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 Virginia
- OT licensing sits under the Virginia Board of Medicine.
- Endorsement applicants must supply a current report from the National Practitioner Data Bank.
- Virginia issues OT Compact privileges and does not require a jurisprudence exam for them.
Can I practice in Virginia on an OT Compact privilege?
Virginia is issuing OT Compact privileges (since March 20, 2026). An OT or OTA whose home state is also issuing can apply for a privilege to practice here through CompactConnect, and must complete the application personally.
- Issuing compact privileges
Can an OT licensed in another state get a Virginia license by endorsement?
Virginia licenses by endorsement with evidence of a current, active license in good standing in any US jurisdiction or Canada, the application and fee, verification of your OT education credential, and a current National Practitioner Data Bank report.
- Endorsement route available
Citation: 18VAC85-80-36
Which exams does Virginia require for a license?
OTs and OTAs must show they passed the NBCOT certification exam. The Board of Medicine's OT regulations list no state jurisprudence exam.
- NBCOT exam
- No state jurisprudence exam
Does Virginia offer a temporary or limited OT license?
A new graduate of an accredited program may practice as "O.T.L.-Applicant" or "O.T.A.-Applicant" until failing the NBCOT exam or six months after graduation, whichever comes first. The regulations offer no comparable interim route for OTs licensed elsewhere.
- Temporary or limited license available
Citation: 18VAC85-80-45
What OTAs need to know in Virginia
The supervising OT must meet with the OTA to review each patient at least every tenth treatment session or every 30 days, whichever comes first, and countersign the OTA's documentation then. One OT may supervise up to six OT personnel, no more than three of them OTAs.
How often does a Virginia OT license renew?
Licenses renew in your birth month of each even-numbered year. Renewal requires at least 10 contact hours from approved providers, and the first renewal after initial Virginia licensure is exempt.
- Renews every 2 years
- 10 CE hours per cycle
Licensing in Virginia?
If your home state issues privileges too, a compact privilege may be the fastest route; you file it yourself, and we prepare you and sit with you while you do. 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.