FAQ | Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners

Obtaining an Arizona License

What is required to be licensed as an occupational therapist or assistant?

Show Answer:

A.R.S. § 32-3423 states that in order to be licensed the individual must:

be of good moral character;

successfully complete the academic requirements of an educational program;

successfully complete a period of supervised fieldwork;

pass an examination as defined in statute (in our case we use the NBCOT exam);

pay the appropriate fee.

What are the fees for getting a license?

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The fees for licensing are listed in section R4-43-102 of our Rules. Instructions for completing an application can be found under the Applications tab at the top of this screen.

Do I have to be a citizen to be licensed?

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No, however, you must be able to legally work in the United States in order to obtain a license. To prove your legitimacy for licensing you will need to complete the Right to Work Form on this website and include the verification documentation that you choose from the list that is included with the Right to Work form.

I am sitting for my NBCOT exam, what do I need to have them send to Arizona for my license?

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The Board requires a verification of certificate and this must be sent from NBCOT directly to our office. To request this verification you can go to www.nbcot.org and request a Score Transfer Report.

If I am applying for a license or renewing a license, is it possible for the Board to review my application if I am missing any document?

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No, the Board had determined that it will not entertain the approval of any initial or renewal application unless all documents are received.

If I have a limited permit, sit for the national exam and fail, may I get another limited permit?

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Unfortunately, limited permits cannot be reissued under this circumstance. At the time that you do not pass the exam, the limited permit becomes void.

Fingerprinting

What is the current fingerprinting requirement for licensure?

Show Answer:

A.R.S. § 32-3430 (Fingerprinting; requirement) went into effect on January 1, 2022. This statute requires that all applicants for an initial license or license renewal must submit a copy of a valid fingerprint clearance card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

This requirement is temporarily paused because the statute has yet to be approved by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. If you do not have a valid fingerprint clearance card, you must submit fingerprints for the purpose of obtaining a criminal background check.

A.R.S. § 32-3430 Fingerprinting; requirement

A. Beginning January 1, 2022, an applicant for original licensure, license renewal, license reinstatement or a limited license pursuant to this chapter shall possess a valid fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to title 41, chapter 12, article 3.1.

B. This section does not affect the board's authority to otherwise issue, deny, cancel, terminate, suspend or revoke a license or a limited license.

I already have a clearance card. Do I need to obtain another one?

Show Answer:

If you already have a valid fingerprint clearance card, you do not have to obtain a new one in order to apply for a new license or to renew your current license. Simply provide a copy of your current clearance card and we will contact DPS to add our agency as a sponsor.

When I submit my fingerprint card will I receive a clearance card?

Show Answer:

No. The only agency that can issue clearance cards is the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS). It is not legal for the Board to issue these. To obtain one you would need to contact the DPS to make the request.

Continuing Education

What happens if I do not meet the requirements for continuing education? Can I have my license extended?

Show Answer:

Occupational therapists and assistants have two years to complete their continuing education requirements. Therefore, if you have not done so by the time your license is to be renewed, your license will expire as there is no ability to provide you with an extension. You would then need to complete your educational requirement and submit for reinstatement of your license. Remember that during the period that your license has expired you cannot practice.

Can my continuing education be anything at any time?

Show Answer:

No, your continuing education must relate to the field of occupational therapy and must reflect dates that are within the two year period of your license. However, please note that the Board does not pre-approve courses so it is recommended that you review the course carefully to assure that it is relevant.

Do you accept Fieldwork Supervision toward continuing education hours?

Show Answer:

At this time, we do NOT accept fieldwork supervision toward continuing education.

Do you accept cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for continuing education hours?

Show Answer:

No. We do not accept courses related to safety, fire evacuation, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Timeframes

When does the Board approve applications?

Short Answer:

The Board's Executive Director has the authority to approve applications that do not include a disclosure of criminal history or disciplinary action by another Board. Generally, applications are approved at the beginning of each month.

Is there a cut off time for getting my documents submitted to be issued an initial or renewal license?

Short Answer:

Pursuant to A.A.C. R4-43-205(A)(1) and (B)(1), the Board must review applications within 60 days after receipt. While it rarely takes that long, we recommend you submit your application at least one month prior to the date you need the license (or license renewal).

How soon after the Board approves my application will I receive my license?

Short Answer:

Licenses are mailed to your mailing address 5 working days after approval.

License Verification

How do I verify a license?

Short Answer:

The easiest way to verify a license is to go to the “find a therapist” tab in this website and follow the directions. However, if you need written verification for any reason, you need to go to the form tab and download the license verification form, complete it and either mail or fax it to our office.

Is there a fee to send verification of my license to another state?

Short Answer:

At this time there is no fee for this service.

Mailing Lists

How can I get a mailing list of the licensed occupational therapists?

Short Answer:

Complete the request form on this website under the form tab and mail it to the Board with the correct fees.

Is there a cost for a mailing list?

Short Answer:

Yes, the Arizona Public Record Request law stipulates how the cost for records that will be used for commercial purposes is computed and this varies depending on the facts behind the request. For non commercial purposes the cost is $265 for a list of all licensed individuals (both occupational therapists and occupational therapist assistants) and $225 for those who are currently residing in the State of Arizona.

Obtaining an Arizona License

Pathways to Licensure

Definition of Occupational Therapy

COVID-19

Application Approval

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