Occupational Therapy License from New York to Montana: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-09-27 · source: Montana Board of Physical, Rehabilitative, and Developmental Health Care Professionals (occupational therapy licensing) ↗
A occupational therapy license transfers from New York to Montana by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Montana Board of Physical, Rehabilitative, and Developmental Health Care Professionals (occupational therapy licensing), verify your New York license, and meet Montana's endorsement requirements. The NBCOT certification exam is not retaken. The Board's July 2026 licensure checklist accepts EITHER NBCOT certification (which covers an ACOTE-accredited degree and NBCOT exam passage) OR a current, active, in-good-standing out-of-state license from a state substantially equivalent to Montana. No Montana jurisprudence exam is listed, and the Commission lists Montana as 'Not required'..
Verify this exact pair in the checker
Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
The compact plays no part here, since neither state is issuing privileges. You apply to the Montana Board of Physical, Rehabilitative, and Developmental Health Care Professionals (occupational therapy licensing) as an OT licensed in another state, with NBCOT passage verified and your New York license confirmed, plus whatever Montana adds such as fingerprints or a jurisprudence exam.
What changes, New York → Montana
| New York (current) | Montana (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| OT Compact status | Licensure by endorsement | OT Compact enacted — not yet issuing |
| Application fee | $294 (Licensure and first registration fee for an OT ($147 for an OTA). An online application must be paid by credit card. A limited permit costs $70, non-refundable. Fees are subject to change; the fee in law when NYSED receives the application applies.) | $190 (OT license application fee of $190 (the same for an OTA). Montana's consolidated fee rule ARM 24.119.401 carried the former ARM 24.165.401 amounts forward unchanged. Since July 1, 2025, HB 227 adds a $5 contingent-litigation-fund fee for applicants of qualifying boards. A temporary practice permit costs $120. The Commission lists a $190 privilege fee, which is not payable yet.) |
| Processing time | NYSED publishes no processing timeframe for OT applications. | No timeframe is published. The Department says that if all other requirements are met while out-of-state verifications are pending, it can issue a provisional license with a reservation of rights, which acts as a full license for 60 days. |
| Licensing authority | New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions — State Board for Occupational Therapy | Montana Board of Physical, Rehabilitative, and Developmental Health Care Professionals (occupational therapy licensing) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Montana sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Montana's current requirements on the Montana Board of Physical, Rehabilitative, and Developmental Health Care Professionals (occupational therapy licensing) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Montana Board of Physical, Rehabilitative, and Developmental Health Care Professionals (occupational therapy licensing) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Apply online through the Montana licensing portal (ebiz.mt.gov/pol) with the fee.
- Provide verification of all current, previous and expired licenses in any profession from other states or jurisdictions.
- Provide NBCOT certification OR a current, active, in-good-standing license from a state substantially equivalent to Montana.
- Pay the fees ($190 (OT license application fee of $190 (the same for an OTA). Montana's consolidated fee rule ARM 24.119.401 carried the former ARM 24.165.401 amounts forward unchanged. Since July 1, 2025, HB 227 adds a $5 contingent-litigation-fund fee for applicants of qualifying boards. A temporary practice permit costs $120. The Commission lists a $190 privilege fee, which is not payable yet.)) and allow No timeframe is published. The Department says that if all other requirements are met while out-of-state verifications are pending, it can issue a provisional license with a reservation of rights, which acts as a full license for 60 days..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my New York occupational therapy license in Montana?
A occupational therapy license transfers from New York to Montana by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Montana Board of Physical, Rehabilitative, and Developmental Health Care Professionals (occupational therapy licensing), verify your New York license, and meet Montana's endorsement requirements. The NBCOT certification exam is not retaken. The Board's July 2026 licensure checklist accepts EITHER NBCOT certification (which covers an ACOTE-accredited degree and NBCOT exam passage) OR a current, active, in-good-standing out-of-state license from a state substantially equivalent to Montana. No Montana jurisprudence exam is listed, and the Commission lists Montana as 'Not required'..
Do I retake the NBCOT exam moving from New York to Montana?
No. The NBCOT certification exam is not retaken. The Board's July 2026 licensure checklist accepts EITHER NBCOT certification (which covers an ACOTE-accredited degree and NBCOT exam passage) OR a current, active, in-good-standing out-of-state license from a state substantially equivalent to Montana. No Montana jurisprudence exam is listed, and the Commission lists Montana as 'Not required'.
How much does a Montana OT license cost for someone licensed in New York?
$190 (OT license application fee of $190 (the same for an OTA). Montana's consolidated fee rule ARM 24.119.401 carried the former ARM 24.165.401 amounts forward unchanged. Since July 1, 2025, HB 227 adds a $5 contingent-litigation-fund fee for applicants of qualifying boards. A temporary practice permit costs $120. The Commission lists a $190 privilege fee, which is not payable yet.).
How long does Montana take to process the application?
No timeframe is published. The Department says that if all other requirements are met while out-of-state verifications are pending, it can issue a provisional license with a reservation of rights, which acts as a full license for 60 days..
Can I use the OT Compact to work in Montana?
Not for this move. Montana has enacted the OT Compact but was not issuing privileges as of 2026-09-27. A Montana license by endorsement is required.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-09-27.
- Montana DLI — Licensure Checklist for Occupational Therapy (last updated 7/13/2026) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- Montana Board of Physical, Rehabilitative, and Developmental Health Care Professionals — License Information (fees in ARM 24.119.401, renewal June 15) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- Montana PRD Board — home (provisional license with reservation of rights, license lookup) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- Montana PRD Board — March 11, 2026 board book (rule consolidation; ARM 24.165.401 OT fees: application $190; 24.119.401 carries fees forward unchanged) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- Montana DLI — Occupational Therapy Licensing page (HB 227 $5 fee notice) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- OT Compact Commission — Before You Apply (Montana: Not Yet accepting applications) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- NYSED Office of the Professions — License Requirements for Occupational Therapists ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- NYSED Office of the Professions — Application Forms for Occupational Therapists (Forms 1, 2, 2F, 3) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-09-27
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