Licensure guide · Maine

How to get a Maine occupational therapy license

Occupational therapists in Maine are licensed by the Maine Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. 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 the academic and fieldwork requirements of an occupational therapy educational program accredited by ACOTE. [2]
National exam: Applicants must pass the NBCOT certification examination for the occupational therapist, which satisfies the board's examination requirement. [3]
Background check: Applicants for initial licensure or licensure by endorsement must undergo a state and FBI criminal history background check, which includes having fingerprints taken. [4]
Fees: The occupational therapist licensure fee is $35.00, plus a criminal history records check fee of $21.00. [5]
Where to apply: Applicants submit a completed application with supporting documents through the online licensing service linked from the board's licensing page. [5] Open the application →

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

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

Licensed in another state: Maine law directs the board to establish a process to issue occupational therapy licenses by endorsement, and applicants may use that process or any other licensure process authorized in the chapter. [2]
Interstate compact: Maine has adopted the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact through 2021 Public Law Chapter 324 (LD 31). [1]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: A temporary occupational therapist license may be granted to a person who has completed the education and experience requirements, allowing practice under a licensed occupational therapist's supervision; it is valid for six (6) months or until a change of status is approved, costs $25.00 plus a $21.00 background check fee, and may be renewed one time at the board's discretion. [6]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Occupational therapist licenses renew annually with a fixed renewal date of March 31st; the annual renewal fee is $35.00, and a $50 late fee is assessed after the March 31 expiration date. [5]
Continuing education: Occupational therapists must complete ten (10) hours of continuing education in each reporting period (April 1 through the March 31 renewal date), including one (1) hour on ethics; first-time renewers complete one hour of ethics and half the required hours. [7]

Working in Maine

Pay and openings

Occupational therapists in Maine earn a mean of $87,900 a year (BLS). Most of our Maine 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 Maine board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Maine licenses

Occupational therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

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