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Licensed Occupational Therapist
Total cost: Varies
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Required
NBCOT Required
Member
Compact Member
Permitted
Telehealth
Not Required
Jurisprudence
24 hrs
CE Hours
Varies
Total Initial Fees
Degree & Program Requirements
VerifiedDegree Required
Master's or Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy
ACOTE Accreditation
Required
Program Length
2-3 years (Master's) or 3-4 years (OTD)
Fieldwork
Level II fieldwork minimum 24 weeks full-time
Prerequisite Courses
Occupational therapists must earn a Master's degree or entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Programs include extensive fieldwork experience in clinical settings.
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Exam Requirements
VerifiedNBCOT Required
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
Scaled score of 450 or higher out of 600
Passing Score
Computer-based; 170 scored MC questions plus clinical simulation; 4 hours
Format
$540 (Online Initial Exam Application)
NBCOT Fee
Jurisprudence Exam
Not Required
State Exam
Not Required
Retake Policy
NBCOT exam may be retaken after 45 days; max 5 attempts in 5 years
The NBCOT OTR exam is a computer-based assessment that includes multiple choice and clinical simulation questions. A scaled score of 450 or higher is typically required to pass. Many states also require a separate jurisprudence exam on state-specific laws and regulations governing OT practice.
Overall licensing difficulty: 16/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Occupational Therapy Exam Prep
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Study guides for the NBCOT OTR certification exam.
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Level II Fieldwork Details
VerifiedLevel II Fieldwork Required
Minimum 24 weeks (960 hours) full-time
Fieldwork Duration
Supervision Requirements
Supervised by an OTR with at least 1 year of experience
Clinical Settings
Level II fieldwork is a required component of occupational therapy education, providing supervised clinical experience in various practice settings. Students must complete a minimum of 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist.
Practice Areas & Permissions
VerifiedAllowed
Physical Rehabilitation
Allowed
Mental Health
Allowed
Pediatrics
Allowed
Hand Therapy
Allowed
Driving Rehabilitation
Allowed
Ergonomics
Allowed
Telehealth
Advanced Practice
Dry needling approved for OTs who are Certified Hand Therapists (CHT) with 52+ hours instruction (effective Sept 2024).
Restricted Activities
Occupational therapy scope of practice varies by state and may include physical rehabilitation, mental health services, pediatrics, hand therapy, driving rehabilitation, and ergonomic assessments. Advanced practice privileges such as dry needling vary significantly by state.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $200 |
NBCOT Fee | $540 (Online Initial Exam Application) |
License Fee | $200 |
Renewal Fee | $200 |
Background Check Fee | $44 |
Total Initial Fees | Varies |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
24 hrs
CE Hours Required
NBCOT Recertification
36 PDUs per 3-year cycle; separate from state renewal
Required CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$200
Regulatory Board
Occupational therapy licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education hours covering topics such as ethics, evidence-based practice, and professional development. NBCOT recertification is separate from state licensure renewal.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
OT Licensure Compact
Member State
Endorsement Available
Yes
Compact Details
Maryland has enacted the OT Licensure Compact. The compact is partially operational as of early 2026.
Reciprocity Requirements
The OT Licensure Compact allows licensed occupational therapists to practice in other compact member states without obtaining additional licenses. Non-compact states require license by endorsement, which typically involves verifying NBCOT certification, completing a background check, and meeting state-specific requirements.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Maryland with other states →
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Maryland approved dry needling for OTs who are Certified Hand Therapists with 52+ hours of instruction. NBCOT certification fulfills CE requirements.
24 CE hours per 2-year cycle.
No more than 8 hours via role-related activities.
NBCOT certification fulfills CE requirements.
License expires June 30 of odd/even years.
Maryland has enacted the OT Licensure Compact (partially operational as of early 2026).
Dry needling approved for CHT OTs with 52+ hours training (effective Sept 2024).
Occupational Therapist requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland (you) | Varies | 138–172 wks | |
| District of Columbia | Varies | 138–172 wks | → |
| Delaware | Varies | 138–172 wks | → |
| Pennsylvania | Varies | 138–172 wks | → |
| Virginia | Varies | 138–172 wks | → |
See how Maryland compares: Occupational Therapist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
✓ OT Compact Compact State — Maryland is a member of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact. Licensed occupational therapists from other member states may be eligible for expedited practice privileges.
Related Guides
Compare occupational therapist requirements across all states →
Occupational Therapist licensing requirements nationwide →
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How does Maryland compare to other states for occupational therapist? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your occupational therapist license →
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Maryland.
Occupational Therapist Schools in Maryland
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Maryland? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Occupational Therapist license to Maryland →
Transfer your Occupational Therapist license from Maryland to: Delaware → | Pennsylvania → | Virginia → | West Virginia → | District of Columbia →
Maryland requires passing the NBCOT exam for OT licensure. As an OT Compact member state, Maryland offers multistate practice privileges. Telehealth is permitted for OT services. All licensing is managed through the Maryland Board of Occupational Therapy Practice.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.