Licensure guide · Washington

How to get a Washington occupational therapy license

Occupational therapists in Washington are licensed by the Washington Occupational Therapy Practice 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 graduate from a nationally accredited, board-approved school, and the program must include at least six months of supervised fieldwork for occupational therapists. [2]
National exam: Applicants must obtain a passing score on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. [2]
Background check: Beginning July 1, 2026, all new occupational therapist applicants, regardless of route to licensure, must undergo an FBI fingerprint background check. [3]
Fees: The occupational therapist application and initial license fee is $166, which includes a $16 surcharge for the University of Washington HEALWA website. [4]
Where to apply: Applicants can apply online or with a paper application packet through the Department of Health's occupational therapist application page. [4] Open the application →
Processing time: The Department of Health says processing timelines can range from a few days to a few weeks, depending on factors such as the type of application and whether it needs board approval. [9]

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

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

Licensed in another state: Occupational therapists credentialed for at least two years immediately preceding their application in a state with substantially equivalent standards may be licensed by endorsement with proof of current licensure; those licensed less than two years must also show they passed the national examination. [5]
Interstate compact: The OT Compact Commission lists Washington as not yet accepting applications for OT Compact privileges to practice. [8]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: Eligible applicants may receive a ninety-day limited permit, and an applicant who fails the examination may be granted a one-time extension of it. [6]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Initial licenses expire on the practitioner's birthday; after that, occupational therapists must renew every two years on or before their birthday. [4]
Continuing education: Occupational therapists must complete 24 hours of continued competency every two years, including at least three hours of suicide assessment training every six years and at least two hours of health equity training every four years. [7]

Working in Washington

Pay and openings

Occupational therapists in Washington earn a mean of $110,100 a year (BLS). We have 1 public occupational therapy opening in Washington right now, and more searches that are never posted.

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 Washington board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Washington licenses

Occupational therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

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