Occupational Therapist / Washington
2026 data Washington board official source

Washington 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 Washington data shows for Occupational Therapists

Washington sets the entry bar for occupational therapists at 3,811 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 Washington's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Masters or Doctoral Degree".

The initial price tag is $257, and renewal costs $217 every 2 years. 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
30/100
Occupational Therapist · Washington

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
3,811 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$257
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$109/yr
$217 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 Washington

Education / Training Hours
Masters or Doctoral Degree
3,811 hours
Exam Requirement
NBCOT Certification Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$257
Renewal Fee
$217
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 Washington licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Washington licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Occupational Therapist in Washington? ▼
Washington requires 3811 education/training hours, passing an exam (NBCOT Certification Exam), and an initial fee of $257. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as an Occupational Therapist in Washington? ▼
To become a licensed occupational therapist in Washington, you must meet the state's requirements including 3811 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Washington licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Occupational Therapist license to Washington 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 Washington licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Washington require a background check for Occupational Therapist licensing? ▼
Washington 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 Washington? ▼
To stay licensed as an occupational therapist in Washington, plan on 36 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $217.

Related Guides

What to do with this occupational therapist license

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

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

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