Pennsylvania OT License Renewal: Deadlines, CE, and Fees (2026)
- Pennsylvania-licensed occupational therapists approaching their June 30 renewal deadline
- Travel OTs holding a Pennsylvania OT license who need to renew before an upcoming assignment
- OTs whose Pennsylvania license has lapsed and who are exploring reactivation options
Pennsylvania OT License Renewal — At a Glance
Last verified: June 2026 — Verify at Pennsylvania DOS
| Renewal Cycle | Every 2 years (biennial) |
| Renewal Fee | $55.00 (indicated on renewal application in PALS) |
| License Expiration | June 30 of every odd-numbered year (fixed date — not birthday-based) |
| Grace Period / Late Fee | No grace period stated; no OT-specific late fee confirmed — contact Board for expired license options |
| Renewal Notice | Board emails renewal notices approximately 60 days before expiration to the email on file in PALS |
| CE Hours Required | 24 hours per biennial period |
| Mandatory CE Topics | 2 hours: Board-approved child abuse recognition and reporting (Act 31) |
| Approved CE Providers | AOTA Approved Provider Program; ASHT; ADED; other Board-approved providers |
| Renewal Method | Online only — PALS at pals.pa.gov |
| Renewal Contact | st-occupational@pa.gov | (717) 783-1389 | pals.pa.gov |
- ✓ Complete 24 CE hours during the biennial period
- ✓ Include 2 hours of Board-approved child abuse recognition and reporting CE (Act 31) — must be taken through an approved provider who submits completion directly to the Board
- ✓ Maintain required professional liability insurance ($1,000,000/occurrence minimum — no exemptions)
- ✓ Verify your email address is current in your PALS account
- ✓ Log in to PALS at pals.pa.gov to complete your renewal application
- ✓ Pay the $55 renewal fee
- ✓ Submit before June 30 of the renewal year
- ✓ Retain CE documentation in case of audit
Pennsylvania OT Renewal Cost Summary
| Renewal Fee | $55.00 |
| Act 31 CE (2 hours mandatory) | Varies by provider |
Renewal fee sourced from the Pennsylvania DOS OT licensure snapshot. CE costs vary by provider.
Pennsylvania OT licenses renew every two years and expire on June 30 of odd-numbered years. All renewals are completed online through PALS at pals.pa.gov. The renewal fee is $55, and the Board emails renewal notices to licensees approximately 60 days before the expiration date using the email address on file in PALS.
Renewal requires 24 hours of continuing education per biennial period. Two of those hours carry a mandatory topic requirement: Board-approved child abuse recognition and reporting education under Act 31. This is the same topic required for initial licensure, where 3 hours are required — but at renewal, only 2 hours are required in each biennial period. All CE documentation should be retained in case the Board conducts an audit.
One notable Pennsylvania feature: NBCOT certification maintenance is not required for renewal. You needed to pass NBCOT once to obtain your initial Pennsylvania license, but Pennsylvania does not require ongoing recertification to renew. This reduces the renewal burden compared to states that tie license renewal to active national certification.
OT Compact and Pennsylvania License Renewal
Pennsylvania is not currently listed as an active OT Compact member state as of June 2026. There are no compact renewal implications for Pennsylvania OT licensees at this time. Verify current compact status with the Board and at otcompact.gov.
If Pennsylvania joins and implements the Compact in the future, licensees seeking to use compact privileges in other states will need to maintain their Pennsylvania license in active, good-standing status. This page will be updated when Pennsylvania’s compact status changes.
Continuing Education Requirements for Renewal
Pennsylvania requires 24 CE hours per biennial renewal period. The requirements include:
- 2 hours in Board-approved child abuse recognition and reporting education (Act 31) — mandatory every renewal period. CE must be completed through an approved provider who electronically submits your completion directly to the Board. The Board will not accept certificates uploaded by licensees.
- The remaining 22 hours from any Board-approved CE source
Additionally, you must maintain required professional liability insurance ($1,000,000 per occurrence or claims made minimum) throughout the renewal period. The 2025 Renewal Guide states: “You MUST maintain the required professional liability insurance to hold an active occupational therapy license in the Commonwealth of PA. There are no exemptions to this requirement.” Source: 2025 OT Renewal Guide (PDF)
Approved CE sources include the American Occupational Therapy Association’s (AOTA) Approved Provider Program, the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT), the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED), and other Board-approved providers. The full list of Act 31-approved CE providers is published at pa.gov Act 31 CE Providers.
The Board’s published CE materials reviewed for this guide did not identify a specific cap on self-study, online, or other CE categories. Licensees should verify current requirements in the Board’s CE guidance before renewal. Source: Pennsylvania OT Board Renewal Information
How to Renew Your Pennsylvania OT License
- Complete your 24 CE hours during the biennial period, including 2 hours of Act 31 child abuse recognition and reporting CE. CE must be taken through a Board-approved provider who submits your completion directly to the Board — you cannot upload certificates yourself.
- Retain your CE certificates and documentation in case of Board audit.
- Ensure your email address in your PALS account is current — renewal notices are sent by email approximately 60 days before expiration.
- Log in to pals.pa.gov and complete the renewal application.
- Pay the $55 renewal fee through PALS.
- Submit before June 30 of the renewal year. Postal Service does not forward licenses — update your address in PALS if you have moved.
Questions? Contact the Board at st-occupational@pa.gov or (717) 783-1389.
What Happens If You Miss the Pennsylvania OT Renewal Deadline?
Pennsylvania OT licenses expire on June 30 of odd-numbered years. If you do not renew before that date:
- Your license lapses. An expired or inactive Pennsylvania OT license means you may not practice occupational therapy in Pennsylvania.
- Standard renewal is no longer available. Expired or inactive licenses require reactivation, not standard renewal.
- Reactivation is handled through PALS. Log in to your PALS account and click the pencil icon next to your license number to start the reactivation process online.
- Long-term lapse triggers exam requirement. Per Board FAQ, a licensee whose license has been inactive or expired for 4 or more years and who has not practiced in another state during that time must pass the licensure examination as outlined in 49 Pa. Code § 42.16(i) before reactivation. Contact the Board if this applies to you.
- No OT-specific late fee was confirmed in official sources. Contact the Board directly for current reactivation requirements and any applicable fees.
Contact the Board at st-occupational@pa.gov or (717) 783-1389 if your license has lapsed and you need guidance on next steps. Source: Pennsylvania OT Board Renewal Information
Practical Notes
- Professional liability insurance is a renewal requirement too. The 2025 Renewal Guide states explicitly: “You MUST maintain the required professional liability insurance to hold an active occupational therapy license in the Commonwealth of PA. There are no exemptions.” Confirm your coverage remains active before renewing.
- Keep your PALS email current. Renewal notices are sent electronically to the address on file approximately 60 days before expiration. If your email is outdated, you may miss your renewal notice — but the June 30 deadline does not change.
- The Act 31 CE requirement repeats every renewal — and you cannot self-submit. Two hours of Act 31 CE are required every biennial period. Critically, you must take it through a Board-approved provider who electronically submits your completion to the Board. The Board will not accept certificates you upload yourself. Confirm your chosen provider is on the approved list before enrolling.
- NBCOT recertification is not required. Pennsylvania does not require active NBCOT certification for renewal. If you let your NBCOT certification lapse, your Pennsylvania license remains renewable as long as you meet Pennsylvania’s own CE requirements.
- Retain all CE documentation. The Board may audit CE compliance. Keep your CE certificates for at least the current renewal period and ideally the prior one as well.
- Reactivation is fully online. If your license lapses, reactivation is handled through PALS — no paper process required. Log in to your PALS account to begin.
- Pennsylvania is not yet compact. If Pennsylvania joins the OT Compact in the future, maintaining an active Pennsylvania license will be required to use compact privileges in other states. Renewing on time will matter even more in that scenario.
Relevant Statutes and Regulations
- 49 Pa. Code § 42.16 — Biennial Renewal; Inactive Status; Failure to Renew
- 49 Pa. Code Chapter 42 — State Board of Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure Rules
- Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Practice Act — 63 P.S. §§ 1501–1519
- Act 31 — Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting CE Providers
Related Pages
- Pennsylvania Occupational Therapist License — Initial Licensing Requirements
- Ohio OT License Renewal Guide
- Occupational Therapist Licensing by State — Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
When does my Pennsylvania OT license expire?
Pennsylvania OT licenses expire on June 30 of every odd-numbered year — for example, June 30, 2027. This is a fixed-date cycle that applies to all Pennsylvania OT licensees, not a birthday-based expiration. Source: Pennsylvania OT Board Renewal Information
Does my Pennsylvania OT license expire on my birthday?
No. Pennsylvania uses a fixed-date expiration system. All Pennsylvania OT licenses expire on June 30 of odd-numbered years, regardless of when you were born or when your license was originally issued. Source: Pennsylvania OT Board Renewal Information
How many CE hours do I need to renew my Pennsylvania OT license?
Twenty-four CE hours are required per biennial renewal period. Of those 24 hours, 2 must be Board-approved child abuse recognition and reporting education under Act 31. There is no requirement to maintain NBCOT certification for renewal. Source: Pennsylvania OT Licensure Snapshot
Do I need to maintain my NBCOT certification to renew my Pennsylvania OT license?
No. Pennsylvania does not require maintenance of NBCOT certification for license renewal. The NBCOT exam is required once for initial licensure, but Pennsylvania’s renewal requirements are based on state CE requirements — not on active NBCOT certification status. Source: Pennsylvania OT Board Resources and Documents
What is the renewal fee for a Pennsylvania OT license?
The renewal fee is $55.00, paid through PALS at pals.pa.gov. Current fees are confirmed on the renewal application in PALS at the time of renewal. Source: Pennsylvania OT Licensure Snapshot
What happens if my Pennsylvania OT license expires?
If your Pennsylvania OT license expires, you may not practice occupational therapy in the state. Standard renewal is no longer available for expired licenses. Reactivation is required and is handled online through your PALS account — log in and click the pencil icon next to your license number to begin the reactivation process. Contact the Board at (717) 783-1389 or st-occupational@pa.gov for guidance on current reactivation requirements. Source: Pennsylvania OT Board Renewal Information
Does Pennsylvania’s OT Compact status affect my renewal?
As of June 2026, Pennsylvania is not a member of the OT Compact, so compact renewal implications do not apply. Pennsylvania renewal follows standard PALS procedures. If Pennsylvania joins the Compact in the future, maintaining an active license will be required to hold compact privileges in other member states. Monitor status at otcompact.gov.