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LicenseReciprocity

Occupational Therapy License from California to Kansas: Does It Transfer? (2026)

Last verified: 2026-09-27 · source: Kansas State Board of Healing Arts ↗

A occupational therapy license transfers from California to Kansas by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts, verify your California license, and meet Kansas's endorsement requirements. The NBCOT certification exam is not retaken. The Board's published FAQ does not say how it verifies NBCOT passage or whether a Kansas jurisprudence exam applies, so confirm both with the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts before applying..

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Verdict

Licensure by endorsement

The compact plays no part here, since neither state is issuing privileges. You apply to the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts as an OT licensed in another state, with NBCOT passage verified and your California license confirmed, plus whatever Kansas adds such as fingerprints or a jurisprudence exam.

What changes, California → Kansas

Side-by-side: California vs Kansas (Occupational Therapy (OT/OTA)), verified 2026-09-27
California (current)Kansas (destination)
OT Compact statusLicensure by endorsementOT Compact enacted — not yet issuing
Application fee$50 ($50 application fee paid in BreEZe. A separate initial license fee, prorated by your birth date and the month of issue, is stated in the approval letter and paid after approval, so it is not in this range. + $49 fingerprint-card fee if you are not using Live Scan (Live Scan fees are paid to the vendor).)$80 (application for license fee on the KSBHA License Fees page (applies to OT and OTA); temporary license $25; renewal $72 online or $75 on paper, annually)
Processing time3–4 weeks (the Board states 'Processing time for all applications is 3-4 weeks'; 16 CCR 4112 gives the Board 30 days to review an application and notify the applicant of any deficiency; licenses issue once the approved applicant completes the online form and pays the initial license fee)4–8 weeks (the Board's OT FAQ says 'The application process takes on average four to eight weeks; however, each application is different')
Licensing authorityCalifornia Board of Occupational TherapyKansas State Board of Healing Arts

The destination column is what you must satisfy — Kansas sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

  1. Confirm Kansas's current requirements on the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts website (linked below) — rules change.
  2. Submit the endorsement application to the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts (application linked below).
  3. Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
  4. Maintain professional liability insurance (K.A.R. 100-54-13): at least $100,000 per claim and $300,000 aggregate individually, or employer coverage of at least $1,000,000 and $3,000,000 as an additional insured.
  5. Submit the application with the additional forms and required documents listed by the Board, with all fees paid.
  6. Pay the fees ($80 (application for license fee on the KSBHA License Fees page (applies to OT and OTA); temporary license $25; renewal $72 online or $75 on paper, annually)) and allow 4–8 weeks (the Board's OT FAQ says 'The application process takes on average four to eight weeks; however, each application is different').

Official links

Kansas State Board of Healing Arts ↗Kansas application ↗License verification ↗

Related guides

Reverse: Kansas → CaliforniaOccupational Therapy in CaliforniaOccupational Therapy in KansasAll occupational therapy statesThe OT Compact explained

Frequently asked questions

Can I use my California occupational therapy license in Kansas?

A occupational therapy license transfers from California to Kansas by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts, verify your California license, and meet Kansas's endorsement requirements. The NBCOT certification exam is not retaken. The Board's published FAQ does not say how it verifies NBCOT passage or whether a Kansas jurisprudence exam applies, so confirm both with the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts before applying..

Do I retake the NBCOT exam moving from California to Kansas?

No. The NBCOT certification exam is not retaken. The Board's published FAQ does not say how it verifies NBCOT passage or whether a Kansas jurisprudence exam applies, so confirm both with the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts before applying.

How much does a Kansas OT license cost for someone licensed in California?

$80 (application for license fee on the KSBHA License Fees page (applies to OT and OTA); temporary license $25; renewal $72 online or $75 on paper, annually).

How long does Kansas take to process the application?

4–8 weeks (the Board's OT FAQ says 'The application process takes on average four to eight weeks; however, each application is different').

Can I use the OT Compact to work in Kansas?

Not for this move. Kansas has enacted the OT Compact but was not issuing privileges as of 2026-09-27. A Kansas license by endorsement is required.

Sources

Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-09-27.

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-09-27

How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]