Occupational Therapist Licensure in Hawaii
-
Timeline 9 weeks or more
-
Initial Costs $275
-
Renewal Costs $180
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CE Requirements 36 Units
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Compact No
How to apply
To secure your Travel Occupational Therapist license in Hawaii, you'll be working with the Occupational Therapy Program under the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA). You will submit your application through MyPVL. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and transcripts to avoid delays.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Get the Ball Rolling: Head over to your university registrar and request that your official transcripts be sent directly to the Board. Next, log in to NBCOT and request a "Verification of Certification" be sent to Hawaii. It's best to get these third-party documents moving before you even open the application.
- The Application: Create an account on MyPVL and complete the online application. This is the most efficient way to get your file open and tracked.
- Background Check: You will need to undergo a criminal history record check. The application instructions will provide specific details on how to obtain this from the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC). Follow these instructions precisely to ensure your results are received by the Board.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Social Security Number, Driver's License, and employment history.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school) and NBCOT Verification of Certification (sent directly from NBCOT).
- Exams: You must have already passed the NBCOT exam.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Hawaii:
- Application Fee: $240
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $0 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $35
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $275
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Hawaii Occupational Therapist renewal happens every two years and is due by December 31 of every even-numbered year.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $180.
Note: Hawaii requires 20 hours of continuing competency for each cycle, and since there is no grace period, failing to renew by the deadline results in immediate license forfeiture.
CE Requirements
36 PDUs (Professional Development Units) required every 3 years to maintain mandatory NBCOT certification.
Deadline: December 31st of even-numbered years (for the Hawaii state license renewal).
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Occupational Therapist CEUs: Hawaii does not have a state-specific limit on online courses, and NBCOT allows all 36 units to be earned through online or home-study formats!
Provider Restrictions: Hawaii is a "Mandatory NBCOT" state, meaning you must maintain your national certification to remain eligible for a state license. You must choose activities that meet NBCOT criteria. High-quality platforms like MedBridge are widely accepted for accruing these units. Note: 1 contact hour = 1 PDU, and 1.0 CEU = 10 PDUs.
Mandatory Topics
- No specific mandatory topics—choose what interests you!
- [Jurisprudence: Hawaii does not currently require a law or ethics exam for renewal.]
Excluded Topics: NBCOT and the state board generally exclude basic CPR/First Aid, attendance at business or board meetings, and courses focused on office management or financial gain.
New Licensee Rule: Since Hawaii has no state-mandated CEUs for renewal, there is no proration for new grads. However, your initial NBCOT certification cycle typically lasts three years before your first 36-unit requirement is due.
Reporting: Hawaii state renewal is audit-based and primarily involves a fee and attestation. You must track and report your units directly to NBCOT via their online portal to keep your certification active.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Occupational Therapy Program, Hawaii Professional & Vocational Licensing Division:
- Address: PO Box 3469 Honolulu, HI 96801-3469
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (808) 586-2696
- Fax: (808) 586-2874
- Email: occ_therapist@dcca.hawaii.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.
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How to Apply
To secure your Travel Occupational Therapist license in Hawaii, you'll be working with the Occupational Therapy Program under the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA). You will submit your application through MyPVL. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and transcripts to avoid delays.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Get the Ball Rolling: Head over to your university registrar and request that your official transcripts be sent directly to the Board. Next, log in to NBCOT and request a "Verification of Certification" be sent to Hawaii. It's best to get these third-party documents moving before you even open the application.
- The Application: Create an account on MyPVL and complete the online application. This is the most efficient way to get your file open and tracked.
- Background Check: You will need to undergo a criminal history record check. The application instructions will provide specific details on how to obtain this from the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC). Follow these instructions precisely to ensure your results are received by the Board.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Social Security Number, Driver's License, and employment history.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school) and NBCOT Verification of Certification (sent directly from NBCOT).
- Exams: You must have already passed the NBCOT exam.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Hawaii:
- Application Fee: $240
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $0 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $35
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $275
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Hawaii Occupational Therapist renewal happens every two years and is due by December 31 of every even-numbered year.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $180.
Note: Hawaii requires 20 hours of continuing competency for each cycle, and since there is no grace period, failing to renew by the deadline results in immediate license forfeiture.
CE Requirements
36 PDUs (Professional Development Units) required every 3 years to maintain mandatory NBCOT certification.
Deadline: December 31st of even-numbered years (for the Hawaii state license renewal).
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Occupational Therapist CEUs: Hawaii does not have a state-specific limit on online courses, and NBCOT allows all 36 units to be earned through online or home-study formats!
Provider Restrictions: Hawaii is a "Mandatory NBCOT" state, meaning you must maintain your national certification to remain eligible for a state license. You must choose activities that meet NBCOT criteria. High-quality platforms like MedBridge are widely accepted for accruing these units. Note: 1 contact hour = 1 PDU, and 1.0 CEU = 10 PDUs.
Mandatory Topics
- No specific mandatory topics—choose what interests you!
- [Jurisprudence: Hawaii does not currently require a law or ethics exam for renewal.]
Excluded Topics: NBCOT and the state board generally exclude basic CPR/First Aid, attendance at business or board meetings, and courses focused on office management or financial gain.
New Licensee Rule: Since Hawaii has no state-mandated CEUs for renewal, there is no proration for new grads. However, your initial NBCOT certification cycle typically lasts three years before your first 36-unit requirement is due.
Reporting: Hawaii state renewal is audit-based and primarily involves a fee and attestation. You must track and report your units directly to NBCOT via their online portal to keep your certification active.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Occupational Therapy Program, Hawaii Professional & Vocational Licensing Division:
- Address: PO Box 3469 Honolulu, HI 96801-3469
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (808) 586-2696
- Fax: (808) 586-2874
- Email: occ_therapist@dcca.hawaii.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.