Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Licensure in Pennsylvania
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Timeline 4-6 weeks
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Initial Costs $160
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Renewal Costs $45
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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 Pennsylvania, you'll be working with the Pennsylvania State Board of Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure. You will submit your application through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS). Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and completing the required Act 31 Child Abuse Recognition training, as these can take a few days to process.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Complete the Act 31 Child Abuse Training: Pennsylvania requires all health-related licensees to complete 3 hours of approved training on Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting. You must take this from an approved provider who will electronically submit your certificate directly to the Board. Head over to the Board's website to find the list of approved providers and get this done early.
- Submit Your Application via PALS: Create an account on the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) and start your application for "Occupational Therapy Assistant." You'll answer a series of questions, including a jurisprudence quiz covering the state's laws and regulations. Hit submit once you've filled out all the required fields.
- Schedule Your Fingerprints: After you submit your application, you will receive instructions (often via email or within the portal) to schedule your fingerprint-based FBI background check. This is typically done through IdentoGO. You'll need the specific service code provided by the Board to ensure your results go to the right place.
- Request Official Verifications: You cannot send these yourself. Request your official transcripts from your school and your NBCOT score transfer to be sent directly to the Board. If you hold licenses in other states, you may also need to request verification of licensure from those boards.
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 (curriculum vitae/resume).
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school), NBCOT Certification Verification (sent directly from NBCOT), and your Act 31 Training Certificate (submitted by the provider).
- Exams: You will need to pass the Jurisprudence Exam, which is typically integrated into the application process or provided as a quiz to complete and upload.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Pennsylvania:
- Application Fee: $100
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $60 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0 (if applicable)
- Verifications: $0 (if the board charges to verify other licenses)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $160
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Pennsylvania Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant renewal happens every two years and is due by June 30 of odd-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $45.
Note: You must complete 24 hours of continuing education, including the mandatory child abuse recognition and reporting training, before the deadline to maintain your license.
CE Requirements
24 Contact Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: June 30th of odd-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for those managing Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant CEUs: Pennsylvania currently allows all 24 contact hours to be completed via online or home-study courses.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be relevant to the practice of occupational therapy. The Board recognizes AOTA-approved providers and courses offered by accredited OT/OTA educational programs. General portals like MedBridge are accepted and highly recommended for travelers.
Mandatory Topics
- Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting (2 contact hours required for renewal; 3 hours required for initial licensure)
Excluded Topics: The Board does not grant credit for CPR, basic life support, office management, marketing, or personal financial planning.
New Licensee Rule: If you are a new graduate licensed by examination, you are exempt from the 24-hour requirement during your first renewal cycle, though you must still complete the mandatory Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting course.
Reporting: Pennsylvania utilizes an audit-based system. You are not required to submit certificates at the time of renewal but must maintain your records for at least 4 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 Pennsylvania State Board of OT Education and Licensure:
- Address: 2601 North Third St - PO Box 2649 Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (717) 783-1389
- Fax: (717) 787-7769
- Email: ST-OCCUPATIONAL@PA.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 Pennsylvania, you'll be working with the Pennsylvania State Board of Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure. You will submit your application through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS). Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and completing the required Act 31 Child Abuse Recognition training, as these can take a few days to process.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Complete the Act 31 Child Abuse Training: Pennsylvania requires all health-related licensees to complete 3 hours of approved training on Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting. You must take this from an approved provider who will electronically submit your certificate directly to the Board. Head over to the Board's website to find the list of approved providers and get this done early.
- Submit Your Application via PALS: Create an account on the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) and start your application for "Occupational Therapy Assistant." You'll answer a series of questions, including a jurisprudence quiz covering the state's laws and regulations. Hit submit once you've filled out all the required fields.
- Schedule Your Fingerprints: After you submit your application, you will receive instructions (often via email or within the portal) to schedule your fingerprint-based FBI background check. This is typically done through IdentoGO. You'll need the specific service code provided by the Board to ensure your results go to the right place.
- Request Official Verifications: You cannot send these yourself. Request your official transcripts from your school and your NBCOT score transfer to be sent directly to the Board. If you hold licenses in other states, you may also need to request verification of licensure from those boards.
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 (curriculum vitae/resume).
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school), NBCOT Certification Verification (sent directly from NBCOT), and your Act 31 Training Certificate (submitted by the provider).
- Exams: You will need to pass the Jurisprudence Exam, which is typically integrated into the application process or provided as a quiz to complete and upload.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Pennsylvania:
- Application Fee: $100
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $60 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0 (if applicable)
- Verifications: $0 (if the board charges to verify other licenses)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $160
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Pennsylvania Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant renewal happens every two years and is due by June 30 of odd-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $45.
Note: You must complete 24 hours of continuing education, including the mandatory child abuse recognition and reporting training, before the deadline to maintain your license.
CE Requirements
24 Contact Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: June 30th of odd-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for those managing Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant CEUs: Pennsylvania currently allows all 24 contact hours to be completed via online or home-study courses.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be relevant to the practice of occupational therapy. The Board recognizes AOTA-approved providers and courses offered by accredited OT/OTA educational programs. General portals like MedBridge are accepted and highly recommended for travelers.
Mandatory Topics
- Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting (2 contact hours required for renewal; 3 hours required for initial licensure)
Excluded Topics: The Board does not grant credit for CPR, basic life support, office management, marketing, or personal financial planning.
New Licensee Rule: If you are a new graduate licensed by examination, you are exempt from the 24-hour requirement during your first renewal cycle, though you must still complete the mandatory Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting course.
Reporting: Pennsylvania utilizes an audit-based system. You are not required to submit certificates at the time of renewal but must maintain your records for at least 4 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 Pennsylvania State Board of OT Education and Licensure:
- Address: 2601 North Third St - PO Box 2649 Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (717) 783-1389
- Fax: (717) 787-7769
- Email: ST-OCCUPATIONAL@PA.GOV
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.