Washington Occupational Therapist License Requirements
- New graduates seeking initial OT licensure in Washington
- Out-of-state occupational therapists relocating to Washington or applying by endorsement
- Travel OTs researching Washington OT Compact privileges or assignment requirements
Washington Occupational Therapist License — At a Glance
| License Required? | Yes — a Washington license is required before practicing as an occupational therapist |
| Credential Name | Occupational Therapist License |
| Governing Board | Washington Occupational Therapy Practice Board, Washington Department of Health |
| Licensing Pathways | Licensure by Examination; Licensure by Endorsement (credential verification); Limited Permit (temporary) |
| Application & Initial License Fee | $166 (includes $16 HEALWA surcharge) — per WAC 246-847-990; all fees non-refundable |
| Application Method | Online via HELMS (Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System) through Secure Access Washington; paper application also available |
| Processing Time | Not officially published — monitor application status through the DOH application status system |
| Background Check | Yes — criminal history disclosure, personal data questions, and fingerprint-based background check when required |
| NBCOT Exam Required? | Yes — passing NBCOT score required for initial licensure |
| Jurisprudence Exam | Yes — online jurisprudence examination required; passing score is 100% |
| OT Compact Member? | Yes — Washington enacted the OT Compact via SB 5118 (RCW 18.59.180) |
| Governing Law | Chapter 18.59 RCW; Chapter 246-847 WAC |
Washington requires occupational therapists to hold a valid state license before practicing, issued by the Washington Occupational Therapy Practice Board through the Department of Health. Licensing requirements include passing the NBCOT examination, completing an online jurisprudence examination with a passing score of 100%, and graduating from a nationally accredited, board-approved OT program with a minimum of six months supervised fieldwork experience. All applications are submitted online through the HELMS portal via Secure Access Washington.
Washington is an OT Compact member state, making it a strong choice as a home state for travel OTs. The Compact was enacted via Senate Bill 5118 (Chapter 152, Laws of 2022), codified at RCW 18.59.180. Washington’s DOH has established fees for compact privileges under WAC 246-847-991.
Washington’s application and initial license fee is $166 — which includes a $16 annual surcharge for the HEALWA website, the University of Washington’s online healthcare resources library that Washington law requires licensed professionals to fund. All fees are non-refundable per WAC 246-12-340.
What Makes Washington Different
Washington requires applicants to pass an online jurisprudence examination with a perfect score of 100% — a higher standard than most states that require a jurisprudence exam. The exam covers Washington State Occupational Therapy Practice Laws (RCW 18.59 and WAC 246-847). This is a separate requirement from the optional jurisprudence exam that Washington licensees may use to earn 0.5 CE hours toward renewal.
Washington also offers two optional specialty endorsements for licensed OTs: Wound Care Management and Sharp Debridement. These are not required for general OT practice but allow licensees to expand their scope to include advanced wound care modalities. Applicants interested in these endorsements should review the requirements at the DOH wound care endorsements page.
Washington also notes that applicants who graduated five or more years ago and never practiced must meet additional requirements, including proof of 24 hours of continued competency for the previous two-year period and retaking the required examinations.
Washington and the OT Compact
Washington is a member of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (OT Compact), having enacted the Compact via Senate Bill 5118 (Chapter 152, Laws of 2022), codified at RCW 18.59.180. Washington participates in the OT Compact, which may simplify multistate practice for eligible licensees. Washington-licensed OTs who hold an unencumbered license and meet all Compact eligibility requirements may apply for compact privileges to practice in participating member states.
To use compact privileges, you must hold an unencumbered Washington OT license as your home state license, meet all compact eligibility requirements, and apply for compact privileges in the states where you wish to practice through CompactConnect. Compact privileges are separate from your Washington license — renewing your Washington license does not automatically renew compact privileges. Verify current privilege availability and fees through the Washington DOH OT Compact page and otcompact.gov.
Initial Licensing Requirements
All Applicants
- Graduation from a nationally accredited, board-approved OT educational program; official transcript with degree and date must be sent directly from the educational institution to DOH (transcripts not in English must include official translation)
- Minimum of six months supervised fieldwork experience for OTs — shown on official transcript
- Complete chronology of activities from graduation to date of application; all time gaps must be accounted for
- Passing score on the NBCOT examination
- Completion of the online jurisprudence examination with a score of 100%
- Criminal history disclosure and personal data questions; fingerprint-based background check when required
- Social Security Number or Declaration of No Social Security Number form
- Application and initial license fee: $166 (non-refundable)
Endorsement / Credential Verification
Applicants licensed in other states must list all states where they hold or held credentials and arrange for each jurisdiction to complete and submit a verification form directly to the Washington DOH. Individual states may charge a fee for sending verification — check in advance. Washington does not require re-taking the NBCOT for applicants with existing licensure but verifies all credentials on file.
Limited Permit
A limited permit is available for applicants who have completed their educational program and are awaiting NBCOT examination results. The limited permit fee is $55. Applicants must provide verification of being scheduled to take the NBCOT. Under a limited permit, the applicant must be supervised by a licensed OT. Applicants may have more than one sponsoring occupational therapist. The permit expires upon issuance of the full license or denial of licensure.
Applicants Who Graduated 5+ Years Ago and Never Practiced
Additional requirements apply: proof of 24 hours of continued competency as described in WAC 246-847-065 for the previous two-year period, successful retaking and passing of required examinations, completion of any additional requirements as required by the Board, and a complete chronology of activities from graduation to application. Contact DOH before applying if this applies to you.
How to Apply
- Review current licensing requirements at doh.wa.gov
- Complete the online jurisprudence examination at the Washington OT Jurisprudence Exam portal — passing score is 100%; print your results page
- Arrange for your educational institution to send official transcripts directly to DOH
- Create a Secure Access Washington (SAW) account and submit your application through HELMS at doh.wa.gov/helms
- Pay the $166 application and initial license fee by credit card, debit card, or ACH/electronic check online
- Complete background check requirements as instructed after submission
- Arrange for out-of-state credential verification forms to be sent directly to DOH from each jurisdiction where you are or were licensed
- Monitor your application status through the DOH application status system
- The jurisprudence exam requires a perfect score of 100%. This is not a partial-credit exam — you must pass with 100%. Study the Washington OT Practice Laws (RCW 18.59 and WAC 246-847) thoroughly before attempting. Print your results page and retain it.
- All fees are non-refundable. Per WAC 246-12-340, all fees submitted with applications for initial credentialing, examinations, and renewal are non-refundable regardless of outcome.
- The $166 fee includes a HEALWA surcharge. Washington law (RCW 43.70.110) requires licensees to fund the UW HEALWA healthcare resources library. The $16 surcharge is built into the initial license fee — not a separate charge.
- Transcripts must come directly from your school. Applicant-submitted transcripts are not accepted. Contact your institution early to arrange direct submission to DOH.
- No SSN required, but a Declaration form is needed if you don’t have one. Washington allows applicants without a Social Security Number to apply using a Declaration of No Social Security Number form.
- Washington is an OT Compact member. If you are establishing Washington as your home state for Compact purposes, ensure your license remains active and unencumbered to maintain compact privileges in other member states.
Relevant Statutes and Rules
- Washington DOH — Occupational Therapist and OTA Licensing
- Washington DOH — OT Licensing Information and Fee Schedule
- Washington DOH — OT Licensing Requirements
- Washington DOH — OT Compact Information
- Chapter 18.59 RCW — Occupational Therapy
- Chapter 246-847 WAC — Occupational Therapy
Related Pages
- Washington Occupational Therapist License Renewal
- Oregon Occupational Therapist License Requirements
- California Occupational Therapist License Requirements
- Occupational Therapist Licensing by State — Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Washington OT license required to practice?
Yes. A Washington state license is required before practicing as an occupational therapist. The Washington Occupational Therapy Practice Board, operating through the Department of Health, administers all OT licensure under Chapter 18.59 RCW. Source: Washington DOH
Does Washington require the NBCOT exam for OT licensure?
Yes. Applicants must obtain a passing score on the NBCOT examination. This is required for all initial licensure applicants. Source: Washington DOH Licensing Information
Does Washington require a jurisprudence exam?
Yes. Washington requires all initial applicants to complete the online jurisprudence examination and pass with a score of 100%. The exam covers Washington State Occupational Therapy Practice Laws, including RCW 18.59 and WAC 246-847. Print your results page and retain it. Source: Washington DOH Licensing Information
Is Washington a member of the OT Compact?
Yes. Washington enacted the OT Compact via Senate Bill 5118 (Chapter 152, Laws of 2022), codified at RCW 18.59.180. Washington-licensed OTs can apply for compact privileges to practice in other member states through CompactConnect. Verify current compact privilege availability at the Washington DOH OT Compact page.
What is the Washington OT application fee?
$166 for the application and initial license, per WAC 246-847-990. This includes a $16 surcharge for the HEALWA website. The limited permit fee is $55. All fees are non-refundable per WAC 246-12-340. Source: Washington DOH Licensing Information
Does Washington offer specialty OT endorsements?
Yes. Washington offers optional Wound Care Management and Sharp Debridement Endorsements for licensed OTs. These are not required for general OT practice but expand the licensee’s authorized scope to include advanced wound care. Review current requirements at the DOH wound care endorsements page.