Occupational Therapy License from Ohio to Hawaii: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-09-27 · source: Hawaii Occupational Therapy Program (DCCA, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) ↗
A occupational therapy license transfers from Ohio to Hawaii by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Hawaii Occupational Therapy Program (DCCA, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division), verify your Ohio license, and meet Hawaii's endorsement requirements. 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..
Verify this exact pair in the checker
Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Your Ohio license can anchor OT Compact privileges, but not into Hawaii: Hawaii has not enacted the compact. To practice in Hawaii you need a Hawaii license by endorsement from the Hawaii Occupational Therapy Program (DCCA, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division). NBCOT passage is verified, not retaken. Any privileges you hold in other issuing states are unaffected while Ohio remains your home state.
What changes, Ohio → Hawaii
| Ohio (current) | Hawaii (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| OT Compact status | OT Compact member — compact privilege to practice | Licensure by endorsement |
| Application fee | $100 (non-refundable endorsement application fee paid online through eLicense Ohio; + $22 BCI and $24 FBI background-check fees (plus any vendor fingerprinting fee); + $35 NBCOT Score Transfer if not already sent. NOT the OT Compact privilege fee (Ohio privilege: $25 state fee + $75 commission fee).) | $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 Board states only that an application is reviewed within five business days of submission (approval or a request for more documents); no end-to-end licensing timeframe is published, and FBI checks from ink-rolled cards can take up to three months | the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division publishes no OT processing timeframe on the form or program page reviewed |
| Licensing authority | Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board (Occupational Therapy Section) | Hawaii Occupational Therapy Program (DCCA, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Hawaii sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Hawaii's current requirements on the Hawaii Occupational Therapy Program (DCCA, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Hawaii Occupational Therapy Program (DCCA, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) (application linked below).
- 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
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my Ohio occupational therapy license in Hawaii?
A occupational therapy license transfers from Ohio to Hawaii by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Hawaii Occupational Therapy Program (DCCA, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division), verify your Ohio license, and meet Hawaii's endorsement requirements. 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..
Do I retake the NBCOT exam moving from Ohio to 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 a Hawaii OT license cost for someone licensed in Ohio?
$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 process the application?
the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division publishes no OT processing timeframe on the form or program page reviewed.
Can I use the OT Compact to work in Hawaii?
Not for this move. Hawaii has not enacted the OT Compact. A Hawaii license by endorsement is required.
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)
- Ohio OTPTAT Board — OT and OTA Endorsement Applications ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- Ohio OTPTAT Board — OT/OTA Endorsement Application Instructions packet (Dec 2025) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- Ohio OTPTAT Board — OT-OTA Licensing (application pathways) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- Ohio OTPTAT Board — OT Compact ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- OT Compact Commission — Before You Apply (Ohio accepting applications since January 12, 2026; $25 OT privilege fee; jurisprudence required) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- Ohio OTPTAT Board — OT-OTA Endorsement Application page (Internet Archive copy, captured 2025-06-12; eligibility and five-business-day review re-checked) ↗ (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]