New York OT License Renewal: Registration, CE, and Fees (2026)

In New York, the OT license itself never expires — what renews every three years is the registration that authorizes you to practice and use the OT title. Failing to renew your registration means you cannot legally practice or use the title “occupational therapist” in New York, but your underlying license remains intact and can be reactivated whenever you are ready.

The total cost for active practitioners to renew is $200: a $155 triennial registration fee plus a $45 mandatory continuing competency fee. Practitioners who register inactive pay no fee and are not required to complete CE hours. Online renewal is available in the final 5 months of the current registration period or up to 4 months after expiration, using Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.

New York requires 36 hours of continuing competency learning activities per triennial registration cycle. At least 24 of those hours must focus on professional subjects that contribute to competent OT practice. The remaining 12 hours may cover related subjects such as legal, ethical, regulatory, reimbursement, supervision, or business practices. No more than two-thirds of the 36 hours — that is, 24 hours — may be completed through self-directed online study. The remaining one-third (12 hours) must be in-person, live online, or synchronous online.

OT Compact and New York Registration Renewal

New York is not currently a member of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact. Standard NYSED renewal procedures apply. Monitor compact status at otcompact.gov.

Continuing Competency Requirements

The 36-Hour Requirement

New York’s CE system is called “continuing competency” rather than “continuing education.” The 36-hour requirement breaks down as follows:

• At least 24 hours must focus on professional subjects — topics that contribute to competent occupational therapy practice, such as OT theory, assessment and intervention strategies, practice frameworks, and clinical skills
• Up to 12 hours may focus on related subjects — legal, ethical, regulatory, health care, reimbursement, supervision, business practices, professional conduct, and other topics that relate to the OT profession or contribute to public health and welfare
• Maximum 24 hours through self-directed online study from an approved provider
• Minimum 12 hours must be in-person, live online, or synchronous online (real-time interactive)

First Registration Exemption

OTs are exempt from the mandatory continuing competency requirement for the triennial registration period during which they are first licensed in New York. This means new licensees completing their very first New York registration period do not need to meet the 36-hour requirement. Important exception: if you were already licensed as an OT in another state before being licensed in New York, the exemption does not apply — you must meet the continuing competency requirement when you re-register in New York during your first 3-year registration period. Source: NYSED — Exceptions to the Continuing Competency Requirement

Other Exemptions

Additional exemptions from the 36-hour requirement may be granted for health reasons (certified by an appropriate health care professional), extended active duty with U.S. armed forces, or other good cause acceptable to the Department. Licensees not engaged in practice may also declare non-practice status to be exempt from the CE requirement — but must notify the Department before returning to practice. Source: NYSED — Exceptions to the Continuing Competency Requirement

Approved CE Providers

Continuing competency hours may be earned through NYSED-approved sponsors, organizations authorized by New York law to offer OT CE, and accredited colleges and universities. By statute, organizations permitted to offer OT CE include sponsors approved by AOTA, the New York State Occupational Therapy Association (NYSOTA), NBCOT, the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), or an equivalent organization determined by NYSED. Postsecondary institutions with registered OT programs may also offer qualifying CE. Contact the Occupational Therapy Unit if you are unsure whether a specific provider or course qualifies. Source: NYSED — Continuing Education for Occupational Therapists

What Happens if You Are Short on CE Hours

If you cannot complete all 36 hours by the end of your registration period, NYSED may issue a conditional registration under circumstances described in Part 76. During the conditional registration year, the licensee must complete both the missing CE hours from the previous period and an additional 12 hours of CE. The fee for a conditional registration equals the standard triennial registration fee plus the $45 CE fee — in addition to any fees already paid. Source: NYSED — Exceptions to the Continuing Competency Requirement

How to Renew Your New York OT Registration

1. Complete your 36 continuing competency hours during the registration period (unless an exemption applies). Retain documentation of all CE activities.
2. Wait to receive your renewal notice from NYSED with your 7-character PIN, mailed approximately 4 months before your registration expires. If you cannot find your PIN, use the PIN Retrieval System or submit a Contact Us form.
3. Log in to eservices.nysed.gov/professions/renewal/start to complete your online renewal application. You must be in the final 5 months of your registration period or no more than 4 months past expiration to use online renewal.
4. Complete the renewal application, certify CE completion, disclose any criminal convictions, disciplinary actions, or institutional actions since your last renewal.
5. Pay $200 total ($155 registration fee + $45 CE fee) by Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. Online renewal accepts credit card only — no checks online.
6. Online applications process within up to 3 business days. Verify your new registration period at NYSED Online License Verification.

If you are more than 4 months past your registration expiration, submit a Delayed Registration Application online instead.

Questions? Contact the Occupational Therapy Unit: opunit3@nysed.gov | 518-474-3817 ext. 270

What Happens If Your New York OT Registration Lapses?

Unlike Florida or Ohio, New York does not have a hard null-and-void date. Because the license is permanent, the consequences of a lapsed registration are different from a license expiration in other states:

• Lapsed less than 4 months: Online renewal is still available through the standard renewal portal. You may renew and resume practice.
• Lapsed more than 4 months: Online renewal through the standard portal is no longer available. Submit a Delayed Registration Application. You may be required to demonstrate CE completion depending on the length of the lapse.
• During lapse: You may not practice occupational therapy or use the title “occupational therapist” in New York. The underlying license is not affected — it remains valid for life unless revoked, annulled, or suspended by the Board of Regents.
• Inactive registration option: If you are not practicing and want to avoid the need to complete CE hours, you may register inactive at no charge. You cannot practice on an inactive registration, but your license is preserved and can be reactivated later.

Source: NYSED Online Registration Renewal

Practical Notes

• Your second registration period may be shorter than 3 years. After initial licensure, the second registration period is a transitional period that adjusts your cycle to end in the month prior to your birth month. This transitional period will be shorter than 3 years, and both the fee and CE requirement are pro-rated. Don’t be confused if your first renewal notice arrives sooner than expected.
• Inactive registration is free and preserves your license. If you are between jobs, on extended leave, or not practicing in New York, registering inactive costs nothing and eliminates the CE requirement for that period. You cannot practice on an inactive registration, but your license remains and can be reactivated later.
• The $45 CE fee is separate from the $155 registration fee. It’s easy to budget only for $155 — but active practitioners pay $200 total. The $45 mandatory continuing competency fee is collected in addition to the registration fee per Part 76.
• Self-directed online CE is capped at two-thirds. No more than 24 of your 36 hours can come from self-directed online (asynchronous) study. At least 12 hours must be in-person, live online, or synchronous online with real-time interaction. Plan your CE sources accordingly rather than relying entirely on self-paced courses.
• Conditional registration is not automatic. If you fail to complete CE hours, you may be granted a conditional registration — but this requires additional hours and additional fees. Complete your CE during the registration period rather than banking on a conditional extension.
• Travel OTs: New York is not compact. You cannot use compact privileges from another state to practice in New York. Ensure your New York registration is current before accepting any assignment in the state.
• Update your address within 30 days of any move. NYSED sends renewal notices and registration certificates to your address of record. If your address is outdated, you may miss renewal communications. Update your address online through NYSED eServices or via the Address Change Form.

Relevant Laws and Regulations

• Education Law Article 156, §7904 — Occupational Therapy Registration Fees and CE Requirements
• Commissioner’s Regulations Part 76 — Continuing Competency Requirements for Occupational Therapists
• NYSED — Continuing Education for Occupational Therapists
• NYSED — Exceptions to the Continuing Competency Requirement

Related Pages

• New York Occupational Therapist License — Initial Licensing Requirements
• Florida OT License Renewal Guide
• Occupational Therapist Licensing by State — Complete Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a New York OT license expire?

No. A New York OT license does not expire and is valid for life unless it is revoked, annulled, or suspended by the Board of Regents. What expires is your registration — the 3-year authorization to practice. If your registration lapses, you cannot practice or use the title “occupational therapist,” but your underlying license remains and can be reactivated at any time through a Delayed Registration Application. Source: NYSED Online Registration Renewal

What is the renewal fee for a New York OT registration?

Active practitioners pay $200 total: a $155 triennial registration fee plus a mandatory $45 continuing competency fee, collected at the beginning of each registration period. Practitioners who register inactive pay no fee. An optional Professional Photo ID Card costs an additional $30. Source: Education Law Article 156

How many CE hours does New York require for OT registration renewal?

36 continuing competency hours per triennial registration period. At least 24 hours must focus on professional subjects; up to 12 hours may be related subjects. No more than 24 hours (two-thirds) may be self-directed online; at least 12 hours (one-third) must be in-person, live online, or synchronous online. The first registration period is exempt from the CE requirement. Source: NYSED — Continuing Education for Occupational Therapists

What happens if I don’t complete my CE hours before my registration expires?

If you cannot complete the required 36 hours by the end of your registration period, you may request a conditional registration — a 1-year period during which you must complete both the missing hours and an additional 12 hours of CE. A conditional registration requires payment of the same fees as a standard triennial registration. Complete CE during the registration period to avoid conditional registration costs and complications. Source: NYSED — Exceptions to the Continuing Competency Requirement

Can I renew my registration online if it has lapsed?

If your registration lapsed less than 4 months ago, you can still renew online through the standard NYSED portal. If your registration lapsed more than 4 months ago, you must submit a Delayed Registration Application through eservices.nysed.gov. In either case, you may not practice while your registration is lapsed. Source: NYSED Online Registration Renewal

Does New York participate in the OT Compact?

No. New York is not a member of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact. Compact privileges from other states do not apply in New York. All OTs, including travel OTs, must hold a valid New York OT license with current registration to practice in the state. Monitor compact membership status at otcompact.gov.

Can I place my New York registration on inactive status?

Yes. If you are not practicing or using the OT title in New York, you may register inactive at no charge. Inactive registration eliminates the CE requirement and the $45 CE fee. You cannot practice on an inactive registration. When you are ready to return to practice, submit a Delayed Registration Application to reactivate. Source: NYSED Online Registration Renewal