Virginia Occupational Therapist License Renewal

ByAllied License Guide Editorial Team
Editorial Note: This page covers occupational therapist license renewal requirements in Virginia as of June 2026, based on Virginia DHP sources and 18VAC85-80-71. This page is editorially reviewed by an ARDMS-credentialed sonographer as part of AlliedLicenseGuide.com’s allied health licensing database. View the CE requirements at Virginia DHP — OT Continuing Education.
Who this guide is for:
  • Licensed Virginia occupational therapists preparing for biennial license renewal
  • OTs managing CE compliance including the first-renewal exemption
  • Travel OTs with Virginia as their home state managing OT Compact privilege renewal

Virginia OT License Renewal — At a Glance

Renewal Cycle Every 2 years — biennial
License Expiration Birth month in even-numbered years — birthday-based, not a fixed profession-wide date
Renewal Fee $135 — per 18VAC85-80-26; non-refundable
Late Renewal Fee $50 additional late fee (within 2-year late window); $180 reinstatement fee after 2+ years lapse
Late Renewal Window Online renewal accessible for up to 2 years after expiration with $50 late fee; after 2 years, paper reinstatement required
CE Requirement 10 contact hours per biennial renewal — per 18VAC85-80-71; first renewal after initial VA licensure is exempt
Mandatory CE Topics None — CE must relate to current or anticipated OT roles; no mandatory subject areas
Renewal Method Online at dhp.virginia.gov/PractitionerResources/RenewOnline; renewal opens within 60 days before expiration date
Renewal Portal dhp.virginia.gov/PractitionerResources/RenewOnline
Board Contact 804-367-4600 | medbd@dhp.virginia.gov

Virginia OT licenses expire during the licensee’s birth month in each even-numbered year — a birthday-based expiration system, not a fixed profession-wide date. Renewal requires completing 10 contact hours of continuing education in the preceding two-year period and paying the $135 renewal fee. Virginia’s online licensing system allows renewal within 60 days before the expiration date and accepts late renewal with a $50 fee for up to two years after expiration.

Virginia’s CE requirements are relatively straightforward: 10 hours per biennial renewal, no mandatory topics, and a list of approved provider types. The first biennial renewal after initial Virginia licensure is completely exempt from CE requirements — a significant benefit for new licensees in their first renewal cycle. CE documentation must be retained for six years.

The Board may grant an extension of up to one year for CE completion for good cause shown, upon written request prior to the renewal date. The Board may also grant a full or partial exemption for circumstances beyond the licensee’s control, such as temporary disability, mandatory military service, or officially declared disasters.

OT Compact — Renewal Implications for Virginia Licensees

Virginia is an active OT Compact member state. Compact privileges are directly tied to your Virginia home-state license — they expire exactly when your Virginia license expires, regardless of when the privilege was purchased. There are no exceptions to this rule and no refunds for privileges that expire due to license expiration.

Each time you renew your Virginia license, you must repurchase compact privileges for any states where you wish to continue practicing under the Compact. Manage compact privilege renewal through CompactConnect. The biennial renewal process for your Virginia license does not require a new fingerprint background check — the fingerprint CBC requirement applies only to the initial compact privilege application, not to Virginia license renewal. Verify current compact privilege renewal processes at Virginia DHP’s OT Compact page.

Continuing Education Requirements

Per 18VAC85-80-71, Virginia OTs must complete at least 10 contact hours of continuing learning activities per biennial renewal cycle. CE must consist of an organized program of study, classroom experience, or similar educational experience related to the licensee’s current or anticipated roles and responsibilities in occupational therapy.

Approved CE Providers

CE must be approved or provided by one of the following:

  • Virginia Occupational Therapy Association (VOTA)
  • American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
  • National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
  • Local, state, or federal government agency
  • Regionally accredited college or university
  • Healthcare organization accredited by a national accrediting organization with CMS authority to ensure Medicare compliance
  • American Medical Association Category 1 Continuing Medical Education program

CE Category Limits

Virginia allows up to 2 of the 10 required hours to be earned through specific alternative activities:

  • Volunteer service (up to 2 hours): Delivery of OT services, without compensation, to low-income individuals receiving services through a local health department or free clinic. One CE hour is credited for every three hours of volunteer service provided, as documented by the health department or free clinic.
  • Student supervision (up to 2 hours): Supervision or experiences that promote the education of students. One CE hour is credited for every eight hours of supervision provided, as documented by the educational institution.

First Renewal Exemption

A licensee is exempt from all CE requirements for the first biennial renewal following the date of initial licensure in Virginia. If you received your initial Virginia OT license during the current renewal cycle, you do not need to complete any CE hours for your first renewal. CE requirements begin with the second renewal cycle.

CE Documentation and Audits

Retain all supporting documentation for six years following renewal of an active license. Virginia may audit CE compliance after a renewal period. If audited, you must provide certificates, transcripts, attendance records, or other documentation demonstrating completion of all required CE activities. Failure to comply with CE requirements may subject the licensee to disciplinary action by the Board.

Late Renewal and Reinstatement

Within 2 Years of Expiration

Virginia allows online late renewal for up to two years after the license expires. A $50 late fee is added to the standard $135 renewal fee. During this period, practice on an expired license may result in disciplinary action — the license is expired, not simply in a grace period. Renew promptly if your license has lapsed.

2 Years or More After Expiration

If your license has been lapsed for two years or more, online renewal is no longer available. You must complete a paper reinstatement application and pay the $180 reinstatement fee. In addition, you must provide evidence of one of the following:

  • Current NBCOT certification, or
  • A passing score on the NBCOT examination within the prior two years

You must also demonstrate completion of CE requirements: certificates of completion for 20 continued competency hours for each biennium your license was expired, up to four years (per the DHP reinstatement application instructions). Download the reinstatement application from the DHP Application Instructions and Forms page.

Inactive Status

Virginia allows licensees to renew as inactive if they are not practicing. An inactive license does not allow practice. If you hold an inactive Virginia license and wish to resume practice, contact the Board for current reactivation requirements at 804-367-4600 or medbd@dhp.virginia.gov.

How to Renew

  1. Complete 10 hours of qualifying CE during the preceding two-year period (unless exempt as a first-renewal licensee)
  2. Retain all CE documentation for six years
  3. Log in to the online licensing portal at dhp.virginia.gov/PractitionerResources/RenewOnline — renewal opens within 60 days before your birth month expiration
  4. Complete the online renewal and attest to completion of CE requirements
  5. Pay the $135 renewal fee by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover
  6. Your renewed license is printed and mailed — allow 10 business days for delivery after payment
CE Resources: AOTA-approved courses, VOTA programming, and NBCOT-approved activities all qualify for Virginia OT renewal. AMA Category 1 CME programs also qualify — useful for OTs working in medical settings. Virginia’s 10-hour requirement is among the lower CE requirements nationally, and the first-renewal exemption gives new Virginia licensees additional time to establish their CE routine.
Practical Notes:
  • Your license expires in your birth month of even years. Unlike fixed-date systems, Virginia uses a birthday-based expiration. Know your specific expiration date — it’s the last day of your birth month in 2026, 2028, etc.
  • First renewal is CE-exempt. If this is your first renewal after receiving your initial Virginia OT license, you are exempt from all 10 CE hours. This exemption applies only once — CE is required for all subsequent renewals.
  • Renewal opens 60 days before expiration. You cannot renew more than 60 days before your birth month expiration. If you are traveling or plan to be unavailable, factor this window into your planning.
  • Practice on an expired license is a violation. The 2-year late renewal window lets you renew online, but your license is expired during that period. Practicing while expired — even if within the 2-year window — may result in disciplinary action.
  • Compact privileges must be repurchased after renewal. Your Virginia license renewal does not automatically renew compact privileges. After renewing, repurchase privileges through CompactConnect.
  • Retain CE documentation for 6 years. Virginia audits CE compliance after renewal periods. Keep certificates, transcripts, or other evidence of CE completion for six years from your renewal date.

Relevant Statutes and Rules

Related Pages

Frequently Asked Questions

When does a Virginia OT license expire?

During the licensee’s birth month in each even-numbered year. Unlike fixed-date systems, Virginia OT licenses are birthday-based. Your license expires at the end of your birth month in 2026, 2028, 2030, and so on. Log in to the DHP online licensing portal to confirm your specific expiration date. Source: Virginia DHP — OT FAQ

How many CE hours are required for Virginia OT renewal?

10 contact hours per biennial renewal cycle, per 18VAC85-80-71. CE must relate to the licensee’s current or anticipated roles in occupational therapy. No mandatory topic areas are specified. Up to 2 hours may come from volunteer OT services; up to 2 hours from student supervision. The first biennial renewal after initial Virginia licensure is fully exempt from CE requirements. Source: Virginia DHP — OT CE Requirements (18VAC85-80-71)

What is the Virginia OT renewal fee?

$135 for biennial renewal, per 18VAC85-80-26. Payment is accepted by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover. A $50 late fee applies if renewing after the expiration date (within the 2-year late renewal window). If the license has been lapsed for 2 or more years, the reinstatement fee is $180 and a paper application is required. Source: 18VAC85-80-26 — Fee Schedule

What happens if my Virginia OT license lapses for 2 or more years?

After 2 years, online renewal is no longer available. You must complete a paper reinstatement application and pay the $180 reinstatement fee. You must also provide current NBCOT certification or a passing NBCOT score within the prior two years, and provide certificates of completion for 20 continued competency hours for each biennium your license was expired, up to four years (per DHP reinstatement application instructions). Download the reinstatement application from the DHP forms page. Source: Virginia DHP — OT Application Wizard (Reinstatement)

What happens to my OT Compact privileges when I renew my Virginia license?

Compact privileges expire exactly when your Virginia home-state license expires — no matter when the privilege was purchased. After renewing your Virginia license, you must repurchase compact privileges through CompactConnect for states where you wish to continue practicing. The biennial renewal of your Virginia license does not require a new fingerprint background check. No refunds are issued for expired privileges. Source: Virginia DHP — OT Compact FAQ

Is my first Virginia OT renewal exempt from CE requirements?

Yes. Per 18VAC85-80-71(D), a licensee is exempt from CE requirements for the first biennial renewal following the date of initial licensure in Virginia. CE requirements begin with the second renewal cycle. Source: 18VAC85-80-71 — Virginia OT CE Requirements

Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and is based on Virginia DHP sources and 18VAC85-80 reviewed in June 2026. Renewal requirements may change. Always verify current requirements directly with the Virginia Board of Medicine before making renewal decisions. This page does not constitute legal or professional licensing advice. Verify at Virginia DHP →
Change Log: 2026-06-08 — Page created. Data sourced from Virginia DHP OT page and CE page (both directly fetched June 2026). CE: 10 hrs confirmed per 18VAC85-80-71. First-renewal exemption confirmed. Birthday-based expiration confirmed. Compact privilege expiration rules confirmed from OT Compact FAQ. NEXT-REVIEW-DUE: 2027-06-08.

Similar Posts