How to Get a Continuing Education Credit Established Occupational Therapy

All occupational therapists must periodically renew their licenses in order to keep their practice. The renewal process is different for every state and usually includes some amount of Occupational Therapy continuing education or competency.

If you're an occupational therapist, use this article as a quick reference for the main licensing and continuing education requirements in your state. First, however, let's review a few key concepts.

Renewing an OT license

After you completed your NBCOT exam and applied for licensure, you were probably issued an occupational therapy license to practice in your state. But that hard-earned license will expire, either annually, biennially, or triennially.

In order to continue your practice as an OT, you must renew the license before the expiration date. Otherwise, your license will lapse and you will need to reinstate your license, which is a completely different process from a license renewal.

OT Continuing Education Requirements

Besides a license renewal fee and application, most OT state boards require each licensee to complete a certain number of continuing education units, or CEUs. Continuing education keeps OTs up-to-date with the latest policies, research, and methods for best practice. This periodic renewal also assures the public of the therapist's competency and currency with state regulation.

Each state board determines the required number and nature of CEUs. As licensure policies change, OT renewals will reflect those changes, so it's imperative that you check your CEU requirements directly with your state board.

How to Complete OT CEUs

There are a myriad of ways to fulfill your OT continuing education requirement. You could attend a class, webinar, or workshop, in person or over the web. You may even be able to earn CEU credit from qualifying academic and professional achievements, such as presenting research, co-authoring a book, or instructing a class.

Your state board may specify particular "categories" of CEUs or mandate a particular course or training as part of your continuing education requirement. Furthermore, some state boards accept only courses from AOTA-approved CEU providers. While it's best to check with your state, you can also reference a listing of AOTA-approved providers here.

Online OT CEUs

Although the traditional route for continuing education is through in-person classes or live workshops, most states also accept online courses for CEU requirements.

Online CEUs are convenient, but they aren't created equal. Make sure your continuing education is worthwhile by selecting a CEU provider of the following criteria:

• High Quality: You won't learn much from a disorganized, boring lecturer, so look for online CEU courses that delineate clear objectives, use professional-grade presentation methods, and include relevant resources (such as slides or handouts).

• Affordable: Choose an approved CEU provider that will give you access to all the CEUs you need for renewal. That way you're only paying once, and you'll be able to take as many classes as you want.

• Approved: Some states are picky about the CEU provider or course you use for your continuing education. Let your CEU provider do the legwork for you, and find one that indicates which CEUs are approved for your state and which are not.

MedBridge Online CEU for Occupational Therapy

As a physical therapist, I too have to renew my license periodically, so I've already put in the time to find a CEU provider that meets all these criteria. MedBridge is the best CEU provider for all kinds of health professionals, and it's the provider I use for my continuing education.

With a library of 1600 courses for OTs and OTAs, MedBridge can fulfill all your CEU requirements, depending on your state. All you have to do is search for courses in your specialty and state, and you'll find a list of the courses available to you (and you can do all this before signing up!).

The quality of their courses is top-notch, the instructors are some of the best in the field, and the video presentation is user-friendly and compatible for multiple learning styles. Best of all, you can access this learning library all year long for one price: $225 when you use my promo code "PTProgress."

Occupational Therapy Continuing Education Requirements

Before jumping to your state, a note of disambiguation: in this article I've referred to continuing education units as CEUs, but your state may use a different term, such as Continuing Competency Credits, Professional Development Activities, or "points." Each of these units of measure boil down to "contact hours," the term I use in the following list.

1 contact hour equals 1 CEU, generally speaking.

Alabama Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on April 30^th of odd-numbered years.

Continuing Education:

• 30 contact hours biennially for OTs or 20 hours for OTAs
• No limit to online coursework
• No more than ⅓ of hours may be administrative/academic-related or professional presentations
• Must be reported through CE Broker

Renewal fee is $140 for OTs or $115 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy.

Alaska Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on June 30^th of even-numbered years.

Continuing Education:

• 24 contact hours biennially for OTs and OTAs; prorated for new licensees; waived for 2022 renewal
• Half of the hours must be in coursework from approved or accredited providers
• Proof required only under audit

Renewal fee is $200 for OTs or $130 for OTAs (prorated for new licensees).

For more information, contact the Alaska State PT & OT Board.

Arizona Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially.

Continuing Education:

• 20 contact hours biennially for OTs or 12 hours for OTAs
• Proof required with renewal application or through CE Broker

Renewal fee is $135 for OTs or $70 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners.

Arkansas Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires annually on the last day of licensee's birth month.

Continuing Education:

• 10 contact hours annually for OTs and OTAs
• Acceptable coursework explained here
• Proof required only under audit

Renewal fee is $50 for OTs and OTAs.

For more information, contact the Arkansas State Occupational Therapy Examining Committee.

California Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on the last day of the licensee's birth month on odd- or even-numbered years, depending on birth year.

Continuing Education:

• 24 contact hours biennially for OTs and OTAs
• Half of the hours must be directly related to OT
• Proof required only under audit

Renewal fee is $220 for OTs or $180 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the California Board of Occupational Therapy.

Colorado Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on December 31^st of even-numbered years.

Continuing Education:

• 24 contact hours biennially for OTs and OTAs
• Must also complete Reflective Self-Assessment Tool (RSAT) and execute Learning Plan based on RSAT
• No limit to online coursework
• Proof required only under audit

Renewal fee is $69 for OTs and OTAs.

For more information, contact the Colorado Office of Occupational Therapy.

Connecticut Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on July 31 ^st of odd-numbered years.

Continuing Education:

• 24 contact hours biennially for OTs or 18 hours for OTAs; prorated for new licensees
• Coursework must be related to OT; professional/administrative coursework will not apply
• Proof required only under audit

Renewal fee is $205 for OTs and OTAs.

For more information, contact the Department of Public Health Occupational Therapy Licensure.

District of Columbia Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on September 30^th .

Continuing Education:

• 24 contact hours biennially for OTs or 12 hours for OTAs
• 2 hours must be on LGBTQ education
• 10% of hours must be on the current public health priority
• Proof required only under audit

Renewal fee is $50 for OTs and OTAs.

For more information, contact the District of Columbia Board of Occupational Therapy.

Delaware Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on July 31^st of even-numbered years.

Continuing Education:

• 24 contact hours biennially for OTs and OTAs; prorated for new licensees
• Coursework must be from two continuing education categories
• Must be reported through DELPROS

Renewal fee is $223 for OTs or $88 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice.

Florida Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on February 28^th of odd-numbered years.

Continuing Education:

• 26 contact hours biennially for OTs and OTAs
• 2 hours must be on prevention of medical errors
• 2 hours must be on jurisprudence
• 1 hour must be on human trafficking identification
• 1 hour must be on HIV/AIDS education (one-time requirement)
• No more than 12 hours may be from home study
• Must be reported through CE Broker

Renewal fee is $60 for OTs and OTAs.

For more information, contact the Florida Board of Occupational Therapy Practice.

Georgia Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on March 31^st of even-numbered years.

Continuing Education:

• 24 contact hours biennially for OTs and OTAs
• Half of the hours must be on patient care/directly related to OT
• 2 hours must be on Ethics
• Must be reported through CE Broker or otherwise proven

Renewal fee is $65 for OTs or $55 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy.

Hawaii Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on December 31^st of even-numbered years.

Continuing Education:

• No continuing education requirement for OTs and OTAs

Renewal fee is $186 for OTs and OTAs.

For more information, contact the Hawaii Professional & Vocational Licensing Division.

Idaho Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially.

Continuing Education:

• 20 contact hours biennially for OT and OTAs
• At least 10 of the hours must be board-approved
• No more than 10 hours may be self-study
• Proof required only under audit

Renewal fee is $40 for OTs or $30 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses.

Illinois Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on December 31^st of odd-numbered years.

Continuing Education:

• 24 contact hours for OTs and OTAs
• At least 1 hour must be in Ethics
• At least 1 hour must be in sexual harassment prevention

Renewal fee is $20 for OTs or $10 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the Illinois Occupational Therapy Board.

Indiana Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on December 31^st of even-numbered years.

Continuing Education:

• 18 contact hours biennially for OTs and OTAs; prorated for new licensees
• At least 9 hours must be Category 1 coursework
• No limit on distance-learning coursework

Renewal fee is $100 for OTs and OTAs.

For more information, contact the Indiana Occupational Therapy Committee.

Iowa Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on the 15th day of the licensee's birth month.

Continuing Education:

• 30 contact hours biennially for OTs or 20 hours for OTAs
• At least ⅔ of the hours must be related to clinical application of OT

Renewal fee is $60 for OTs and OTAs.

For more information, contact the Iowa Board of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy.

Kansas Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires annually on March 31^st .

Continued Education:

• 40 contact hours for OTs and OTAs biennially on odd-numbered years
• 30 hours must be from one or more of Class I, IV, V and VI

Renewal fee is $72 for OTs and OTAs (add a $3 processing fee for renewals by mail)

For more information, contact the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts.

Kentucky Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires annually on October 31^st .

Continuing Education:

• 12 contact hours annually for OTs and OTAs; prorated for new licensees
• Proof required only under audit

Renewal fee is $50 for OTs or $35 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Occupational Therapy.

Louisiana Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires annually on the last day of the licensee's birth month.

Continuing Education:

• 15 contact hours annually for OTs and OTAs.
• Must be reported through CE Broker

Renewal fee is $100 for OTs or $75 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners.

Maine Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires annually on March 31^st .

Continuing Education:

• No continuing education requirement for OTs or OTAs

Renewal fee is $35 for OTs or $30 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the Maine Board of Occupational Therapy Practice.

Maryland Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on June 30^th of odd- or even-numbered years (based on initial licensure).

Continuing Education:

• 24 contact hours biennially for OTs and OTAs
• At least 16 hours must be directly related to OT practice
• No more than 8 hours may be on administrative/professional courses
• Proof required only under audit

Renewal fee is $280 for OTs or $200 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the Maryland Board of Occupational Therapy Practice.

Massachusetts Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on the licensee's birth date.

Continuing Education:

• No continuing education requirement for OTs or OTAs

Renewal fee is $100 for OTs and OTAs.

For more information, contact the Massachusetts Board of Registration.

Michigan Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on March 31^st .

Continuing Education:

• 20 contact hours biennially for OTs and OTAs
• 1 hour must be a pain management course
• 1 hour must be a human trafficking identification course (one-time requirement)
• No more than 10 hours may be from online learning
• At least half of the hours must be live and in-person
• Proof required only under audit

Renewal fee is $162.20 for OTs and OTAs.

For more information, contact the Michigan Board of Occupational Therapy.

Minnesota Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on June 30^th .

Continuing Education:

• 24 contact hours biennially for OTs or 18 hours for OTAs; prorated for new licensees
• At least half of the hours must be directly related to OT practice
• Proof required only under audit

Renewal fee is $185 for OTs or $105 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the M innesota Board of Occupational Therapy Practice.

Mississippi Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on April 30^th of even-numbered years.

Continuing Education:

• 20 contact hours biennially for OTs and OTAs; prorated for new licensees
• At least 30% (6 hours) must be live courses directly related to OT
• Of the remaining 70%, no more than 7 hours may be non-live home study (*waived for 2022; 100% may be online)
• Proof required only under audit

Renewal fee is $150 for OTs or $100 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the Mississippi State Department of Health.

Missouri Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on June 30^th of odd-numbered years.

Continuing Education:

• 24 contact hours annually for OTs and OTAs
• At least half of the hours must be directly related to OT
• The other half of the hours must be related to an OT area or setting
• Proof required only under audit

Renewal fee is $30 for OTs or $10 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the Missouri State Board of Occupational Therapy.

Montana Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires annually on July 30^th .

Continuing Education:

• 10 contact hours annually for OTs and OTAs
• No limit to online learning
• Proof required only under audit

Renewal fee is $110 for OTs and OTAs.

For more information, contact the Montana Board of Occupational Therapy Practice.

Nebraska Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on July 31^st .

Continuing Education:

• 20 contact hours biennially for OTs or 15 hours for OTAs
• No more than half of the hours may be management-related courses

Renewal fee is $120 for OTs and OTAs.

For more information, contact the Nebraska Board of Occupational Therapy Practice.

Nevada Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on date of initial issuance.

Continuing Education:

• 24 contact hours biennially for OTs and OTAs; prorated for new licensees
• No more than 10 hours may be carried over to the next renewal period

Renewal fee is $250 for OTs or $175 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the Nevada Board of Occupational Therapy.

New Hampshire Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on December 31^st of even-numbered years.

Continuing Education:

• 24 contact hours biennially for OTs and OTAs; prorated for new licensees
• At least half of the hours must be directly related to OT
• The remaining hours may be on general OT theory and practice
• Proof required only under audit

Renewal fee is $110 for OTs and OTAs.

For more information, contact the Occupational Therapy Governing Board.

New Jersey Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially from the last date of renewal.

Continuing Education:

• No continuing education requirement for OTs or OTAs

Renewal fee is $160 for OTs or $100 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the NJ Occupational Therapy Advisory Council.

New Mexico Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on September 30^th .

Continuing Education:

• 20 contact hours annually for OTs and OTAs
• Proof required only under audit

Renewal fee is $120 for OTs or $110 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the NM Board of Examiners for Occupational Therapy.

New York Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires triennially on December 31^st .

Continuing Education:

• 36 contact hours triennially for OTs and OTAs
• At least 24 hours must be directly related to OT
• No more than 24 hours may be from self-study
• Proof required only under audit

Renewal fee is $45 for OTs or $25 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the State Board Office for Occupational Therapy.

North Carolina Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires annually on June 30^th .

Continuing Education:

• 15 contact hours annually for OTs and OTAs
• At least 1 hour must be on Ethics
• Proof required only under audit

Renewal fee is $50 for OTs and OTAs.

For more information, contact the North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy.

North Dakota Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on June 30^th of even-numbered years.

Continuing Education:

• 20 contact hours biennially for OTs and OTAs; prorated for new licensees
• No limit on self-study hours

Renewal fee is $150 for OTs and $110 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the North Dakota State Board of OT Practice.

Ohio Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on June 30^th of even-numbered years.

Continuing Education:

• 20 contact hours biennially for OTs and OTAs; prorated for new licensees
• At least 1 hour must be on Ethics
• No limit on self-study hours
• Proof required only under audit

Renewal fee is $70 for OTs and OTAs.

For more information, contact the Ohio OT, PT, and Athletic Trainers Board.

Oklahoma Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on October 31^st of even-numbered years.

Continuing Education:

• 20 contact hours biennially for OTs and OTAs
• At least 2 hours must be on telehealth practice

Renewal fee is $100 for OTs and OTAs.

For more information, contact the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure.

Oregon Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on May 31^st of even-numbered years.

Continuing Education:

• 30 "points" biennially for OTs and OTAs
• At least 16 must be from Categories 1-10
• 7 hours must be on pain management (one-time requirement)
• At least 1 point must be on cultural competency

 Renewal fee is $200* for OTs or $140* OTAs (a price increase pending board approval).

For more information, contact the Oregon Occupational Therapy Licensing Board.

Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on June 30^th of odd-numbered years.

Continuing Education:

• 24 contact hours biennially for OTs and OTAs
• All hours must be relevant to OT practice and care

Renewal fee is $55 for OTs or $45 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the Pennsylvania State Board of OT Education and Licensure.

Rhode Island Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on March 31^st of even-numbered years.

Continuing Education:

• 20 contact hours biennially for OTs and OTAs

Renewal fee is $140 for OTs and OTAs.

For more information, contact the Rhode Island Board of Occupational Therapy Practice.

South Carolina Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially.

Continuing Education:

• 16 contact hours for OTs and OTAs
• At least 8 hours must be directly related to OT services
• No limit on self-study hours

Renewal fee is $100 for OTs or $80 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the South Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy.

South Dakota Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires annually on January 1^st .

Continuing Education:

• 12 contact hours annually for OTs and OTAs
• Proof required only under audit

Renewal fee is $50 for OTs and OTAs.

For more information, contact the South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners.

Tennessee Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on December 31^st of odd-numbered years.

Continuing Education:

• 24 contact hours for OTs and OTAS
• At least 12 hours must be directly related to OT practice
• At least 1 hour must be on state jurisprudence
• At least 1 hour must be on AOTA code of ethics
• No more than 4 hours may be carried over to a future renewal period

Renewal fee is $100 for OTs and OTAs.

For more information, contact the Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy.

Texas Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially by the end of the licensee's birth month.

Continuing Education:

• 24 contact hours biennially for OTs and OTAs
• One course must be n Human Trafficking Prevention (maximum 2 hours)
• Proof required only under audit

Other renewal requirements include fingerprinting (one-time requirement) and a passing score on the online jurisprudence exam.

Renewal fee is $248 for OTs or $184 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the Texas Executive Council of PT & OT Examiners.

Utah Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on May 31^st of odd-numbered years.

Continuing Education:

• 24 contact hours biennially for OTs and OTAs; prorated for new licensees and shortened renewal cycles
• At least 2 hours must be on legal and ethical practice

Renewal fee is $47 for OTs and OTAs.

For more information, contact the Utah Occupational Therapy Board.

Vermont Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on May 31^st of even-numbered years.

Continuing Education:

• biennially for OTs and OTAs; prorated for new licensees
• At least 50% of the hours must be directly related to OT practice
• Proof required only under audit

Renewal fee is $50 for OTs and OTAs.

For more information, contact the Office of Professional Regulation.

Virginia Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on licensee's birth month in even-numbered years.

Continuing Education:

• 20 contact hours biennially for OTs and OTAs
• At least half of the hours must be from Type 1 activities
• Proof required only under audit

Renewal fee is $135 for OTs and OTAs.

For more information, contact the Virginia Board of Medicine.

Washington Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on licensee's birthday.

Continuing Education:

• biennially for OTs and OTAs
• At least 20 hours must be directly related to OT practice
• All hours must be from at least 2 continuing education categories
• At least 3 hours every 6 years must be on Suicide Prevention

If a licensee practices telehealth medicine, telehealth training is required.

Renewal fee is $157 for OTs or $137 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the Washington Occupational Therapy Practice Board.

West Virginia Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on December 31^st .

Continuing Education:

• 24 contact hours biennially for OTs and OTAs; prorated for new licensees
• No more than 6 hours may be carried over to a future renewal period
• Proof required only under audit

Renewal fee is $140 for OTs or $120 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the West Virginia Board of Occupational Therapy.

Wisconsin Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires biennially on May 31^st of odd-numbered years.

Continuing Education:

• 24 contact hours biennially for OTs and OTAs
• At least 12 hours must be from professional development activities related to OT

Renewal fee is $75 for OTs and OTAs.

For more information, contact the Occupational Therapy Affiliated Credentialing Board.

Wyoming Occupational Therapy CEU Requirements

Expires annually on July 31^st .

Continuing Education:

• 32 contact hours biennially (on even-numbered years) for OTs and OTAs
• Hours must be completed in the three years before the renewal date
• No more than 4 credits may comprise classes less than 1 hour in length
• Proof required only under audit

Renewal fee is $110 for OTs or $60 for OTAs.

For more information, contact the Wyoming Board of Occupational Therapy.

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Source: https://www.ptprogress.com/occupational-therapy-continuing-education-requirements-by-state/

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