Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Licensure in Virginia
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Timeline 9 weeks or more
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Initial Costs $140
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Renewal Costs $70
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CE Requirements 20 Hours
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Compact No
How to apply
To secure your Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant license in Virginia, you'll be working with the Virginia Board of Medicine. You will submit your application through the Virginia Department of Health Professions Online Licensing portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your NPDB self-query and requesting your NBCOT verification, as these third-party documents are essential to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Request Your NPDB Self-Query: This is a unique requirement for Virginia. Head over to the National Practitioner Data Bank and request a "Self-Query." You will receive a digitally certified electronic copy. Do not open the physical envelope if you get one by mail; however, the Board prefers the digital version emailed directly to them at
ot-medbd@dhp.virginia.gov. - Verify Your Credentials: Log into your MyNBCOT account and request that your certification verification be sent directly to the Virginia Board of Medicine. This must come straight from the source to be valid.
- Submit the Online Application: Create an account on the licensing portal and select the application for "Licensure by Endorsement" (since you are already licensed in another state). You'll need to enter your employment history for the last 5 years, so have your resume handy. Hit submit and pay the fee to officially open your file.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A chronological list of your employment history for the past 5 years (including travel contracts), your Driver's License, and any name change documentation if applicable.
- Items to Request: A License Verification from at least one state where you currently hold an active, unrestricted license (sent directly to the Board), your NBCOT Verification, and your NPDB Self-Query Report.
- Exams: There is no separate jurisprudence exam, but you are expected to review the laws and regulations governing practice in Virginia during the application process.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Virginia:
- Application Fee: $70
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $35 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $35
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $140
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Virginia Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant renewal happens biennially and is due by the last day of your birth month in even-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $70.
Note: Virginia does not offer a grace period for practice after your license expires, so ensure your 20 hours of continuing competency are completed before your birth month ends.
CE Requirements
20 Contact Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: Biennially by the last day of your birth month in even-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for those managing Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant CEUs: there is no limit on home-study or online courses! You can complete all 20 hours virtually as long as they meet Type 1 or Type 2 requirements.
Provider Restrictions: At least 10 hours must be Type 1 (offered by an accredited sponsor such as AOTA or VOTA). General portals like MedBridge are accepted for Type 1 hours because they are an AOTA-approved provider. The remaining 10 hours can be Type 2 (self-study, research, or non-accredited workshops).
Mandatory Topics
- No specific mandatory topics—choose what interests you!
Excluded Topics: Courses related to business, marketing, investment, or personal growth do not count toward your total.
New Licensee Rule: You are not required to complete continuing competency hours for your first renewal cycle immediately following your initial licensure in Virginia.
Reporting: Virginia uses an audit-based system. You do not need to submit certificates to the Board unless specifically requested, but you must maintain your documentation for 6 years following renewal.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Virginia Advisory Board On Occupational Therapy:
- Address: 9960 Mayland Dr Ste 300 Henrico, VA 23233-1485
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (804) 367-4613
- Fax: (804) 527-4426
- Email: medbd@dhp.virginia.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.
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How to Apply
To secure your Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant license in Virginia, you'll be working with the Virginia Board of Medicine. You will submit your application through the Virginia Department of Health Professions Online Licensing portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your NPDB self-query and requesting your NBCOT verification, as these third-party documents are essential to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Request Your NPDB Self-Query: This is a unique requirement for Virginia. Head over to the National Practitioner Data Bank and request a "Self-Query." You will receive a digitally certified electronic copy. Do not open the physical envelope if you get one by mail; however, the Board prefers the digital version emailed directly to them at
ot-medbd@dhp.virginia.gov. - Verify Your Credentials: Log into your MyNBCOT account and request that your certification verification be sent directly to the Virginia Board of Medicine. This must come straight from the source to be valid.
- Submit the Online Application: Create an account on the licensing portal and select the application for "Licensure by Endorsement" (since you are already licensed in another state). You'll need to enter your employment history for the last 5 years, so have your resume handy. Hit submit and pay the fee to officially open your file.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A chronological list of your employment history for the past 5 years (including travel contracts), your Driver's License, and any name change documentation if applicable.
- Items to Request: A License Verification from at least one state where you currently hold an active, unrestricted license (sent directly to the Board), your NBCOT Verification, and your NPDB Self-Query Report.
- Exams: There is no separate jurisprudence exam, but you are expected to review the laws and regulations governing practice in Virginia during the application process.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Virginia:
- Application Fee: $70
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $35 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $35
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $140
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Virginia Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant renewal happens biennially and is due by the last day of your birth month in even-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $70.
Note: Virginia does not offer a grace period for practice after your license expires, so ensure your 20 hours of continuing competency are completed before your birth month ends.
CE Requirements
20 Contact Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: Biennially by the last day of your birth month in even-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for those managing Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant CEUs: there is no limit on home-study or online courses! You can complete all 20 hours virtually as long as they meet Type 1 or Type 2 requirements.
Provider Restrictions: At least 10 hours must be Type 1 (offered by an accredited sponsor such as AOTA or VOTA). General portals like MedBridge are accepted for Type 1 hours because they are an AOTA-approved provider. The remaining 10 hours can be Type 2 (self-study, research, or non-accredited workshops).
Mandatory Topics
- No specific mandatory topics—choose what interests you!
Excluded Topics: Courses related to business, marketing, investment, or personal growth do not count toward your total.
New Licensee Rule: You are not required to complete continuing competency hours for your first renewal cycle immediately following your initial licensure in Virginia.
Reporting: Virginia uses an audit-based system. You do not need to submit certificates to the Board unless specifically requested, but you must maintain your documentation for 6 years following renewal.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Virginia Advisory Board On Occupational Therapy:
- Address: 9960 Mayland Dr Ste 300 Henrico, VA 23233-1485
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (804) 367-4613
- Fax: (804) 527-4426
- Email: medbd@dhp.virginia.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.