How to Get Your Wisconsin Occupational Therapist License (2026 Guide)

Wisconsin requires a credential from the Occupational Therapists Affiliated Credentialing Board, administered through the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), before any individual may practice occupational therapy in the state. Licensure is governed by Wisconsin Statute Chapter 448 and Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapters OT 1–6. Applications are submitted online through the LicensE system at license.wi.gov, and all forms must now be completed using the AccessGov system effective May 6, 2026.

Wisconsin is one of a small number of states that requires a state-specific exam in addition to the NBCOT examination. The Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code open-book online exam covers OT-specific chapters, general health care statutes, and Wisconsin licensing law. A passing score of 88% is required. Exam access credentials are emailed to applicants after the application and fee are received and processed by DSPS.

Wisconsin enacted the OT Compact through 2021 Wisconsin Act 123, becoming a compact member state. Compact privileges allow eligible OTs licensed in Wisconsin to practice in other compact member states, and OTs licensed in other compact member states may apply for compact privileges to practice in Wisconsin. Verify current compact privilege availability and procedures with DSPS or at otcompact.gov.

Wisconsin OT Licensing Pathways

Initial Licensure (Examination): The standard pathway for new graduates. Requires application and fee via LicensE, NBCOT certification evidence and exam verification, Certificate of Professional Education (Form 1570) sent directly from the applicant’s school, and passing the Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code exam. Conviction and malpractice forms (2252 and 2829) are required if applicable. Name documentation required if names differ across credentials.

Reciprocity: For applicants who hold a current OT credential in another state or territory of the United States. Requires application and fee, the Wisconsin jurisprudence exam (item 4), and verification letters from all state boards where currently or previously credentialed (item 5). Conviction and malpractice forms are required if applicable. The Board will compare credentialing requirements from the applicant’s prior state to Wisconsin’s requirements to determine substantial equivalency. The out-of-state credential must remain active until the Wisconsin reciprocal credentialing process is complete.

Temporary License: Available to new graduates who have applied for full licensure but are awaiting their NBCOT exam or results. The temporary license fee is $10 (in addition to the $60 credential fee). Practice under a temporary license must be in consultation with a supervising Wisconsin OT who endorses the temporary licensee’s activities at least monthly. The temporary license is valid for 6 months and may not be renewed. A temporary licensee may practice at no more than 2 separate employment locations.

Temporary Act 10 Credential: Available to healthcare providers who are credentialed in good standing in another state and need to provide services in Wisconsin while a permanent Wisconsin application is pending. See DSPS information sheet 2021-A101 and Form 2021-A102 for details.

Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code Exam (Jurisprudence)

All Wisconsin OT applicants must pass the Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code open-book online exam. Key details:

• Format: Open-book, online, not timed
• Passing score: 88%
• Access: Exam name, password, and applicant ID are emailed after DSPS receives and processes the application
• Content: Chapters OT 1–5, Med 10, Chapter 252, Chapter 440, Chapter 448
• Testing portal: eptol.drl.wi.gov — select “Test Launching,” instructor code “gsp”
• Retake fee: $75 (Form 2699 required for retake)
• Availability window: 3 months from exam access; applicant may exit and return at any time within that period

The exam is specifically designed to familiarize applicants with locating the statutes and administrative code that regulate OT practice in Wisconsin — it is not a memorization test but an open-book navigation exercise.

How to Apply for a Wisconsin OT License

1. Submit your application and pay the $60 fee online via LicensE.
2. If applying for a temporary license simultaneously, include the additional $10 fee and submit Form 1572.
3. Go to the NBCOT website to request a Verification of Certification Request Form and have your score sent to the Wisconsin Board.
4. Have your school send Form 1570 (Certificate of Professional Education) directly to DSPS.
5. If previously credentialed in another state, have each state’s board submit a verification letter directly to Wisconsin. The letter must include date of birth, credential number, date of issuance, and disciplinary status.
6. After DSPS processes your application, you will receive exam access credentials by email. Complete the Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code exam at eptol.drl.wi.gov and achieve a passing score of 88%.
7. Submit Form 2252 (Convictions and Pending Charges) and Form 2829 (Malpractice Suits or Claims) if applicable.

Processing time depends on the receipt of all external documents, including NBCOT verification and state license verifications, and is not published by DSPS. Use the LicensE Application Status Lookup tool with your 10-digit PAR number to check status. Contact DSPS at (608) 266-2112 or dsps@wisconsin.gov.

OT Compact and Wisconsin

Wisconsin is an OT Compact member state, having enacted the compact through 2021 Wisconsin Act 123. The compact allows eligible OTs to apply for compact privileges to practice in other member states through the OT Compact Commission’s system at otcompact.gov. For OTs from other compact member states who wish to practice in Wisconsin, eligible practitioners who meet OT Compact requirements may obtain a compact privilege to practice in Wisconsin, subject to OT Compact Commission and Wisconsin requirements.

Compact privilege eligibility and procedures are subject to change as compact implementation evolves. Verify current compact privilege availability directly with DSPS at (608) 266-2112 or dsps@wisconsin.gov.

Relevant Statutes and Rules

• Wis. Stat. ch. 448 — Occupational Therapists
• Wis. Admin. Code chs. OT 1–6 — Occupational Therapy Administrative Code

Related Pages

• Wisconsin OT License Renewal
• Minnesota Occupational Therapist Licensing Requirements
• Illinois Occupational Therapist Licensing Requirements
• Occupational Therapist Licensing by State — Complete Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a state license required to practice occupational therapy in Wisconsin?

Yes. Wisconsin requires a credential from the Occupational Therapists Affiliated Credentialing Board before any person may practice occupational therapy in the state. Credentialing is administered through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) under Wis. Stat. ch. 448. Source: Wisconsin DSPS Occupational Therapist page

Does Wisconsin require a jurisprudence or state exam for OT licensure?

Yes. Wisconsin requires all OT applicants to pass the Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code open-book online exam, with a passing score of 88%. The exam covers OT 1–5, Med 10, and Chapters 252, 440, and 448. Exam access credentials are emailed after DSPS receives and processes the application. The exam is not timed and is available for 3 months. Source: Wisconsin DSPS Exam Information page

What is the application fee for a Wisconsin OT license?

The initial credential fee is $60, paid online via LicensE. If also applying for a temporary license, an additional non-refundable $10 fee applies. Payment is made by electronic payment (credit/debit card or e-check) through the LicensE system. Source: DSPS Credentialing Information Form 1569

How does reciprocity work for Wisconsin OT licensure?

Applicants who hold a current OT credential in another U.S. state or territory may apply for reciprocal licensure. The application, Wisconsin jurisprudence exam, and verification letters from all state boards where credentialed are required. DSPS compares the credentialing requirements of the applicant’s prior state to Wisconsin’s to determine substantial equivalency. The out-of-state credential must remain active until the Wisconsin reciprocal process is complete. Source: DSPS Credentialing Information Form 1569

Is Wisconsin a member of the OT Compact?

Yes. Wisconsin enacted the OT Compact through 2021 Wisconsin Act 123. Eligible practitioners who meet OT Compact requirements may obtain a compact privilege to practice in Wisconsin or in other compact member states, subject to OT Compact Commission and Wisconsin requirements. Verify current compact privilege availability with DSPS or at otcompact.gov. Source: Wisconsin DSPS Occupational Therapists Affiliated Credentialing Board

Can I practice in Wisconsin while waiting for my NBCOT results?

Yes, under a temporary license. An applicant who is a graduate of an approved school and is scheduled to take or awaiting results of the NBCOT exam may apply for a temporary license for an additional $10 fee. Practice under a temporary license requires monthly consultation with a supervising Wisconsin OT who endorses the temporary licensee’s activities. The temporary license is valid for 6 months, may not be renewed, and permits practice at no more than 2 employment locations. Source: DSPS Credentialing Information Form 1569; Wis. Admin. Code § OT 2.07