Licensing · California
How to Get an Occupational Therapy License in California
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: NBCOT state board list, OT Compact Commission, state board websites
To practice as an OT or OTA in California you need a degree from an ACOTE-accredited program, a passing NBCOT exam score (OTR or COTA), and a license from the California Board of Occupational Therapy. California is not listed as a member of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, so practicing there requires a California license.
California licensing board
- Agency
- California Board of Occupational Therapy
- Website
- www.bot.ca.gov
- Location
- Sacramento
- Phone
- (916) 263-2294
- cbot@dca.ca.gov
From NBCOT’s Occupational Therapy Regulatory Body Contact List (rev. July 2026). Agencies and contacts change; confirm on the board’s website.
California OT license lookup
To verify an occupational therapist’s or OTA’s license in California, use the board’s official tool: Verify a License ↗
A license lookup shows whether a California license is active. OT Compact privileges are checked separately on CompactConnect. License lookup for every state →
Steps to a California license
- Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited program. OT: an entry-level master’s or OTD with at least 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork. OTA: an associate or bachelor’s with at least 16 weeks. See OT programs and OTA programs in California.
- Pass the NBCOT exam: OTR for occupational therapists, COTA for assistants.
- Apply to the California Board of Occupational Therapy with your transcript or program verification, NBCOT score, fee and any background check the state requires.
- Complete any California-specific requirement, such as a jurisprudence (law) exam, and keep your license current with renewals and continuing education.
What the California board says
- California issues limited permits to recent graduates so they can work under supervision while waiting to pass the NBCOT exam; you apply through BreEZe and send the NBCOT Authorization to Test (ATT) letter.
Quote from the board’s website
“Limited permits are issued to recent graduates in order to allow them to work under ... To apply for a limited permit, go to www.breeze.ca.gov. Please, forward the following documents to the Board: Authorization to Test (ATT) letter from NBCOT”
Quoted from the board’s website, checked October 9, 2026.
OT Licensure Compact in California
California is not listed as a member of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, so practicing there requires a California license. The compact lets an OT or OTA licensed in their home member state get a “privilege to practice” in other member states once both are issuing privileges. See the OT Compact map and every state’s status.
Source: OT Compact Commission, otcompact.gov (updated October 5, 2026). States issuing privileges at that date: AR, IN, MD, MN, MS, OH, TN, VA, WV, WI.
Pay in California
U.S. median for occupational therapists: $100,330. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Compare all states.
Frequently asked questions
How do I look up an occupational therapy license in California?
Use the California Board of Occupational Therapy’s official “Verify a License” tool: search.dca.ca.gov. It shows whether an OT or OTA license is active.
Who issues occupational therapy licenses in California?
The California Board of Occupational Therapy (Sacramento). Official website: https://www.bot.ca.gov
What do I need for an OT license in California?
In every state the core requirements are a degree from an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy (or OTA) program, completed fieldwork, and a passing score on the NBCOT certification exam, plus the state’s application and fee. Check the California Board of Occupational Therapy for California-specific items such as a jurisprudence exam, background check or temporary permit.
Does California participate in the OT Licensure Compact?
California is not listed as a member of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, so practicing there requires a California license.
How much do occupational therapists make in California?
The median wage for OTs in California was $124,510 a year, and $81,770 for OT assistants (BLS, May 2025).
Are there OT programs in California?
Yes: 31 OT programs and 12 OTA programs listed by ACOTE.