Licensure guide · Nebraska

How to get a Nebraska occupational therapy license

Occupational therapists in Nebraska are licensed by the Nebraska 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 an occupational therapy education program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association, plus a supervised fieldwork experience. [2]
National exam: Applicants must pass the NBCOT licensure examination, with documentation of passing sent directly to the Department by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. [2]
Background check: Applicants must submit fingerprints for a criminal background check through the Nebraska State Patrol, which charges a $75 fee. [3]
Fees: The initial OT license fee is $120, reduced to $30 for applications submitted February through July of even-numbered years, unless the applicant qualifies for a fee waiver. [3]
Where to apply: Applicants complete the Occupational Therapist or Assistant application linked on the DHHS Occupational Therapy page, print and sign it, and mail it to the address on the form. [1] Open the application →

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

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

Licensed in another state: Occupational therapists licensed in another state may apply on the basis of that license; an applicant licensed elsewhere who is not currently practicing must document 50 hours of continuing education obtained within the 3 years before applying. [2]
Interstate compact: Nebraska is an OT Compact member state, but the OT Compact Commission lists it as not yet accepting compact privilege applications; no jurisprudence exam is required. [4]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: A temporary license may be issued to an applicant who meets the education and experience requirements but has not yet passed or failed the exam; it allows practice only in association with a licensed occupational therapist and is valid until the exam results are available. [2]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Occupational therapist licenses expire August 1 of each even-numbered year, and the Licensure Unit mails a renewal notice at least 30 days before. [1]
Continuing education: Occupational therapists must complete 20 hours of continuing education in each 24-month renewal period running from August 1 of an even-numbered year to August 1 of the next even-numbered year. [1]

Working in Nebraska

Pay and openings

Occupational therapists in Nebraska earn a mean of $91,620 a year (BLS). Most of our Nebraska 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 Nebraska board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Nebraska licenses

Occupational therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

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