Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Licensure in District of Columbia
-
Timeline 9 weeks or more
-
Initial Costs $314
-
Renewal Costs $179
-
CE Requirements 12 Hours
-
Compact No
How to apply
To secure your Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant license in District of Columbia, you'll be working with the District of Columbia Board of Occupational Therapy. You will submit your application through the DC Health Professional Licensing Portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather Your Documents: Request your official transcripts from your OTA program to be sent directly to the Board. You'll also need to head over to NBCOT to request your official score transfer/verification be sent to DC Health.
- Schedule Your Background Check: DC Health uses Fieldprint for criminal background checks. You will typically need to register for an appointment online. Keep an eye out for the specific "Fieldprint Code" which is often provided within the application instructions or after you initiate the process.
- Hit Submit on the Application: Create an account on the online portal, select your license type, and complete the application. You'll need to upload a recent passport-style photo (2x2 inches) and pay the application fee here.
- Take the Jurisprudence Exam: You will need to complete the District of Columbia Jurisprudence Examination, which covers the state's laws and regulations. This is often an open-book exam included in the application process or sent to you, but be sure to review the study materials provided by the Board.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A recent 2x2 passport-style photo, your Social Security Number, and a valid government-issued ID.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school), NBCOT Verification of Certification, and Verification of Licensure from any other states where you have held a license.
- Exams: NBCOT Exam scores and the DC Jurisprudence Examination.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in District of Columbia:
- Application Fee: $264
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $50 (approximate)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $314
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: District of Columbia Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant renewal happens biennially and is due by the last day of your birth month.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $179.
Note: DC Health recently transitioned from a fixed September deadline to a birthday-month expiration model, so verify your specific expiration date on your license card.
CE Requirements
12 Contact Hours required every two years.
Deadline: September 30th of odd-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant pros: you can complete all 12 of your required units online through home-study or pre-recorded webinars.
Provider Restrictions: The District of Columbia Board of Occupational Therapy accepts courses from AOTA-approved providers. Popular platforms like MedBridge are fully accepted for your Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant CEUs.
Mandatory Topics
- LGBTQ Cultural Competency (2 contact hours)
- Public Health Priorities (1.2 contact hours): At least 10% of your total hours must focus on topics identified by the DC Health Director, such as Chronic Disease Management, Health Equity, or Mental Health.
Excluded Topics: The Board generally does not grant credit for basic CPR, office management, marketing, or non-clinical business meetings.
New Licensee Rule: If you are a new graduate or a traveler receiving your initial DC license within the second year of the renewal cycle, you are typically exempt from CEU requirements for your very first renewal.
Reporting: The District of Columbia uses CE Broker for tracking. You must upload your certificates to the portal to ensure your renewal is processed smoothly.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the District of Columbia Board of Occupational Therapy:
- Address: 899 N Capitol St NE Ste 200 Washington, DC 20002-5686
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (202) 442-5955
- Fax: (202) 442-4795
- Email: dcboot@dc.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.
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 Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant license in District of Columbia, you'll be working with the District of Columbia Board of Occupational Therapy. You will submit your application through the DC Health Professional Licensing Portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather Your Documents: Request your official transcripts from your OTA program to be sent directly to the Board. You'll also need to head over to NBCOT to request your official score transfer/verification be sent to DC Health.
- Schedule Your Background Check: DC Health uses Fieldprint for criminal background checks. You will typically need to register for an appointment online. Keep an eye out for the specific "Fieldprint Code" which is often provided within the application instructions or after you initiate the process.
- Hit Submit on the Application: Create an account on the online portal, select your license type, and complete the application. You'll need to upload a recent passport-style photo (2x2 inches) and pay the application fee here.
- Take the Jurisprudence Exam: You will need to complete the District of Columbia Jurisprudence Examination, which covers the state's laws and regulations. This is often an open-book exam included in the application process or sent to you, but be sure to review the study materials provided by the Board.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A recent 2x2 passport-style photo, your Social Security Number, and a valid government-issued ID.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school), NBCOT Verification of Certification, and Verification of Licensure from any other states where you have held a license.
- Exams: NBCOT Exam scores and the DC Jurisprudence Examination.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in District of Columbia:
- Application Fee: $264
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $50 (approximate)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $314
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: District of Columbia Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant renewal happens biennially and is due by the last day of your birth month.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $179.
Note: DC Health recently transitioned from a fixed September deadline to a birthday-month expiration model, so verify your specific expiration date on your license card.
CE Requirements
12 Contact Hours required every two years.
Deadline: September 30th of odd-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant pros: you can complete all 12 of your required units online through home-study or pre-recorded webinars.
Provider Restrictions: The District of Columbia Board of Occupational Therapy accepts courses from AOTA-approved providers. Popular platforms like MedBridge are fully accepted for your Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant CEUs.
Mandatory Topics
- LGBTQ Cultural Competency (2 contact hours)
- Public Health Priorities (1.2 contact hours): At least 10% of your total hours must focus on topics identified by the DC Health Director, such as Chronic Disease Management, Health Equity, or Mental Health.
Excluded Topics: The Board generally does not grant credit for basic CPR, office management, marketing, or non-clinical business meetings.
New Licensee Rule: If you are a new graduate or a traveler receiving your initial DC license within the second year of the renewal cycle, you are typically exempt from CEU requirements for your very first renewal.
Reporting: The District of Columbia uses CE Broker for tracking. You must upload your certificates to the portal to ensure your renewal is processed smoothly.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the District of Columbia Board of Occupational Therapy:
- Address: 899 N Capitol St NE Ste 200 Washington, DC 20002-5686
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (202) 442-5955
- Fax: (202) 442-4795
- Email: dcboot@dc.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.