the second exam offered after applying. [7]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Licenses are renewed annually on or before October 31 with a $50 renewal fee for an OT; a 60-day grace period applies with a $25 late renewal fee. [6]
Continuing education: Licensees must complete at least 12 continuing competence units (CCUs) each annual renewal period, and at least once every 6 years must complete a board pre-approved training program in suicide assessment, treatment, and management. [8]

Working in Kentucky

Pay and openings

Occupational therapists in Kentucky earn a mean of $95,450 a year (BLS). Most of our Kentucky 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 Kentucky board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Kentucky licenses

Occupational therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

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