Licensure guide · Rhode Island

How to get a Rhode Island occupational therapy license

Occupational therapists in Rhode Island are licensed by the Rhode Island Board of Occupational Therapy Practice (within the Rhode Island Department of Health). 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 (or another board-approved accreditor), including at least 24 weeks of supervised fieldwork for occupational therapists. [2]
National exam: Applicants must pass the National Certification Examination for Occupational Therapists, Registered, of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), or another board-approved certification exam. [2]
Fees: The occupational therapist application fee is $140.00, nonrefundable, payable by check or money order to the RI General Treasurer; it covers the first license up to the next expiration date. [3]
Where to apply: Applicants use the paper Instructions and Application for License as an Occupational Therapist from the Rhode Island Department of Health; applications are valid for 1 year from the day RIDOH receives them. [3] Open the application →

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

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

Licensed in another state: Occupational therapists licensed or regulated in another state, territory or the District of Columbia apply by endorsement and must have the board of each state where they hold or have held licensure send a statement of their licensure status. On receiving a receipt from the division they may practice under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist until the board reviews the application. [2]
Interstate compact: Rhode Island has passed OT Compact legislation, but the compact is not currently operational in the state, so compact privileges are not yet available. [6]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: New graduates may apply for a graduate license (permit) that is valid for 90 days, cannot be renewed, and is revoked if the applicant fails the certification exam. Foreign-educated graduates are not eligible. [3]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Occupational therapy licenses are renewed biennially and expire on March 31 of each even year; the renewal application, continuing education evidence and fee are due on or before March 31 of each even year. [4]
Continuing education: Occupational therapists must show proof of 20 hours of continuing education every two years, through activities such as presentations, clinical instruction, publications, research, inservice programs, AOTA-approved courses, university courses or self-study. [5]

Working in Rhode Island

Pay and openings

Occupational therapists in Rhode Island earn a mean of $99,380 a year (BLS). Most of our Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Rhode Island licenses

Occupational therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

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