Licensure guide · New Mexico

How to get a New Mexico occupational therapy license

Occupational therapists in New Mexico are licensed by the Board of Examiners for Occupational Therapy. 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 program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (or, for a foreign program, accepted by NBCOT), plus at least twenty-four weeks of supervised fieldwork for occupational therapists. [2]
National exam: Applicants must pass an examination prescribed by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) or the board. [2]
State law exam: All applicants must pass the New Mexico jurisprudence exam on the state laws, rules and regulations for occupational therapy with a score of at least eighty percent. [3]
Background check: The Board of Examiners for Occupational Therapy states that it does not require background checks. [4]
Fees: The full licensure application fee for an occupational therapist is $110 when licensure is received between September 1 and May 31, or $60 between June 1 and August 31; the jurisprudence exam is $10. All fees are nonrefundable. [5]
Where to apply: Applications must be submitted online through the NM-PLUS licensing portal, which is linked from the board's licensing page. [7] Open the application →
Processing time: Once an application file is complete, the board issues a license number within 2 to 5 business days. [9]

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

New Mexico is not a member of the OT Compact: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another state need a full New Mexico license before starting.

Licensed in another state: Applicants holding a current license in good standing in an eligible jurisdiction can apply for expedited licensure; on receipt of a complete application the board issues the expedited license to a qualified applicant within 30 days. [6]
Interstate compact: New Mexico's 2026 bill to enact the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (HB 13) did not become law; the Legislature lists it as died. [8]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: Applicants who have completed the education and experience requirements and applied for the NBCOT exam may get a provisional permit to practice under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist; it lasts at most 6 months and is voided if the applicant does not sit for the exam within 6 months. [7]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Occupational therapy licenses are renewed annually; all licenses expire on September 30, and the annual renewal date is October 1. [3]
Continuing education: Occupational therapists must earn at least 15 continuing education contact hours per year, during the renewal period of October 1 through September 30; up to 15 hours may be carried over into the next licensing year. [7]

Working in New Mexico

Pay and openings

Occupational therapists in New Mexico earn a mean of $101,800 a year (BLS). Most of our New Mexico 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 Mexico board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other New Mexico licenses

Occupational therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

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