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LicenseReciprocity

Transfer Your Occupational Therapy License to California: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)

Last verified: 2026-09-27 · source: California Board of Occupational Therapy ↗

California has not enacted the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, so an OT or OTA license from another state reaches California only by endorsement through the California Board of Occupational Therapy. Expect $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).) and processing of 3–4 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). You do not retake the NBCOT exam; the board verifies your passage.

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Verdict

Licensure by endorsement

California has not enacted the OT Compact, which keeps things simple: every out-of-state OT and OTA gets a California license by endorsement, whether the plan is a permanent move, a short contract, or telehealth to clients located in California. Build the board's review time into your start date, because you cannot see California patients on an out-of-state license while the California Board of Occupational Therapy reviews your application.

California has not enacted the OT Compact. There is no separate endorsement application: out-of-state OTs file the same initial license application in BreEZe with license verifications. An OT with a current, active, unrestricted license in another state may work in California for up to 60 calendar days from the date the Board receives the application, in association with a California-licensed OT; the Board suggests sending the application with a return receipt to prove that date. Applications are abandoned after two years, or 60 days after the approval letter if the license fee is not paid. A U.S. Social Security Number is required before a license can issue. The Board offers temporary licensure for spouses and domestic partners of active-duty military and expedited licensure for refugees, asylees and special immigrant visa holders (AB 2113).

California requirements at a glance

Out-of-state occupational therapy license transfer requirements for California, verified 2026-09-27
ExamThe NBCOT certification exam is not retaken. The Board accepts either an NBCOT Verification of Certification or an NBCOT Score Transfer Report sent directly to the Board. The Board's materials do not say whether certification must be current. No California jurisprudence or laws-and-rules exam is listed. An applicant who has not worked as an OT within five years must either complete 40 hours of CE/PDUs within the past two years or pass the NBCOT exam (B&P Code 2570.14).
Additional requirements
  • Official transcript with the degree posted, sent directly from a qualifying accredited OT degree program
  • Complete a background check for this Board: Live Scan if in California, or the Board's pre-printed fingerprint cards if out of state
  • Have every jurisdiction where you hold or held any health-related license send verification of licensure
  • Submit a 2x2 passport-quality color photo taken within the last six months
  • If you have not practiced as an OT within five years, submit 40 hours of CE/PDUs from the past two years or pass the NBCOT exam
Fees$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).)
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)

Step by step

  1. Confirm California's current requirements on the California Board of Occupational Therapy website — rules change.
  2. Submit the endorsement application to the California Board of Occupational Therapy (application linked on this page).
  3. Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
  4. Official transcript with the degree posted, sent directly from a qualifying accredited OT degree program.
  5. Complete a background check for this Board: Live Scan if in California, or the Board's pre-printed fingerprint cards if out of state.
  6. Have every jurisdiction where you hold or held any health-related license send verification of licensure.
  7. Submit a 2x2 passport-quality color photo taken within the last six months.
  8. If you have not practiced as an OT within five years, submit 40 hours of CE/PDUs from the past two years or pass the NBCOT exam.
  9. Pay the fees ($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).)) and allow 3–4 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).

Official links

California Board of Occupational Therapy ↗California application ↗License verification ↗

Coming from a specific state?

Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into California:

Alabama → CaliforniaAlaska → CaliforniaArizona → CaliforniaArkansas → CaliforniaColorado → CaliforniaConnecticut → CaliforniaDelaware → CaliforniaDistrict of Columbia → CaliforniaFlorida → CaliforniaGeorgia → CaliforniaHawaii → CaliforniaIdaho → CaliforniaIllinois → CaliforniaIndiana → CaliforniaIowa → CaliforniaKansas → CaliforniaKentucky → CaliforniaLouisiana → CaliforniaMaine → CaliforniaMaryland → California
All 50 origin states
Massachusetts → CaliforniaMichigan → CaliforniaMinnesota → CaliforniaMississippi → CaliforniaMissouri → CaliforniaMontana → CaliforniaNebraska → CaliforniaNevada → CaliforniaNew Hampshire → CaliforniaNew Jersey → CaliforniaNew Mexico → CaliforniaNew York → CaliforniaNorth Carolina → CaliforniaNorth Dakota → CaliforniaOhio → CaliforniaOklahoma → CaliforniaOregon → CaliforniaPennsylvania → CaliforniaRhode Island → CaliforniaSouth Carolina → CaliforniaSouth Dakota → CaliforniaTennessee → CaliforniaTexas → CaliforniaUtah → CaliforniaVermont → CaliforniaVirginia → CaliforniaWashington → CaliforniaWest Virginia → CaliforniaWisconsin → CaliforniaWyoming → California

Nearby states

Occupational Therapy license transfer into the states bordering California:

California for other professions

Frequently asked questions

Does my occupational therapy license transfer to California?

California has not enacted the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, so an OT or OTA license from another state reaches California only by endorsement through the California Board of Occupational Therapy. Expect $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).) and processing of 3–4 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). You do not retake the NBCOT exam; the board verifies your passage.

Do I have to retake the NBCOT exam to get licensed in California?

No. The NBCOT certification exam is not retaken. The Board accepts either an NBCOT Verification of Certification or an NBCOT Score Transfer Report sent directly to the Board. The Board's materials do not say whether certification must be current. No California jurisprudence or laws-and-rules exam is listed. An applicant who has not worked as an OT within five years must either complete 40 hours of CE/PDUs within the past two years or pass the NBCOT exam (B&P Code 2570.14).

How much does an OT license by endorsement cost in California?

$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).).

How long does California take to issue an OT license by endorsement?

3–4 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).

Is California an OT Compact state?

No. California had not enacted the OT Compact as of 2026-09-27, so no privilege authorizes practice there and every incoming OT or OTA needs a California license.

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]