Licensure guide · West Virginia

How to get a West Virginia occupational therapy license

Occupational therapists in West Virginia are licensed by the West Virginia Board of 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 the academic requirements of an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy program and the supervised fieldwork experience required by that program. [2]
National exam: Applicants must pass a board-approved examination, which may be administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) or another nationally recognized credentialing body approved by the board. [3]
Background check: An FBI criminal background check is not required to obtain a West Virginia OT license; it is required only for those who want to purchase OT Compact privileges in other member states. [4]
Fees: The initial licensure fee for an occupational therapist is $75. [5]
Where to apply: Applicants apply online through Certemy, the board's licensing system, by choosing an application type on the board's New Applicants pages. [5] Open the application →

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

West 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 West Virginia without applying for a new state license.

Licensed in another state: The board may license an applicant who holds a current OT license in another jurisdiction whose licensing standards the board considers equivalent to West Virginia's, provided the applicant also meets the state's licensing qualifications. [6]
Interstate compact: West Virginia participates in the OT Compact: a practitioner whose home state is an active compact member can purchase a privilege to practice in West Virginia for a $75 Commission fee plus a $50 West Virginia fee, $125 in total. [5]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: Applicants who have completed the education and fieldwork requirements may receive a limited permit to practice under the direct close supervision of a licensed occupational therapist; it is not renewable, is valid for ninety days, and expires immediately if the holder fails the exam. [7]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Licenses are renewed every two years online through Certemy, and the renewal must be submitted by the license expiration date to avoid a $100 late fee. [8]
Continuing education: Licensees must complete at least 24 contact hours of continuing education in the 2 years before renewal; those first licensed during the first twelve months of a 24 month reporting period need 12 contact hours. [9]

Working in West Virginia

Pay and openings

Occupational therapists in West Virginia earn a mean of $95,810 a year (BLS). Most of our West 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 West Virginia board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other West Virginia licenses

Occupational therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

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