Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Licensure in New Jersey
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Timeline 9 weeks or more
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Initial Costs $266
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Renewal Costs $100
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CE Requirements 30 Hours
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Compact No
How to apply
To secure your Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant license in New Jersey, you'll be working with the Occupational Therapy Advisory Council. You will submit your application through the MyLicense eGov portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- The Online Application: Head over to the MyLicense eGov portal to create an account and hit submit on your application. This gets your file open with the state so they can start processing your documents as they arrive.
- The Jurisprudence Orientation: New Jersey requires you to complete an online Jurisprudence Orientation. This isn't a scary exam, but rather an open-book review of the laws and regulations. You must complete this before your license can be issued.
- The Paperwork Chase: You need to request a few specific items be sent directly to the Council. First, have your school send your Official Transcripts and a Verification of Fieldwork Experience directly to the Board (email is often preferred by NJ if available). Second, download the "Certificate of Good Moral Character" form from the Board's website, get it signed by two people who know you, and submit it.
- Criminal History Background Check: Once your application is on file, the Board will send you instructions for fingerprinting. This is typically done through IdentoGO. Do not schedule this until you have received the specific service code and instructions from the Board to ensure your results are routed correctly.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A passport-style photo (often required for the online profile), your Social Security Number, and the completed Certificate of Good Moral Character form.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts and Fieldwork Verification (sent directly from your school), and NBCOT score verification (requested via the NBCOT portal).
- Exams: The online Jurisprudence Orientation Program (mandatory for all applicants).
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in New Jersey:
- Application Fee: $200 (includes the $100 application fee and the $100 initial license fee)
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $66 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $266
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: New Jersey Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant renewal happens every two years and is due by September 30 of odd-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $100.
Note: You have a 30-day grace period to renew with a late fee, but after that window, the license is suspended and requires reinstatement.
CE Requirements
30 Contact Hours required every two years.
Deadline: August 31st of odd-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant CEUs: New Jersey allows all 30 contact hours to be completed via online or distance learning, provided they are from approved providers.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the AOTA, NJOTA, or other state/national OT associations. General portals like MedBridge are accepted as they are AOTA-approved providers.
Mandatory Topics
- Ethics: (2 contact hours)
- Prescription Opioid Drugs: (1 contact hour)
Excluded Topics: Courses related to business, management, marketing, personal self-improvement, or basic CPR/First Aid are not accepted.
New Licensee Rule: If you were initially licensed during the second year of the biennial period (even-numbered years), you are only required to complete 15 contact hours for your first renewal.
Reporting: New Jersey is an audit-based state. You do not need to report hours at the time of renewal, but you must maintain your certificates of completion for at least four years (two renewal cycles).
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the NJ Occupational Therapy Advisory Council:
- Address: PO Box 45037 Newark, NJ 07101-8002
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (973) 504-6570
- Fax: (973) 648-4630
- Email: OccupationalTherapy@dca.lps.state.nj.us
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 New Jersey, you'll be working with the Occupational Therapy Advisory Council. You will submit your application through the MyLicense eGov portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- The Online Application: Head over to the MyLicense eGov portal to create an account and hit submit on your application. This gets your file open with the state so they can start processing your documents as they arrive.
- The Jurisprudence Orientation: New Jersey requires you to complete an online Jurisprudence Orientation. This isn't a scary exam, but rather an open-book review of the laws and regulations. You must complete this before your license can be issued.
- The Paperwork Chase: You need to request a few specific items be sent directly to the Council. First, have your school send your Official Transcripts and a Verification of Fieldwork Experience directly to the Board (email is often preferred by NJ if available). Second, download the "Certificate of Good Moral Character" form from the Board's website, get it signed by two people who know you, and submit it.
- Criminal History Background Check: Once your application is on file, the Board will send you instructions for fingerprinting. This is typically done through IdentoGO. Do not schedule this until you have received the specific service code and instructions from the Board to ensure your results are routed correctly.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A passport-style photo (often required for the online profile), your Social Security Number, and the completed Certificate of Good Moral Character form.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts and Fieldwork Verification (sent directly from your school), and NBCOT score verification (requested via the NBCOT portal).
- Exams: The online Jurisprudence Orientation Program (mandatory for all applicants).
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in New Jersey:
- Application Fee: $200 (includes the $100 application fee and the $100 initial license fee)
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $66 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $266
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: New Jersey Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant renewal happens every two years and is due by September 30 of odd-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $100.
Note: You have a 30-day grace period to renew with a late fee, but after that window, the license is suspended and requires reinstatement.
CE Requirements
30 Contact Hours required every two years.
Deadline: August 31st of odd-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant CEUs: New Jersey allows all 30 contact hours to be completed via online or distance learning, provided they are from approved providers.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the AOTA, NJOTA, or other state/national OT associations. General portals like MedBridge are accepted as they are AOTA-approved providers.
Mandatory Topics
- Ethics: (2 contact hours)
- Prescription Opioid Drugs: (1 contact hour)
Excluded Topics: Courses related to business, management, marketing, personal self-improvement, or basic CPR/First Aid are not accepted.
New Licensee Rule: If you were initially licensed during the second year of the biennial period (even-numbered years), you are only required to complete 15 contact hours for your first renewal.
Reporting: New Jersey is an audit-based state. You do not need to report hours at the time of renewal, but you must maintain your certificates of completion for at least four years (two renewal cycles).
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the NJ Occupational Therapy Advisory Council:
- Address: PO Box 45037 Newark, NJ 07101-8002
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (973) 504-6570
- Fax: (973) 648-4630
- Email: OccupationalTherapy@dca.lps.state.nj.us
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.