Licensing · Kentucky
How to Get an Occupational Therapy License in Kentucky
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 Kentucky you need a degree from an ACOTE-accredited program, a passing NBCOT exam score (OTR or COTA), and a license from the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Occupational Therapy. Kentucky is an OT Compact member but was not yet accepting compact privilege applications when we checked.
Kentucky licensing board
- Agency
- Kentucky Board of Licensure for Occupational Therapy
- Website
- bot.ky.gov
- Location
- Frankfort
- Phone
- (502) 782-8807
- ot@ky.gov
From NBCOT’s Occupational Therapy Regulatory Body Contact List (rev. July 2026). Agencies and contacts change; confirm on the board’s website.
Kentucky OT license lookup
To verify an occupational therapist’s or OTA’s license in Kentucky, use the board’s official tool: Verify a License ↗
A license lookup shows whether a Kentucky license is active. OT Compact privileges are checked separately on CompactConnect. License lookup for every state →
Steps to a Kentucky 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 Kentucky.
- Pass the NBCOT exam: OTR for occupational therapists, COTA for assistants.
- Apply to the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Occupational Therapy with your transcript or program verification, NBCOT score, fee and any background check the state requires.
- Complete any Kentucky-specific requirement, such as a jurisprudence (law) exam, and keep your license current with renewals and continuing education.
What the Kentucky board says
- Kentucky's board runs a jurisprudence (state law) exam.
Quote from the board’s website
“Take the Jurisprudence Exam if I'm Not Applying for a License”
Quoted from the board’s website, checked October 9, 2026.
OT Licensure Compact in Kentucky
Kentucky is an OT Compact member but was not yet accepting compact privilege applications when we checked. 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.
| Accepting compact applications | Not yet |
|---|---|
| Jurisprudence requirement (compact) | State requirement (see board) |
| Kentucky privilege fee (OT / OTA) | $70 / $55 |
| Compact fee | $75 |
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 Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
Use the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Occupational Therapy’s official “Verify a License” tool: oop.ky.gov. It shows whether an OT or OTA license is active.
Who issues occupational therapy licenses in Kentucky?
The Kentucky Board of Licensure for Occupational Therapy (Frankfort). Official website: https://bot.ky.gov/
What do I need for an OT license in Kentucky?
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 Kentucky Board of Licensure for Occupational Therapy for Kentucky-specific items such as a jurisprudence exam, background check or temporary permit.
Does Kentucky participate in the OT Licensure Compact?
Kentucky is an OT Compact member but was not yet accepting compact privilege applications when we checked.
How much do occupational therapists make in Kentucky?
The median wage for OTs in Kentucky was $97,650 a year, and $65,230 for OT assistants (BLS, May 2025).
Are there OT programs in Kentucky?
Yes: 5 OT programs and 3 OTA programs listed by ACOTE.