Licensure guide · Virginia

How to get a Virginia occupational therapy license

Occupational therapists in Virginia are licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine. 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 educated in the United States must complete all academic and fieldwork requirements of an educational program accredited by ACOTE. [2]
National exam: Applicants must pass the NBCOT certification examination for an occupational therapist and any other examination NBCOT requires for initial certification. [3]
Background check: Virginia OT licensees who want an OT Compact privilege must obtain a fingerprint-based criminal history record check from the Virginia State Police for review by the Board. [4]
Fees: The initial occupational therapist license fee is $130 ($70 for an occupational therapy assistant). [5]
Where to apply: Occupational therapist applications are started from the Board of Medicine's Occupational Therapy application wizard, which links to the online application. [11] Open the application →
Processing time: The Board advises applicants not to expect the licensing process to take less than 8-12 weeks. [10]

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

Virginia is a OT Compact member and is issuing compact privileges: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another member state can obtain a privilege to practice in Virginia without applying for a new state license.

Licensed in another state: Applicants for licensure by endorsement must submit evidence of a current, active license in good standing in a United States jurisdiction or Canada, a completed application and fee, verification of an occupational therapy professional credential, and a current National Practitioner Data Bank report. [6]
Interstate compact: Virginia participates in the OT Compact, and OTs licensed in Virginia can now apply for a compact privilege to practice in other member states that are accepting OT Compact applications. [7]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: Virginia does not issue a temporary OT license, but a graduate of an OT program may practice as an OT-License Applicant for 6 months after graduation or until receiving a failing NBCOT score, whichever comes first. [7]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Occupational therapist licenses are renewed every two years during the licensee's birth month in each even-numbered year. [8]
Continuing education: Occupational therapists must complete at least 10 contact hours of continuing learning activities each biennial renewal, approved or provided by recognized organizations such as the Virginia Occupational Therapy Association, AOTA, or NBCOT. [9]

Working in Virginia

Pay and openings

Occupational therapists in Virginia earn a mean of $102,130 a year (BLS). Most of our Virginia 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 Virginia board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Virginia licenses

Occupational therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

Getting licensed in Virginia 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.

Start a confidential conversation