Georgia OT License Renewal: Deadlines, CE, and Fees (2026)

Georgia OT licenses renew every two years and expire on March 31 of even-numbered years — a fixed date that applies to every Georgia OT and OTA license simultaneously. The on-time renewal fee is $65 plus a $5 online processing fee, totaling $70. All renewals are completed online through the GOALS portal — the Georgia Board states that paper applications are not accepted and will be returned to sender.

Georgia requires 24 CE contact hours per renewal period. The requirements are structured around three categories: at least 12 hours must be in direct patient care content, obtained through live presentations, workshops, conferences, formal academic coursework, or real-time interactive webinars; at least 2 hours must be in ethics; and up to 10 hours may be in the General category, which includes online and home-study formats. CE is tracked through CE Broker — licensees must register and record CE before renewing.

If a Georgia OT license is not renewed by March 31, it is deemed lapsed. Late renewal is available from April 1 through June 30 at the higher late renewal fee. After June 30, the license cannot be renewed through the standard process — a reinstatement application is required. You may not practice with a lapsed Georgia OT license.

OT Compact and Georgia License Renewal

Georgia has enacted OT Compact legislation and is a compact member state, but is not yet actively issuing compact privileges as of June 2026. Standard Georgia renewal procedures apply to all licensees. When Georgia completes compact implementation, maintaining an active, good-standing Georgia license will be required to hold and use compact privileges in other member states. Monitor implementation status at sos.ga.gov/page/occupational-licensure-compact.

Continuing Education Requirements for Renewal

The 24-Hour Requirement

Georgia requires 24 contact hours of CE per biennial renewal period. The hours must meet these category requirements:

• Minimum 12 hours: Direct Patient Care — Must be obtained through attendance at live presentations such as workshops, seminars, conferences, or formal academic coursework, or real-time interactive webinars. These must be live or interactive — online or home-study formats do not count toward the 12-hour direct patient care requirement.
• Minimum 2 hours: Ethics — Ethics of occupational therapy practice. May be obtained through any approved format, including live or online courses.
• Maximum 10 hours: General Category (per Board Rule 671-3-.08) — General CE hours may be obtained through online courses, home-study, pre-recorded webinars, or other non-live formats. General hours may cover any area related to OT practice including supervision, education, documentation, quality assurance, and administration.

Note: The Board FAQ references up to 12 hours through online/home-study, while Board Rule 671-3-.08 states a maximum of 10 hours in the General category. The Board rule is the authoritative source — plan your CE around the 10-hour General category cap to ensure compliance. Source: Georgia OT Board FAQ

CE That Does NOT Count

• CE completed before your Georgia OT license was issued — CE must be accumulated after the date your Georgia license was issued. CE earned before licensure does not count toward renewal.
• CE that does not relate to the professional practice of occupational therapy

First Renewal Exemption

An OT licensed in Georgia for the first time (never previously held a Georgia OT or OTA license) who is licensed during the second year of the biennium renewal period is not required to meet CE requirements for that initial renewal period only. This exemption does not apply in subsequent renewal periods. Source: Board Rule 671-3-.08

CE Broker

Georgia uses CE Broker to track CE completion. All licensees must create at minimum a free basic account at CE Broker and record CE activities there. The Board and its designees have access to each licensee’s CE record for auditing purposes. Courses from Board-approved providers are typically reported automatically; for other qualifying activities, you may need to self-report. The basic CE Broker account is free to all Georgia OT licensees — there is no additional charge per Board rule. Load your CE certificates as you earn them, not all at once before renewal. Source: Georgia State Board of OT CE Requirements

How to Renew Your Georgia OT License

1. Complete your 24 CE hours during the renewal period, including all category requirements (12 hours direct patient care; 2 hours ethics; no more than 10 hours General).
2. Record all CE in your CE Broker account at cebroker.com before starting the renewal process. CE must be recorded and available for Board review.
3. Log in to the GOALS portal at goals.sos.ga.gov and complete the renewal application.
4. Pay the $70 renewal fee (online, on time) by electronic payment through GOALS. Submit before March 31 to avoid late fees.
5. Retain CE documentation in case you are selected for a random CE audit.

Questions? Contact the Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy: (404) 424-9966 | 3920 Arkwright Rd. Suite 195, Macon, GA 31210 | Contact form

What Happens If Your Georgia OT License Lapses?

Georgia uses a tiered system for lapsed licenses. Once your license expires on March 31, you may not practice occupational therapy in Georgia.

• April 1–June 30 (late renewal available): Your license is deemed lapsed, but late renewal is available. Pay the late renewal fee ($80 + $5 processing = $85 online). You still cannot practice until your renewal is processed and your license is restored to active status.
• After June 30 (reinstatement required): The standard renewal process is no longer available. You must submit a Reinstatement Application through GOALS and meet all requirements established by Board Rule 671-3-.09. Contact the Board for current reinstatement requirements and fees.

In all cases, you may not practice occupational therapy in Georgia while your license is lapsed, regardless of whether you are in the process of renewing or reinstating. Source: Georgia SOS OT How-To Guide

Practical Notes

• All Georgia OT licenses expire on the same date. Unlike birthday-based systems, every Georgia OT license expires March 31 of even-numbered years. This means the GOALS portal will see peak renewal activity near the March 31 deadline. Renew early to avoid system delays.
• Plan your CE around the Board rule, not the FAQ. The Board FAQ references up to 12 hours in online/home-study. The Board rule (671-3-.08) specifies a maximum of 10 General category hours. Use 10 as your cap — the rule is authoritative. If you have more than 10 hours in General CE, the extra hours do not count.
• CE before your Georgia license was issued does not count. This is a frequently overlooked Georgia-specific rule. CE earned in any format before the date your Georgia license was issued cannot be used toward your renewal requirements, regardless of when in the renewal period it was completed.
• Record CE in CE Broker as you earn it. The Board encourages licensees to load CE certificates as they are taken, not all at once before renewal. If selected for a CE audit, you will need to submit documentation — having it organized in CE Broker year-round makes this easier.
• The late renewal window closes June 30 — not just March 31. After March 31, you can still renew with a late fee through June 30. After June 30, reinstatement is required. Set a calendar reminder for both dates.
• Don’t forget PAMs renewal. If you hold a PAMs certification in addition to your OT license, both expire March 31 of even-numbered years. The PAMs certification must be renewed separately at the same time as your OT license. Verify current PAMs renewal fees in GOALS.
• Verify current fees before renewing. The fee schedule used here is dated March 2022. Current fees are in GOALS at goals.sos.ga.gov/GASOSOneStop/s/fee-schedules.

Relevant Laws and Regulations

• Board Rule 671-3-.08 — Renewal of License, Penalties, and Continuing Education Requirements
• Georgia State Board of OT — Continuing Education Requirements
• Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy — FAQ
• Georgia State Board of OT — Current Fee Schedule (GOALS)

Related Pages

• Georgia Occupational Therapist License — Initial Licensing Requirements
• Florida OT License Renewal Guide
• Occupational Therapist Licensing by State — Complete Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

When does my Georgia OT license expire?

Georgia OT licenses expire on March 31 of even-numbered years. This is a fixed date that applies to all Georgia OT and OTA licensees simultaneously — not a birthday-based expiration. Check your license for your specific expiration year. Source: Georgia OT Board FAQ

What is the renewal fee for a Georgia OT license?

The on-time renewal fee is $65 plus a $5 online processing fee, totaling $70 for online renewal submitted on or before March 31. Late renewal (April 1–June 30) costs $80 plus $5 processing, totaling $85. Verify current fees at goals.sos.ga.gov/GASOSOneStop/s/fee-schedules. Source: Georgia OT Fee Schedule

How many CE hours do I need to renew my Georgia OT license?

24 contact hours per biennial renewal period, including at least 12 hours in direct patient care (live or real-time interactive only), at least 2 hours in ethics, and no more than 10 hours in the General category (which may include online and home-study formats). Licensees should ensure all required CE is reported in CE Broker before submitting renewal. CE earned before your Georgia license was issued does not count. Source: Georgia OT Board FAQ

What happens if I miss the Georgia OT renewal deadline?

If you miss the March 31 deadline, your license is deemed lapsed and you may not practice. Late renewal is available from April 1 through June 30 with a higher fee ($85 total online). After June 30, the standard renewal process closes and a Reinstatement Application is required under Board Rule 671-3-.09. Contact the Board at (404) 424-9966 for reinstatement guidance. Source: Georgia SOS OT How-To Guide

Do Georgia OT licenses expire on my birthday?

No. Georgia uses a fixed-date expiration system. All Georgia OT and OTA licenses expire on March 31 of even-numbered years, regardless of when you were born or when your license was originally issued. Source: Georgia OT Board FAQ

Does the OT Compact affect my Georgia renewal?

Georgia has enacted the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact. Standard Georgia renewal procedures apply to all licensees. When compact privileges become available, maintaining an active Georgia license in good standing will be required to use compact privileges in other member states. Verify current compact status at sos.ga.gov/page/occupational-licensure-compact.