Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Licensure in Minnesota
-
Timeline 6-9 weeks
-
Initial Costs $259
-
Renewal Costs $105
-
CE Requirements 18 Hours
-
Compact Yes
How to apply
To secure your Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant license in Minnesota, you'll be working with the Minnesota Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. You will submit your application through their online system, Online Services. Because the background check instructions are sent after you apply, I recommend hitting submit on your application first to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- The Online Application: Head over to the Online Services portal and create an account. Once logged in, you'll likely select the application by "Equivalency" if you are already NBCOT certified (which most travelers are). Fill out the details and hit submit.
- The Background Check: This step is unique because you can't start it until the Board says so. After you submit your application and pay the fee, keep a close eye on your email. The Board will send you specific instructions on how to complete your Criminal Background Check (CBC) through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). This typically involves fingerprinting.
- Verifications & Transcripts: While you wait for the background check email, request your official transcripts from your OTA program to be sent directly to the Board. You also need to request your NBCOT certification verification and verification of licensure from any other states where you hold a license.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Your social security number, driver's license, and a list of all states where you have held a professional license.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school), NBCOT Certification Verification (requested via NBCOT), and State License Verifications.
- Exams: Minnesota requires a Jurisprudence Exam covering state laws and rules. This is often an open-book exam completed during or after the application process.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Minnesota:
- Application Fee: $216
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $43 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $259
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Minnesota Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant renewal happens biennially and is due by the first day of the month following your birth month.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $105.
Note: The Board sends courtesy notices 90 days in advance, but you must track this date yourself to avoid the $50 late fee.
CE Requirements
18 Contact Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: The last day of your birth month on a biennial cycle.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant CEUs: You can complete all 18 contact hours online! Minnesota allows an unlimited number of hours through distance learning or home-study formats, provided they meet the board's criteria for professional development.
Provider Restrictions: The Minnesota Board does not pre-approve specific courses or providers. However, they explicitly accept activities conducted by sponsors approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). General portals like MedBridge are AOTA-approved and widely used by travelers to satisfy these requirements.
Mandatory Topics
- Direct Practice: At least 9 contact hours must be directly related to occupational therapy practice.
- Personal Skills/CPR: You are limited to a maximum of 2 contact hours total for topics like CPR, burnout, or communication skills.
- Jurisprudence: No recurring law or ethics exam is required for renewal.
- No specific mandatory topics—choose what interests you!
Excluded Topics: Hospital rounds, volunteering, employment orientation, and non-educational association meetings.
New Licensee Rule: If your initial license was issued for a period of less than two years, your contact hours will be prorated based on the number of months you were licensed during that period.
Reporting: Minnesota is audit-based. You do not need to submit certificates during your renewal, but you must maintain your documentation for at least 4 years in case of a random audit.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Minnesota Board of Occupational Therapy Practice:
- Address: 335 Randolph Avenue Suite 240 St. Paul, MN 55102
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (612) 548-2179
- Email: Occupational.therapy@state.mn.us
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.
Start your job search
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 Minnesota, you'll be working with the Minnesota Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. You will submit your application through their online system, Online Services. Because the background check instructions are sent after you apply, I recommend hitting submit on your application first to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- The Online Application: Head over to the Online Services portal and create an account. Once logged in, you'll likely select the application by "Equivalency" if you are already NBCOT certified (which most travelers are). Fill out the details and hit submit.
- The Background Check: This step is unique because you can't start it until the Board says so. After you submit your application and pay the fee, keep a close eye on your email. The Board will send you specific instructions on how to complete your Criminal Background Check (CBC) through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). This typically involves fingerprinting.
- Verifications & Transcripts: While you wait for the background check email, request your official transcripts from your OTA program to be sent directly to the Board. You also need to request your NBCOT certification verification and verification of licensure from any other states where you hold a license.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Your social security number, driver's license, and a list of all states where you have held a professional license.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school), NBCOT Certification Verification (requested via NBCOT), and State License Verifications.
- Exams: Minnesota requires a Jurisprudence Exam covering state laws and rules. This is often an open-book exam completed during or after the application process.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Minnesota:
- Application Fee: $216
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $43 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $259
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Minnesota Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant renewal happens biennially and is due by the first day of the month following your birth month.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $105.
Note: The Board sends courtesy notices 90 days in advance, but you must track this date yourself to avoid the $50 late fee.
CE Requirements
18 Contact Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: The last day of your birth month on a biennial cycle.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant CEUs: You can complete all 18 contact hours online! Minnesota allows an unlimited number of hours through distance learning or home-study formats, provided they meet the board's criteria for professional development.
Provider Restrictions: The Minnesota Board does not pre-approve specific courses or providers. However, they explicitly accept activities conducted by sponsors approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). General portals like MedBridge are AOTA-approved and widely used by travelers to satisfy these requirements.
Mandatory Topics
- Direct Practice: At least 9 contact hours must be directly related to occupational therapy practice.
- Personal Skills/CPR: You are limited to a maximum of 2 contact hours total for topics like CPR, burnout, or communication skills.
- Jurisprudence: No recurring law or ethics exam is required for renewal.
- No specific mandatory topics—choose what interests you!
Excluded Topics: Hospital rounds, volunteering, employment orientation, and non-educational association meetings.
New Licensee Rule: If your initial license was issued for a period of less than two years, your contact hours will be prorated based on the number of months you were licensed during that period.
Reporting: Minnesota is audit-based. You do not need to submit certificates during your renewal, but you must maintain your documentation for at least 4 years in case of a random audit.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Minnesota Board of Occupational Therapy Practice:
- Address: 335 Randolph Avenue Suite 240 St. Paul, MN 55102
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (612) 548-2179
- Email: Occupational.therapy@state.mn.us
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.