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Occupational Therapist Licensure in North Dakota

  • Timeline 6-9 weeks
  • Initial Costs $220
  • Renewal Costs $150
  • CE Requirements 20 Hours
  • Compact No

How to apply

To secure your Travel Occupational Therapist license in North Dakota, you'll be working with the North Dakota State Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. You will submit your application through their Online Application Portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Kick Off the Application: Head over to the online portal to create your account and start the application. Be prepared to print a signature page or affidavit that may need to be notarized (you can usually find a notary at your local bank).
  2. Request Verifications: You'll need to prove your credentials. Log into your NBCOT account and request a verification of certification be sent to North Dakota. Additionally, if you hold licenses in other states, request verification from those boards as well.
  3. Handle the Background Check: North Dakota requires a Criminal History Record Check. Follow the specific instructions provided during the application process, which typically involves submitting fingerprint cards to the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).
  4. Ace the Jurisprudence Exam: You will need to pass a Jurisprudence Exam covering the state's laws and rules. Don't stress—it is an open-book exam that you can complete as part of the licensure process.

What You'll Need & Key Details

  • Documents to Have Ready: A valid Driver's License or ID, your Social Security Number, and your employment history for the past few years.
  • Items to Request: Official Transcripts (must be sent directly from your school), NBCOT Verification, and License Verifications from other states where you have practiced.
  • Exams: You must pass the North Dakota Jurisprudence Exam (open book).

Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in North Dakota:

  • Application Fee: $150
  • Background Check / Fingerprinting: $30 (approximate)
  • Jurisprudence Exam: $0
  • Verifications: $40 (approximate)
  • Total Estimated Initial Cost: $220

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

When to Renew: North Dakota Occupational Therapist renewal happens biennially on even-numbered years and is due by June 1.

Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $150.

Note: Watch out—while the license technically expires on June 30, you must renew by June 1 to avoid a significant late fee.

20 Contact Hours required every 2 years.

Deadline: June 30th of even-numbered years.

Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Occupational Therapist CEUs: there is currently no limit on home-study or online courses. You can complete all 20 contact hours through pre-recorded webinars or text-based modules.

Provider Restrictions: Courses must be relevant to the practice of occupational therapy. The board accepts courses from AOTA-approved providers, state OT associations, and accredited universities. General portals like MedBridge are accepted and highly recommended for travelers managing multiple licenses.

Mandatory Topics

  • No specific mandatory topics—choose what interests you!
  • Jurisprudence: While a jurisprudence exam is required for initial licensure, it is not a recurring requirement for every renewal cycle.


Excluded Topics: Activities that are not professional in nature, such as business meetings, marketing, social events, or CPR/First Aid certification, do not count toward your professional development requirements.

New Licensee Rule: If you are a new grad or a traveler receiving your first North Dakota license, your requirements are prorated. If licensed for less than one year of the cycle, you need 10 contact hours; if licensed for more than one year but less than two, the full 20 hours are required.

Reporting: North Dakota 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 4 years in case you are selected for verification.

Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the North Dakota State Board of OT Practice:


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 Dakota, you'll be working with the North Dakota State Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. You will submit your application through their Online Application Portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Kick Off the Application: Head over to the online portal to create your account and start the application. Be prepared to print a signature page or affidavit that may need to be notarized (you can usually find a notary at your local bank).
  2. Request Verifications: You'll need to prove your credentials. Log into your NBCOT account and request a verification of certification be sent to North Dakota. Additionally, if you hold licenses in other states, request verification from those boards as well.
  3. Handle the Background Check: North Dakota requires a Criminal History Record Check. Follow the specific instructions provided during the application process, which typically involves submitting fingerprint cards to the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).
  4. Ace the Jurisprudence Exam: You will need to pass a Jurisprudence Exam covering the state's laws and rules. Don't stress—it is an open-book exam that you can complete as part of the licensure process.

What You'll Need & Key Details

  • Documents to Have Ready: A valid Driver's License or ID, your Social Security Number, and your employment history for the past few years.
  • Items to Request: Official Transcripts (must be sent directly from your school), NBCOT Verification, and License Verifications from other states where you have practiced.
  • Exams: You must pass the North Dakota Jurisprudence Exam (open book).

Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in North Dakota:

  • Application Fee: $150
  • Background Check / Fingerprinting: $30 (approximate)
  • Jurisprudence Exam: $0
  • Verifications: $40 (approximate)
  • Total Estimated Initial Cost: $220

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

When to Renew: North Dakota Occupational Therapist renewal happens biennially on even-numbered years and is due by June 1.

Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $150.

Note: Watch out—while the license technically expires on June 30, you must renew by June 1 to avoid a significant late fee.

20 Contact Hours required every 2 years.

Deadline: June 30th of even-numbered years.

Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Occupational Therapist CEUs: there is currently no limit on home-study or online courses. You can complete all 20 contact hours through pre-recorded webinars or text-based modules.

Provider Restrictions: Courses must be relevant to the practice of occupational therapy. The board accepts courses from AOTA-approved providers, state OT associations, and accredited universities. General portals like MedBridge are accepted and highly recommended for travelers managing multiple licenses.

Mandatory Topics

  • No specific mandatory topics—choose what interests you!
  • Jurisprudence: While a jurisprudence exam is required for initial licensure, it is not a recurring requirement for every renewal cycle.


Excluded Topics: Activities that are not professional in nature, such as business meetings, marketing, social events, or CPR/First Aid certification, do not count toward your professional development requirements.

New Licensee Rule: If you are a new grad or a traveler receiving your first North Dakota license, your requirements are prorated. If licensed for less than one year of the cycle, you need 10 contact hours; if licensed for more than one year but less than two, the full 20 hours are required.

Reporting: North Dakota 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 4 years in case you are selected for verification.

Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the North Dakota State Board of OT Practice:


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

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