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

Indiana requires a state license from the Indiana Occupational Therapy Committee before any individual may practice occupational therapy. The Committee operates under the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) and licenses OTs under Indiana Code Title 25, Article 23.5 and the implementing rules at 844 IAC Article 10. Applications are submitted online through the MyLicense.IN.gov portal and require an NBCOT exam score report sent directly from NBCOT to the Committee, a criminal background check, and documentation of an accredited degree and supervised fieldwork.

Indiana offers two primary pathways to full licensure: by examination (for new graduates or those who have recently passed NBCOT) and by reciprocity (for OTs already licensed in another state). Both pathways require the same $100 application fee and the same supporting documentation, including a criminal background check. A temporary permit is also available for applicants awaiting full licensure, allowing supervised practice under a licensed Indiana OT during the application period.

Indiana enacted the OT Compact under Senate Enrolled Act 73-2023, codified at Indiana Code §25-43, and compact privileges became live in Indiana on March 9, 2026. Indiana-licensed OTs may apply for compact privileges to practice in other member states, and OTs licensed in other compact member states may apply for compact privileges to practice in Indiana, through the OT Compact Commission’s system at otcompact.gov.

Indiana OT Licensing Pathways

Licensure by Examination: The standard pathway for applicants who have completed an ACOTE-accredited OT degree program and the supervised fieldwork required for NBCOT eligibility, and who have passed the NBCOT exam. NBCOT must transmit the score report directly to the Indiana Occupational Therapy Committee — copies or self-submitted scores are not accepted. If you also hold a license in another state, you must submit verification from that state even for the examination pathway.

Licensure by Reciprocity: For applicants who hold a current OT license in another state. At least one license verification from another state must be submitted before Indiana can issue the reciprocity license. An important reciprocity-specific rule: if you hold licenses in multiple states, you only need one verification to obtain the Indiana license initially, but all remaining state verifications must be on file by your next Indiana renewal. Failure to submit the remaining verifications will result in an incomplete renewal and your Indiana license may expire until they are received.

Temporary Permit: Available after you have submitted your full licensure application. The temporary permit requires an additional $50 fee and submission of the completed Affirmation of Supervision (page 3 of State Form 43826). A person holding a temporary permit may only practice occupational therapy under the direct supervision of an Indiana-licensed occupational therapist who is responsible for the patient. The temporary permit expires on whichever comes first: the date the permanent license is issued, the date the Committee disapproves the application, or 180 days after the permit is issued. The Committee may renew a temporary permit in limited circumstances where the applicant had good cause for not taking the scheduled exam.

How to Apply for an Indiana OT License

1. Apply online at MyLicense.IN.gov. Select the appropriate pathway (examination or reciprocity).
2. Pay the $100 application fee by credit or debit card. All fees are nonrefundable.
3. Complete the criminal background check through the Indiana PLA’s criminal background check process.
4. Submit any positive-response documentation if you answered “Yes” to any disciplinary questions on the application.
5. Submit name change documentation if your name differs across your documents.
6. Submit your official transcript showing degree conferred. Foreign program transcripts must include an official English translation.
7. Arrange for NBCOT to submit your exam score report directly to the Indiana Occupational Therapy Committee (examination pathway).
8. Submit verification of any existing state OT license(s) using the Indiana verification form or the issuing state’s own verification process (reciprocity pathway; at least one verification required).

Applications that remain incomplete are administratively abandoned after one year from the filing date per PLA rules, and a new application must then be submitted. Processing time is not published by the Indiana PLA. Contact the Committee at pla14@pla.in.gov or 317-234-8800 for current status inquiries.

OT Compact and Indiana

Indiana is an OT Compact member state. The compact was enacted under Senate Enrolled Act 73-2023, codified at Indiana Code §25-43, and compact privileges became live in Indiana on March 9, 2026.

To apply for compact privileges to practice in Indiana (if your home state is another compact member state), or to apply for compact privileges to practice in other compact member states (using your Indiana license as the home state license), you apply directly through the OT Compact Commission at otcompact.gov. Eligibility requirements include holding a current, valid home state license, having no active license encumbrances, and paying the applicable compact commission and member state fees.

Indiana’s compact page notes that jurisprudence requirements vary by state — if you are applying for compact privileges in another member state, check whether that state requires a jurisprudence exam as part of the compact privilege application. Indiana itself does not require a jurisprudence exam for standard OT licensure, but other states may require one for compact privilege applicants.

Relevant Statutes and Rules

• Indiana Code Title 25, Article 23.5 — Occupational Therapists
• Indiana Code §25-43 — Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact
• 844 IAC Article 10 — Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants

Related Pages

• Indiana OT License Renewal
• Ohio 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 work as an occupational therapist in Indiana?

Yes. Indiana requires a current Occupational Therapist License issued by the Indiana Occupational Therapy Committee before any individual may practice occupational therapy in the state. Licensure is governed by Indiana Code Title 25, Article 23.5. Source: Indiana PLA — Occupational Therapy Licensing Information

What is the application fee for an Indiana OT license?

The application fee is $100 for both the examination and reciprocity pathways. A temporary permit costs an additional $50. All fees are nonrefundable. Payment is by credit or debit card through the online MyLicense.IN.gov system. Source: Indiana PLA — OT Fee Schedule

Does Indiana require the NBCOT exam for OT licensure?

Yes. Indiana requires passage of the NBCOT examination for the examination pathway. NBCOT must transmit the score report directly to the Indiana Occupational Therapy Committee — self-submitted scores or copies are not accepted. For the reciprocity pathway, applicants submit verification of a current license from another jurisdiction rather than retaking the NBCOT examination. No separate Indiana state exam is required. Source: Indiana PLA — OT Licensing Information

Can I practice in Indiana while waiting for my full OT license?

Yes, under a temporary permit. After submitting your full licensure application, you may apply for a temporary permit for an additional $50 fee. Practice under a temporary permit is only permitted under the direct supervision of an Indiana-licensed occupational therapist responsible for the patient. The permit expires at 180 days, upon issuance of the permanent license, or upon denial of the application — whichever comes first. Source: Indiana PLA — Temporary Permits

Is Indiana a member of the OT Compact?

Yes. Indiana enacted the OT Compact under Senate Enrolled Act 73-2023, codified at Indiana Code §25-43. Compact privileges became live in Indiana on March 9, 2026. Eligible OTs licensed in other compact member states may apply for compact privileges to practice in Indiana through the OT Compact Commission at otcompact.gov, and Indiana-licensed OTs may apply for compact privileges to practice in other member states. Source: Indiana PLA — OT Compact Section

Is a jurisprudence exam required for Indiana OT licensure?

No. Indiana does not require a separate jurisprudence examination for standard OT licensure or reciprocity. However, Indiana’s compact page notes that other compact member states may require a jurisprudence exam as part of a compact privilege application — check the OT Compact Commission’s state-by-state requirements before applying for privileges in other states. Source: Indiana PLA — OT Licensing Information