Transfer Your Occupational Therapy License to Delaware: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Last verified: 2026-09-27 · source: Delaware Board of Occupational Therapy Practice (Division of Professional Regulation) ↗
Not through the compact yet. Delaware has passed the OT Compact into law but was not issuing privileges as of 2026-09-27, so you transfer by endorsement with the Delaware Board of Occupational Therapy Practice (Division of Professional Regulation). The fee is $236 (nonrefundable OT application fee paid in DELPROS (OTA $96; interstate telehealth registration $50). + fingerprinting and background-check fees paid to the vendor. NOT the OT Compact privilege fee (Commission lists Delaware's future state fee as $100 for OTs).) and processing runs no timeframe is published; the Board reviews only complete applications and does so at its next scheduled meeting; your NBCOT result is verified by Score Transfer or Verification of Certification.
Moving to Delaware from a specific state?
Pick your current state — the checker returns your exact pathway.
Verdict
OT Compact enacted — not yet issuing
Don't let "enacted" mislead you. Delaware has passed the OT Compact but had not started issuing privileges as of 2026-09-27, and the commission publishes no go-live date. Until it does, the only way to practice in Delaware is a Delaware license through the Delaware Board of Occupational Therapy Practice (Division of Professional Regulation), and the endorsement steps below are the whole process.
Delaware has enacted the OT Compact but is NOT yet issuing or accepting compact privileges (Commission status 'Not Yet' as of 2026-09-27). The Board calls the out-of-state path 'licensure by reciprocity': it is for anyone who already holds a current OT license in another jurisdiction. It is still a full application with a background check and license verifications, not automatic recognition. All applications and fees go through the DELPROS portal; an application not submitted within six months of starting must be restarted. Delaware also offers an interstate telehealth registration ($50) for OTs who serve Delaware clients only by telehealth.
Delaware requirements at a glance
| Exam | The NBCOT certification exam is not retaken. If you took the NBCOT exam after 2006 and designated Delaware to receive your scores, the Board office pulls them online. If you took it before 2007 or did not designate Delaware, you must order an official NBCOT Score Transfer. The Board does not say that NBCOT certification must be current, and no Delaware jurisprudence exam is required for licensure. |
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| Additional requirements |
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| Fees | $236 (nonrefundable OT application fee paid in DELPROS (OTA $96; interstate telehealth registration $50). + fingerprinting and background-check fees paid to the vendor. NOT the OT Compact privilege fee (Commission lists Delaware's future state fee as $100 for OTs).) |
| Processing time | no timeframe is published; the Board reviews only complete applications and does so at its next scheduled meeting |
Step by step
- Confirm Delaware's current requirements on the Delaware Board of Occupational Therapy Practice (Division of Professional Regulation) website — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Delaware Board of Occupational Therapy Practice (Division of Professional Regulation) (application linked on this page).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Hold a current OT license in another jurisdiction (apply 'by reciprocity' in DELPROS).
- Complete a State of Delaware and FBI fingerprint criminal background check through IdentoGO using the Board's service code; checks done for any other purpose are not accepted.
- Have every state or jurisdiction where you hold or ever held a license send verification directly to the Board.
- Order an NBCOT Score Transfer if you tested before 2007 or did not designate Delaware to receive your scores.
- Pay the fees ($236 (nonrefundable OT application fee paid in DELPROS (OTA $96; interstate telehealth registration $50). + fingerprinting and background-check fees paid to the vendor. NOT the OT Compact privilege fee (Commission lists Delaware's future state fee as $100 for OTs).)) and allow no timeframe is published; the Board reviews only complete applications and does so at its next scheduled meeting.
Official links
Coming from a specific state?
Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into Delaware:
Nearby states
Occupational Therapy license transfer into the states bordering Delaware:
Delaware for other professions
- Nursing in Delaware
- Cosmetology / Barber in Delaware
- Real Estate in Delaware
- Contractor in Delaware
- Teaching in Delaware
- CPA / Accounting in Delaware
- Electrician in Delaware
- Plumber in Delaware
- Engineering in Delaware
- Pharmacy in Delaware
- Physical Therapy in Delaware
- Psychology in Delaware
- Counseling in Delaware
- Social Work in Delaware
Frequently asked questions
Does my occupational therapy license transfer to Delaware?
Not through the compact yet. Delaware has passed the OT Compact into law but was not issuing privileges as of 2026-09-27, so you transfer by endorsement with the Delaware Board of Occupational Therapy Practice (Division of Professional Regulation). The fee is $236 (nonrefundable OT application fee paid in DELPROS (OTA $96; interstate telehealth registration $50). + fingerprinting and background-check fees paid to the vendor. NOT the OT Compact privilege fee (Commission lists Delaware's future state fee as $100 for OTs).) and processing runs no timeframe is published; the Board reviews only complete applications and does so at its next scheduled meeting; your NBCOT result is verified by Score Transfer or Verification of Certification.
Do I have to retake the NBCOT exam to get licensed in Delaware?
No. The NBCOT certification exam is not retaken. If you took the NBCOT exam after 2006 and designated Delaware to receive your scores, the Board office pulls them online. If you took it before 2007 or did not designate Delaware, you must order an official NBCOT Score Transfer. The Board does not say that NBCOT certification must be current, and no Delaware jurisprudence exam is required for licensure.
How much does an OT license by endorsement cost in Delaware?
$236 (nonrefundable OT application fee paid in DELPROS (OTA $96; interstate telehealth registration $50). + fingerprinting and background-check fees paid to the vendor. NOT the OT Compact privilege fee (Commission lists Delaware's future state fee as $100 for OTs).).
How long does Delaware take to issue an OT license by endorsement?
no timeframe is published; the Board reviews only complete applications and does so at its next scheduled meeting.
Is Delaware an OT Compact state?
Delaware has enacted the compact but was not accepting applications or issuing privileges as of 2026-09-27. Until it goes live, endorsement is the only way to practice in Delaware.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-09-27.
- Delaware DPR, Board of Occupational Therapy Practice ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- Delaware DPR, Occupational Therapist licensure (reciprocity and examination requirements) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- Delaware DPR, OT Fee Schedule ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- OT Compact Commission, Before You Apply (Delaware: Not Yet accepting applications) ↗ (accessed 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]