Virginia Occupational Therapist Licensing Guide

Virginia OT License Overview

Virginia is an OT Compact member state. Once your home state has uploaded your data to CompactConnect, you can apply there for a compact privilege to practice in Virginia; a criminal history background check is part of the compact application, and you can practice as soon as the privilege is purchased. Travelers without a compact privilege apply for a Virginia license.

For travelers, this means you may be able to work in Virginia on an OT Compact privilege instead of a Virginia license, provided your home-state license is in another OT Compact state that is also issuing privileges. A compact privilege is something you apply for through the compact before you start; it is not automatic.

How to Get a Virginia OT License by Endorsement

Virginia uses an online portal endorsement process for Occupational Therapists already licensed in another state. You'll need to submit your completed application along with supporting documents and the $130 application fee.

1. Submit endorsement application via Virginia board portal
2. Request license verification from current state (via NBCOT or direct) (can run concurrently)
3. Complete any Virginia-specific requirements; a criminal history background check is required only for compact privilege applicants, not for a Virginia license (can run concurrently)
4. Await board review and license issuance

License verification: Direct license verification from the issuing jurisdiction sent to the Board, plus NBCOT certification. Request verification early so your application is not delayed.

Confirm the current fingerprinting and background check steps with the Virginia Board of Medicine. Where fingerprinting applies, submit your authorization as early as possible.

Check the Virginia Board of Medicine website for status updates on your application.

Virginia OT License Fees

Occupational Therapy Assistants: renewal is $70 (figures above are for Occupational Therapists).

Travelers should factor these licensing costs into their assignment budgeting.

Virginia Temporary OT License

Virginia offers a temporary authorization to practice valid for 90 days, allowing Occupational Therapists to begin practicing while their permanent endorsement application is being processed. For travelers, this is often the fastest path to starting an assignment.

Eligibility requirements:

• Your employer must be a licensed hospital, nursing home, assisted living facility, dialysis facility, the Virginia Department of Health or a local health department that has contracted with you or offered you a job
• You hold an active, unencumbered license in another state or the District of Columbia, which your employer verifies
• Your employer or contractor obtains a report from the National Practitioner Data Bank if you are subject to reporting

Issuance timeline:

• Before your first day, your employer notifies the board that you are employed or under contract and will practice under the temporary authorization
• If you have applied for your Virginia license, the board must expedite it while you practice under the authorization

Denial risks:

• Your employer or contractor cannot verify that you hold an active and unencumbered license in another state or the District of Columbia

Important for travelers: If your Virginia license is still pending after 90 days, the authorization can be extended once, for 60 more days, when your employer notifies the board. While you practice under the temporary authorization you are subject to Virginia's laws and regulations and to disciplinary action by the board.

Virginia OT License Processing Time

Virginia Occupational Therapist endorsement applications typically take 8-12 weeks or more (the Board says not to expect the process to take less than 8-12 weeks) to process.

Fastest case:Not published as a fastest time; the Board says not to expect less than 8-12 weeks.

Common sources of delay:

• Board application backlog peaks in May–June; submissions after mid-May may experience 4–6 week delays instead of typical 2–3 weeks
• Allow approximately 10-15 business days for your application checklist to be updated; processing of documents may take up to 15 business days after they are received, and outside entities must send the necessary documentation to the Board
• Virginia board meets on a fixed monthly schedule; applications submitted after the cutoff date must wait for next month's review cycle, adding 2–4 weeks to board review phase

Virginia offers an expedited processing option: the board must expedite your application while you practice under the 90-day temporary authorization.

Virginia OT Continuing Education

Virginia requires 10 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years for Occupational Therapist license renewal.

Virginia OT License Renewal

• Renewal cycle: Every 2 years, expiring in the licensee's birth month in each EVEN-numbered year — $135

Virginia Licensing Board and Resources

Virginia Board of Medicine

Board Website · License Verification

Email: [email protected]