Occupational Therapy License from Indiana to Virginia: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-09-27 · source: Virginia Board of Medicine (regulates occupational therapy, with its Advisory Board on Occupational Therapy) ↗
Yes, for working in Virginia — both Indiana and Virginia are active members of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (OT Compact). If Indiana is your primary state of residence and your Indiana license is active and unencumbered, you can buy a compact privilege to practice in Virginia without a second license. A privilege is not a license transfer: if you are moving your residence to Virginia, you will need a Virginia license once Virginia becomes your home state.
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Verdict
Compact privilege — work there without a second license
Because Indiana and Virginia are both issuing privileges, you may not need a Virginia license at all, provided Indiana stays your home. An OT or OTA living in Indiana with an active, unencumbered Indiana license can practice in Virginia on a compact privilege. That changes if you relocate: living in Virginia makes it your home state, and the privilege gives way to a Virginia license from the Virginia Board of Medicine (regulates occupational therapy, with its Advisory Board on Occupational Therapy).
What changes, Indiana → Virginia
| Indiana (current) | Virginia (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| OT Compact status | OT Compact member — compact privilege to practice | OT Compact member — compact privilege to practice |
| Application fee | $100 (nonrefundable application fee paid by card with the online application (same fee for OTA), per the PLA licensing page and Committee fee schedule (Dec 2025 archive copy). A temporary permit is $50 more. NOT the OT Compact privilege fee: an Indiana privilege costs a $25 state fee plus the $75 Commission fee.) | $130 (initial OT license fee under 18VAC85-80-26 (OTA $70); non-refundable. NOT the OT Compact privilege fee (Virginia privilege: $75 OT / $40 OTA state fee under 18VAC85-80-26(A)(10), plus the $75 Commission fee).) |
| Processing time | PLA publishes no OT processing timeframe; an application with missing requirements is abandoned after one year | no processing time found; the Board of Medicine's site (dhp.virginia.gov) was unreachable from this environment on 2026-09-27 |
| Licensing authority | Indiana Occupational Therapy Committee (Indiana Professional Licensing Agency) | Virginia Board of Medicine (regulates occupational therapy, with its Advisory Board on Occupational Therapy) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Virginia sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm your home-state license is active and unencumbered and that your home state is your primary state of residence.
- To work in Virginia: purchase a OT Compact privilege for Virginia through the compact commission and complete any Virginia jurisprudence requirement.
- Keep your home-state license active — every privilege lapses with it.
- If you are moving your primary residence to Virginia: apply for a Virginia license with the Virginia Board of Medicine (regulates occupational therapy, with its Advisory Board on Occupational Therapy); a privilege does not follow you when your home state changes.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my Indiana occupational therapy license in Virginia?
Yes, for working in Virginia — both Indiana and Virginia are active members of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (OT Compact). If Indiana is your primary state of residence and your Indiana license is active and unencumbered, you can buy a compact privilege to practice in Virginia without a second license. A privilege is not a license transfer: if you are moving your residence to Virginia, you will need a Virginia license once Virginia becomes your home state.
Do I retake the NBCOT exam moving from Indiana to Virginia?
No. The NBCOT certification exam is not retaken. Endorsement applicants submit 'verification of a professional credential in occupational therapy' (18VAC85-80-36), and the Board's application page tells applicants to have NBCOT send 'certification of credentials' directly to the Board; the underlying exam rule (18VAC85-80-50) requires evidence of passing the NBCOT certification exam. The sources read do not say that CURRENT NBCOT certification is required. No Virginia jurisprudence exam applies (the Commission lists Virginia's compact jurisprudence as 'Not required').
Do I need a Virginia license or just a compact privilege?
A privilege is enough if you keep living in Indiana and your Indiana license stays active and unencumbered. If you move your residence to Virginia, you need a Virginia license from the Virginia Board of Medicine (regulates occupational therapy, with its Advisory Board on Occupational Therapy).
What does it cost?
A Virginia compact privilege costs the $75 commission fee plus Virginia's privilege fee. A Virginia license by endorsement, for a relocation: $130 (initial OT license fee under 18VAC85-80-26 (OTA $70); non-refundable. NOT the OT Compact privilege fee (Virginia privilege: $75 OT / $40 OTA state fee under 18VAC85-80-26(A)(10), plus the $75 Commission fee).).
How long does it take?
A privilege depends on your FBI background check through the Indiana board and any Virginia jurisprudence step. A Virginia license by endorsement: no processing time found; the Board of Medicine's site (dhp.virginia.gov) was unreachable from this environment on 2026-09-27.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-09-27.
- Virginia Board of Medicine — Occupational Therapy application wizard (Internet Archive copy, captured 2025-10-07; dhp.virginia.gov unreachable) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- 18VAC85-80-36 — Licensure by endorsement requirements (eff. December 3, 2025) (Internet Archive copy of law.lis.virginia.gov, captured 2026-05-17) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- 18VAC85-80-26 — Fees (Internet Archive copy of law.lis.virginia.gov, captured 2026-04-21) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- 18VAC85-80-50 — Examination requirements (Internet Archive copy of law.lis.virginia.gov) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- OT Compact Commission — Before You Apply (Virginia accepting applications since March 20, 2026; $75 OT privilege fee; jurisprudence not required) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- Indiana PLA, Occupational Therapy Licensing Information and fee schedule (Internet Archive copy of 2025-12-15; in.gov refused connections from this environment on 2026-09-27) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- Indiana PLA, Occupational Therapy Home, announcement of March 5, 2026: 'Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact Implemented and Live in Indiana, Beginning Monday, March 9, 2026' (Internet Archive copy of 2026-06-12) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-09-27
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