Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Licensure in Illinois
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Timeline 6-9 weeks
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Initial Costs $85
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Renewal Costs $20
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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 Illinois, you'll be working with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). You will submit your application through the IDFPR Online Services Portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts, as these often take the longest to process.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Get Your Documents Moving: You can't upload everything yourself. Head over to your school's registrar and request your official transcripts be sent directly to the IDFPR. Simultaneously, log into your NBCOT portal and request a "Verification of Certification" be sent to Illinois.
- The Background Check: Illinois requires a criminal background check via fingerprinting. If you are currently in Illinois, visit a licensed "Live Scan" vendor. If you are out-of-state (which is likely!), you must obtain an FBI fingerprint card (FD-258) from a local police station, get fingerprinted there, and then mail the card to a licensed Illinois Live Scan vendor to be scanned and transmitted to the state.
- Hit Submit: Create an account on the online portal. Select "New Application" for the Occupational Therapy Assistant license. You'll need to upload your personal information, answer the screening questions, and pay the application fee.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Social Security Number, Driver's License, and a detailed employment history for the past 5 years.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school) and NBCOT Verification of Certification.
- Exams: You must have already passed the NBCOT COTA examination.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Illinois:
- Application Fee: $25
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $60 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $85
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Illinois Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant renewal happens biennially and is due by December 31st of odd-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $20.
Note: You must complete 24 contact hours of continuing education before renewing; be aware that practicing on an expired license is prohibited.
CE Requirements
24 Contact Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: December 31st of odd-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant CEUs: Illinois currently allows all 24 contact hours to be earned via online or self-study formats, provided they are from approved providers.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the AOTA, the Illinois Occupational Therapy Association (ILOTA), or an IDFPR-licensed CE sponsor. Major platforms like MedBridge are accepted as they are AOTA-approved providers.
Mandatory Topics
- Implicit Bias Training: (1 hour)
- Sexual Harassment Prevention Training: (1 hour)
- Ethics: (1 hour)
- Dementia Training: (1 hour) Required only if you provide services to adults aged 26 and older.
- Mandated Reporter Training: Required for initial licensure and every 6 years thereafter (typically a free course via the Illinois DCFS).
Excluded Topics: Professional organization business meetings, CPR, and courses related to office management, marketing, or financial gain are not accepted.
New Licensee Rule: If this is your first renewal after initial Illinois licensure, you are exempt from the continuing education requirements for this cycle.
Reporting: Illinois uses an audit-based system. You do not need to report hours upfront, but you must maintain your certificates of completion for at least 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 Illinois Occupational Therapy Board:
- Address: 320 W Washington St Springfield, IL 62786-1135
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (800) 560-6420
- Fax: (217) 782-7645
- Email: FPR.LMU@illinois.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 Illinois, you'll be working with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). You will submit your application through the IDFPR Online Services Portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts, as these often take the longest to process.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Get Your Documents Moving: You can't upload everything yourself. Head over to your school's registrar and request your official transcripts be sent directly to the IDFPR. Simultaneously, log into your NBCOT portal and request a "Verification of Certification" be sent to Illinois.
- The Background Check: Illinois requires a criminal background check via fingerprinting. If you are currently in Illinois, visit a licensed "Live Scan" vendor. If you are out-of-state (which is likely!), you must obtain an FBI fingerprint card (FD-258) from a local police station, get fingerprinted there, and then mail the card to a licensed Illinois Live Scan vendor to be scanned and transmitted to the state.
- Hit Submit: Create an account on the online portal. Select "New Application" for the Occupational Therapy Assistant license. You'll need to upload your personal information, answer the screening questions, and pay the application fee.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Social Security Number, Driver's License, and a detailed employment history for the past 5 years.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school) and NBCOT Verification of Certification.
- Exams: You must have already passed the NBCOT COTA examination.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Illinois:
- Application Fee: $25
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $60 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $85
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Illinois Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant renewal happens biennially and is due by December 31st of odd-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $20.
Note: You must complete 24 contact hours of continuing education before renewing; be aware that practicing on an expired license is prohibited.
CE Requirements
24 Contact Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: December 31st of odd-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant CEUs: Illinois currently allows all 24 contact hours to be earned via online or self-study formats, provided they are from approved providers.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the AOTA, the Illinois Occupational Therapy Association (ILOTA), or an IDFPR-licensed CE sponsor. Major platforms like MedBridge are accepted as they are AOTA-approved providers.
Mandatory Topics
- Implicit Bias Training: (1 hour)
- Sexual Harassment Prevention Training: (1 hour)
- Ethics: (1 hour)
- Dementia Training: (1 hour) Required only if you provide services to adults aged 26 and older.
- Mandated Reporter Training: Required for initial licensure and every 6 years thereafter (typically a free course via the Illinois DCFS).
Excluded Topics: Professional organization business meetings, CPR, and courses related to office management, marketing, or financial gain are not accepted.
New Licensee Rule: If this is your first renewal after initial Illinois licensure, you are exempt from the continuing education requirements for this cycle.
Reporting: Illinois uses an audit-based system. You do not need to report hours upfront, but you must maintain your certificates of completion for at least 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 Illinois Occupational Therapy Board:
- Address: 320 W Washington St Springfield, IL 62786-1135
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (800) 560-6420
- Fax: (217) 782-7645
- Email: FPR.LMU@illinois.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.