Licensing · Puerto Rico
How to Get an Occupational Therapy License in Puerto Rico
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 Puerto Rico you need a degree from an ACOTE-accredited program, a passing NBCOT exam score (OTR or COTA), and a license from the Puerto Rico Office of Regulation and Certification of Health Professionals. Puerto Rico is not listed as a member of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, so practicing there requires a Puerto Rico license.
Puerto Rico licensing board
- Agency
- Puerto Rico Office of Regulation and Certification of Health Professionals
- Location
- San Juan (Santurce)
- Phone
- (787) 765-2929 ext. 6561
From NBCOT’s Occupational Therapy Regulatory Body Contact List (rev. July 2026). Agencies and contacts change; confirm on the board’s website.
Puerto Rico OT license lookup
Use the license verification or lookup page on the Puerto Rico Office of Regulation and Certification of Health Professionals. We link only to lookup tools we could confirm on the board’s own site.
A license lookup shows whether a Puerto Rico license is active. OT Compact privileges are checked separately on CompactConnect. License lookup for every state →
Steps to a Puerto Rico 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 in Puerto Rico.
- Pass the NBCOT exam: OTR for occupational therapists, COTA for assistants.
- Apply to the Puerto Rico Office of Regulation and Certification of Health Professionals with your transcript or program verification, NBCOT score, fee and any background check the state requires.
- Complete any Puerto Rico-specific requirement, such as a jurisprudence (law) exam, and keep your license current with renewals and continuing education.
OT Licensure Compact in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is not listed as a member of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, so practicing there requires a Puerto Rico 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 Puerto Rico
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 Puerto Rico?
Use the license verification page on the Puerto Rico Office of Regulation and Certification of Health Professionals website.
Who issues occupational therapy licenses in Puerto Rico?
The Puerto Rico Office of Regulation and Certification of Health Professionals (San Juan (Santurce)).
What do I need for an OT license in Puerto Rico?
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 Puerto Rico Office of Regulation and Certification of Health Professionals for Puerto Rico-specific items such as a jurisprudence exam, background check or temporary permit.
Does Puerto Rico participate in the OT Licensure Compact?
Puerto Rico is not listed as a member of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, so practicing there requires a Puerto Rico license.
How much do occupational therapists make in Puerto Rico?
The median wage for OTs in Puerto Rico was $51,850 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Are there OT programs in Puerto Rico?
Yes: 1 OT program and 0 OTA programs listed by ACOTE.