California OT License Renewal: Deadlines, PDUs, and Fees (2026)
- California-licensed occupational therapists approaching their birth-month renewal deadline
- Travel OTs holding a California OT license who need to renew before an upcoming assignment
- OTs whose California license has lapsed and who need to understand delinquent renewal options
California OT License Renewal — At a Glance
Last verified: June 2026 — Verify at California BOT
| Renewal Cycle | Every 2 years (biennial) |
| Renewal Fee | $270 (current); $300 for licenses expiring on or after July 1, 2026 (pending adoption — verify before renewing) |
| Delinquency Fee | Half the renewal fee ($135 at current rate) — applies immediately upon expiration; no grace period |
| License Expiration | Last day of birth month — odd or even year depending on birth year (birthday-based) |
| Grace Period | None — practice must stop at expiration; delinquency fee applies immediately |
| Delinquent Renewal Window | Up to 5 years after expiration (with all accrued renewal fees + delinquency fee) |
| Renewal Notice | Mailed approximately 75–90 days before expiration (Board sources vary; do not rely on receipt — renewing on time is your responsibility) |
| CE Requirement | 24 Professional Development Units (PDUs) per renewal period; minimum 12 PDUs must be directly related to OT service delivery |
| Mandatory CE Topics | None currently required — the Board has discussed adding topic requirements in future renewal cycles; monitor bot.ca.gov for updates |
| Renewal Method | Online via BreEZe (breeze.ca.gov) or by mail using renewal form |
| Renewal Contact | (916) 263-2294 | cbot@dca.ca.gov | breeze.ca.gov |
- ✓ Complete 24 PDUs during the renewal period (12 must be directly related to OT service delivery)
- ✓ Retain PDU documentation for 4 years following the renewal period
- ✓ Log in to BreEZe at breeze.ca.gov or complete the paper renewal form
- ✓ Certify completion of PDUs on the renewal form
- ✓ Disclose any criminal convictions or disciplinary actions since last renewal
- ✓ Pay the renewal fee (verify current amount in BreEZe — fee change effective July 1, 2026)
- ✓ Submit before the last day of your birth month
- ✓ Allow 3–5 weeks for renewal processing; submit at least 6 weeks before expiration
California OT Renewal Cost Summary
| Renewal Fee (licenses expiring before July 1, 2026) | $270.00 |
| Renewal Fee (licenses expiring on or after July 1, 2026) | $300.00 (pending adoption — verify before renewing) |
| Delinquency Fee (if renewing after expiration) | Half the renewal fee ($135 at current rate; $150 at pending rate) |
Current fee ($270) confirmed from CCR §4130. The proposed increase to $300 for licenses expiring on or after July 1, 2026 was pending Director approval as of June 2026. Verify the current fee in BreEZe at time of renewal.
California OT licenses renew every two years and expire on the last day of the licensee’s birth month — in either an odd or even year depending on when the license was originally issued. This means not all California OTs renew in the same calendar year. Renewal can be completed online through BreEZe at breeze.ca.gov or by mailing a paper renewal form with payment.
The renewal fee is currently $270 for licenses expiring before July 1, 2026. The California Board of Occupational Therapy approved a rulemaking package in June 2025 to increase the fee to $300 for licenses expiring on or after July 1, 2026, pending final adoption. Verify the current fee directly in BreEZe before submitting payment.
California requires 24 professional development units (PDUs) per renewal period — California’s term for continuing education hours. There are no mandatory CE topics at this time, though the Board has discussed adding topic requirements in future renewal cycles. At least 12 of the 24 required PDUs must be directly related to OT service delivery. Documentation must be kept for 4 years and may be subject to random Board audit.
OT Compact and California License Renewal
California is not a member of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact. There are no compact renewal implications for California OT licensees. Standard California renewal procedures apply to all licensees. If California joins the Compact in the future, this page will be updated. Monitor compact status at otcompact.gov.
Professional Development Units (PDUs) — Renewal Requirements
California uses the term Professional Development Units (PDUs) rather than CE hours. The conversion is straightforward: 1 hour of participation = 1 PDU; 1 academic credit = 10 PDUs; 1 CEU = 10 PDUs.
How Many PDUs Are Required?
- Standard renewal: 24 PDUs per two-year renewal period
- First renewal: PDUs are not required for the first license renewal following issuance of the initial license
- Delinquent renewal: 24 PDUs completed within the two years preceding the renewal
PDU Composition Requirements
Of your total 24 PDUs, at least 12 must be directly related to the delivery of occupational therapy services. This includes models, theories, and frameworks related to client/patient care; occupation-based assessment and intervention strategies; and community/environment as related to practice. The remaining PDUs may include other professional development activities meeting Board criteria.
Approved PDU Sources
The Board accepts PDUs from a broad range of sources. Pre-approved activities include programs or activities sponsored by AOTA or the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC), and post-professional coursework from accredited educational institutions. Additional PDU categories under CCR §4161 include:
- Structured special interest or study groups (3 participants minimum) — 3 hours = 1 PDU; max 6 PDUs per renewal period
- Structured mentoring (being mentored) — 20 hours = 3 PDUs; max 6 PDUs per renewal period
- Structured mentoring of a colleague — 20 hours = 3 PDUs; max 6 PDUs per renewal period
- Supervision of Level I, Level II, or Doctoral Capstone OT/OTA students — various credit rates; max 12 PDUs per renewal period
- Publication in non-peer reviewed publication — 5 PDUs per article; max 10 PDUs per renewal period
- Publication in peer-reviewed publication — 10 PDUs per article; max 10 PDUs per renewal period
- Professional presentations at workshops, seminars, conferences — 2 PDUs per hour presenting; max 6 PDUs per renewal period
- Attending qualifying California Board of Occupational Therapy meetings — 2 PDUs per meeting; max 6 PDUs per renewal period
A maximum of 12 PDUs from the structured/mentoring/supervision/presentation categories combined may be credited per renewal period. Source: CCR §4161
PDU Carryover
If you earn more than 24 PDUs during a renewal period, you may carry over up to 6 excess PDUs into the next renewal period. Source: CBOT Continuing Competency FAQs
No Mandatory Topics Currently
California does not currently require PDUs in any specific topic area. However, the Board has discussed adding mandatory PDU topic requirements — such as ethics, jurisprudence, and culturally relevant practice — in future renewal cycles. No such requirement has been formally adopted. Monitor Board announcements at bot.ca.gov for updates.
PDU Documentation and Audit
You are not required to submit PDU certificates with your renewal application. However, you must retain documentation of all PDU activities for four years following the renewal period. The Board conducts periodic random audits — if selected, you must provide documentation. Failure to complete PDU requirements or provide documentation during an audit can result in your license being placed on inactive status, a citation and fine, or other disciplinary action. Source: CBOT Continuing Competency FAQs
How to Renew Your California OT License
- Complete your 24 PDUs during the renewal period (12 must be directly related to OT service delivery). Retain all documentation.
- Online renewal: Log in to breeze.ca.gov. Complete the renewal form, certify PDU completion, disclose any criminal convictions or discipline since last renewal, and pay the renewal fee. Mail renewal: Submit the completed renewal form with certifications and payment mailed to the Board.
- Verify the current renewal fee in BreEZe at time of renewal — the fee is expected to increase to $300 for licenses expiring on or after July 1, 2026.
- Submit before the last day of your birth month. Renewal notices are mailed approximately 75 days before expiration — do not wait for your notice. It is your responsibility to renew on time.
- Allow 3–5 weeks for renewal processing; the Board recommends submitting at least 6 weeks before your expiration date. Do not assume your renewal is processed immediately upon submission.
Questions? Contact CBOT at (916) 263-2294 or cbot@dca.ca.gov.
What Happens If Your California OT License Expires?
California has no grace period. The moment your license expires, you may not practice occupational therapy. The delinquency fee applies immediately — there is no grace period for the delinquency fee either.
- Expired but within 5 years: Delinquent renewal is available. Pay all accrued renewal fees plus the delinquency fee (half the renewal fee). PDUs must have been completed within the two years preceding the renewal date.
- Expired more than 5 years: Delinquent renewal through the standard process is no longer available. Contact the Board for current options.
If you are not currently practicing or are moving out of state, consider placing your license on inactive status before it expires to avoid the delinquency fee. Inactive licenses are exempt from PDU requirements. Source: CBOT Renewal Information
Practical Notes
- Renewal processing takes 4–6 weeks. This is longer than many states. If your renewal is pending and your license expires in the interim, you cannot practice until the renewal is processed and confirmed. Do not wait until the last minute — renew well before your expiration date.
- Your expiration year alternates — check your license. California’s odd/even birth year system means your license expires every other year in either an odd year or an even year based on when it was originally issued. Check your actual license for your specific expiration date rather than assuming.
- The delinquency fee applies with no grace period. Unlike many states that offer a grace period or only charge a late fee after a set window, California charges the delinquency fee the moment your renewal is not postmarked by the expiration date. Factor this into your renewal timeline.
- PDUs do not need to be submitted with your renewal. You certify on the renewal form that you have completed the required PDUs. You are not required to submit certificates at renewal — but you must retain them for 4 years in case of audit.
- Inactive status can protect you if you stop practicing. If you are taking extended time off or leaving California, placing your license on inactive status eliminates the PDU requirement and eliminates the risk of accruing delinquency fees. You cannot practice on an inactive license, but it keeps your license in a renewable state.
- Verify the renewal fee before submitting. The proposed fee increase to $300 for licenses expiring on or after July 1, 2026 was pending final adoption as of June 2026. Check BreEZe for the current fee at the time of your renewal.
Relevant Statutes and Regulations
- Title 16, California Code of Regulations, Division 39 — Board of Occupational Therapy Rules (includes CCR §4130 Fees and §4161 Continuing Competency)
- California BPC §2570.10 — License Renewal
Related Pages
- California Occupational Therapist License — Initial Licensing Requirements
- Texas OT License Renewal Guide
- Occupational Therapist Licensing by State — Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
When does my California OT license expire?
Your California OT license expires on the last day of your birth month, in either an odd or even year depending on when your license was originally issued. Not all California OTs renew in the same calendar year. Check your actual license for your specific expiration date. Source: CBOT Renewal Information
What is the California OT license renewal fee?
The biennial renewal fee is currently $270 for licenses expiring before July 1, 2026. A fee increase to $300 was approved by the Board at its June 2025 meeting for licenses expiring on or after July 1, 2026, pending final regulatory adoption. Verify the current fee in BreEZe at the time of your renewal. Source: CCR §4130
How many PDUs do I need to renew my California OT license?
24 professional development units (PDUs) are required per biennial renewal period. At least 12 of the 24 PDUs must be directly related to the delivery of occupational therapy services. PDUs are not required for the first renewal following issuance of the initial license. Source: CBOT Continuing Competency FAQs
Is there a grace period if my California OT license expires?
No. California has no grace period. You may not practice after your license expires, and the delinquency fee applies immediately — there is no grace period for the delinquency fee either. If your renewal notice is not postmarked by the expiration date, you will be required to pay the delinquency fee. Source: CBOT Renewal Information
How long do I have to renew a delinquent California OT license?
A California OT license that has expired may be renewed at any time within five years after expiration, on payment of all accrued renewal fees plus the delinquency fee. PDUs must have been completed within the two years preceding the renewal. After five years, the standard delinquent renewal process is no longer available — contact the Board for current options. Source: CCR Division 39
Do I need to maintain NBCOT certification to renew my California OT license?
No. NBCOT certification is required for initial California OT licensure but not for renewal. California’s renewal requirements are based entirely on professional development units (PDUs). If you choose to maintain NBCOT certification for other reasons (such as using the OTR designation), that is separate from your California license renewal. Source: CBOT General FAQs
Are there mandatory CE topics for California OT renewal?
No mandatory CE topics are currently required for California OT renewal. The Board has discussed adding mandatory PDU topic requirements in future renewal cycles, but no such requirement has been formally adopted. Monitor Board announcements at bot.ca.gov for updates. Source: CCR §4161