Average Timeframe for State Licensure and Application Requirements
Alabama
Timeframe: 1 week
Website Details: Alabama OT Board
Alaska
Timeframe: 4-6 weeks
Website Details: Alaska OT Board
Arizona
Timeframe: Board review (2nd Friday every month)
Website Details: Arizona OT Board
Arkansas
Timeframe: 2 weeks
Notes: Fingerprint cards required
Website Details: Arkansas OT Board
California
Timeframe: 60 days permit issued once application is received
Notes: LiveScan or fingerprint cards required
Website Details: California OT Board
Colorado
Timeframe: 2-3 weeks
Website Details: Colorado OT Board
Connecticut
Timeframe: 1-2 weeks
Website Details: Connecticut OT Board
Delaware
Timeframe: 1-2 weeks
Notes: Need score report (not verification of certification)
Website Details: Delaware OT Board
Florida
Timeframe: 5-6 weeks
Website Details: Florida OT Board
Georgia
Timeframe: 6-8 weeks
Notes: Fingerprint cards required
Website Details: Georgia OT Board
Hawaii
Timeframe: 4-6 weeks
Website Details: Hawaii OT Board
Idaho
Timeframe: 1-2 weeks
Website Details: Idaho OT Board
Illinois
Timeframe: 6-8 weeks
Notes: Need score report (not verification of certification)
Website Details: Illinois OT Board
Indiana
Timeframe: 2-4 weeks
Notes: Fingerprint cards and score report required (not verification of certification)
Website Details: Indiana OT Board
Iowa
Timeframe: 1-2 weeks
Notes: Online application
Website Details: Iowa OT Board
Kansas
Timeframe: 4-8 weeks
Website Details: Kansas OT Board
Kentucky
Timeframe: Based on monthly board meetings
Website Details: Kentucky OT Board
Louisiana
Timeframe: 6-10 weeks and board meetings
Notes: Fingerprint cards required (must appear before board meeting for license)
Website Details: Louisiana OT Board
Maine
Timeframe: 2-3 weeks
Website Details: Maine OT Board
Maryland
Timeframe: Board review (3rd Friday of each month)
Notes: Must have notary seal over portion of passport photo on application
Website Details: Maryland OT Board
Massachusetts
Timeframe: 5-6 weeks
Notes: License processed through PCS in Tennessee
Website Details: Massachusetts OT Board
Michigan
Timeframe: 4-6 weeks
Notes: Fingerprint cards and score report required (not verification of certification)
Website Details: Michigan OT Board
Minnesota
Timeframe: 3-4 weeks
Notes: Need score report (not verification of certification)
Website Details: Minnesota OT Board
Mississippi
Timeframe: 3-4 weeks
Website Details: Mississippi OT Board
Missouri
Timeframe: 3-4 weeks
Notes: LiveScan or fingerprint cards required
Website Details: Missouri OT Board
Montana
Timeframe: 1 week
Website Details: Montana OT Board
Nebraska
Timeframe: 1-2 weeks
Notes: Need score report (not verification of certification)
Website Details: Nebraska OT Board
Nevada
Timeframe: 2-3 weeks
Website Details: Nevada OT Board
New Hampshire
Timeframe: Board review (4th Monday each month)
Notes: Must obtain criminal history reports from any state lived/worked in (done through state police); request application from board
Website Details: New Hampshire OT Board
New Jersey
Timeframe: 8-10 weeks
Notes: Fingerprint cards required (score report required if NBCOT exam was after 1/1/2003)
Website Details: New Jersey OT Board
New Mexico
Timeframe: 1-2 weeks
Website Details: New Mexico OT Board
New York
Timeframe: 2-3 weeks
Website Details: New York OT Board
North Carolina
Timeframe: 1-2 weeks
Notes: Must request application from board ($10 fee)
Website Details: North Carolina OT Board
North Dakota
Timeframe: Varies (licenses are mailed out weekly once all documentation is received)
Notes: Need score report (not verification of certification)
Website Details: North Dakota OT Board
Ohio
Timeframe: 3-4 weeks with LiveScan, 3-4 months with other methods
Notes: LiveScan or fingerprint cards required (not verification)
Website Details: Ohio OT Board
Oklahoma
Timeframe: Can practice 90 days while license is pending
Notes: Need score report (not verification of certification)
Website Details: Oklahoma OT Board
Oregon
Timeframe: 1-2 weeks
Notes: New jurisprudence exam as of 1/1/2014
Website Details: Oregon OT Board
Pennsylvania
Timeframe: 2-3 weeks
Notes: OTs must have minimum of $1M professional liability (effective 1/1/2013)
Website Details: Pennsylvania OT Board
Rhode Island
Timeframe: 4-6 weeks
Website Details: Rhode Island OT Board
South Carolina
Timeframe: 4-6 weeks
Notes: Online application
Website Details: South Carolina OT Board
South Dakota
Timeframe: Varies
Notes: Online application or call board at 605-367-7781
Website Details: South Dakota OT Board
Tennessee
Timeframe: 4-6 weeks
Notes: Fingerprint cards required
Website Details: Tennessee OT Board
Texas
Timeframe: 1-2 weeks
Notes: Online application; need score report (not verification of certification)
Website Details: Texas OT Board
Utah
Timeframe: 2-3 weeks
Notes: Score report or verification of certification
Website Details: Utah OT Board
Vermont
Timeframe: Same day
Website Details: Vermont OT Board
Virginia
Timeframe: 30 days or less
Notes: Online application
Website Details: Virginia OT Board
Washington
Timeframe: 6-8 weeks
Notes: AIDS education and training requirement
Website Details: Washington OT Board
West Virginia
Timeframe: 1-2 weeks
Website Details: West Virginia OT Board
Wisconsin
Timeframe: 6-10 weeks
Website Details: Wisconsin OT Board
Wyoming
Timeframe: 1-2 weeks
Website Details: Wyoming OT Board
Please be aware that the processing times for physical therapists can vary due to factors like verifications, transcripts, and background checks. Each individual's situation may differ slightly. For more specific information, please contact your recruiter. Note: Timeframes are subject to change.