Occupational Therapist / Maryland
2026 data Maryland board official source

Maryland Occupational Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Helps patients develop daily living and work skills. Requires masters or doctoral degree.

What the Maryland data shows for Occupational Therapists

Maryland sets the entry bar for occupational therapists at 3,662 training hours and a passing score on NBCOT Certification Exam. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Maryland's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Masters or Doctoral Degree".

Budget $224 to get started, plus $191 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 36 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

On reciprocity, occupational therapists should know: OT Licensure Compact: 25+ member states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
32/100
Occupational Therapist · Maryland

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
3,662 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$224
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$96/yr
$191 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
18.0 hrs/yr
36 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Maryland

Education / Training Hours
Masters or Doctoral Degree
3,662 hours
Exam Requirement
NBCOT Certification Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$224
Renewal Fee
$191
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
36 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Occupational Therapist All Maryland licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Maryland licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Occupational Therapist in Maryland? ▼
In Maryland, the license path calls for 3662 education/training hours, a passing score on NBCOT Certification Exam, and a $224 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as an Occupational Therapist in Maryland? ▼
Maryland licenses occupational therapists who complete its requirements (3662 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Maryland licensing board.
Can I transfer my Occupational Therapist license to Maryland from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for occupational therapists nationally works like this: OT Licensure Compact: 25+ member states. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Maryland. Verify the specifics with the Maryland licensing board.
Does Maryland require a background check for Occupational Therapist licensing? ▼
Yes, Maryland requires a criminal background check as part of the occupational therapist licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Occupational Therapist in Maryland? ▼
To stay licensed as an occupational therapist in Maryland, plan on 36 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $191.

Related Guides

What to do with this occupational therapist license

Occupational Therapist in Maryland, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an occupational therapist-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Maryland's occupational therapist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Occupational Therapist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state occupational therapist license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Maryland's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Maryland overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Maryland licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.