Licensure guide · Michigan

How to get a Michigan occupational therapy license

Occupational therapists in Michigan are licensed by the Michigan Board of Occupational Therapists. 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 by examination must have official transcripts sent directly to the Bureau from an occupational therapy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT). [2]
National exam: Applicants must pass the NBCOT occupational therapist certification examination, with the score submitted directly by NBCOT; applicants by examination must have passed it within the 3 years before applying. [2]
Required courses: Before an initial license is issued, applicants must complete 2 hours of implicit bias training within the 5 years before issuance, plus a one-time training in identifying victims of human trafficking. [2]
Background check: All applicants must complete a criminal background check; instructions are emailed in an Application Confirmation letter after the online application is submitted. [2]
Fees: The application fee plus 2-year license fee for an occupational therapist license by exam or endorsement is $187.40, payable by credit or debit card. [2]
Where to apply: Applicants apply or renew online through the Apply or Renew Online link on the Michigan Board of Occupational Therapists page, which leads to MiPLUS. [1] Open the application →

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

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

Licensed in another state: Occupational therapists first licensed in another state who have practiced for more than 5 years before applying must have passed the NBCOT certification exam; those with less than 5 years of practice must meet the same requirements as examination applicants. All applicants must have every jurisdiction where they hold or held a license send verification directly to the Bureau. [2]
Interstate compact: Michigan enacted Public Act 40 of 2026 and Public Act 42 of 2026 to join the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, but the Bureau does not expect the compact privilege to practice process to begin in Michigan until early 2028, so compact privileges are not yet issued. [1]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: The board's guide describes a limited license only for relicensure applicants who must complete supervised practice experience; it is valid for 1 year and may be renewed one time. No temporary license for new graduates or out-of-state applicants is described. [2]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Occupational therapist licenses are valid for 2 years and renew every 2 years online through MiPLUS; the renewal fee is $165.40, and renewal notices are sent about 90 business days before expiration. [2]
Continuing education: Occupational therapists must complete 20 board-approved continuing education hours in the 2 years before renewal, including at least 1 hour in pain and symptom management. Renewal also requires 1 hour of implicit bias training for each year of the license cycle and a one-time human trafficking training. [2]

Working in Michigan

Pay and openings

Occupational therapists in Michigan earn a mean of $89,150 a year (BLS). Most of our Michigan 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 Michigan board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Michigan licenses

Occupational therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

Getting licensed in Michigan for a move?

Tell us the setting and the city you want. We will tell you which employers are hiring and how long they will wait for a license.

Start a confidential conversation