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 Pennsylvania
- OTs must carry professional liability insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence or claims made.
- Child abuse recognition training is required for the initial license and at every renewal, even for OTs who never treat children.
- Pennsylvania has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing privileges and does not appear in the Commission's fee table.
Can I practice in Pennsylvania on an OT Compact privilege?
Pennsylvania has enacted the OT Compact but is not issuing privileges yet. Until it does, practicing here takes a Pennsylvania license, and a Pennsylvania license does not yet give you a privilege anywhere else.
- Enacted, not issuing yet
Can an OT licensed in another state get a Pennsylvania license by endorsement?
Pennsylvania licenses by endorsement if your license is from a jurisdiction with substantially equivalent standards and you practiced at least 2 of the last 5 years with no discipline. You submit a copy of the other state's licensing law and complete 3 hours of approved child abuse training. A one-year provisional license may issue meanwhile.
- Endorsement route available
Citation: 63 Pa.C.S. 3111; 49 Pa. Code 42.9, 42.10
Which exams does Pennsylvania require for a license?
The licensure exam is the NBCOT exam at NBCOT's passing score, with results sent by NBCOT to the board. The board rules list no state jurisprudence exam. Every applicant needs 3 hours of approved child abuse recognition and reporting training before a license issues.
- NBCOT exam
- No state jurisprudence exam
Does Pennsylvania offer a temporary or limited OT license?
A temporary license covers exam candidates, who practice only as an assistant under direct OT supervision. Separately, a nonresident licensed elsewhere or NBCOT-certified can get a temporary license to practice up to six consecutive months a year in association with a Pennsylvania OT. OTs also need liability insurance proof.
- Temporary or limited license available
Citation: 49 Pa. Code 42.15
What OTAs need to know in Pennsylvania
Supervisory contact must equal at least 10 percent of the OTA's direct patient care time, with face-to-face on-site contact at least monthly that includes observing the OTA. The supervising OT must also give the OTA a written performance appraisal at least once a year.
How often does a Pennsylvania OT license renew?
All licenses expire June 30 of odd-numbered years. OTs and OTAs need 24 contact hours each biennium, including 2 hours of approved child abuse recognition and reporting. Only the child abuse hours are required at the first renewal after licensure.
- Renews every 2 years
- 24 CE hours per cycle
Licensing in Pennsylvania?
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.