Occupational Therapist Licensure in California
-
Timeline 6-9 weeks
-
Initial Costs $344
-
Renewal Costs $330
-
CE Requirements 24 Units
-
Compact No
How to apply
To secure your Travel Occupational Therapist license in California, you'll be working with the California Board of Occupational Therapy. You will submit your application through the BreEZe Online Services portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Get Your Documents Moving: Head over to your university registrar and request your official transcripts be sent directly to the Board. While you're at it, log into your NBCOT portal and request a Score Transfer to California. These third-party documents often take the longest, so it's best to handle them first.
- The Background Check: If you are already in California, you will complete a "Live Scan" (electronic fingerprinting). If you are out of state, you must request hard copy fingerprint cards from the Board and mail them in. Note that if you use physical cards, there is an additional processing fee payable to the Board, whereas Live Scan fees are paid directly to the vendor.
- Hit Submit Online: Create an account on the BreEZe portal and complete the application. You'll pay your application fee here and can track your status. Make sure all your personal information matches your supporting documents exactly to avoid delays.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Driver's License, Social Security Number, and a digital passport-style photo (often required for your file).
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school) and NBCOT Score Transfer.
- Exams: Good news—there is currently no Jurisprudence Exam required for OTs in California.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in California:
- Application Fee: $50
- Initial License Fee: $220
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $74 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $344
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: California Occupational Therapist renewal happens every two years and is due by the last day of your birth month (in odd or even years corresponding to your birth year).
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $330.
Note: Watch out—California does not have a grace period, so a delinquent fee applies immediately if you miss the deadline!
CE Requirements
24 PDUs required every two years.
Deadline: The last day of your birth month in even or odd years, depending on your year of birth.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Occupational Therapist CEUs: California currently has no limit on home-study or online courses. You can complete all 24 PDUs through online platforms.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be relevant to the practice of Occupational Therapy. The Board accepts units from AOTA-approved providers and the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC). General portals like MedBridge are accepted as long as the content meets the Board's criteria for professional development.
Mandatory Topics
- Direct Service Delivery: (At least 12 PDUs must be directly related to the delivery of occupational therapy services).
- Implicit Bias: (1 PDU required as a one-time requirement for renewals).
- Ethics: (While not a set number of units, the Board requires adherence to the Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics).
Excluded Topics: PDUs are not granted for CPR, first aid, basic business or office management, marketing, or personal self-help/self-growth courses.
New Licensee Rule: If your first renewal period is less than 24 months, your PDU requirement is prorated at 1 PDU per month of licensure.
Reporting: California uses an audit-based system. You are responsible for tracking your own units and must maintain your completion certificates for 4 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 California Board of Occupational Therapy:
- Address: 1610 Arden Way Ste 121 Sacramento, CA 95815-4027
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (916) 263-2294
- Fax: (916) 567-9534
- Email: cbot@dca.ca.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.
Start your job search
Find vetted recruiters who have the jobs you want!
Get matched with vetted recruiters from multiple agencies who have the most jobs in your preferences!
How to Apply
To secure your Travel Occupational Therapist license in California, you'll be working with the California Board of Occupational Therapy. You will submit your application through the BreEZe Online Services portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Get Your Documents Moving: Head over to your university registrar and request your official transcripts be sent directly to the Board. While you're at it, log into your NBCOT portal and request a Score Transfer to California. These third-party documents often take the longest, so it's best to handle them first.
- The Background Check: If you are already in California, you will complete a "Live Scan" (electronic fingerprinting). If you are out of state, you must request hard copy fingerprint cards from the Board and mail them in. Note that if you use physical cards, there is an additional processing fee payable to the Board, whereas Live Scan fees are paid directly to the vendor.
- Hit Submit Online: Create an account on the BreEZe portal and complete the application. You'll pay your application fee here and can track your status. Make sure all your personal information matches your supporting documents exactly to avoid delays.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Driver's License, Social Security Number, and a digital passport-style photo (often required for your file).
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school) and NBCOT Score Transfer.
- Exams: Good news—there is currently no Jurisprudence Exam required for OTs in California.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in California:
- Application Fee: $50
- Initial License Fee: $220
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $74 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $344
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: California Occupational Therapist renewal happens every two years and is due by the last day of your birth month (in odd or even years corresponding to your birth year).
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $330.
Note: Watch out—California does not have a grace period, so a delinquent fee applies immediately if you miss the deadline!
CE Requirements
24 PDUs required every two years.
Deadline: The last day of your birth month in even or odd years, depending on your year of birth.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Occupational Therapist CEUs: California currently has no limit on home-study or online courses. You can complete all 24 PDUs through online platforms.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be relevant to the practice of Occupational Therapy. The Board accepts units from AOTA-approved providers and the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC). General portals like MedBridge are accepted as long as the content meets the Board's criteria for professional development.
Mandatory Topics
- Direct Service Delivery: (At least 12 PDUs must be directly related to the delivery of occupational therapy services).
- Implicit Bias: (1 PDU required as a one-time requirement for renewals).
- Ethics: (While not a set number of units, the Board requires adherence to the Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics).
Excluded Topics: PDUs are not granted for CPR, first aid, basic business or office management, marketing, or personal self-help/self-growth courses.
New Licensee Rule: If your first renewal period is less than 24 months, your PDU requirement is prorated at 1 PDU per month of licensure.
Reporting: California uses an audit-based system. You are responsible for tracking your own units and must maintain your completion certificates for 4 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 California Board of Occupational Therapy:
- Address: 1610 Arden Way Ste 121 Sacramento, CA 95815-4027
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (916) 263-2294
- Fax: (916) 567-9534
- Email: cbot@dca.ca.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.