Licensure guide · New Hampshire
How to get a New Hampshire occupational therapy license
Occupational therapists in New Hampshire are licensed by the New Hampshire Occupational Therapy Governing Board. 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 academic program accredited by ACOTE (or be NBCOT certified) and at least 6 months of supervised fieldwork experience. [2]
- National exam
- Applicants must pass the entry-level certification examination approved by the board, such as the NBCOT examination. [2]
- Background check
- Applicants for initial licensure must submit a criminal history record release form and a complete set of fingerprints for a state police and FBI criminal history records check, at the applicant's own cost. [1]
- Fees
- The occupational therapist license application processing and licensing fee is $121 for a 2-year license (the same fee applies to initial licensure, renewal and reinstatement). [3]
- Where to apply
- Applicants submit the Universal Application for Initial License to the OPLC licensing bureau through the online portal on the OPLC website, or by mail if the portal is unavailable or impracticable. [4] Open the application →
- Processing time
- Under OPLC rules, the licensing bureau must decide on a complete application for initial licensure within 60 days of determining that the application is complete. [4]
Moving to the state
Already licensed somewhere else?
New Hampshire has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a New Hampshire license for now.
- Licensed in another state
- New Hampshire offers licensure by endorsement under RSA 310:17 to applicants who are licensed in another jurisdiction with substantially similar requirements and hold an active, unencumbered, non-temporary license; occupational therapists are among the professions covered. [4]
- Interstate compact
- New Hampshire has adopted the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact in RSA 326-C:9. [2]
After you are licensed
Keeping the license active
- Renewal
- Licenses expire 2 years from the date of issue; the renewal application, fees and supporting documents must be submitted on or before the expiration date, and no more than 60 days before it. [4]
- Continuing education
- Occupational therapists must complete 24 contact hours of continuing professional education per biennium (6 hours when renewing an initial license issued between January 1 and August 31 of an odd-numbered year), at least one half relating directly to clinical application of occupational therapy. [5]
Working in New Hampshire
Pay and openings
Occupational therapists in New Hampshire earn a mean of $89,080 a year (BLS). Most of our New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.
- [1] https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXX/328-F/328-F-mrg.htm
- [2] https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXX/326-C/326-C-mrg.htm
- [3] https://gc.nh.gov/rules/state_agencies/plc1000.html
- [4] https://gc.nh.gov/rules/state_agencies/plc300.html
- [5] https://gc.nh.gov/rules/state_agencies/occ100-500.html
Other New Hampshire licenses
Occupational therapy licenses in other states
Getting licensed in New Hampshire 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.