Verified October 8, 2026 against the practice act, board rules and sources cited below. The board decides every application. All states
What OTs miss in Colorado
- Licensees who treat clients must carry professional liability insurance of at least $1 million per claim and $3 million aggregate.
- A license issued within 120 days of the renewal date is issued with the next expiration date.
- Colorado has no OT board; the Director of the Division of Professions and Occupations issues licenses.
Can I practice in Colorado on an OT Compact privilege?
Colorado has enacted the OT Compact but is not issuing privileges yet. Until it does, practicing here takes a Colorado license, and a Colorado license does not yet give you a privilege anywhere else.
- Enacted, not issuing yet
Can an OT licensed in another state get a Colorado license by endorsement?
Licensure by endorsement runs through the occupational credential portability program. Any state that requires or accepts the NBCOT exam counts as equivalent. Applicants also show 400 practice hours within a 12-month span in the last two years, one year of licensure elsewhere, or 24 recent CE hours.
- Endorsement route available
Citation: C.R.S. § 12-270-107(5); 3 CCR 715-1, Rule 1.5
Which exams does Colorado require for a license?
The NBCOT exam is the approved exam. An NBCOT pass more than two years old does not qualify for licensure by exam, so those applicants use endorsement instead. The rules list no state jurisprudence exam.
- NBCOT exam
- No state jurisprudence exam
Does Colorado offer a temporary or limited OT license?
No temporary license appears in the rules. A legally qualified OT from another state may cover for a temporarily absent Colorado-licensed OT for up to four weeks in any 12-month period without a Colorado license.
Citation: C.R.S. § 12-270-110(1)(e); 3 CCR 715-1, Rule 1.7
What OTAs need to know in Colorado
Colorado sets no fixed ratio or contact schedule. The supervising OT evaluates, writes the plan of care and delegates, uses professional judgment on how many people to supervise, and the OTA may not start or change a treatment program without the OT's prior evaluation and approval.
How often does a Colorado OT license renew?
All OT and OTA licenses expire December 31 of even-numbered years. Renewal requires continuing professional competency: a reflective self-assessment, a learning plan and 24 professional development activities, or deemed status through NBCOT certification or the Colorado Department of Education.
- Renews every 2 years
- 24 CE hours per cycle
Licensing in Colorado?
For a license, we send your NBCOT score and verifications, file the application and carry the board correspondence. License by endorsement is $599 for an OT and $499 for an OTA.