Getting a New York OT License

To practice as an occupational therapist or OTA in New York, you need a New York license from the State Education Department's Office of the Professions. New York is not in the OT Compact; the Commission's map shows only a bill filed. Every applicant, licensed elsewhere or not, files an Application for Licensure (Form 1) with the fee, has the school certify their education (Form 2), and has NBCOT send exam results. The OT fee is $294, the OTA fee is $147, and OTs must be at least 21.

Who licenses OTs in New York?

The New York State Education Department, through its Office of the Professions (often called NYSED or OP), with a State Board for Occupational Therapy. That structure matters for practical reasons: the forms, the verification process and the registration renewal all run through OP's systems, which differ from those of most state boards. The requirements are in Article 156 of the Education Law (sections 7904 and 7904-a) and Part 76 of the Commissioner's Regulations.

What are the requirements?

According to the Office of the Professions' license requirements page and Education Law § 7904, an occupational therapist must:

• be of good moral character;
• be at least 21 years old (18 for an OTA);
• complete an approved OT program at the baccalaureate or master's level or higher;
• have at least six months of supervised occupational therapy experience; and
• pass an exam satisfactory to the board, which in practice is the NBCOT OTR exam. New York states that the passing score is 450.

There is no US citizenship requirement. OTAs must complete a two-year associate degree program for OTAs and pass the COTA exam.

If your fieldwork did not cover the experience requirement, OP says the experience must be under a licensed OT, and part-time experience counts only if it was at least 15 hours a week, on at least two full days a week, in continuous periods of at least two months, totaling six months.

Which forms and fees apply?

• Form 1, Application for Licensure, submitted online or on paper, with the fee: $294 for an OT, $147 for an OTA. Online applications are paid by credit card.
• Form 2, Certification of Professional Education, sent by your school's registrar directly to the Office of the Professions.
• Foreign education: Form 2F directly from the institution, or a credentials report through TruMerit's verification service, which OP encourages but does not require.
• Exam results sent by NBCOT directly to OP. If you passed years ago, OP says to ask NBCOT to send written verification of your certification directly to the department.

OP notes that fees are subject to change, the fee due is the one in law when your application is received, and if you withdraw and later reapply you are treated as a new applicant. See sending your NBCOT score to a new board.

Can you work before the license issues?

Only with a limited permit, and only in certain settings. The permit covers the period between completing your program and receiving exam results. It costs $70, is valid for one year, and may be renewed once at the department's discretion for illness or other extenuating circumstances (Educ. Law § 7905). A permittee may practice only under a New York licensed OT or physician, and only in a hospital, a health care agency, or a preschool or elementary school as a related service for a child with a disability. OP says permittees "are not authorized to practice in the private office of a licensed occupational therapist or physician."

OP's page also carries a warning worth repeating to any employer: "Both the employer and the employee may be prosecuted" if an OT or OTA is employed without a license or limited permit. More in temporary and limited OT licenses.

How does registration renewal work?

New York separates the license from the registration. OP says your professional license "is valid for life," but registrations are valid for three years, and you must be both licensed and registered to practice. Most licensees must complete 36 hours of continuing competency activities in every three-year registration cycle, with at least 24 on professional subjects. Only two-thirds of the requirement may be self-directed online study; the rest must be in person, live online or synchronous. Courses must come from NYSED-approved sponsors.

A three-year cycle is unusual. If you also hold licenses in states with two-year cycles, map all the dates together. See keeping several OT licenses current.

Does New York protect the title?

Yes. OP states that any use of the titles "occupational therapist" or "occupational therapy assistant" within New York requires a New York license. That applies to job titles, signatures and marketing, including telehealth aimed at New York patients.

Is New York joining the compact?

Not yet. As of October 2026, the Commission's map lists New York among states with legislation filed, not enacted. Even after a state enacts the compact, it must finish implementation before it issues privileges. See enacted is not issuing and the OT Compact hub. Until then, a New York license is the only way to practice there.

Which steps slow New York files?

1. Form 2 from the school. The registrar sends it, on the registrar's schedule. Ask early.
2. Experience documentation. If your fieldwork does not cover the six months, part-time experience must meet OP's hours-per-week and continuity rules.
3. Missing NBCOT documentation. OP's instructions differ for recent and earlier test-takers.
4. Starting work on a permit in the wrong setting. Private practices are excluded.

Can we prepare your New York application?

Yes. New York runs every applicant through the same licensure application, so it falls under our Full State License Application: $749 for an OT and $649 for an OTA. We prepare Form 1, coordinate Form 2 and NBCOT documentation, file a limited permit if you qualify, and track OP's review. NYSED fees are separate. See our New York requirements page.