Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Licensure in Colorado
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Timeline 4-6 weeks
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Initial Costs $74
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Renewal Costs $25
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CE Requirements 24 Units
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Compact No
How to apply
To secure your Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant license in Colorado, you'll be working with the Colorado Office of Occupational Therapy. You will submit your application through DPO Online Services. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your official transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Create Your Account: Head over to the online portal to register for an account. Once logged in, select "Apply for a New License" and choose "Occupational Therapy Assistant" to start your application.
- Fingerprinting & Background Check: Colorado requires a fingerprint-based background check through the Colorado Applicant Background Services (CABS) program. You must schedule an appointment with an approved vendor, such as IdentoGO or Colorado Fingerprinting. Do not use a standard police station fingerprint card unless you are explicitly instructed to do so for out-of-state processing.
- Submit Your Application: Complete the online application form, upload any required affidavits (like the Citizenship Affidavit), and pay the application fee. Hit submit to send your file to the state for review.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Driver's License or government ID, Social Security Number, and employment history for the past few years.
- Items to Request: Request your official transcripts be sent directly from your school to the Office of Occupational Therapy. You will also need to request your NBCOT score transfer be sent directly to Colorado.
- Exams: You must have passed the NBCOT exam. Additionally, be prepared to take the Colorado Jurisprudence Exam (an open-book online test covering state laws and rules) if prompted during the application process.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Colorado:
- Application Fee: $25
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $49 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $74
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Colorado Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant renewal happens every two years and is due by December 31 of even-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $25.
Note: Colorado offers a 60-day grace period after the expiration date, but you cannot practice if your license lapses beyond that window.
CE Requirements
24 PDUs (Professional Development Units) required every 2 years.
Deadline: October 31st of even-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant CEUs: Colorado allows all 24 PDUs to be completed via online or home-study courses, provided they meet the state's Professional Development Activities (PDA) criteria.
Provider Restrictions: Colorado does not pre-approve specific providers. Instead, they accept activities that meet the standards of the "Professional Development Information Kit." Courses from AOTA-approved providers and general portals like MedBridge are accepted.
Mandatory Topics
- Reflective Self-Assessment: Must be completed to identify professional growth needs.
- Professional Development Plan (PDP): A written plan based on your self-assessment must be maintained throughout the cycle.
Excluded Topics: CPR, First Aid, business or office management, marketing, billing, and personal development courses.
New Licensee Rule: If your license was issued within 12 months of the renewal date (e.g., licensed in 2026 for an Oct 2026 renewal), you are exempt from PDU requirements for that first cycle.
Reporting: Colorado is audit-based. You do not need to report PDUs during renewal, but you must maintain your Professional Development Plan and certificates for 5 years in case of an audit.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Colorado Office of Occupational Therapy:
- Address: 1560 Broadway Ste 1350 Denver, CO 80202-5146
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (303) 894-7800
- Fax: (303) 894-2310
- Email: dora_occupationaltherapists@state.co.us
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 Colorado, you'll be working with the Colorado Office of Occupational Therapy. You will submit your application through DPO Online Services. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your official transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Create Your Account: Head over to the online portal to register for an account. Once logged in, select "Apply for a New License" and choose "Occupational Therapy Assistant" to start your application.
- Fingerprinting & Background Check: Colorado requires a fingerprint-based background check through the Colorado Applicant Background Services (CABS) program. You must schedule an appointment with an approved vendor, such as IdentoGO or Colorado Fingerprinting. Do not use a standard police station fingerprint card unless you are explicitly instructed to do so for out-of-state processing.
- Submit Your Application: Complete the online application form, upload any required affidavits (like the Citizenship Affidavit), and pay the application fee. Hit submit to send your file to the state for review.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Driver's License or government ID, Social Security Number, and employment history for the past few years.
- Items to Request: Request your official transcripts be sent directly from your school to the Office of Occupational Therapy. You will also need to request your NBCOT score transfer be sent directly to Colorado.
- Exams: You must have passed the NBCOT exam. Additionally, be prepared to take the Colorado Jurisprudence Exam (an open-book online test covering state laws and rules) if prompted during the application process.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Colorado:
- Application Fee: $25
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $49 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $74
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Colorado Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant renewal happens every two years and is due by December 31 of even-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $25.
Note: Colorado offers a 60-day grace period after the expiration date, but you cannot practice if your license lapses beyond that window.
CE Requirements
24 PDUs (Professional Development Units) required every 2 years.
Deadline: October 31st of even-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant CEUs: Colorado allows all 24 PDUs to be completed via online or home-study courses, provided they meet the state's Professional Development Activities (PDA) criteria.
Provider Restrictions: Colorado does not pre-approve specific providers. Instead, they accept activities that meet the standards of the "Professional Development Information Kit." Courses from AOTA-approved providers and general portals like MedBridge are accepted.
Mandatory Topics
- Reflective Self-Assessment: Must be completed to identify professional growth needs.
- Professional Development Plan (PDP): A written plan based on your self-assessment must be maintained throughout the cycle.
Excluded Topics: CPR, First Aid, business or office management, marketing, billing, and personal development courses.
New Licensee Rule: If your license was issued within 12 months of the renewal date (e.g., licensed in 2026 for an Oct 2026 renewal), you are exempt from PDU requirements for that first cycle.
Reporting: Colorado is audit-based. You do not need to report PDUs during renewal, but you must maintain your Professional Development Plan and certificates for 5 years in case of an audit.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Colorado Office of Occupational Therapy:
- Address: 1560 Broadway Ste 1350 Denver, CO 80202-5146
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (303) 894-7800
- Fax: (303) 894-2310
- Email: dora_occupationaltherapists@state.co.us
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.