Occupational Therapist Licensure in North Carolina
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Timeline 6-9 weeks
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Initial Costs $168
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Renewal Costs $50
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CE Requirements 15 Points
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Compact No
How to apply
To secure your Travel Occupational Therapist license in North Carolina, you'll be working with the North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy. You will submit your application through their online portal. Before you start, I recommend lining up two professional references for your moral character forms and requesting your NBCOT scores.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Get the Ball Rolling: Unlike some states where you just create an account, North Carolina requires you to "purchase" an application first. Head over to the Board's website to request access. Once you pay the small application request fee, they will email you your specific login credentials.
- Ace the Jurisprudence Exam: Using the login details you received, access the portal. You will need to pass the North Carolina Jurisprudence Exam. Don't stress—it is administered online through the website and there is no extra fee to take it.
- Hit Submit: Complete the online application forms and pay the licensure fee. This is where you'll upload your photo and enter your personal details.
- Moral Character Forms: You cannot do this alone! You need two (2) separate Occupational Therapists or Occupational Therapy Assistants to complete "Moral Character Forms" vouching for you. These must be submitted to the Board, so reach out to your favorite former colleagues now.
- Third-Party Verifications: Request your official score transfer from NBCOT to be sent directly to North Carolina. If you are licensed in other states, you may need to request verification of licensure from those boards as well.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A recent passport-style photograph and your employment history.
- Items to Request: Official NBCOT scores (sent directly by NBCOT) and two Moral Character Forms completed by licensed OTs or OTAs.
- Exams: You must pass the online Jurisprudence Exam covering the NC Practice Act and Rules.
- Important Note: Do not send your university transcripts to the Board; they rely on your NBCOT verification for educational proof.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in North Carolina:
- Application Fee: $100
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $38 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $30 (approximate)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $168
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: North Carolina Occupational Therapist renewal happens annually and is due by June 30th each year.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $50.
Note: Ensure you complete your 15 points of continuing education before the deadline, as North Carolina does not offer a grace period for practice with an expired license.
CE Requirements
15 Points required every year.
Deadline: June 30th annually.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Occupational Therapist CEUs: you can complete all 15 points through online, self-study courses! There is currently no cap on home-study or recorded webinars.
Provider Restrictions: The North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy (NCBOT) does not pre-approve specific providers. They accept activities that are "directly related to the practice of occupational therapy." Courses from AOTA-approved providers or clinical platforms like MedBridge are widely accepted and recommended for travelers.
Mandatory Topics
- Jurisprudence: While there is no specific point value required, you must attest during your renewal that you have read and understand the current North Carolina Occupational Therapy Practice Act and Rules.
- No specific mandatory clinical topics: Aside from the legal attestation, you are free to choose clinical topics that interest you!
Excluded Topics: Points are not granted for CPR, First Aid, business or office management, marketing, personal finance, or general "self-help" courses.
New Licensee Rule: If you are a new grad or newly licensed in North Carolina, your points are prorated at a rate of 1.25 points per month for your first renewal cycle.
Reporting: North Carolina is an audit-based state. You will attest to your completed points during the online renewal process. You do not need to upload certificates unless you are selected for a random audit, in which case you must provide documentation for the previous two years.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy:
- Address: 4140 ParkLake Avenue, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27612
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (919) 832-1380
- Fax: (919) 833-1059
- Email: administrator@ncbot.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 North Carolina, you'll be working with the North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy. You will submit your application through their online portal. Before you start, I recommend lining up two professional references for your moral character forms and requesting your NBCOT scores.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Get the Ball Rolling: Unlike some states where you just create an account, North Carolina requires you to "purchase" an application first. Head over to the Board's website to request access. Once you pay the small application request fee, they will email you your specific login credentials.
- Ace the Jurisprudence Exam: Using the login details you received, access the portal. You will need to pass the North Carolina Jurisprudence Exam. Don't stress—it is administered online through the website and there is no extra fee to take it.
- Hit Submit: Complete the online application forms and pay the licensure fee. This is where you'll upload your photo and enter your personal details.
- Moral Character Forms: You cannot do this alone! You need two (2) separate Occupational Therapists or Occupational Therapy Assistants to complete "Moral Character Forms" vouching for you. These must be submitted to the Board, so reach out to your favorite former colleagues now.
- Third-Party Verifications: Request your official score transfer from NBCOT to be sent directly to North Carolina. If you are licensed in other states, you may need to request verification of licensure from those boards as well.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A recent passport-style photograph and your employment history.
- Items to Request: Official NBCOT scores (sent directly by NBCOT) and two Moral Character Forms completed by licensed OTs or OTAs.
- Exams: You must pass the online Jurisprudence Exam covering the NC Practice Act and Rules.
- Important Note: Do not send your university transcripts to the Board; they rely on your NBCOT verification for educational proof.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in North Carolina:
- Application Fee: $100
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $38 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $30 (approximate)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $168
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: North Carolina Occupational Therapist renewal happens annually and is due by June 30th each year.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $50.
Note: Ensure you complete your 15 points of continuing education before the deadline, as North Carolina does not offer a grace period for practice with an expired license.
CE Requirements
15 Points required every year.
Deadline: June 30th annually.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Occupational Therapist CEUs: you can complete all 15 points through online, self-study courses! There is currently no cap on home-study or recorded webinars.
Provider Restrictions: The North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy (NCBOT) does not pre-approve specific providers. They accept activities that are "directly related to the practice of occupational therapy." Courses from AOTA-approved providers or clinical platforms like MedBridge are widely accepted and recommended for travelers.
Mandatory Topics
- Jurisprudence: While there is no specific point value required, you must attest during your renewal that you have read and understand the current North Carolina Occupational Therapy Practice Act and Rules.
- No specific mandatory clinical topics: Aside from the legal attestation, you are free to choose clinical topics that interest you!
Excluded Topics: Points are not granted for CPR, First Aid, business or office management, marketing, personal finance, or general "self-help" courses.
New Licensee Rule: If you are a new grad or newly licensed in North Carolina, your points are prorated at a rate of 1.25 points per month for your first renewal cycle.
Reporting: North Carolina is an audit-based state. You will attest to your completed points during the online renewal process. You do not need to upload certificates unless you are selected for a random audit, in which case you must provide documentation for the previous two years.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy:
- Address: 4140 ParkLake Avenue, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27612
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (919) 832-1380
- Fax: (919) 833-1059
- Email: administrator@ncbot.org
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.