Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Licensure in Montana
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Timeline 4-6 weeks
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Initial Costs $165
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Renewal Costs $110
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CE Requirements 10 Hours
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Compact No
How to apply
To secure your Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant license in Montana, you'll be working with the Montana Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. You will submit your application through the state's online system, the Citizen Portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Hit Submit on the Application: Head over to the Citizen Portal to create an account and start your application. This is the quickest way to apply. You'll need to answer the standard questions and pay the application fee online.
- Tackle the Background Check: Montana requires a fingerprint-based background check. You will likely need to obtain fingerprint cards (standard FD-258 cards) from a local law enforcement agency or a specialized vendor like IdentoGO, depending on your location. Follow the specific instructions provided in the application checklist to ensure they are routed correctly to the Montana Department of Justice.
- Request Official Documents: You cannot send these yourself. Contact your OTA program to send your official transcripts directly to the Board. Simultaneously, log in to your NBCOT account and request a score transfer to be sent to Montana.
- Verify Your Licenses: If you hold or have held licenses in other states, you need to verify them. The Board helps verify out-of-state licenses via online portals where available, but if a state doesn't have an online system, you must request a verification to be sent directly to Montana.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A valid Driver's License or ID, your Social Security Number, and a detailed employment history for the past few years.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent from your school), NBCOT Score Report (sent from NBCOT), and License Verifications from other states (if applicable).
- Exams: While there isn't a separate Jurisprudence Exam listed as a major hurdle, you will likely need to attest to reading the statutes and rules during the application process.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Montana:
- Application Fee: $100
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $30 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $35
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $165
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Montana Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant renewal happens annually and is due by June 15.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $110.
Note: You can renew late online until July 30, but be prepared to pay additional penalty fees.
CE Requirements
10 Contact Hours required every year.
Deadline: June 15th annually.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant CEUs: Montana currently has no limit on home-study or online courses, allowing you to complete all 10 units through distance learning.
Provider Restrictions: The Montana Board of Occupational Therapy Practice does not pre-approve continuing education courses. However, activities sponsored by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) or the Montana Occupational Therapy Association (MOTA) are standard. General portals like MedBridge are widely accepted for meeting these requirements.
Mandatory Topics
- No specific mandatory topics—choose what interests you!
- Jurisprudence: There is no recurring law or ethics exam required for renewal in Montana.
Excluded Topics: Business, social, or recreational meetings; CPR or First Aid certification; and activities not related to the clinical practice of occupational therapy.
New Licensee Rule: The CE requirement does not apply until a licensee's first full renewal cycle. If you are a newly licensed traveler, you are typically exempt for your first June 15th deadline.
Reporting: Montana uses an audit-based system. You do not need to submit certificates during renewal, but you must maintain documentation of your Contact Hours for at least 3 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 Montana Board of Occupational Therapy Practice:
- Address: 301 S Park Ave Helena, MT 59601-6282
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (406) 841-2258
- Fax: (406) 841-2305
- Email: dlibsdotp@mt.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 Montana, you'll be working with the Montana Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. You will submit your application through the state's online system, the Citizen Portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Hit Submit on the Application: Head over to the Citizen Portal to create an account and start your application. This is the quickest way to apply. You'll need to answer the standard questions and pay the application fee online.
- Tackle the Background Check: Montana requires a fingerprint-based background check. You will likely need to obtain fingerprint cards (standard FD-258 cards) from a local law enforcement agency or a specialized vendor like IdentoGO, depending on your location. Follow the specific instructions provided in the application checklist to ensure they are routed correctly to the Montana Department of Justice.
- Request Official Documents: You cannot send these yourself. Contact your OTA program to send your official transcripts directly to the Board. Simultaneously, log in to your NBCOT account and request a score transfer to be sent to Montana.
- Verify Your Licenses: If you hold or have held licenses in other states, you need to verify them. The Board helps verify out-of-state licenses via online portals where available, but if a state doesn't have an online system, you must request a verification to be sent directly to Montana.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A valid Driver's License or ID, your Social Security Number, and a detailed employment history for the past few years.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent from your school), NBCOT Score Report (sent from NBCOT), and License Verifications from other states (if applicable).
- Exams: While there isn't a separate Jurisprudence Exam listed as a major hurdle, you will likely need to attest to reading the statutes and rules during the application process.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Montana:
- Application Fee: $100
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $30 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $35
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $165
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Montana Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant renewal happens annually and is due by June 15.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $110.
Note: You can renew late online until July 30, but be prepared to pay additional penalty fees.
CE Requirements
10 Contact Hours required every year.
Deadline: June 15th annually.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant CEUs: Montana currently has no limit on home-study or online courses, allowing you to complete all 10 units through distance learning.
Provider Restrictions: The Montana Board of Occupational Therapy Practice does not pre-approve continuing education courses. However, activities sponsored by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) or the Montana Occupational Therapy Association (MOTA) are standard. General portals like MedBridge are widely accepted for meeting these requirements.
Mandatory Topics
- No specific mandatory topics—choose what interests you!
- Jurisprudence: There is no recurring law or ethics exam required for renewal in Montana.
Excluded Topics: Business, social, or recreational meetings; CPR or First Aid certification; and activities not related to the clinical practice of occupational therapy.
New Licensee Rule: The CE requirement does not apply until a licensee's first full renewal cycle. If you are a newly licensed traveler, you are typically exempt for your first June 15th deadline.
Reporting: Montana uses an audit-based system. You do not need to submit certificates during renewal, but you must maintain documentation of your Contact Hours for at least 3 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 Montana Board of Occupational Therapy Practice:
- Address: 301 S Park Ave Helena, MT 59601-6282
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (406) 841-2258
- Fax: (406) 841-2305
- Email: dlibsdotp@mt.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.