Occupational Therapist Licensure in Colorado
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Timeline 4-6 weeks
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Initial Costs $154
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Renewal Costs $60
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CE Requirements 24 Hours
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Compact No
How to apply
To secure your Travel Occupational Therapist license in Colorado, you'll be working with the Colorado Office of Occupational Therapy. You will submit your application through DORA Online Services. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your NBCOT scores to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Create Your Profile: Head over to the DORA Online Services portal to create your account. This is where you’ll fill out your application and upload your documents. Hit submit on the application form once you've double-checked your details.
- Get Fingerprinted: Colorado requires a fingerprint-based background check through the Colorado Applicant Background Services (CABS) program. You must schedule an appointment with an approved vendor like IdentoGO or Colorado Fingerprinting. Do not send fingerprint cards directly to the Board unless explicitly instructed.
- Take the Jurisprudence Exam: You will need to complete the online Jurisprudence Exam, which covers the state's specific laws and rules. This is typically an open-book assessment taken directly through the portal or a link provided during the application process.
- Verify Your Credentials: Request your official score transfer directly from NBCOT to be sent to the Colorado Board. Additionally, if you hold licenses in other states, you'll need to request verification from those state boards (often via NURSYS for nurses, but for OTs, check the specific state's method).
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Driver's License or government ID, Social Security Number, and your employment history for the past few years.
- Items to Request: Official NBCOT Score Transfer and Verification of Licensure from any other states where you have practiced.
- Exams: Colorado Jurisprudence Exam (online).
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Colorado:
- Application Fee: $60
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $54 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $20
- Verifications: $20 (approximate)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $154
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Colorado Occupational Therapist renewal happens every two years and is due by December 31 of even-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $60.
Note: Colorado offers a 60-day grace period after the expiration date, but it is safer to renew on time to avoid any potential late fees or practice interruptions.
CE Requirements
24 Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: December 31st of even-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Occupational Therapist CEUs: you can do all 24 hours online! Colorado has no limit on distance learning or home-study courses.
Provider Restrictions: Colorado does not "pre-approve" specific courses. Instead, they accept activities from recognized providers like the AOTA or state associations. General portals like MedBridge are widely accepted for meeting the Professional Development Activities (PDA) requirements.
Mandatory Topics
- Reflective Self-Assessment Tool (RSAT): Must be completed once per cycle to identify your learning needs.
- Professional Development Plan (PDP): A written plan based on your RSAT results that guides your 24 hours of study.
- Jurisprudence: You must pass the Colorado Occupational Therapy Jurisprudence Exam during each online renewal application.
Excluded Topics: CPR, basic life support, office management, marketing, business, or personal growth courses do not count toward your 24-hour requirement.
New Licensee Rule: If you are a new grad or newly licensed in Colorado, you are exempt from the Continuing Professional Competency (CPC) requirements for your first renewal cycle.
Reporting: Colorado is Audit-based. You do not need to upload certificates to a portal like CE Broker unless you are specifically selected for an audit. Keep your RSAT, PDP, and certificates for at least 5 years.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Colorado Office of Occupational Therapy:
- Address: 1560 Broadway Ste 1350 Denver, CO 80202-5146
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (303) 894-7800
- Fax: (303) 894-2310
- Email: dora_occupationaltherapists@state.co.us
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 Colorado, you'll be working with the Colorado Office of Occupational Therapy. You will submit your application through DORA Online Services. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your NBCOT scores to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Create Your Profile: Head over to the DORA Online Services portal to create your account. This is where you’ll fill out your application and upload your documents. Hit submit on the application form once you've double-checked your details.
- Get Fingerprinted: Colorado requires a fingerprint-based background check through the Colorado Applicant Background Services (CABS) program. You must schedule an appointment with an approved vendor like IdentoGO or Colorado Fingerprinting. Do not send fingerprint cards directly to the Board unless explicitly instructed.
- Take the Jurisprudence Exam: You will need to complete the online Jurisprudence Exam, which covers the state's specific laws and rules. This is typically an open-book assessment taken directly through the portal or a link provided during the application process.
- Verify Your Credentials: Request your official score transfer directly from NBCOT to be sent to the Colorado Board. Additionally, if you hold licenses in other states, you'll need to request verification from those state boards (often via NURSYS for nurses, but for OTs, check the specific state's method).
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Driver's License or government ID, Social Security Number, and your employment history for the past few years.
- Items to Request: Official NBCOT Score Transfer and Verification of Licensure from any other states where you have practiced.
- Exams: Colorado Jurisprudence Exam (online).
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Colorado:
- Application Fee: $60
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $54 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $20
- Verifications: $20 (approximate)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $154
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Colorado Occupational Therapist renewal happens every two years and is due by December 31 of even-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $60.
Note: Colorado offers a 60-day grace period after the expiration date, but it is safer to renew on time to avoid any potential late fees or practice interruptions.
CE Requirements
24 Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: December 31st of even-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Occupational Therapist CEUs: you can do all 24 hours online! Colorado has no limit on distance learning or home-study courses.
Provider Restrictions: Colorado does not "pre-approve" specific courses. Instead, they accept activities from recognized providers like the AOTA or state associations. General portals like MedBridge are widely accepted for meeting the Professional Development Activities (PDA) requirements.
Mandatory Topics
- Reflective Self-Assessment Tool (RSAT): Must be completed once per cycle to identify your learning needs.
- Professional Development Plan (PDP): A written plan based on your RSAT results that guides your 24 hours of study.
- Jurisprudence: You must pass the Colorado Occupational Therapy Jurisprudence Exam during each online renewal application.
Excluded Topics: CPR, basic life support, office management, marketing, business, or personal growth courses do not count toward your 24-hour requirement.
New Licensee Rule: If you are a new grad or newly licensed in Colorado, you are exempt from the Continuing Professional Competency (CPC) requirements for your first renewal cycle.
Reporting: Colorado is Audit-based. You do not need to upload certificates to a portal like CE Broker unless you are specifically selected for an audit. Keep your RSAT, PDP, and certificates for at least 5 years.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Colorado Office of Occupational Therapy:
- Address: 1560 Broadway Ste 1350 Denver, CO 80202-5146
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (303) 894-7800
- Fax: (303) 894-2310
- Email: dora_occupationaltherapists@state.co.us
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.