Transfer Your Occupational Therapy License to Hawaii: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Last verified: 2026-09-27 · source: Hawaii Occupational Therapy Program (DCCA, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) ↗
By endorsement only. Hawaii is outside the OT Compact, so no privilege applies there; you apply to the Hawaii Occupational Therapy Program (DCCA, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) for a Hawaii license ($186–$279 ($186 if the license issues in an EVEN-numbered year ($50 nonrefundable application + $86 license + $50 Compliance Resolution Fund) or $279 if it issues in an ODD-numbered year ($50 + $86 + $100 CRF + $43 half renewal), payable to Commerce & Consumer Affairs (form OC-01, rev. 10/24)); processing the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division publishes no OT processing timeframe on the form or program page reviewed), and your NBCOT exam result is verified rather than retaken.
Moving to Hawaii from a specific state?
Pick your current state — the checker returns your exact pathway.
Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Hawaii has not enacted the OT Compact, which keeps things simple: every out-of-state OT and OTA gets a Hawaii license by endorsement, whether the plan is a permanent move, a short contract, or telehealth to clients located in Hawaii. Build the board's review time into your start date, because you cannot see Hawaii patients on an out-of-state license while the Hawaii Occupational Therapy Program (DCCA, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) reviews your application.
Hawaii has not enacted the OT Compact. Hawaii has no OT board. OTs are licensed through the DCCA Occupational Therapy Program, and every applicant, including one licensed in another state, uses the same license application, built around NBCOT certification. The OT form reviewed lists no separate endorsement pathway and no fingerprint requirement. All licenses expire December 31 of each even-numbered year regardless of issue date, which is why the first-license fee depends on the year of issue. A temporary license for military spouses has its own application.
Hawaii requirements at a glance
| Exam | The NBCOT certification exam is not retaken. Hawaii requires an original Verification of Certification ordered through MyNBCOT and sent directly to the Hawaii Occupational Therapy Program; an electronic NBCOT verification is acceptable, but a copy of the certificate or pocket card is not. The form ties licensure to 'NBCOT certification requirements' but does not say whether a lapsed certification is accepted. No Hawaii jurisprudence exam is required. |
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| Additional requirements |
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| Fees | $186–$279 ($186 if the license issues in an EVEN-numbered year ($50 nonrefundable application + $86 license + $50 Compliance Resolution Fund) or $279 if it issues in an ODD-numbered year ($50 + $86 + $100 CRF + $43 half renewal), payable to Commerce & Consumer Affairs (form OC-01, rev. 10/24)) |
| Processing time | the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division publishes no OT processing timeframe on the form or program page reviewed |
Step by step
- Confirm Hawaii's current requirements on the Hawaii Occupational Therapy Program (DCCA, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) website — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Hawaii Occupational Therapy Program (DCCA, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) (application linked on this page).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Have NBCOT send an original (or electronic) Verification of Certification directly to the Hawaii OT Program.
- Be at least 18 and a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or alien authorized to work in the United States.
- Provide your Social Security Number (required for the license to issue).
- For any 'yes' answer on complaints, unlicensed activity, discipline or convictions, submit the required statements and documents with the application.
- Pay the fees ($186–$279 ($186 if the license issues in an EVEN-numbered year ($50 nonrefundable application + $86 license + $50 Compliance Resolution Fund) or $279 if it issues in an ODD-numbered year ($50 + $86 + $100 CRF + $43 half renewal), payable to Commerce & Consumer Affairs (form OC-01, rev. 10/24))) and allow the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division publishes no OT processing timeframe on the form or program page reviewed.
Official links
Coming from a specific state?
Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into Hawaii:
Hawaii for other professions
Frequently asked questions
Does my occupational therapy license transfer to Hawaii?
By endorsement only. Hawaii is outside the OT Compact, so no privilege applies there; you apply to the Hawaii Occupational Therapy Program (DCCA, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) for a Hawaii license ($186–$279 ($186 if the license issues in an EVEN-numbered year ($50 nonrefundable application + $86 license + $50 Compliance Resolution Fund) or $279 if it issues in an ODD-numbered year ($50 + $86 + $100 CRF + $43 half renewal), payable to Commerce & Consumer Affairs (form OC-01, rev. 10/24)); processing the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division publishes no OT processing timeframe on the form or program page reviewed), and your NBCOT exam result is verified rather than retaken.
Do I have to retake the NBCOT exam to get licensed in Hawaii?
No. The NBCOT certification exam is not retaken. Hawaii requires an original Verification of Certification ordered through MyNBCOT and sent directly to the Hawaii Occupational Therapy Program; an electronic NBCOT verification is acceptable, but a copy of the certificate or pocket card is not. The form ties licensure to 'NBCOT certification requirements' but does not say whether a lapsed certification is accepted. No Hawaii jurisprudence exam is required.
How much does an OT license by endorsement cost in Hawaii?
$186–$279 ($186 if the license issues in an EVEN-numbered year ($50 nonrefundable application + $86 license + $50 Compliance Resolution Fund) or $279 if it issues in an ODD-numbered year ($50 + $86 + $100 CRF + $43 half renewal), payable to Commerce & Consumer Affairs (form OC-01, rev. 10/24)).
How long does Hawaii take to issue an OT license by endorsement?
the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division publishes no OT processing timeframe on the form or program page reviewed.
Is Hawaii an OT Compact state?
No. Hawaii 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 Hawaii license.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-09-27.
- Hawaii DCCA PVL, Occupational Therapy Program page ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- Hawaii DCCA PVL, Occupational Therapist license information, requirements and instructions (OC-01, rev. 10/24) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- Hawaii DCCA PVL, OT Application Forms, Requirements, Fees and Instructions ↗ (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]