Occupational Therapist / Virginia
2026 data Virginia board official source

Virginia 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 Virginia data shows for Occupational Therapists

Becoming a licensed occupational therapist in Virginia means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 3,405 training hours, a passing score on NBCOT Certification Exam, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Virginia regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Masters or Doctoral Degree".

The initial price tag is $166, and renewal costs $146 every 2 years. The license also carries an ongoing 36-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
36/100
Occupational Therapist · Virginia

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
3,405 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$166
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$73/yr
$146 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 Virginia

Education / Training Hours
Masters or Doctoral Degree
3,405 hours
Exam Requirement
NBCOT Certification Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$166
Renewal Fee
$146
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 Virginia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Virginia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Occupational Therapist in Virginia? ▼
Virginia requires 3405 education/training hours, passing an exam (NBCOT Certification Exam), and an initial fee of $166. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as an Occupational Therapist in Virginia? ▼
Virginia licenses occupational therapists who complete its requirements (3405 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Virginia licensing board.
Can I transfer my Occupational Therapist license to Virginia from another state? ▼
Occupational Therapist licenses generally reciprocate as follows: OT Licensure Compact: 25+ member states. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Virginia licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Virginia require a background check for Occupational Therapist licensing? ▼
Yes, Virginia 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 Virginia? ▼
To stay licensed as an occupational therapist in Virginia, plan on 36 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $146.

Related Guides

What to do with this occupational therapist license

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

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

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