Licensure guide · Mississippi

How to get a Mississippi occupational therapy license

Occupational therapists in Mississippi are licensed by the Mississippi State Department of Health, Professional Licensure Division. 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 degree from an occupational therapist program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association or the board-recognized accrediting body, and must have completed a supervised field experience. [2]
National exam: Applicants must have passed an examination approved by the Department. The licensure rule does not name the exam, though the regulations elsewhere refer to certification by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). [2]
Background check: MSDH lists the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact among the professional licensure background checks processed through its SAFER system, with a $50.00 application fee and a $25 fingerprinting fee; regular state OT licensure is not on that list. [3]
Fees: Applicants pay a $100.00 application fee and a $150.00 initial licensure fee for an occupational therapist. Fees are non-refundable. [2]
Where to apply: Applicants apply online through MSDH's Professional Licensure application portal, linked from the Professional Licensure Applications page. [4] Open the application →
Processing time: MSDH asks applicants to allow 7 to 14 business days after receipt of all paperwork to receive a license. [1]

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

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

Licensed in another state: Occupational therapists licensed in another state, territory or jurisdiction may apply by endorsement if their license is in good standing, the requirements were equivalent to or greater than Mississippi's, and their NBCOT certification has not been subject to disciplinary action. [2]
Interstate compact: Mississippi participates in the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (OTLC). MSDH states the OTLC begins October 5, 2026, allowing eligible licensed occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to provide services in compact member states, with compact privileges applied for through CompactConnect. [1]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: Applicants who meet licensure requirements but have not taken the approved exam or received results may receive a limited permit for up to ninety (90) days, practicing under the supervision of or in consultation with a Mississippi-licensed occupational therapist. Anyone who has taken but not passed the exam in another jurisdiction is not eligible. [2]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Occupational therapy licenses renew biennially, with the licensure period running May 1 through April 30 of even-numbered years. The OT renewal fee is $150.00. [2]
Continuing education: Licensees must earn 20 contact hours (2 CEUs) per licensure period: at least thirteen (13) live hours, of which at least six (6) relate to clinical practice, two (2) hours of ethics, and no more than seven (7) non-live hours. Current NBCOT certification may be submitted in lieu of CE certificates, except for the 2-hour ethics requirement. [2]

Working in Mississippi

Pay and openings

Occupational therapists in Mississippi earn a mean of $93,430 a year (BLS). Most of our Mississippi 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 Mississippi board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Mississippi licenses

Occupational therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

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