Occupational Therapist License New Hampshire
New Hampshire is located in the North East and is famously the first state in which election primaries for the presidency take place. New Hampshire also offers a variety of employment opportunities for its licensed Occupational Therapists. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics has compiled information taken from the 2010 census showing that New Hampshire had 660 licensed Occupational Therapists who were employed in 2010. The BLS is currently projecting that demand for the Occupational Therapy sector will increase at a rate that is 33% faster than the average economic sector. The BLS also researched into the 2010 census data to find that Occupational Therapists in New Hampshire during 2010 had a median yearly salary of $65,980 per year.
The New Hampshire Occupational Therapy Governing Board is responsible for licensing occupational therapy professionals in this state. There are two levels of licensure in New Hampshire the Occupational Therapy Assistant and the Occupational Therapist. While you are waiting to sit for your examination you can apply for a temporary license to practice at either level. Temporary licenses require that you work under the direct supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist who has a minimum of one year of licensure with the state.
New Hampshire also has special rules around Physical Agent Modalities (PAMS) and offers a certification for licensed Occupational therapists who have received theoretical training and have practiced clinical application. You can read more on PAMS here.
If you want to become an Occupational Therapist in New Hampshire, or an Occupational Therapy Assistant you will need to fulfill the following steps:
New Hampshire Physical Therapy License and Certification
NH Occupational Therapy Assistant Requirements:
- You must earn an Associate’s degree or higher in Occupational Therapy from an American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) or the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) certified school.
- Performed at least 16 weeks of occupational therapy work experience under the direct supervision of a licensed Occupational therapist.
- Pass a criminal background check.
- Pass the National Board of Occupational Therapists (NBCOT) COTA examination.
- To renew your license, you must complete 24 Continuing Professional Education contact hours during the licensure period.
- You can find the application form for the Occupational Therapy Assistant here.
NH Occupational Therapist Requirements
- You must earn a Bachelor or Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from an American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) or the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) certified school.
- Performed at least 24 weeks of occupational therapy work experience as part of an internship under a licensed Occupational Therapist.
- Pass a criminal background check.
- Pass the NBCOT OTR examination.
- To renew your license, you must complete 20 Continuing Professional Education contact hours during the licensure period.
- You can find the application form for the Occupational Therapist here.
For additional information about how to obtain an Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant license in New Hampshire, please read the following steps.
Step 1: Graduate from an ACOTE Accredited College
Occupational Therapy Assistant:
You must first graduate from an ACOTE accredited school with at least an Associate’s degree in an occupational therapy related field to obtain a license as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in New Hampshire. New Hampshire currently has one school with the necessary certification:
- River Valley Community College
Licensed Occupational Therapist:
If you would like to practice as a Licensed Occupational Therapist in New Hampshire, you must first graduate from an ACOTE certified school with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in an occupational therapy related field. New Hampshire has one school with ACOTE accreditation:
- University of New Hampshire
Step 2: Complete the Practicum or Internship
Occupational Therapy Assistant:
In order to obtain an Occupational Therapy Assistant license in New Hampshire, you must complete 16 weeks of clinical occupational therapy work under the supervision of a Licensed Occupational Therapist prior to licensure.
Licensed Occupational Therapist:
If you are seeking licensure as an Occupational Therapist, you must first perform at least 24 weeks of clinical occupational therapy work under the supervision of Licensed Occupational Therapist.
Step 3: Pass the National Certification Exam
Occupational Therapy Assistant:
Prior to obtaining your state license, you must first become nationally certified. The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy certifies OTAs who have taken the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) exam and scored at least a 450.
Licensed Occupational Therapist:
In order to become nationally certified as an Occupational Therapist, you must first take the Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) exam offered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and score at least 450.
Step 4: Apply for a New Hampshire State License
In order to obtain a New Hampshire license for an OT career you must perform the following steps.
- Submit a signed and completed application
- Provide transcripts from all attended schools
- Provide a Verification of Certification from the NBCOT
- Provide Verifications of Licensure from past jurisdictions in which you have practices
- Provide a check or money order for the licensing fee
Please allow several weeks for the licensing board to review your qualifications and issue a license.
Step 5: Maintain Licensure
Occupational Therapy Assistant:
In order to qualify for license renewal at the end of your two yea licensure period, you must complete 24 continuing professional education contact hours prior to expiration of your license.
Licensed Occupational Therapist:
If you are seeking license renewal as an Occupational Therapist, you must complete at least 20 hours of continuing professional education contact hours prior to the expiration of your two year license.
If you would like additional information, you may wish to contact the following organizations: