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Occupational Therapist Licensure in New York

  • Timeline 9 weeks or more
  • Initial Costs $395
  • Renewal Costs $224
  • CE Requirements 36 Hours
  • Compact No

How to apply

To secure your Travel Occupational Therapist license in New York, you'll be working with the New York State Office of the Professions. You will submit your application through their Online Form 1 Application system. Before you start, I recommend initiating your NBCOT score transfer and contacting your school for transcripts to get the ball rolling.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Submit Your Application: Head over to the online portal to complete "Form 1." This is your main application where you'll enter your personal details, answer moral character questions, and pay the application fee. Hit submit to open your file with the state.
  2. Request Official Transcripts: You cannot send these yourself. Contact your university's Registrar and ask them to complete "Form 2" (Certification of Professional Education) and send it directly to the New York State Education Department.
  3. Verify Your Certification: Log in to your NBCOT account and request a score transfer. These scores must be sent directly from NBCOT to the New York Board; they won't accept a copy from you.
  4. Wait for Review: New York does not typically require fingerprinting for Occupational Therapists, but they will review your answers to the moral character questions. Keep an eye on your email for any requests for additional information.

What You'll Need & Key Details

  • Documents to Have Ready: Driver's License, Social Security Number, and details of your employment history for the application.
  • Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent by your school) and NBCOT Scores (sent by the board).
  • Exams: You must have passed the NBCOT OTR examination. No additional Jurisprudence Exam is required for New York.

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

  • Application Fee: $294
  • Background Check / Fingerprinting: $101 (approximate)
  • Jurisprudence Exam: $0
  • Verifications: $0
  • Total Estimated Initial Cost: $395

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

When to Renew: New York Occupational Therapist renewal happens every 3 years and is due by the last day of your birth month.

Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $224.

Note: There is no grace period for practicing with an expired registration, and a late fee of $10 per month applies for delays.

36 Hours required every 3 years.

Deadline: The last day of your birth month during your triennial registration period.

Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Occupational Therapist CEUs: New York allows all 36 hours to be completed via self-study (online) as long as the courses are from NYSED-approved providers.

Provider Restrictions: Courses must be taken from a provider specifically approved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). General portals like MedBridge are accepted as they are a pre-approved NYSED provider.

Mandatory Topics

  • Infection Control (Required every 4 years)
  • Child Abuse Identification and Reporting (A one-time requirement for initial licensure; verify this is on file with the state)
  • Jurisprudence: No specific law exam or ethics quiz is required for renewal.


Excluded Topics: CPR, First Aid, business/office management, marketing, and personal financial planning.

New Licensee Rule: Licensed OTs are exempt from the continuing competency requirement for their first triennial registration period immediately following initial licensure.

Reporting: New York uses an audit-based system. You do not need to submit certificates at the time of renewal, but you must maintain your records for at least 6 years in case of an audit.

Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the State Board Office For 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 New York, you'll be working with the New York State Office of the Professions. You will submit your application through their Online Form 1 Application system. Before you start, I recommend initiating your NBCOT score transfer and contacting your school for transcripts to get the ball rolling.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Submit Your Application: Head over to the online portal to complete "Form 1." This is your main application where you'll enter your personal details, answer moral character questions, and pay the application fee. Hit submit to open your file with the state.
  2. Request Official Transcripts: You cannot send these yourself. Contact your university's Registrar and ask them to complete "Form 2" (Certification of Professional Education) and send it directly to the New York State Education Department.
  3. Verify Your Certification: Log in to your NBCOT account and request a score transfer. These scores must be sent directly from NBCOT to the New York Board; they won't accept a copy from you.
  4. Wait for Review: New York does not typically require fingerprinting for Occupational Therapists, but they will review your answers to the moral character questions. Keep an eye on your email for any requests for additional information.

What You'll Need & Key Details

  • Documents to Have Ready: Driver's License, Social Security Number, and details of your employment history for the application.
  • Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent by your school) and NBCOT Scores (sent by the board).
  • Exams: You must have passed the NBCOT OTR examination. No additional Jurisprudence Exam is required for New York.

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

  • Application Fee: $294
  • Background Check / Fingerprinting: $101 (approximate)
  • Jurisprudence Exam: $0
  • Verifications: $0
  • Total Estimated Initial Cost: $395

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

When to Renew: New York Occupational Therapist renewal happens every 3 years and is due by the last day of your birth month.

Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $224.

Note: There is no grace period for practicing with an expired registration, and a late fee of $10 per month applies for delays.

36 Hours required every 3 years.

Deadline: The last day of your birth month during your triennial registration period.

Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Occupational Therapist CEUs: New York allows all 36 hours to be completed via self-study (online) as long as the courses are from NYSED-approved providers.

Provider Restrictions: Courses must be taken from a provider specifically approved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). General portals like MedBridge are accepted as they are a pre-approved NYSED provider.

Mandatory Topics

  • Infection Control (Required every 4 years)
  • Child Abuse Identification and Reporting (A one-time requirement for initial licensure; verify this is on file with the state)
  • Jurisprudence: No specific law exam or ethics quiz is required for renewal.


Excluded Topics: CPR, First Aid, business/office management, marketing, and personal financial planning.

New Licensee Rule: Licensed OTs are exempt from the continuing competency requirement for their first triennial registration period immediately following initial licensure.

Reporting: New York uses an audit-based system. You do not need to submit certificates at the time of renewal, but you must maintain your records for at least 6 years in case of an audit.

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


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

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