Occupational Therapist / New Hampshire
2026 data New Hampshire board official source

New Hampshire Occupational Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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

What the New Hampshire data shows for Occupational Therapists

New Hampshire's path to occupational therapist licensure runs through 3,000 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on NBCOT Certification Exam, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. New Hampshire folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Masters or Doctoral Degree".

The initial price tag is $75, and renewal costs $75 every 2 years. Maintaining the license requires 36 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: OT Licensure Compact: 25+ member states.

Licensing Ease Score

C-
Licensing Ease Score
52/100
Occupational Therapist · New Hampshire

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
3,000 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B+
$75
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B-
$38/yr
$75 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 New Hampshire

Education / Training Hours
Masters or Doctoral Degree
3,000 hours
Exam Requirement
NBCOT Certification Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$75
Renewal Fee
$75
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 New Hampshire licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with New Hampshire licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Occupational Therapist in New Hampshire? ▼
In New Hampshire, the license path calls for 3000 education/training hours, a passing score on NBCOT Certification Exam, and a $75 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as an Occupational Therapist in New Hampshire? ▼
To become a licensed occupational therapist in New Hampshire, you must meet the state's requirements including 3000 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the New Hampshire licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Occupational Therapist license to New Hampshire from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for occupational therapists: OT Licensure Compact: 25+ member states. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the New Hampshire licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does New Hampshire require a background check for Occupational Therapist licensing? ▼
New Hampshire does require a background check before issuing an occupational therapist license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Occupational Therapist in New Hampshire? ▼
To stay licensed as an occupational therapist in New Hampshire, plan on 36 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $75.

Related Guides

What to do with this occupational therapist license

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

  • See how New Hampshire'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 New Hampshire's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. New Hampshire overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the New Hampshire 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.