Tennessee Occupational Therapist License Renewal
- Licensed Tennessee occupational therapists preparing for biennial license renewal
- OTs managing continuing competence requirements and CE Broker compliance
- Travel OTs with Tennessee as their OT Compact home state managing privilege renewal
Tennessee OT License Renewal — At a Glance
| Renewal Cycle | Every 2 years — biennial birthdate renewal system |
| License Expiration | Last day of the birth month — birthday-based per Rule 1150-02-.09 biennial birthdate renewal system |
| Renewal Fee | Not published on public Board pages — verify current fee with Board at 615-741-3807 |
| After Expiration | Licenses processed under Rule 1200-10-01-.10 after expiration; reinstatement required after the post-expiration window — contact Board for current requirements |
| CE Requirement | 24 continued competence credits per 24-month renewal cycle — per Rule 1150-02-.12; initial examination licensees exempt for initial period |
| Mandatory CE Topics | None identified — CE must relate to licensee’s current or anticipated OT roles and responsibilities |
| Renewal Method | Online at apps.tn.gov/hlrs — opens 120 days before expiration; paper renewal also available |
| Renewal Notice | Mailed 45 days before expiration — licensee is responsible for renewing on time regardless of receipt |
| Renewal Portal | apps.tn.gov/hlrs |
| Board Contact | 615-741-3807 | Unit2HRB.Health@tn.gov |
Tennessee OT licenses expire on the last day of the licensee’s birth month every two years, under the Division of Health Related Boards’ biennial birthdate renewal system. Renewal requires attesting to completion of 24 continued competence credits in the preceding 24-month period and paying the renewal fee. Online renewal is available beginning 120 days before the expiration date at apps.tn.gov/hlrs. The Board mails renewal notices 45 days before expiration, but licensees are responsible for renewing on time regardless of whether they receive a notice.
Tennessee’s renewal fee and late fee amounts are not published on the Board’s public webpages. Contact the Board directly at 615-741-3807 or Unit2HRB.Health@tn.gov to confirm current fee amounts before renewing. It is a violation of the law and the Board’s rules to practice on an expired license.
Tennessee requires continuing competence tracking through CE Broker, the official tracking system for the Tennessee Division of Health Professional Boards. Every licensee receives a free CE Broker Basic Account with access to course history and CE compliance status. While CE Broker reporting is not yet mandatory, the Board encourages licensees to use it to track their continuing education.
OT Compact — Renewal Implications for Tennessee Licensees
Tennessee is an active OT Compact member state, accepting compact privilege applications as of May 20, 2026. Compact privileges are tied to your Tennessee home-state license — they require an active, unencumbered Tennessee license to remain valid. If your Tennessee license lapses or becomes encumbered, your compact privileges in other member states are also affected.
Each time you renew your Tennessee license, you must also repurchase compact privileges for states where you wish to continue practicing under the Compact. Privileges expire with your home-state license. Manage compact privilege renewal through CompactConnect. Verify current compact privilege renewal processes at the Tennessee OT Board licensure page and otcompact.gov.
Continuing Competence Requirements
Per Rule 1150-02-.12, Tennessee OTs must complete a minimum of 24 continued competence credits during the 24 months preceding the licensure renewal month. The renewal cycle runs from the first day of the licensee’s birthday month to the last day of the month preceding the next birthday month. Content must relate to the licensee’s current or anticipated roles and responsibilities in occupational therapy.
First License Exemption
For applicants approved for initial licensure by examination, successfully completing the requirements for initial licensure constitutes proof of sufficient competence for the initial period of licensure — meaning new examination licensees are exempt from continuing competence requirements for their first renewal cycle.
CE Broker Tracking
CE Broker is the official continuing education tracking system for the Tennessee Division of Health Professional Boards, including the Board of Occupational Therapy. Every Tennessee OT licensee has a free CE Broker Basic Account that provides access to course history and CE compliance status. Use CE Broker to track your continuing education and verify compliance before renewing at cebroker.com.
Continued Competence Categories and Limits
Tennessee’s continued competence categories and any category-specific hour limits are governed by Rule 1150-02-.12. Qualified learning experiences may include theoretical or practical content related to OT practice, research, management, or the development, administration, supervision, and teaching of clinical practice or service delivery programs in occupational therapy. Review the current Rule 1150-02-.12 at the Board’s continuing education page for the full category structure and limits before planning your CE activities.
Physical Agent Modalities
The use of physical agent modalities by any licensee requires additional Board certification. If you hold PAM certification, ensure it remains current as part of your practice compliance — this is separate from the CE renewal requirement.
How to Renew
- Track your 24 continued competence credits through CE Broker throughout the renewal cycle
- Confirm current renewal fee with the Board at 615-741-3807 or Unit2HRB.Health@tn.gov before renewing
- Log in to the renewal portal at apps.tn.gov/hlrs — online renewal opens 120 days before your birthday expiration
- Complete the renewal application and attest to completion of continued competence requirements
- Pay the renewal fee by electronic payment online or by check/money order if renewing by paper
- Keep your mailing address current with the Board — renewal notices are sent 45 days before expiration to the address on file
- Renewal fees are not posted publicly. Contact the Board at 615-741-3807 or Unit2HRB.Health@tn.gov to confirm the current renewal and late fee amounts before submitting payment.
- Your license expires on the last day of your birth month. Under Tennessee’s biennial birthdate renewal system, your exact expiration date is the last day of your birth month every two years. Know your specific date.
- Online renewal opens 120 days early. You can renew up to 4 months before your birthday expiration date. Renewing early avoids any last-minute processing delays.
- Practicing on an expired license is a violation. The Board’s rules explicitly state it is a violation of law to practice on an expired license. Do not delay renewal.
- Use CE Broker. Tennessee’s official CE tracking system gives you free compliance tools. Use it throughout your renewal cycle rather than scrambling to document CE at renewal time.
- Compact privileges require separate renewal. Renewing your Tennessee license does not automatically renew compact privileges in other member states. Repurchase privileges through CompactConnect after each renewal.
Relevant Statutes and Rules
- Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy — Homepage and Renewal Information
- Tennessee OT Board — Continuing Education Requirements
- Tennessee OT Board — Licensure and OT Compact
- Tennessee Health Licensure Renewal System (HLRS)
Related Pages
- Tennessee Occupational Therapist Initial License Requirements
- Georgia OT License Renewal
- North Carolina OT License Renewal
- Occupational Therapist Licensing by State — Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a Tennessee OT license expire?
On the last day of the licensee’s birth month every two years, under Tennessee’s biennial birthdate renewal system per Rule 1150-02-.09. Log in to the renewal portal at apps.tn.gov/hlrs to confirm your specific expiration date. Source: Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy
How many CE hours are required for Tennessee OT renewal?
24 continued competence credits per 24-month renewal cycle, per Rule 1150-02-.12. Content must relate to the licensee’s current or anticipated occupational therapy roles and responsibilities. Initial licensees approved by examination are exempt from CE for their first renewal cycle. Tennessee uses CE Broker as the official tracking system — your free account is available at cebroker.com. Source: Tennessee OT Board — Continuing Education
What is the Tennessee OT renewal fee?
The renewal fee is not published on the Board’s public webpages. Contact the Board directly at 615-741-3807 or Unit2HRB.Health@tn.gov to confirm the current renewal fee and any applicable late fees before submitting your renewal. Source: Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy
How do I renew my Tennessee OT license?
Online at apps.tn.gov/hlrs — online renewal opens 120 days before your birthday expiration date. Paper renewal is also available. The Board mails renewal notices 45 days before expiration, but you are responsible for renewing on time regardless of whether you receive a notice. Practicing on an expired license is a violation of Tennessee law. Source: Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy
What happens to my OT Compact privileges when I renew my Tennessee license?
Compact privileges expire when your Tennessee home-state license expires. After renewing your Tennessee license, you must repurchase compact privileges through CompactConnect for states where you wish to continue practicing under the Compact. Maintaining an active, unencumbered Tennessee license is required to hold compact privileges. Source: Tennessee OT Board — Licensure and OT Compact