Occupational Therapist Licensure in Tennessee
-
Timeline 6-9 weeks
-
Initial Costs $145
-
Renewal Costs $95
-
CE Requirements 24 Hours
-
Compact No
How to apply
To secure your Travel Occupational Therapist license in Tennessee, you'll be working with the Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy. You will submit your application through the LARS (Licensure and Regulatory System). Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Create Your LARS Account: Head over to the LARS portal to create your account. This is where you’ll submit your application and track its status. Hit submit on the application form once you've filled in your details.
- Criminal Background Check: You must complete a background check. Tennessee uses IdentoGO for this process. You'll need to schedule an appointment for digital fingerprinting. If you are out of state, you can usually register for a "card scan" option where you mail in your fingerprints.
- Request Official Transcripts: Contact your university registrar to send your official transcripts directly to the Board. These must come directly from the source; do not send them yourself.
- NBCOT Score Transfer: Log in to your NBCOT account and request a score transfer to be sent to the Tennessee Board.
- Verification of Licensure: If you hold or have held licenses in other states, you'll need to request official verification from each of those boards. Most states use the NURSYS equivalent for therapy or a digital verification system, but check each state's specific process.
- Letter of Recommendation: The application typically requires a letter of recommendation from a professional who can attest to your good moral character. Have this ready to upload or send as instructed.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A recent passport-style photograph, your Driver's License, Social Security Number, and a detailed employment history.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts, NBCOT Scores, and Verification of Licensure from other states.
- Exams: You may be required to complete a Jurisprudence Exam covering the Tennessee Practice Act and Rules. Check the application portal for the specific link or document.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Tennessee:
- Application Fee: $110
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $35 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $145
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Tennessee Occupational Therapist renewal happens every 2 years and is due by the last day of your birth month.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $95.
Note: Watch out—this state does not have a grace period! If you miss the deadline, your license is immediately considered expired.
CE Requirements
24 Contact Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: The last day of your birth month every two years (biennial).
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Occupational Therapist CEUs: you can complete all 24 hours online! Tennessee does not currently have a "live" or "in-person" requirement, allowing for maximum flexibility while on assignment.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be relevant to the practice of occupational therapy. Tennessee recognizes courses approved by the AOTA, TOTA, or other state OT associations. General portals like MedBridge are widely accepted as they are AOTA-approved providers.
Mandatory Topics
- Ethics and/or Jurisprudence (2 contact hours): This must specifically cover professional ethics or the Tennessee Occupational Therapy Practice Act.
- Jurisprudence: A specific quiz is not required, but the 2 hours of ethics/law must be documented every cycle.
Excluded Topics: CPR, basic first aid, business or office management, and marketing/social media courses.
New Licensee Rule: If you are a new graduate or newly licensed in Tennessee, you are exempt from continuing education requirements for your first renewal cycle.
Reporting: Tennessee utilizes CE Broker for tracking and auditing. You should upload your certificates to your CE Broker account to ensure compliance during the renewal process.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy:
- Address: 665 Mainstream Dr Fl 2 Nashville, TN 37243-1003
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (615) 741-3807
- Fax: (615) 741-7698
- Email: Unit2HRB.Health@tn.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.
Start your job search
Find vetted recruiters who have the jobs you want!
Get matched with vetted recruiters from multiple agencies who have the most jobs in your preferences!
How to Apply
To secure your Travel Occupational Therapist license in Tennessee, you'll be working with the Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy. You will submit your application through the LARS (Licensure and Regulatory System). Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Create Your LARS Account: Head over to the LARS portal to create your account. This is where you’ll submit your application and track its status. Hit submit on the application form once you've filled in your details.
- Criminal Background Check: You must complete a background check. Tennessee uses IdentoGO for this process. You'll need to schedule an appointment for digital fingerprinting. If you are out of state, you can usually register for a "card scan" option where you mail in your fingerprints.
- Request Official Transcripts: Contact your university registrar to send your official transcripts directly to the Board. These must come directly from the source; do not send them yourself.
- NBCOT Score Transfer: Log in to your NBCOT account and request a score transfer to be sent to the Tennessee Board.
- Verification of Licensure: If you hold or have held licenses in other states, you'll need to request official verification from each of those boards. Most states use the NURSYS equivalent for therapy or a digital verification system, but check each state's specific process.
- Letter of Recommendation: The application typically requires a letter of recommendation from a professional who can attest to your good moral character. Have this ready to upload or send as instructed.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A recent passport-style photograph, your Driver's License, Social Security Number, and a detailed employment history.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts, NBCOT Scores, and Verification of Licensure from other states.
- Exams: You may be required to complete a Jurisprudence Exam covering the Tennessee Practice Act and Rules. Check the application portal for the specific link or document.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Tennessee:
- Application Fee: $110
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $35 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $145
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Tennessee Occupational Therapist renewal happens every 2 years and is due by the last day of your birth month.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $95.
Note: Watch out—this state does not have a grace period! If you miss the deadline, your license is immediately considered expired.
CE Requirements
24 Contact Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: The last day of your birth month every two years (biennial).
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Occupational Therapist CEUs: you can complete all 24 hours online! Tennessee does not currently have a "live" or "in-person" requirement, allowing for maximum flexibility while on assignment.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be relevant to the practice of occupational therapy. Tennessee recognizes courses approved by the AOTA, TOTA, or other state OT associations. General portals like MedBridge are widely accepted as they are AOTA-approved providers.
Mandatory Topics
- Ethics and/or Jurisprudence (2 contact hours): This must specifically cover professional ethics or the Tennessee Occupational Therapy Practice Act.
- Jurisprudence: A specific quiz is not required, but the 2 hours of ethics/law must be documented every cycle.
Excluded Topics: CPR, basic first aid, business or office management, and marketing/social media courses.
New Licensee Rule: If you are a new graduate or newly licensed in Tennessee, you are exempt from continuing education requirements for your first renewal cycle.
Reporting: Tennessee utilizes CE Broker for tracking and auditing. You should upload your certificates to your CE Broker account to ensure compliance during the renewal process.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy:
- Address: 665 Mainstream Dr Fl 2 Nashville, TN 37243-1003
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (615) 741-3807
- Fax: (615) 741-7698
- Email: Unit2HRB.Health@tn.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.