Transfer Your Occupational Therapy License to Washington: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)

Last verified: 2026-09-27 · source: Washington State Occupational Therapy Practice Board (Washington State Department of Health) ↗

Washington has enacted the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact but, as of 2026-09-27, is not yet accepting applications or issuing privileges, so no privilege lets you practice there. Every incoming OT or OTA needs a Washington license by endorsement from the Washington State Occupational Therapy Practice Board (Washington State Department of Health): $166 (OT application and initial license fee under WAC 246-847-990, including a $16 HEALWA surcharge (OTA also $166). Non-refundable. The FBI fingerprinting fee is separate and not published on the pages read. Limited permit $55. No OT Compact privilege fee exists yet (Washington is not issuing privileges).), processing no processing time is published; the Department says delayed responses to its requests lengthen processing, and military spouses/registered domestic partners may be eligible for expedited processing, with NBCOT exam passage verified instead of retaken.

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Verdict

OT Compact enacted — not yet issuing

Washington's compact status reads better on paper than it works in practice. The legislature has enacted the OT Compact, but the Washington State Occupational Therapy Practice Board (Washington State Department of Health) was not accepting privilege applications as of 2026-09-27, so for now Washington works like a non-member: nobody practices there on a privilege, and OTs who live there cannot buy privileges elsewhere. Plan on endorsement. This page will change when Washington goes live.

Washington has ENACTED the OT Compact ('Washington has joined the Occupational Therapy Compact', per the Department's FAQ) but is NOT yet issuing privileges ('Not Yet' on the Commission's Before You Apply page), so relocating OTs need a Washington license. Because of the compact, all new applicants must complete an FBI fingerprint background check from July 1, 2026. Under SHB 1724 (effective July 23, 2023), an applicant credentialed for at least two years without discipline in a state Washington has deemed substantially equivalent can use that route; the Department's list (reviewed October 18, 2024) marks every other state and DC as equivalent, and applicants use the endorsement application. You may not practice until the Washington license issues. Applicants who graduated three or more years ago and never practiced must complete continued competency and a board-approved re-entry program. Initial licenses expire on the practitioner's birthday; renewal is every two years.

Washington requirements at a glance

Out-of-state occupational therapy license transfer requirements for Washington, verified 2026-09-27
Exam	The NBCOT certification exam is not retaken; applicants must have obtained a passing score on the NBCOT exam. The Department's licensing pages do not specify whether a Score Transfer or a Verification of Certification is required, and do not require CURRENT NBCOT certification. No Washington jurisprudence exam was found on the licensing requirements page.
Additional requirements	Graduate of a nationally accredited, board-approved OT program with at least six months of supervised fieldwork (official transcript sent directly from the school) Have every jurisdiction where you hold or held a credential (or applied for one) send the verification form directly to the Department Complete an FBI fingerprint-based background check (required of all new applicants from July 1, 2026; instructions are sent after you apply) Provide a complete chronology of activities from OT graduation to application, accounting for any gaps Substantially-equivalent-state route (SHB 1724): be credentialed for at least two years in a state Washington has deemed equivalent, with no disciplinary action
Fees	$166 (OT application and initial license fee under WAC 246-847-990, including a $16 HEALWA surcharge (OTA also $166). Non-refundable. The FBI fingerprinting fee is separate and not published on the pages read. Limited permit $55. No OT Compact privilege fee exists yet (Washington is not issuing privileges).)
Processing time	no processing time is published; the Department says delayed responses to its requests lengthen processing, and military spouses/registered domestic partners may be eligible for expedited processing

Step by step

Confirm Washington's current requirements on the Washington State Occupational Therapy Practice Board (Washington State Department of Health) website — rules change.
Submit the endorsement application to the Washington State Occupational Therapy Practice Board (Washington State Department of Health) (application linked on this page).
Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
Graduate of a nationally accredited, board-approved OT program with at least six months of supervised fieldwork (official transcript sent directly from the school).
Have every jurisdiction where you hold or held a credential (or applied for one) send the verification form directly to the Department.
Complete an FBI fingerprint-based background check (required of all new applicants from July 1, 2026; instructions are sent after you apply).
Provide a complete chronology of activities from OT graduation to application, accounting for any gaps.
Substantially-equivalent-state route (SHB 1724): be credentialed for at least two years in a state Washington has deemed equivalent, with no disciplinary action.
Pay the fees ($166 (OT application and initial license fee under WAC 246-847-990, including a $16 HEALWA surcharge (OTA also $166). Non-refundable. The FBI fingerprinting fee is separate and not published on the pages read. Limited permit $55. No OT Compact privilege fee exists yet (Washington is not issuing privileges).)) and allow no processing time is published; the Department says delayed responses to its requests lengthen processing, and military spouses/registered domestic partners may be eligible for expedited processing.

Official links

Washington State Occupational Therapy Practice Board (Washington State Department of Health) ↗Washington application ↗License verification ↗

Coming from a specific state?

Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into Washington:

California → Washington Florida → Washington Georgia → Washington Illinois → Washington Michigan → Washington New York → Washington North Carolina → Washington Ohio → Washington Pennsylvania → Washington Texas → Washington

Nearby states

Occupational Therapy license transfer into the states bordering Washington:

Washington for other professions

Frequently asked questions

Does my occupational therapy license transfer to Washington?

Do I have to retake the NBCOT exam to get licensed in Washington?

No. The NBCOT certification exam is not retaken; applicants must have obtained a passing score on the NBCOT exam. The Department's licensing pages do not specify whether a Score Transfer or a Verification of Certification is required, and do not require CURRENT NBCOT certification. No Washington jurisprudence exam was found on the licensing requirements page.

How much does an OT license by endorsement cost in Washington?

$166 (OT application and initial license fee under WAC 246-847-990, including a $16 HEALWA surcharge (OTA also $166). Non-refundable. The FBI fingerprinting fee is separate and not published on the pages read. Limited permit $55. No OT Compact privilege fee exists yet (Washington is not issuing privileges).).

How long does Washington take to issue an OT license by endorsement?

no processing time is published; the Department says delayed responses to its requests lengthen processing, and military spouses/registered domestic partners may be eligible for expedited processing.

Is Washington an OT Compact state?

Washington 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 Washington.

Sources

Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-09-27.

Washington DOH — OT and OTA Licensing Information (application, fee schedule WAC 246-847-990) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
Washington DOH — OT and OTA Licensing Requirements ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
Washington DOH — OT and OTA Substantially Equivalent States (SHB 1724) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
Washington DOH — OT and OTA Frequently Asked Questions (FBI background checks from July 1, 2026) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
Washington DOH — OT Licensure Compact ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
OT Compact Commission — Before You Apply (Washington: Not Yet) ↗ (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]