"Practice of occupational therapy" means the therapeutic use of occupations for habilitation and rehabilitation to enhance physical health, mental health, and cognitive functioning and includes the evaluation, analysis, assessment, and delivery of education and training in basic and instrumental activities of daily living; the design, fabrication, and application of orthoses (splints); the design, selection, and use of adaptive equipment and assistive technologies; therapeutic activities to enhance functional performance; vocational evaluation and training; and consultation concerning the adaptation of physical, sensory, and social environments.
"Occupational therapy assistant" means an individual who has met the requirements of the Board for licensure and who works under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist to assist in the practice of occupational therapy.
Review state laws and regulations that apply to the board and Licensed Occupational Therapists.
To apply for licensure, please visit the application wizard for Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant. For other forms check the applications and forms page.
To obtain information about taking the examination and obtaining certification by NBCOT (National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy), please visit NBCOT's website.
OT Compact (OTC) – the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact allows eligible licensed occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants an alternative method for providing services in other member states. Use the following link to learn more: https://otcompact.gov/about/
OTs and OTAs licensed in Virginia are now able to apply for a compact privilege to practice in other member states currently accepting OTC applications. Review the eligibility requirements on the OT Compact page.
| Date | Event | Agenda | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 29 2026 10:00AM (Tue) | Advisory Board on Occupational Therapy | ||
| May 12 2026 10:00AM (Tue) | Advisory Board on Occupational Therapy | ||
| Feb 3 2026 10:00AM (Tue) | Advisory Board on Occupational Therapy - Cancelled | ||
| Oct 21 2025 10:00AM (Tue) | Advisory Board on Occupational Therapy - Cancelled | ||
| Jun 10 2025 10:00AM (Tue) | Advisory Board on Occupational Therapy | Agenda | Draft Minutes |
To view other board meetings visit the board's full calendar.
Caroline Barnes, OT
Glen Allen
1st Term expires - 6/30/28
Bobby Blair, OT
Charlottesville
1st Term expires – 6/30/27
Raffi Keradman, DO
Chesterfield
1st Term expires - 6/30/29
Dennis Lites
Suffolk
1st Term expires - 6/30/28
Leah Savelyev, OT
Roanoke
1st Term expires - 6/30/27
1. When did licensure become effective?
Regulations requiring licensure for Occupational Therapy became effective July 1, 1998.
2. When should a new graduate apply for licensure?
The Board of Medicine recommends that Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Assistant students who are about to graduate apply for licensure with the Board when they register to take their NBCOT exam.
3. Can I practice with a temporary license until a full license is issued?
Virginia does not issue a temporary license, however, a graduate of an OT or OTA program may practice designated as an OT-License Applicant or an OTA-License Applicant for 6 months after the date of graduation or until the graduate receives a failing score on the NBCOT exam whichever comes first.
4. What if I fail the NBCOT Exam?
An applicant that fails the NBCOT exam must cease practicing upon learning of the score.
5. What happens if I pass the NBCOT Exam but have not been licensed?
You may only practice for a total of 6 months after graduation, even if you have applied for licensure after passing the NBCOT exam and have not received your license. It is unlawful to practice beyond the 6 month period of time after graduation without receiving a license.
6. My school is no longer in existence. How do I provide documentation of education?
You must provide a notarized copy of your school’s diploma and transcript and a statement that your school is no longer in existence.
7. When do I have to renew my license and how long does it take to process?
Your license must be renewed biennially during your birth month in each even-numbered year. The fee is $135.00. Licenses are updated upon receipt of fees. A current license is printed, mailed and delivered to its destination within 10 working days. If you do not receive your updated license within four weeks of payment, contact the board office.
8. What is the difference between an active and inactive license?
An active license allows practice. An inactive license does not allow practice.
9. I am applying for a license in another state that requires verification of my Virginia license. How do I verify my license to another jurisdiction?
For years, the Virginia Board of Medicine has been leveraging technology and moving towards paperless processes, one of which is the Board’s verification of your professional license. On April 13, 2020, the Board of Medicine switched to digital verification of licenses. The process includes the use of License Lookup and a letter of explanation to be included with your verification to third parties.
License Lookup is the Department of Health Professions system that provides primary-source public licensing and discipline information in real-time, 24 hours a day, free of charge. The information meets the requirements of the Joint Commission. You can print the licensing information and discipline information, if applicable, for scanning and sending to the entity that needs your license verification. A letter of “explanation of process” can be printed and sent with the verification as authentication of the process to the entity.
If you are unable to locate your information on License Lookup, you can email the Board at medbd@dhp.virginia.gov.
10. What if I have not notified you of my change of address and the renewal form was sent to the old address?
If you do not receive a notice to renew, you will need to contact the board office at 804-367-4600 for instructions to renew.
11. What if my renewal payment is not received by the deadline?
An additional fee for processing a late renewal will be imposed. The license will not be updated until the additional fee is received.
12. I have mailed my renewal form to you. When can I expect to receive my new wallet card?
A renewal certificate with the wallet card attached is generated upon receipt of the renewal fee. It should reach the address of record within 10 to 14 business days.
13. I am going out of the country for a year. Can I renew early?
A license can only be updated within 60 days prior to the expiration date. Early renewal for military deployment may be considered. Call 804-367-4600.
14. What do I have to do to notify the board of an upcoming name change?
Name changes must be submitted in writing with a copy of legal documentation of name change. Request may be faxed to 804-527-4426.
15. I have not received my renewal certificate for the current year. What do I need to do?
Contact the board office at 804-367-4600.
16. Can you fax renewal forms to me?
No.
17. May I verify a license online?
Yes. Go to our License Lookup. For instructions on verifying your license to another state/jurisdiction, please see FAQ #9.
18. Does the Virginia Board have a newsletter?
The board publishes a Board Brief newsletter periodically. The latest Board Briefs can be found online.
19. May I renew my Virginia license online?
Yes, you are able to renew during your renewal cycle through the Online Licensing website.
20. May I change my address online?
Yes. Visit the Online Licensing site for more details.
21. If I want to file a complaint, may I obtain a complaint form online?
Yes, visit the Enforcement section of the DHP web to get the form and you may email your complaint to complaints@dhp.virginia.gov.
22. I have not practiced as an occupational therapist for 2 years. Can I still obtain a Virginia license?
If previously licensed in another jurisdiction, documentation of 160 hours (within the 24-month period immediately preceding application) of professional practice as an occupational therapist is required. Active practice may include supervisory, administrative, educational or consultative activities or responsibilities for delivery of such services. If you have not engaged in active practice of occupational therapy and wish to resume practice, you must document completion of continued competency hours equal to the requirement for the number of years in which your license has been inactive or lapsed, not to exceed six years. If your license has been inactive for six years or more and you have not engaged in active practice, you must provide proof of current NBCOT certification or retake and pass the NBCOT exam.
23. What are the CE requirements for renewal?
Renewal in a current/active status requires attestation of having completed 10 contact hours of continuing learning activities offered or approved by a sponsor or organization recognized by the profession, and may include up to 2 continuing education hours of delivery of occupational therapy services, without compensation, to low-income individuals receiving services through a local health department or a free clinic organized in whole or primarily for the delivery of health services, and up to 2 continuing education hours of supervision or experiences that promote the education of students.
You can still renew your license online within two years after allowing it to expire/lapse by following the online renewal process instructions on the board’s website. If you allow your license to lapse for two years or more and wish to reinstate it, you must complete a paper reinstatement application and provide evidence of current certification by the NBCOT or retake and pass the NBCOT exam, in addition to proof of meeting the continuing competency requirements of 18VAC85-80-71 for the number of years the license has lapsed, not to exceed six years.
1. When will I be eligible to purchase an OT Compact privilege to practice?
The state will upload the practitioner’s data into the OTC’s data system, CompactConnect. Practitioners can create an account in CompactConnect ONLY when their data is submitted by the state. If practitioners want to know when their data will be uploaded into CompactConnect, they need to inquire with Virginia’s licensing board, not the OTC. Once the practitioner’s data is uploaded into CompactConnect and you have created your account, you can apply for an OT Compact Privilege to Practice through CompactConnect.
2. When can I start practicing after purchasing a Compact Privilege?
Practitioners are immediately eligible to practice in the states where they hold (successfully purchase) Privileges to Practice. Practitioners will receive their Privileges to Practice within minutes of successfully completing the application and payment processes.
3. Am I required to complete a criminal background check when applying for an OT or OTA license?
Only those applying for a compact privilege to practice in Virginia or another OT Compact state are required to obtain a criminal history background check during the compact application process.
4. What happens if I have a criminal history reported to the Board?
The Board will review the records related to the criminal history and determine if the offenses identified make you ineligible for grant of a compact privilege.
5. I recently had an FBI records or private entity background check completed for another purpose. Can I just use those results to meet the requirements of the Board in seeking a compact privilege?
No. The Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact model legislation requires that an applicant seeking a compact privilege to practice in a member state submit a request to the Federal Bureau of Investigations for a criminal records check of the applicant. Upon completion of the criminal records check, the Virginia State Police Civil & Applicant Records Exchange (CARE) Division shall report the results of the check, and any information the FBI provides, to the licensing agency identified in the request for a criminal records check.
6. Will I need to submit a criminal record check to renew my license every two years?
No. The records check requirement does not apply to biennial renewal process or to individuals reinstating an expired Virginia license.
7. Does the compact privilege purchased expire?
No matter when the Privilege to Practice is purchased it will expire when the home state license expires. Example: if a person purchases a Privilege to Practice on March 1 and their home state license expires on March 31, the Privilege to Practice will expire on March 31 and must be repurchased when the home state license is renewed. There are no exceptions to this.
8. Can I request a refund of application fee paid to purchase a Compact Privilege?
No refunds are issued for Privilege to Practice purchases. No exceptions.
9. Am I still required to obtain an FBI Criminal Background Check even though I previously completed a Virginia State Police criminal History Background check when I initially purchased a compact privilege as a Virginia license holder?
Once Virginia has officially implemented Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Background Checks (FBI CBCs), OT Practitioners must complete an FBI CBC within 60-days of Virginia’s ability to perform FBI Criminal Background Checks. The licensing board will inform practitioners and facilitate this process.
Virginia Board of Medicine
medbd@dhp.virginia.gov | Contact the Board
