Licensing · North Carolina
How to Get an Occupational Therapy License in North Carolina
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 North Carolina you need a degree from an ACOTE-accredited program, a passing NBCOT exam score (OTR or COTA), and a license from the North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy. North Carolina is an OT Compact member but was not yet accepting compact privilege applications when we checked.
North Carolina licensing board
- Agency
- North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy
- Website
- www.ncbot.org
- Location
- Raleigh
- Phone
- (919) 832-1380
- administrator@ncbot.org
From NBCOT’s Occupational Therapy Regulatory Body Contact List (rev. July 2026). Agencies and contacts change; confirm on the board’s website.
North Carolina OT license lookup
To verify an occupational therapist’s or OTA’s license in North Carolina, use the board’s official tool: Verify a License ↗
A license lookup shows whether a North Carolina license is active. OT Compact privileges are checked separately on CompactConnect. License lookup for every state →
Steps to a North Carolina 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 North Carolina.
- Pass the NBCOT exam: OTR for occupational therapists, COTA for assistants.
- Apply to the North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy with your transcript or program verification, NBCOT score, fee and any background check the state requires.
- Complete any North Carolina-specific requirement, such as a jurisprudence (law) exam, and keep your license current with renewals and continuing education.
What the North Carolina board says
- North Carolina requires its own jurisprudence exam on the NC Occupational Therapy Practice Act and board rules, and does not offer a temporary license to people moving into the state.
Quote from the board’s website
“Successful completion of the Board's jurisprudence exam on the North Carolina Occupational Therapy Practice Act and Rules of the Board ... The Board does not offer a temporary license for individuals entering the State”
Quoted from the board’s website, checked October 9, 2026.
OT Licensure Compact in North Carolina
North Carolina 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) |
| North Carolina 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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
Use the North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy’s official “Verify a License” tool: www.ncbot.org. It shows whether an OT or OTA license is active.
Who issues occupational therapy licenses in North Carolina?
The North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy (Raleigh). Official website: https://www.ncbot.org
What do I need for an OT license in North Carolina?
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 North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy for North Carolina-specific items such as a jurisprudence exam, background check or temporary permit.
Does North Carolina participate in the OT Licensure Compact?
North Carolina is an OT Compact member but was not yet accepting compact privilege applications when we checked.
How much do occupational therapists make in North Carolina?
The median wage for OTs in North Carolina was $92,940 a year, and $69,390 for OT assistants (BLS, May 2025).
Are there OT programs in North Carolina?
Yes: 13 OT programs and 11 OTA programs listed by ACOTE.