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Licensed Occupational Therapist
Total cost: Varies
Governing Authority
Mississippi State Department of Health - Professional Licensure
Official website →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
20 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
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: 15/100
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 is a physical agent modality requiring 50+ hours face-to-face instruction (amended Feb 2025).
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 | $100 |
NBCOT Fee | $540 |
License Fee | $100 |
Renewal Fee | $100 |
Background Check Fee | $44 |
Total Initial Fees | Varies |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
20 hrs
CE Hours Required
NBCOT Recertification
36 PDUs per 3-year cycle; separate from state renewal
Required CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$100
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
Mississippi 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.
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Mississippi amended regulations in Feb 2025 to allow dry needling as a PAM with 50+ hours of face-to-face instruction.
20 CE hours per 2-year cycle.
At least 6 hours (30%) must be live face-to-face.
2 hours of ethics required.
7 hours may be non-live.
Mississippi has enacted the OT Licensure Compact (partially operational as of early 2026).
Dry needling allowed as PAM with 50+ hours face-to-face instruction (amended Feb 2025).
Occupational Therapist requirements in nearby states
See how Mississippi compares: Occupational Therapist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
✓ OT Compact Compact State — Mississippi is a member of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact. Licensed occupational therapists from other member states may be eligible for expedited practice privileges.
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Occupational Therapist Schools in Mississippi
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Mississippi? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Occupational Therapist license to Mississippi →
Transfer your Occupational Therapist license from Mississippi to: Alabama → | Arkansas → | Louisiana → | Tennessee →
Mississippi requires passing the NBCOT exam for OT licensure. As an OT Compact member state, Mississippi offers multistate practice privileges. Telehealth is permitted for OT services. All licensing is managed through the Mississippi State Department of Health - Professional Licensure.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.