Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact is an interstate agreement in which member states honor the occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant licenses issued in other member states. With an OT compact license, you could practice in any member state without having to obtain an additional license.
All states require occupational therapists (OTs) to be licensed, and many require occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) to be licensed and certified, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. To simplify the licensure process and provide OTs and OTAs with greater geographic flexibility to better meet patients’ needs, multiple states have achieved an interstate compact known as the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (OT Compact). This agreement enables both OTs and OTAs to pursue an OT compact license.
If you’re just beginning to explore the possibility of a career in occupational therapy, learn everything you need to know at St. Catherine University. Our Online Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program confers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in OTA and will prepare you to succeed on the licensure exam. Additionally, St. Kate’s online OTA program is designed to be completed in as few as 16 months, so you can get started in your new career sooner.
Before jumping into your new career, take a closer look at the OT Compact and understand how it might affect your licensure as an OTA. Learn how it works, what its benefits are, and become familiar with the states it covers.
Understanding the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact
The OT Compact is an agreement among multiple states intended to address issues related to occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant license portability. It designates a compact privilege to holders of an OT compact license, enabling them to practice in any license-issuing member state. This means that by holding this license, you could work across state lines without having to obtain a separate license for each state you intend to practice in.
The Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact is administered by an interstate commission composed of officials from the member states. This interstate agreement also establishes a licensure data system, enabling employers in different states to verify licensure.
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How Does the OT Compact License Work?
The OT Compact respects the licensing of its individual member states. If you would like to have multistate practicing privileges, you will first need to obtain a license in your home state and confirm your home state is a member of the OT Compact. Then, you can apply for compact privileges, permitting you to practice in other member states.
Who Is Eligible for Compact Privileges?
Any OT or OTA who is eligible to apply for a license in their state will be eligible for compact privileges if they live and work in a member state. Future OTAs must pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam to become certified occupational therapy assistants (COTAs). Some states also require a background check.
How Can I Apply for Compact Privileges?
The first step is checking whether applications are open in your state. As of early 2026, Minnesota, Ohio, and West Virginia are the only OT Compact member states that are currently accepting applications and issuing compact privileges.
Each member state that isn’t yet issuing compact privileges will do so on its own timeline. The OT Compact does not govern or influence the application timelines of its member states. When applications are open in your state, you can expect to pay a fee of $75 to the OT Compact, as well as a state fee set by the state. Keep in mind, you must first hold a valid OTA license in your state.
A Look at OT Compact States
Today, over 30 states are members of the OT Compact. Those states have all enacted the necessary legislation and are members, but not all have completed the administrative steps required to start issuing compact licensure privileges.
States, including Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, Maryland and others, are OT compact states that are in the process of preparing to issue compact licenses. A handful of states have pending legislation that will enable them to become compact members, including New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
Although only three states are currently issuing multistate licenses, the OT Compact is off to a great start. It’s still in its infancy, as the first draft of the agreement to enact the OT Compact was only created in 2020.
As more states enact legislation and complete the administrative steps, OTs and OTAs will enjoy greater career flexibility.
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Benefits of Choosing Compact Licensure for OTAs
Why might you consider applying for compact privileges? Some of the reasons include:
Geographic Flexibility
Because you’ll be able to work in any member state of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, you’ll have access to more job opportunities. This is great news for OTAs who wish to become traveling providers, completing short-term work assignments to fill temporary staffing needs. This highly flexible career path allows you to enjoy the benefits of travel while earning a living.
Greater Telehealth Possibilities
Travel OTAs aren’t the only ones who can benefit from having an OT compact license. Telehealth providers were previously limited to working with patients in their state, or they had to obtain a separate license for each state where their patients were located. The OT Compact simplifies telehealth care, enabling OTAs to work across state lines from the comfort of their own home.
Ideal for Military Families
If you’re in a military family, you’re familiar with the stress of packing up and moving frequently. With compact privileges, you might not need to worry about obtaining a new license every time you move. Your licensure privileges will transfer to your new destination if it is a member state.
Fulfill Just One State’s Continuing Education Requirements
If you have an OT compact license, you’ll only need to complete the continuing education requirements for your home state. There is no need to meet other member states’ licensure requirements either.
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Prepare for Your OTA at St. Kate
As one of the first OTA programs in the country, founded in 1964, the online OTA program at St. Catherine University delivers transformational education designed not only to empower our students but also to elevate their communities through a firm commitment to social justice, inclusivity, and integrity.
If you’re eager to forge your future in occupational therapy, you can attend our program in any of our four OTA locations: California, Minnesota, Virginia, or Texas. We offer three start dates each year and a customizable curriculum comprising 80% online and 20% onsite learning experiences.
Contact an admissions counselor at St. Kate’s today to get started.
