Occupational Therapy License from Wisconsin to Maryland: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Can I use my Wisconsin occupational therapy license in Maryland?
Yes, for working in Maryland — both Wisconsin and Maryland are active members of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (OT Compact). If Wisconsin is your primary state of residence and your Wisconsin license is active and unencumbered, you can buy a compact privilege to practice in Maryland without a second license. A privilege is not a license transfer: if you are moving your residence to Maryland, you will need a Maryland license once Maryland becomes your home state.
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Verdict
Compact privilege — work there without a second license
Because Wisconsin and Maryland are both issuing privileges, you may not need a Maryland license at all, provided Wisconsin stays your home. An OT or OTA living in Wisconsin with an active, unencumbered Wisconsin license can practice in Maryland on a compact privilege. That changes if you relocate: living in Maryland makes it your home state, and the privilege gives way to a Maryland license from the Maryland State Board of Occupational Therapy Practice.
What's different between Wisconsin and Maryland
Computed from both states' verified data rows, in both directions, and from the route every other origin gets into Maryland. Exam notes are our summary of each board's published rules, with sources below.
- Route, each way
Wisconsin to Maryland (this page): Compact privilege — work there without a second license.
Maryland to Wisconsin (the reverse move): Compact privilege — work there without a second license.
The route is the same in both directions.
- Does coming from Wisconsin matter?
Coming from Wisconsin matters here: only 10 of 50 origins (the other 49 states and DC) get this result for a move into Maryland.
The others get: licensure by endorsement (40).
- OT Compact membership
Wisconsin and Maryland are both OT Compact member states.
A compact privilege lets you practice in Maryland while Wisconsin is your home state; it is not a license, and a move to Maryland needs a Maryland license.
- Application fee
Maryland lists $200 for an out-of-state applicant and Wisconsin lists $75 for the reverse move; neither may be the full cost.
- Exam rules on record
Maryland and Wisconsin carry different exam notes (our summaries, below); any state law or jurisprudence exam is listed with each state's requirements.
- Maryland (this move): The NBCOT certification exam is not retaken. Maryland asks for verification of INITIAL NBCOT certification or examination; screenshots from NBCOT's verification site are accepted. Current NBCOT certification is not required. An applicant who is not currently NBCOT-certified submits a Continuing Competency Requirement Compliance Report showing 24 contact hours in the preceding 24 months. Every applicant must also complete the Maryland jurisprudence exam, an open-book exam on Health Occupations Article Title 10 and COMAR 10.46, answered on paper or online.
- Wisconsin (the reverse move): The NBCOT certification exam is not retaken. For RECIPROCAL applicants (licensed in another state or territory), DSPS's Reciprocal Licensure page lists practice history, verification of at least one current, active other-state license, the Communicable Diseases Certification (Form 1229) and the Wisconsin exam, and no NBCOT document, so current NBCOT certification is not required on that route; initial (non-reciprocal) applicants have NBCOT release their exam results or verification of certification. Wisconsin ALSO requires its State Jurisprudence Exam (open-book examination on the Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code).
What changes, Wisconsin → Maryland
| Wisconsin (current) | Maryland (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| OT Compact status | Licensure by endorsement · OT Compact privilege (not a license) | Licensure by endorsement · OT Compact privilege (not a license) |
| Application fee | $75 (initial credential fee for an Occupational Therapist on DSPS's Credential Fees and Renewal Dates page (OTA also $75; renewal $75, due May 31 of odd-numbered years), paid online through LicensE by card or ACH (DSPS says ACH can add 3-5 business days). A Veterans Fee Waiver or Initial Credential Fee Reduction can be requested in the application. NOT the OT Compact privilege fee (Wisconsin privilege: $75 state fee + $75 Commission fee).) | $200 (Application for initial licensure is $200 (COMAR 10.46.05.01B). It is non-refundable and includes a first temporary license. The fingerprinting vendor fee is extra; the Board does not state the amount. NOT the OT Compact privilege fee: Maryland's privilege costs $125 (COMAR 10.46.05.01M) plus the $75 Commission fee.) |
| Processing time | DSPS says a credentialing team member reviews submitted materials within approximately 10 days, and that reciprocity applications go to DSPS legal review, which adds processing time; no end-to-end timeframe is published. Applicants can track status with the LicensE Application Status Lookup (PAR number) | The Board publishes no processing timeframe |
| Licensing authority | Wisconsin Occupational Therapists Affiliated Credentialing Board (Department of Safety and Professional Services) | Maryland State Board of Occupational Therapy Practice |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Maryland 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 Maryland: purchase an OT Compact privilege for Maryland through the compact commission and complete any Maryland jurisprudence requirement.
- Keep your home-state license active — every privilege lapses with it.
- If you are moving your primary residence to Maryland: apply for a Maryland license with the Maryland State Board of Occupational Therapy Practice; a privilege does not follow you when your home state changes.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Do I retake the NBCOT exam moving from Wisconsin to Maryland?
No. The NBCOT certification exam is not retaken.
Do I need a Maryland license or just a compact privilege?
A privilege is enough if you keep living in Wisconsin and your Wisconsin license stays active and unencumbered. If you move your residence to Maryland, you need a Maryland license from the Maryland State Board of Occupational Therapy Practice.
What does it cost?
A Maryland compact privilege costs the $75 commission fee plus Maryland's privilege fee. A Maryland license by endorsement, for a relocation: $200 (Application for initial licensure is $200 (COMAR 10.46.05.01B).
How long does it take?
A privilege depends on your FBI background check through the Wisconsin board and any Maryland jurisprudence step. A Maryland license by endorsement: The Board publishes no processing timeframe.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-10-29.
- Maryland Board of Occupational Therapy Practice — Forms (Necessary Forms for an Initial License) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Maryland Board of Occupational Therapy Practice — Application for Licensure (2026 version) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Maryland Board of Occupational Therapy Practice — Applicant's Checklist (2026 version) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- COMAR 10.46.05 Collection of Fees ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- OT Compact Commission — Before You Apply (Maryland accepting applications since April 15, 2026; $125 privilege fee; jurisprudence required) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Wisconsin DSPS — Occupational Therapist profession page (application methods, temporary permit, Bridge Temporary Credential, OT Compact, renewal; the old dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions URL redirects here) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Wisconsin DSPS — Occupational Therapist: Reciprocal Applicants (eligibility, verification, Form 1229, exam, review timeline; Forms 225X and 2829 listed) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Wisconsin DSPS — Credential Fees and Renewal Dates (OT initial $75, renewal $75 by 05/31 odd years) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Wisconsin DSPS — Occupational Therapist: Initial Licensure (NBCOT exam results or verification of certification) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Wisconsin DSPS — Occupational Therapist: Temporary Permit ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Wisconsin DSPS — Bridge Temporary Credential (Wis. Stat. 440.094, 2021 Act 10) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Wisconsin DSPS — Occupational Therapist: Compact Privilege to Practice ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-10-29
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