Licensing · Louisiana
How to Get an Occupational Therapy License in Louisiana
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 Louisiana you need a degree from an ACOTE-accredited program, a passing NBCOT exam score (OTR or COTA), and a license from the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners. Louisiana is an OT Compact member but was not yet accepting compact privilege applications when we checked.
Louisiana licensing board
- Agency
- Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
- Website
- www.lsbme.la.gov
- Location
- New Orleans
- Phone
- (504) 568-6820
From NBCOT’s Occupational Therapy Regulatory Body Contact List (rev. July 2026). Agencies and contacts change; confirm on the board’s website.
Louisiana OT license lookup
To verify an occupational therapist’s or OTA’s license in Louisiana, use the board’s official tool: Verify a License/Find a Practitioner ↗
A license lookup shows whether a Louisiana license is active. OT Compact privileges are checked separately on CompactConnect. License lookup for every state →
Steps to a Louisiana 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 Louisiana.
- Pass the NBCOT exam: OTR for occupational therapists, COTA for assistants.
- Apply to the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners with your transcript or program verification, NBCOT score, fee and any background check the state requires.
- Complete any Louisiana-specific requirement, such as a jurisprudence (law) exam, and keep your license current with renewals and continuing education.
What the Louisiana board says
- Louisiana’s board no longer routinely grants temporary permits.
Quote from the board’s website
“The LSBME will no longer routinely grant temporary permits/licenses. The LSBME retains authority to issue temporary permits/licenses if”
Quoted from the board’s website, checked October 9, 2026.
OT Licensure Compact in Louisiana
Louisiana 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) | Not listed |
| Louisiana privilege fee (OT / OTA) | TBD / TBD |
| 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 Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
Use the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners’s official “Verify a License/Find a Practitioner” tool: online.lasbme.org. It shows whether an OT or OTA license is active.
Who issues occupational therapy licenses in Louisiana?
The Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (New Orleans). Official website: https://www.lsbme.la.gov
What do I need for an OT license in Louisiana?
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 Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners for Louisiana-specific items such as a jurisprudence exam, background check or temporary permit.
Does Louisiana participate in the OT Licensure Compact?
Louisiana is an OT Compact member but was not yet accepting compact privilege applications when we checked.
How much do occupational therapists make in Louisiana?
The median wage for OTs in Louisiana was $98,490 a year, and $66,090 for OT assistants (BLS, May 2025).
Are there OT programs in Louisiana?
Yes: 5 OT programs and 3 OTA programs listed by ACOTE.