Occupational Therapist Licensure in Arkansas
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Timeline 6-9 weeks
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Initial Costs $141
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Renewal Costs $65
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CE Requirements 10 Hours
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Compact No
How to apply
To secure your Travel Occupational Therapist license in Arkansas, you'll be working with the Arkansas State Medical Board. You will submit your application through the Applicant Portal. Since the background check process involves a mailed packet, I recommend getting your application in early to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Submit Your Application: Head over to the Applicant Portal to create an account and submit your initial application. This is the trigger that starts the rest of the process, so hit submit on this first.
- Criminal Background Check: Unlike many states that use digital scheduling immediately, Arkansas will mail you a fingerprint card packet after they receive your application. Once you get this in the mail, take the card to a local law enforcement agency to have your fingerprints rolled, then mail it back to the Board immediately.
- Request Official Transcripts: Contact your university to have your official transcripts sent directly to the Arkansas State Medical Board. These must come straight from the school to be valid.
- NBCOT Verification: Log in to your NBCOT account and request a Verification of Certification to be sent to the Arkansas Board. This serves as your proof of passing the national exam.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Driver's License, Social Security Number, and a passport-style photo (often required for the file).
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (from your school), NBCOT Verification (from NBCOT).
- Exams: You must have already passed the NBCOT. There is no separate Jurisprudence Exam required for OTs in Arkansas, but you should familiarize yourself with the state practice act.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Arkansas:
- Application Fee: $75
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $36 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $30 (approximate)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $141
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Arkansas Occupational Therapist renewal happens annually and is due by the last day of your birth month.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $65.
Note: Watch out—there is no grace period, so your license will automatically expire if not renewed by midnight on the last day of your birth month.
CE Requirements
10 Continuing Education Hours required every year.
Deadline: The last day of your birth month annually.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Occupational Therapist CEUs: there is currently no cap on home-study or pre-recorded online courses. You can complete all 10 hours online!
Provider Restrictions: Arkansas accepts courses that are relevant to the practice of occupational therapy. While the board does not pre-approve every course, they recognize AOTA-approved providers. General education portals like MedBridge are accepted and commonly used by travelers to meet these requirements.
Mandatory Topics
- No specific mandatory topics—choose what interests you!
Excluded Topics: Business management, marketing, social work, or personal financial planning.
New Licensee Rule: If you are a new graduate or newly licensed in Arkansas, you are exempt from continuing education requirements for your first renewal cycle.
Reporting: Arkansas utilizes CE Broker for tracking and reporting. You must ensure your hours are logged in the system, and it is recommended to keep your certificates 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 Arkansas State Occupational Therapy Examining Committee:
- Address: 1401 W Capitol Ave Ste 340 Little Rock, AR 72201-2948
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (501) 296-1802
- Fax: (916) 263-2701
- Email: support@armedicalboard.org
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 Arkansas, you'll be working with the Arkansas State Medical Board. You will submit your application through the Applicant Portal. Since the background check process involves a mailed packet, I recommend getting your application in early to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Submit Your Application: Head over to the Applicant Portal to create an account and submit your initial application. This is the trigger that starts the rest of the process, so hit submit on this first.
- Criminal Background Check: Unlike many states that use digital scheduling immediately, Arkansas will mail you a fingerprint card packet after they receive your application. Once you get this in the mail, take the card to a local law enforcement agency to have your fingerprints rolled, then mail it back to the Board immediately.
- Request Official Transcripts: Contact your university to have your official transcripts sent directly to the Arkansas State Medical Board. These must come straight from the school to be valid.
- NBCOT Verification: Log in to your NBCOT account and request a Verification of Certification to be sent to the Arkansas Board. This serves as your proof of passing the national exam.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Driver's License, Social Security Number, and a passport-style photo (often required for the file).
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (from your school), NBCOT Verification (from NBCOT).
- Exams: You must have already passed the NBCOT. There is no separate Jurisprudence Exam required for OTs in Arkansas, but you should familiarize yourself with the state practice act.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Arkansas:
- Application Fee: $75
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $36 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $30 (approximate)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $141
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Arkansas Occupational Therapist renewal happens annually and is due by the last day of your birth month.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $65.
Note: Watch out—there is no grace period, so your license will automatically expire if not renewed by midnight on the last day of your birth month.
CE Requirements
10 Continuing Education Hours required every year.
Deadline: The last day of your birth month annually.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Occupational Therapist CEUs: there is currently no cap on home-study or pre-recorded online courses. You can complete all 10 hours online!
Provider Restrictions: Arkansas accepts courses that are relevant to the practice of occupational therapy. While the board does not pre-approve every course, they recognize AOTA-approved providers. General education portals like MedBridge are accepted and commonly used by travelers to meet these requirements.
Mandatory Topics
- No specific mandatory topics—choose what interests you!
Excluded Topics: Business management, marketing, social work, or personal financial planning.
New Licensee Rule: If you are a new graduate or newly licensed in Arkansas, you are exempt from continuing education requirements for your first renewal cycle.
Reporting: Arkansas utilizes CE Broker for tracking and reporting. You must ensure your hours are logged in the system, and it is recommended to keep your certificates 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 Arkansas State Occupational Therapy Examining Committee:
- Address: 1401 W Capitol Ave Ste 340 Little Rock, AR 72201-2948
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (501) 296-1802
- Fax: (916) 263-2701
- Email: support@armedicalboard.org
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.