Illinois Occupational Therapist License Requirements (2026)

Illinois requires all occupational therapists to hold a valid state license before practicing. Licensure is issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation, through the Occupational Therapy Licensure Board. As of October 2024, all new applications are submitted online through IDFPR’s CORE system. The application fee is $25 — one of the lowest in the country — confirmed from the Illinois Administrative Code.

Illinois offers two pathways to licensure. The Acceptance of Exam pathway is for applicants who have not previously held an OT license anywhere. The Endorsement pathway is for applicants who currently hold or have previously held an OT license in another jurisdiction. Both pathways require proof of the NBCOT OTR examination. Verification of exam completion is received directly from the designated testing service during application evaluation — applicants do not need to separately submit score reports.

Illinois requires a master’s degree or higher for OT licensure from a program meeting or exceeding ACOTE standards. Applicants educated under older degree standards should contact IDFPR directly if they have questions regarding eligibility. Illinois is not a member of the OT Compact, so travel OTs must hold a full Illinois license to practice in the state.

What Makes Illinois Notable for OT Licensure

Illinois stands out for several reasons. The $25 application fee is among the lowest for OT licensure nationally. IDFPR’s practice of retrieving NBCOT scores directly — rather than requiring applicants to coordinate score submissions — simplifies the application process. Illinois also offers a Letter of Authorization that permits supervised practice before passing the exam, which is more generous than many states’ temporary license provisions. The required education level is a master’s degree or higher, which reflects the current ACOTE standards.

One important note: Illinois enacted a new online licensing system (CORE) in October 2024. Applicants who started applications under the previous system may need to reapply or complete their applications through CORE. Check the current status at idfpr.illinois.gov/core.html.

Illinois and the OT Compact

Illinois is not a member of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact and has not enacted OT Compact legislation. Compact privileges from other states do not authorize practice in Illinois — every OT, including travel OTs, must hold a valid Illinois OT license to practice in the state.

Monitor current OT Compact member state status at otcompact.gov.

Initial Licensure Requirements

Acceptance of Exam Pathway

For applicants who have not previously been licensed as an occupational therapist anywhere. Required documents:

• Official transcript with institutional seal from your ACOTE-accredited master’s or doctoral OT program. Upload in CORE at time of application.
• NBCOT OTR examination score — Verification of your NBCOT OTR score is received directly from the designated testing service during application evaluation — you do not need to submit a score report separately.
• Personal History Questions — complete truthfully. Criminal convictions are not an automatic bar; IDFPR reviews each situation individually.
• $25 application fee — paid through CORE.

Endorsement Pathway

For applicants currently or previously licensed as an OT in another U.S. state, D.C., or territory. In addition to the Acceptance of Exam requirements, you must provide:

• Certification of licensure from the first jurisdiction where you were licensed and from any current jurisdictions where you are licensed. IDFPR accepts printouts from other states’ licensing websites if designated as primary source. Some states require direct transmission to Illinois — check each state’s process.

Letter of Authorization (Pre-Exam Supervised Practice)

If you have met all requirements for licensure except passing the NBCOT examination, you may request a Letter of Authorization from IDFPR. This allows supervised practice while awaiting exam results. Key rules:

• A licensed occupational therapist must be onsite for at least 75% of your work hours
• Valid for six months from the date of the letter
• This is not a license — you must pass the NBCOT exam within six months to obtain licensure

Request the Letter of Authorization as part of your CORE application. Source: IDFPR OT Qualifications for Licensure (effective 02/2026)

How to Apply for an Illinois OT License

1. Create an account and apply through IDFPR CORE at ildfprprod.state-reg-central.tylerapp.com/portal/public. Select Occupational Therapist and the appropriate pathway.
2. Upload your official transcript with institutional seal from your ACOTE-accredited program.
3. Verification of your NBCOT OTR score is received directly from the designated testing service during review — no separate score submission is needed.
4. Answer all Personal History Questions truthfully.
5. Endorsement applicants: provide primary source certification of licensure from all relevant jurisdictions.
6. Pay the $25 application fee through CORE.
7. Monitor your CORE account for status updates. Your application is active for three years from receipt.
8. Once approved, verify your license at IDFPR License Look Up before practicing.

Questions? Call IDFPR at 1-800-560-6420 or 1-888-473-4858. Review the IDFPR FAQ before contacting for status.

Practical Notes

• Your NBCOT score verification comes directly from the testing service — you don’t need to send it. Illinois receives verification of exam completion directly from the designated testing service during application evaluation. You still need to have passed the OTR exam, but you don’t need to coordinate a score report submission to IDFPR.
• Upload cannot begin until all documents are ready. CORE requires all supporting documents to be uploaded before the application can be submitted. Have your transcript and all documents ready before starting the application — you cannot submit a partial application.
• Illinois requires a master’s degree or higher. Applicants with bachelor’s-level OT education who graduated before the field transitioned to master’s-level entry may want to verify with IDFPR whether their credentials meet “meets or exceeds ACOTE standards.”
• Criminal history disclosure is not automatic disqualification. Illinois reviews convictions individually. The IDFPR publishes an Occupational Therapy Criminal Conviction FAQ that explains which convictions are automatically barred versus reviewed. Review it at IDFPR Criminal Conviction FAQs if applicable.
• Illinois is not OT Compact. Travel OTs cannot use compact privileges from other states to practice in Illinois. A full Illinois license is required. Since processing times are not published, start the application process well before your assignment start date.
• All OT licenses expire December 31 of odd-numbered years. Regardless of when your license is issued, it will expire on the same date as all other Illinois OT licenses. Plan your first renewal accordingly.

Relevant Laws and Regulations

• 225 ILCS 75 — Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act
• 68 Ill. Admin. Code Part 1315 — Occupational Therapy Rules (including §1315.130 Fees)
• IDFPR OT Qualifications for Licensure — Occupational Therapist (effective 02/2026)

Related Pages

• Illinois Occupational Therapist License Renewal Guide
• Georgia Occupational Therapist License Requirements
• Occupational Therapist Licensing by State — Complete Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to practice occupational therapy in Illinois?

Yes. Illinois requires a license under the Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act (225 ILCS 75) before practicing or using the title “occupational therapist.” Source: IDFPR Occupational Therapy

What is the application fee for an Illinois OT license?

The application fee is $25 for both the Acceptance of Exam and Endorsement pathways. This is confirmed in 68 Ill. Admin. Code §1315.130 (current through September 2024). Fees are non-refundable. Verify the current fee in IDFPR CORE before applying. Source: 68 Ill. Admin. Code §1315.130

Does Illinois require a jurisprudence exam for OT licensure?

No. Illinois does not require a separate jurisprudence examination for OT licensure. The NBCOT OTR examination is the required exam. Source: IDFPR OT Qualifications for Licensure

Is Illinois a member of the OT Compact?

No. Illinois has not enacted OT Compact legislation and is not a member of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact. Compact privileges from other states do not authorize practice in Illinois. All OTs, including travel OTs, must hold a valid Illinois OT license. Monitor compact membership at otcompact.gov

Can I practice in Illinois while waiting for my NBCOT exam results?

Yes, with a Letter of Authorization. If you have met all licensure requirements except passing the exam, IDFPR may issue a Letter of Authorization allowing supervised practice. A licensed OT must be onsite for at least 75% of your work hours. The Letter is valid for six months — you must pass the NBCOT exam within that period to obtain full licensure. Source: IDFPR OT Qualifications for Licensure

I’m already licensed in another state. Do I need to apply by Endorsement?

Yes. If you currently hold or have previously held an OT license in another U.S. jurisdiction, you apply through the Endorsement pathway in IDFPR CORE. In addition to the standard documents, you must provide primary source certification of licensure from all jurisdictions where you have been licensed. IDFPR accepts printouts from other states’ licensing websites if designated as primary source. Source: IDFPR OT Qualifications for Licensure

When does my Illinois OT license expire?

All Illinois OT licenses expire on December 31 of each odd-numbered year, regardless of when the license was issued. This is a fixed date that applies to all Illinois OT licensees. Source: IDFPR OT Qualifications for Licensure