A Guide to Occupational Therapy License Renewal
Requirements and Continuing Education
In order to work as an occupational therapist, you must be licensed in the state where you work. Each state has its own requirements for license renewal but most states require that a therapist earn continuing education hours or CEUs. This is done to ensure that all therapists stay up to date as evidence based practice guidelines can change frequently. You can imagine, for example, that if a therapist was not required to take continuing education and was not current on the research, they may recommend something to a patient that is ineffective or even worse harmful. License renewal is not just about ensuring patients are receiving the best advice. This is also to provide opportunities for occupational therapists to grow in their career. Let’s explore some of the general requirements and the many ways that you can earn continuing education.
Occupational Therapy License Renewal Requirements
While each state is different, the vast majority have a minimum number of continuing education units (CEUs) that are needed within a specific timeframe (each year or every 2 years). Please visit your state association to confirm the amount of CEUs needed as well as if there are additional requirements on what is eligible for CEU. For example, some states require that one course must be on human trafficking or ethics as it relates to the profession. Some states may require a certain amount of hours be completed in person vs online/independent study.
All associations have a renewal fee which must be paid when submitting the renewal application. It is recommended to start the process early to avoid a lapse in your license. If you fail to complete all of the requirements in time, you cannot practice as an occupational therapist. In addition, you will likely incur late fees/penalties for late submission.
Continuing Education Options
In addition to taking a traditional class, many states offer alternative ways to earn continuing education units. For example, some states allow occupational therapists to earn CEUs by:
- Being a mentee or mentor
- Supervising a level I or level II fieldwork student
- Doing program development where you work
- Reading a publication and writing a report/presenting on the information
- Volunteering with a non-profit
- Presenting at a conference
As you can see, there are so many options to accommodate different learning styles and preferences. While all options are great, my personal recommendation is that if your state allows you to earn CEUs from being a mentee, you should include this in the mix. Having an opportunity to get personalized 1:1 feedback from an experienced occupational therapist can help you to grow much faster in your career. This can significantly increase your earning potential which was absolutely the case for me. Who doesn’t want to make more money?? Even if your goal is not to make more money, having an experienced mentor will help you to avoid mistakes and learn crucial skills that are not always obtainable through traditional CEU courses.
Conclusion
The best way to make a difference and change lives is by expanding your knowledge and sharing that knowledge with others. I’m sure you have heard the cliche before that knowledge is power, but it is true. You should prioritize your professional development and stay engaged with the latest advancements in the field. Hopefully you do so not only because it is a requirement, because it will ultimately lead to better care for your patients and growth in your career. For those interested in getting 1:1 mentorship, please visit our services section by clicking here.
Jeffrey Despommier, OTR, OMS, CUA, ATP
About the author – Jeffrey is an occupational therapist with over 16 years of rehabilitation experience. He is board certified as a urologic associate and ostomy management specialist. He also specializes in complex rehab technology and is board certified as an assistive technology professional.