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Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Licensure in Michigan

  • Timeline 6-9 weeks
  • Initial Costs $218
  • Renewal Costs $165
  • CE Requirements 20 Hours
  • Compact No

How to apply

To secure your Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant license in Michigan, you'll be working with the Michigan Board of Occupational Therapy. You will submit your application through the MiPLUS system. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Create Your MiPLUS Account: Head over to the MiPLUS portal and register for an account. Once logged in, select "Modification" or "New Application" to start your request for a COTA license by endorsement. Hit submit on the application form once you've filled in your details.
  2. Fingerprinting & Background Check: After you submit your application and pay the fee, you will be emailed a "Fingerprint Request Form" containing a specific Agency ID/RI-030 code. You must use this specific code to schedule your appointment with a vendor like IdentoGO. Do not schedule this until you have that form in hand.
  3. Request Official Documents: You need to have your official transcripts sent directly from your school to the Board (usually via email to BPLData@michigan.gov or by mail). Additionally, log into your NBCOT portal and request a score transfer/verification be sent to Michigan.
  4. License Verification: Request verification of licensure from the state where you were originally licensed and any state where you currently hold an active license. Most states use the VeriDoc system, but check with your specific state board if they require a manual form.
  5. Complete Required Training: Michigan has specific education requirements. You must complete a one-time Human Trafficking training and 2 hours of Implicit Bias training. These can often be done online through approved CE providers. You will also need to pass the Jurisprudence Exam, which covers the Administrative Rules; this is typically a part of the application process or a requirement you attest to.

What You'll Need & Key Details

  • Documents to Have Ready: Driver's License, Social Security Number, and proof of completed Human Trafficking and Implicit Bias training.
  • Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent from school), NBCOT Score Transfer, and Verification of Licensure from previous states.
  • Exams & Training: Jurisprudence Exam (state laws/rules), Human Trafficking training, and Implicit Bias training (2 hours).

Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Michigan:

  • Application Fee: $102
  • Background Check / Fingerprinting: $62 (approximate)
  • Jurisprudence Exam: $54
  • Verifications: $0
  • Total Estimated Initial Cost: $218

Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!

When to Renew: Michigan Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant renewal happens every 2 years and is due by the specific anniversary date your license was originally issued.

Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $165.

Note: Michigan requires implicit bias training for every renewal cycle, so ensure you have completed these specific hours to avoid any delays in your application.

20 Contact Hours required every 2 years.

Deadline: Every 2 years by the expiration date listed on your license.

Live vs. Online: At least 10 Contact Hours must be completed via "live, synchronous, and interactive" formats. This includes in-person courses or live webinars where you can interact with the instructor in real-time. The remaining 10 hours can be completed through asynchronous online home-study.

Provider Restrictions: Courses must be relevant to the practice of occupational therapy and provided by an approved organization such as the AOTA or the Michigan Occupational Therapy Association (MiOTA). General portals like MedBridge are widely accepted for Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant CEUs because they are an AOTA-approved provider.

Mandatory Topics

  • Pain and Symptom Management (1 Contact Hour)
  • Implicit Bias Training (2 Contact Hours total—1 for each year of the license cycle. These must be synchronous/interactive and are required for every renewal.)
  • Human Trafficking (A one-time requirement; if you have completed this for a previous Michigan renewal or initial license, you do not need to repeat it.)
  • Jurisprudence: No specific exam is required for renewal, but you are responsible for knowing the Michigan Occupational Therapy Practice Act.


Excluded Topics: Courses related to business, marketing, office management, financial gain, or personal self-improvement do not count toward your 20-hour requirement.

New Licensee Rule: If you have been licensed for less than 24 months at the time of your first renewal, the 20-hour requirement is waived. However, you must still complete the Implicit Bias training and the one-time Human Trafficking requirement.

Reporting: Michigan uses an audit-based system. You do not need to upload certificates to the MiPLUS portal during renewal, but you must check a box attesting to your completion and maintain your records for at least 4 years in case of an audit.

Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Michigan Board of Occupational Therapy:


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 Michigan, you'll be working with the Michigan Board of Occupational Therapy. You will submit your application through the MiPLUS system. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Create Your MiPLUS Account: Head over to the MiPLUS portal and register for an account. Once logged in, select "Modification" or "New Application" to start your request for a COTA license by endorsement. Hit submit on the application form once you've filled in your details.
  2. Fingerprinting & Background Check: After you submit your application and pay the fee, you will be emailed a "Fingerprint Request Form" containing a specific Agency ID/RI-030 code. You must use this specific code to schedule your appointment with a vendor like IdentoGO. Do not schedule this until you have that form in hand.
  3. Request Official Documents: You need to have your official transcripts sent directly from your school to the Board (usually via email to BPLData@michigan.gov or by mail). Additionally, log into your NBCOT portal and request a score transfer/verification be sent to Michigan.
  4. License Verification: Request verification of licensure from the state where you were originally licensed and any state where you currently hold an active license. Most states use the VeriDoc system, but check with your specific state board if they require a manual form.
  5. Complete Required Training: Michigan has specific education requirements. You must complete a one-time Human Trafficking training and 2 hours of Implicit Bias training. These can often be done online through approved CE providers. You will also need to pass the Jurisprudence Exam, which covers the Administrative Rules; this is typically a part of the application process or a requirement you attest to.

What You'll Need & Key Details

  • Documents to Have Ready: Driver's License, Social Security Number, and proof of completed Human Trafficking and Implicit Bias training.
  • Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent from school), NBCOT Score Transfer, and Verification of Licensure from previous states.
  • Exams & Training: Jurisprudence Exam (state laws/rules), Human Trafficking training, and Implicit Bias training (2 hours).

Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Michigan:

  • Application Fee: $102
  • Background Check / Fingerprinting: $62 (approximate)
  • Jurisprudence Exam: $54
  • Verifications: $0
  • Total Estimated Initial Cost: $218

Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!

When to Renew: Michigan Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant renewal happens every 2 years and is due by the specific anniversary date your license was originally issued.

Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $165.

Note: Michigan requires implicit bias training for every renewal cycle, so ensure you have completed these specific hours to avoid any delays in your application.

20 Contact Hours required every 2 years.

Deadline: Every 2 years by the expiration date listed on your license.

Live vs. Online: At least 10 Contact Hours must be completed via "live, synchronous, and interactive" formats. This includes in-person courses or live webinars where you can interact with the instructor in real-time. The remaining 10 hours can be completed through asynchronous online home-study.

Provider Restrictions: Courses must be relevant to the practice of occupational therapy and provided by an approved organization such as the AOTA or the Michigan Occupational Therapy Association (MiOTA). General portals like MedBridge are widely accepted for Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant CEUs because they are an AOTA-approved provider.

Mandatory Topics

  • Pain and Symptom Management (1 Contact Hour)
  • Implicit Bias Training (2 Contact Hours total—1 for each year of the license cycle. These must be synchronous/interactive and are required for every renewal.)
  • Human Trafficking (A one-time requirement; if you have completed this for a previous Michigan renewal or initial license, you do not need to repeat it.)
  • Jurisprudence: No specific exam is required for renewal, but you are responsible for knowing the Michigan Occupational Therapy Practice Act.


Excluded Topics: Courses related to business, marketing, office management, financial gain, or personal self-improvement do not count toward your 20-hour requirement.

New Licensee Rule: If you have been licensed for less than 24 months at the time of your first renewal, the 20-hour requirement is waived. However, you must still complete the Implicit Bias training and the one-time Human Trafficking requirement.

Reporting: Michigan uses an audit-based system. You do not need to upload certificates to the MiPLUS portal during renewal, but you must check a box attesting to your completion and maintain your records for at least 4 years in case of an audit.

Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Michigan Board of Occupational Therapy:


Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.

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