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Occupational Therapist Licensure in Alabama

  • Timeline 2-4 weeks
  • Initial Costs $188
  • Renewal Costs $140
  • CE Requirements 30 Hours
  • Compact No

How to apply

To secure your Travel Occupational Therapist license in Alabama, you'll be working with the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy. You will submit your application through their online system, Access Gov. Before you start, I recommend initiating your NBCOT verification and gathering your citizenship documents to keep the process moving.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Get the Ball Rolling: Head over to the Access Gov portal to create an account and start your "Initial Licensure" application. You can also download a paper application from the Board's website if you prefer snail mail, but online is faster.
  2. Verify Your Credentials: Request your official certification verification from NBCOT to be sent directly to the Alabama Board. You can do this through your NBCOT certificant portal. If you hold licenses in other states, you must also request verification of licensure from each of those states.
  3. Prove Your Citizenship: Alabama requires proof of citizenship or legal presence for all applicants. You will need to upload or mail a copy of a valid document, such as your Driver's License, Passport, or Birth Certificate.
  4. Hit Submit: Once you've filled out the application and attached your citizenship proof, pay the application fee to submit your file. The Board reviews applications as they are completed, so ensure all your third-party verifications arrive promptly.

What You'll Need & Key Details

  • Documents to Have Ready: A digital copy of your Driver's License or Passport (for citizenship proof), your social security number, and your employment history for the last 5 years.
  • Items to Request: Official NBCOT Verification (sent directly to the Board) and License Verifications from any other states where you have practiced.
  • Exams: Alabama does not currently require a separate Jurisprudence Exam for OT licensure, but you must attest to reading and understanding the state Practice Act.

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

  • Application Fee: $140
  • Background Check / Fingerprinting: $48 (approximate)
  • Jurisprudence Exam: $0
  • Verifications: $0
  • Total Estimated Initial Cost: $188

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

When to Renew: Alabama Occupational Therapist renewal happens every two years and is due by 60 days prior to the license expiration date (typically February 28 or August 31).

Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $140.

Note: Be careful—the deadline is two months before your actual license expires, and a late fee applies immediately after that date!

30 Contact Hours required every 2 years.

Deadline: The last day of your birth month, biennially (even or odd year depends on your license expiration).

Live vs. Online: Great news for those managing Travel Occupational Therapist CEUs: Alabama currently allows all 30 hours to be completed through home study or online courses, provided they are from approved providers.

Provider Restrictions: Alabama requires courses to be relevant to the practice of occupational therapy. The board automatically accepts courses from the AOTA and ASHT. MedBridge is an AOTA-approved provider and is a preferred choice for travelers due to its mobile-friendly platform.

Mandatory Topics

  • No specific mandatory topics—choose what interests you!


Excluded Topics: CPR, basic life support, business or office management, marketing, and personal finance.

New Licensee Rule: If you are a new grad or newly licensed in Alabama, your CEU requirement is prorated at 1.25 contact hours per month for the duration of your first license period.

Reporting: Alabama utilizes CE Broker for digital tracking. While you should maintain your own records for 4 years, ensure your completions are logged in the CE Broker portal for a seamless renewal.

Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Alabama State 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 Occupational Therapist license in Alabama, you'll be working with the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy. You will submit your application through their online system, Access Gov. Before you start, I recommend initiating your NBCOT verification and gathering your citizenship documents to keep the process moving.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Get the Ball Rolling: Head over to the Access Gov portal to create an account and start your "Initial Licensure" application. You can also download a paper application from the Board's website if you prefer snail mail, but online is faster.
  2. Verify Your Credentials: Request your official certification verification from NBCOT to be sent directly to the Alabama Board. You can do this through your NBCOT certificant portal. If you hold licenses in other states, you must also request verification of licensure from each of those states.
  3. Prove Your Citizenship: Alabama requires proof of citizenship or legal presence for all applicants. You will need to upload or mail a copy of a valid document, such as your Driver's License, Passport, or Birth Certificate.
  4. Hit Submit: Once you've filled out the application and attached your citizenship proof, pay the application fee to submit your file. The Board reviews applications as they are completed, so ensure all your third-party verifications arrive promptly.

What You'll Need & Key Details

  • Documents to Have Ready: A digital copy of your Driver's License or Passport (for citizenship proof), your social security number, and your employment history for the last 5 years.
  • Items to Request: Official NBCOT Verification (sent directly to the Board) and License Verifications from any other states where you have practiced.
  • Exams: Alabama does not currently require a separate Jurisprudence Exam for OT licensure, but you must attest to reading and understanding the state Practice Act.

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

  • Application Fee: $140
  • Background Check / Fingerprinting: $48 (approximate)
  • Jurisprudence Exam: $0
  • Verifications: $0
  • Total Estimated Initial Cost: $188

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

When to Renew: Alabama Occupational Therapist renewal happens every two years and is due by 60 days prior to the license expiration date (typically February 28 or August 31).

Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $140.

Note: Be careful—the deadline is two months before your actual license expires, and a late fee applies immediately after that date!

30 Contact Hours required every 2 years.

Deadline: The last day of your birth month, biennially (even or odd year depends on your license expiration).

Live vs. Online: Great news for those managing Travel Occupational Therapist CEUs: Alabama currently allows all 30 hours to be completed through home study or online courses, provided they are from approved providers.

Provider Restrictions: Alabama requires courses to be relevant to the practice of occupational therapy. The board automatically accepts courses from the AOTA and ASHT. MedBridge is an AOTA-approved provider and is a preferred choice for travelers due to its mobile-friendly platform.

Mandatory Topics

  • No specific mandatory topics—choose what interests you!


Excluded Topics: CPR, basic life support, business or office management, marketing, and personal finance.

New Licensee Rule: If you are a new grad or newly licensed in Alabama, your CEU requirement is prorated at 1.25 contact hours per month for the duration of your first license period.

Reporting: Alabama utilizes CE Broker for digital tracking. While you should maintain your own records for 4 years, ensure your completions are logged in the CE Broker portal for a seamless renewal.

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


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

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