Michigan Occupational Therapist License Requirements

Michigan requires occupational therapists to hold a valid state license before practicing, issued by the Michigan Board of Occupational Therapists under LARA’s Bureau of Professional Licensing. All applications are submitted online through MiPLUS — paper applications are no longer accepted. Michigan’s licensing requirements include passing the NBCOT examination, completing a criminal background check, meeting human trafficking and implicit bias training requirements, and graduating from an ACOTE- or WFOT-accredited occupational therapy program.

Michigan does not require a separate state jurisprudence examination as of the January 2026 licensing guide — a requirement that was previously in place but was removed. Michigan’s OT administrative rules remain under active revision by the Board’s Rules Committee Work Group, and requirements may continue to change. Applicants should always download the current Occupational Therapist Licensing Guide directly from the LARA website before submitting an application.

Michigan does not issue temporary or provisional OT licenses. Practice without a valid license is prohibited under the Public Health Code, including for new graduates who have passed the NBCOT but are awaiting licensure. All application requirements must be completed within two years of the application receipt date — if not, fees are forfeited and the file becomes void.

What Makes Michigan Different

Michigan is notable for its mandatory human trafficking and implicit bias training requirements, which apply to all initial applicants and renewals. For initial licensure, applicants must complete a one-time human trafficking training meeting the standards of Administrative Rule 338.1215, and 2 hours of implicit bias training within the five years preceding license issuance. These requirements reflect Michigan’s broader health professional licensing standards applied across multiple professions.

Michigan also has a tiered relicensure system with significant supervised practice hour requirements for OTs whose licenses have lapsed for three or more years — a system that scales up substantially based on how long the license has been lapsed. Applicants with long-lapsed licenses should contact LARA before attempting to relicense to understand the full pathway.

Michigan and the OT Compact

Michigan is not yet a member of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (OT Compact) as of June 2026. OT Compact legislation — House Bills 4103 and 4104 — passed the Michigan House of Representatives in May 2025. As of March 27, 2026, the legislation was still awaiting final Senate approval before it could be sent to the Governor’s desk for signature.

Until Michigan formally joins the Compact and compact privileges become available, Michigan OT licensees cannot use compact privileges to practice in other states, and OTs licensed in other Compact member states cannot use compact privileges to practice in Michigan. Every practitioner must obtain a full Michigan license through the standard pathways. Monitor current legislation status at legislature.mi.gov and check the Michigan LARA OT page for any official announcements.

Initial Licensing Requirements

Requirements Applying to All Applicants

Per the January 2026 Michigan OT Licensing Guide, all applicants must complete the following regardless of pathway:

• Online application through MiPLUS at michigan.gov/miplus
• Criminal background check via fingerprinting — instructions provided in Application Confirmation letter after submission; do not submit fingerprints before receiving this letter
• Good Moral Character disclosure questions — documentation required if answered “yes”
• Human Trafficking Training — one-time training meeting the standards of Administrative Rule 338.1215, required beginning October 19, 2022
• Social Security Number or official SSN Affidavit Form if exempt
• Verification of licensure from every state where you hold or have held a license, submitted directly to LARA
• English Language Proficiency — established by educational program taught in English, 60+ college credits from an English-speaking institution, or approved English proficiency exam
• Implicit Bias Training — 2 hours completed within the 5 years preceding license issuance (required beginning June 1, 2022)

Licensure by Examination

In addition to all requirements above:

• Graduation from an ACOTE- or WFOT-accredited OT educational program; official transcripts sent directly from the school to LARA
• Passing score on the NBCOT examination, submitted directly from NBCOT to LARA within three years preceding the application date
• Application fee: $187.40 (includes application and 2-year license fee)

Licensure by Endorsement

For applicants currently licensed in another state. Two pathways depending on years of practice:

• Fewer than 5 years of active practice: Must meet all requirements above (same as examination applicant), including NBCOT score submission
• More than 5 years of active practice: Must have passed the NBCOT examination; other examination-specific requirements may not apply — verify with LARA

Relicensure

For applicants whose Michigan OT license has lapsed. Fee: $207.40. Requirements vary by duration of lapse and include CE completion and, for licenses lapsed 3 or more years, supervised practice experience hours. A limited license is available during the supervised practice period — submit a written request at the time of the relicensure application. See the LARA licensing guide for full relicensure requirements.

Criminal History Disclosure

Michigan requires all applicants to answer Good Moral Character questions as part of the application. Documentation and explanation are required if you answer “yes” to demonstrate you have the ability to serve the public in a fair, honest, and open manner. A criminal history does not automatically result in denial, but failure to disclose may delay processing or affect eligibility. Review the full disclosure requirements in the licensing guide before applying.

How to Apply

1. Download the current Occupational Therapist Licensing Guide from the LARA OT page and review all current requirements
2. Complete required pre-licensure training — human trafficking (one-time) and implicit bias (2 hours within 5 years)
3. Request NBCOT score submission directly from NBCOT to LARA
4. Have official transcripts sent directly from your educational institution to LARA
5. Complete the online application through MiPLUS at michigan.gov/miplus
6. Pay the application fee ($187.40 for examination or endorsement) by credit or debit card
7. After submission, receive your Application Confirmation letter and complete the criminal background check via fingerprinting per the instructions provided
8. Complete all requirements within 2 years of application receipt to avoid forfeiture of fees

Relevant Statutes and Rules

• Michigan LARA — Occupational Therapy Licensing Information
• Michigan Occupational Therapist Licensing Guide and FAQs (Revision Date 1/26/2026)
• MiPLUS — Michigan Professional Licensing User System
• Michigan Public Health Code — Article 15, Part 183 (Occupational Therapy)
• Michigan LARA BPL — Laws, Rules & Other Resources

Related Pages

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Michigan OT license required to practice?

Yes. Practice without a valid license is prohibited under the Michigan Public Health Code (MCL 333.18301 et seq.), including for new graduates who have passed the NBCOT but have not yet received their license. The Michigan Board of Occupational Therapists, under LARA’s Bureau of Professional Licensing, administers all OT licensure. Source: Michigan LARA — Occupational Therapy

Does Michigan require the NBCOT exam for OT licensure?

Yes. A passing score on the NBCOT certification examination is required for licensure by examination and for endorsement applicants with fewer than five years of active practice. Results must be submitted directly from NBCOT to LARA within three years preceding the application date. Source: Michigan OT Licensing Guide (1/26/2026)

Does Michigan require a jurisprudence exam for OT licensure?

No. The Michigan jurisprudence examination is not listed as a requirement in the January 2026 Michigan OT Licensing Guide. Michigan previously required a jurisprudence exam administered through PSI, but it does not appear in the current licensing guide. Because Michigan’s rules are under active revision, verify the current requirement directly with LARA before applying. Source: Michigan OT Licensing Guide (1/26/2026)

Is Michigan a member of the OT Compact?

No, not as of June 2026. OT Compact legislation (HB 4103 and HB 4104) passed the Michigan House of Representatives in May 2025 but was still awaiting Senate approval as of March 2026. Monitor the current status at legislature.mi.gov and the LARA OT page.

What is the application fee for a Michigan OT license?

$187.40 for licensure by examination or endorsement (includes the application and 2-year license fee). Relicensure is $207.40. Fees must be paid by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover credit or debit card through MiPLUS. Verify current fees at the time of application. Source: Michigan OT Licensing Guide (1/26/2026)

Does Michigan offer a temporary OT license?

No temporary or provisional OT license is available for new applicants awaiting initial licensure. Michigan does offer a limited license specifically for relicensure applicants who must complete supervised practice experience hours — but this applies only to those relicensing after a lapse of three or more years, not to first-time applicants. Source: Michigan OT Licensing Guide (1/26/2026)

What training is required before initial Michigan OT licensure?

In addition to passing the NBCOT and meeting education requirements, all Michigan OT applicants must complete a one-time human trafficking training meeting the standards of Administrative Rule 338.1215, and 2 hours of implicit bias training within the five years preceding license issuance. Both are required as part of the standard application. Source: Michigan OT Licensing Guide (1/26/2026)