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 Illinois
- Illinois requires a master's degree or higher for OT licensure.
- Every license expires December 31 of an odd-numbered year, whatever the issue date.
- Illinois-required CE topics (sexual harassment, implicit bias, dementia) apply even to licensees living in other states.
Can I practice in Illinois on an OT Compact privilege?
A compact bill has been introduced in Illinois, but it is not a member. Practicing here takes a Illinois license.
- Compact bill introduced
Can an OT licensed in another state get a Illinois license by endorsement?
Illinois has an endorsement pathway for OTs licensed in another jurisdiction. Applicants show an ACOTE master's or doctoral degree, the NBCOT OTR exam, and license certifications from the first state where they were licensed and every state where they hold a current license.
- Endorsement route available
Citation: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1315.150; IDFPR Qualifications for Licensure: Occupational Therapist (056)
Which exams does Illinois require for a license?
Both the exam and endorsement pathways require a passing NBCOT score, which IDFPR retrieves from the NBCOT portal. The qualifications list no state jurisprudence exam.
- NBCOT exam
- No state jurisprudence exam
Does Illinois offer a temporary or limited OT license?
There is no temporary license for licensed OTs. An applicant who meets everything except the exam can request a letter of authorization to work under supervision, with a licensed OT on site at least 75 percent of work hours, for up to six months.
- Temporary or limited license available
Citation: IDFPR Qualifications for Licensure: Occupational Therapist (056)
What OTAs need to know in Illinois
OTAs with under one year of experience, or entering a new setting or skill, need at least 5 percent of monthly hours as on-site, face-to-face supervision. After one year, 5 percent direct supervision per month is required, 2 percent of it face to face. Co-signature alone does not count as supervision.
Physical agent modality training in Illinois
Before using electrical, thermal or mechanical modalities, OTs and OTAs need at least 14 hours of didactic training with a lab and exam plus five supervised clinical treatments in each modality, documented and kept for the board.
Citation: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1315.162
How often does a Illinois OT license renew?
All licenses expire December 31 of odd-numbered years. Renewal requires 24 contact hours, including one hour each of ethics, sexual harassment prevention and implicit bias awareness, plus one hour of dementia training for those treating adults 26 and older. First renewals are exempt.
- Renews every 2 years
- 24 CE hours per cycle
Licensing in Illinois?
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.