Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Licensure in Georgia
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Timeline 6-9 weeks
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Initial Costs $101
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Renewal Costs $55
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CE Requirements 24 Hours
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Compact No
How to apply
To secure your Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant license in Georgia, you'll be working with the Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy. You will submit your application through the GOALS (Georgia Online Application Licensing System) portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and gathering your reference contacts, as Georgia requires specific forms for them.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Get the Ball Rolling: Head over to the GOALS portal to create an account and start your application. You'll need to upload a notarized "Affidavit of Citizenship" and a secure and verifiable document (like your driver's license) directly to the portal.
- Handle Your References: Georgia is unique in that it requires three specific reference forms (two professional, one personal). Download these forms from the Board's website, send them to your contacts, and have them return the completed forms to you or the Board as instructed.
- Background Check: Immediately after submitting your application, register for your fingerprint background check through GAPS (Georgia Applicant Processing Service), which is currently managed by Idemia/Identogo. You cannot complete this step until your application is on file.
- Verify Your Credentials: Request your official transcripts be sent directly from your school to the Board. You'll also need to head over to NBCOT to transfer your scores/certification verification to Georgia.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A secure and verifiable document (Driver's License or Passport), a notarized Affidavit of Citizenship, and your completed reference forms.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school) and NBCOT Certification Verification.
- Exams: You must have already passed the NBCOT. If you plan to use Physical Agent Modalities (PAMS), note that Georgia requires a separate certification application for that.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Georgia:
- Application Fee: $50
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $51 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $101
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Georgia Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant renewal happens every two years and is due by March 31st of even-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $55.
Note: Watch out—this state does not have a grace period! Late fees apply immediately if you renew between April 1st and April 30th.
CE Requirements
24 Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: March 31st of even-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Georgia has specific rules for Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant CEUs regarding format. You must complete at least 12 hours via "Live" presentations or real-time, interactive webinars where you can interact with the instructor. A maximum of 10 hours may be completed via pre-recorded, "on-demand" online courses or self-study. The remaining 2 hours of Ethics can be completed online.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be relevant to the practice of occupational therapy. Georgia accepts courses from AOTA-approved providers and GOTA. General portals like MedBridge are accepted; travelers often use their "Live Webinars" to satisfy the 12-hour interactive requirement and their "On-Demand" library for the remaining hours.
Mandatory Topics
- Ethics (2 hours): Must be specific to occupational therapy ethics.
- Direct Patient Care (12 hours): At least half of your total hours must relate to clinical topics like assessment, treatment planning, or diagnostics.
- Jurisprudence: No separate law exam is required, but your Ethics hours should ideally cover Georgia-specific rules.
Excluded Topics: CPR, basic life support, first aid, business/office management, marketing, personal finance, and employer-sponsored compliance training (e.g., HIPAA or fire safety).
New Licensee Rule: If you receive your initial Georgia license during the second year of the biennium (the even-numbered year), you are exempt from CE requirements for your first renewal.
Reporting: Georgia uses CE Broker. You must register and report your hours in the CE Broker system before you can renew your license. It is recommended to keep your certificates for at least 4 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 Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy:
- Address: 237 Coliseum Dr Macon, GA 31217-3805
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (404) 424-9966
- Fax: (866) 888-1308
- Email: PLB-Healthcare2@sos.ga.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 Georgia, you'll be working with the Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy. You will submit your application through the GOALS (Georgia Online Application Licensing System) portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and gathering your reference contacts, as Georgia requires specific forms for them.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Get the Ball Rolling: Head over to the GOALS portal to create an account and start your application. You'll need to upload a notarized "Affidavit of Citizenship" and a secure and verifiable document (like your driver's license) directly to the portal.
- Handle Your References: Georgia is unique in that it requires three specific reference forms (two professional, one personal). Download these forms from the Board's website, send them to your contacts, and have them return the completed forms to you or the Board as instructed.
- Background Check: Immediately after submitting your application, register for your fingerprint background check through GAPS (Georgia Applicant Processing Service), which is currently managed by Idemia/Identogo. You cannot complete this step until your application is on file.
- Verify Your Credentials: Request your official transcripts be sent directly from your school to the Board. You'll also need to head over to NBCOT to transfer your scores/certification verification to Georgia.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A secure and verifiable document (Driver's License or Passport), a notarized Affidavit of Citizenship, and your completed reference forms.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school) and NBCOT Certification Verification.
- Exams: You must have already passed the NBCOT. If you plan to use Physical Agent Modalities (PAMS), note that Georgia requires a separate certification application for that.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Georgia:
- Application Fee: $50
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $51 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $101
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Georgia Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant renewal happens every two years and is due by March 31st of even-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $55.
Note: Watch out—this state does not have a grace period! Late fees apply immediately if you renew between April 1st and April 30th.
CE Requirements
24 Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: March 31st of even-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Georgia has specific rules for Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant CEUs regarding format. You must complete at least 12 hours via "Live" presentations or real-time, interactive webinars where you can interact with the instructor. A maximum of 10 hours may be completed via pre-recorded, "on-demand" online courses or self-study. The remaining 2 hours of Ethics can be completed online.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be relevant to the practice of occupational therapy. Georgia accepts courses from AOTA-approved providers and GOTA. General portals like MedBridge are accepted; travelers often use their "Live Webinars" to satisfy the 12-hour interactive requirement and their "On-Demand" library for the remaining hours.
Mandatory Topics
- Ethics (2 hours): Must be specific to occupational therapy ethics.
- Direct Patient Care (12 hours): At least half of your total hours must relate to clinical topics like assessment, treatment planning, or diagnostics.
- Jurisprudence: No separate law exam is required, but your Ethics hours should ideally cover Georgia-specific rules.
Excluded Topics: CPR, basic life support, first aid, business/office management, marketing, personal finance, and employer-sponsored compliance training (e.g., HIPAA or fire safety).
New Licensee Rule: If you receive your initial Georgia license during the second year of the biennium (the even-numbered year), you are exempt from CE requirements for your first renewal.
Reporting: Georgia uses CE Broker. You must register and report your hours in the CE Broker system before you can renew your license. It is recommended to keep your certificates for at least 4 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 Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy:
- Address: 237 Coliseum Dr Macon, GA 31217-3805
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (404) 424-9966
- Fax: (866) 888-1308
- Email: PLB-Healthcare2@sos.ga.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.