Application and Instructions for a Full License:
Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant

INSTRUCTIONS:

You must select one of the following application methods:
Please read the description for each method to determine how you will apply.

If you have held or currently hold a credential as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant in another state you must provide the documentation required in question 15, regardless of the method used for application.

Methods of Licensing: Specific Information and Instructions.

Click the method you choose below for the instructions and application forms you will need

A. Licensing by Equivalency:
You may qualify for licensing by equivalency under Minnesota Statutes §148.6412 if you hold a current certificate issued by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Your certification with NBCOT must be current, and you must request NBCOT to send directly to the Department of Health verification that you are certified. If you are credentialed in another state and you are certified by NBCOT, please submit your application using this method.

B. General Licensing:
You may qualify for licensing as an occupational therapist under Minnesota Statutes §148.6408, or as an occupational therapy assistant under §148.6410 if you have completed your education and passed the NBCOT examination. You must arrange to have a copy of your official college transcript sent directly to the Department of Health from your school. Please request that NBCOT exam results be sent directly to the Department of Health.

C. Licensing by Reciprocity:
You may qualify for licensing by reciprocity under Minnesota Statutes §148.6415 if you hold a current and unrestricted credential as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant in another jurisdiction, but you do not have NBCOT certification. To complete your application for licensing by reciprocity, you must request the licensing agency inthe state in which you hold a current credential send the Minnesota Department of Health the information required in question number 15 and a copy of the state statute and/or administrative rule that was in effect at the time your credential was first issued and that describes that state’s qualifications for your credential.

Click on the method you choose below to go to the specific instructions and application forms you will need.

A. LICENSING by EQUIVALENCY
B. GENERAL LICENSING
C. LICENSING by RECIPROCITY

 

A. LICENSING by EQUIVALENCY

INSTRUCTIONS for Method A: Licensing by Equivalency

Minnesota Department of Health
Health Occupation Program
Attn: Kim Ruberg
PO Box 64882
St. Paul, MN 55164-0882

FILL OUT THE APPLICATION AND PLEASE REMEMBER TO:

  • Answer every numbered question or statement in the application. Incomplete applications will be returned.

  • If something does not apply to you, please write “N/A” in the space provided for a response.

  • Each question in the application must be answered fully, truthfully and accurately. Intentionally submitting false or misleading information to the Commissioner is cause for denial of licensing or disciplinary action by the Commissioner.

  • If space for any answer is insufficient, the answer may be completed on page 8 of the application or on another piece of paper. If additional sheets of paper are used, please specify the number of the question, sign and date each page and attach it to the rest of the application.

  • Sign the Records Waiver Authorization and release.

  • Complete, sign, and date the application form within 30 days of submission.

  • Make out check or money order made payable to: Treasurer: State of Minnesota, in the amount of:

    • OT APPLICATION MAILED OT FEE AMOUNT* OTA APPLICATION MAILED OTA FEE AMOUNT*
    December – September $160.00 June - August $110.00
    October & November $121.00 September - February $88.00
        March - May $66.00

*Electronic licensing surcharge fee. Your license fee contains an electronic licensing surcharge. The Minnesota Office of Enterprise Technology (OET) recently sponsored and the Minnesota Legislature passed legislation requiring a 10% surcharge of no less than $5.00 and no more than $150.00 on each business, commercial, professional or occupational license. The funding from this surcharge will go to OET, which will establish an electronic licensing system for the state. The surcharge will be placed through June 30, 2015. See Laws of Minnesota 2009, Chapter 101, Article 2, Section 59

PLEASE NOTE: ALL FEES ARE NONREFUNDABLE. Minnesota Statutes §148.6445.

  • Make a copy of the application and all supporting forms for your records.

  • Mail completed original application and fees to the address on the application form.

  • Mail letters requesting verification of NBCOT certification and/or state licensing if you hold or have held a credential.

NOTE: When MDH receives your application and fees, your check or money order is deposited immediately. The application is held as we wait for all supporting documentation to arrive. When all supporting documentation is received in our office, we begin a final review of your application and the process of issuing or denying the license. The processing time may take 5-30 business days after we receive all forms and supporting documents. The entire application process can take from 30-90 days, so plan and allow for time to obtain licensing.

To check if your credential has been issued you can go to our website at: http://pqc.health.state.mn.us/hopVerify/loginAction.do

Your name will appear on the website the day after your credential has been issued.

Questions: Please call Kim Ruberg at 651-201-3725 or email me at kimberly.ruberg@state.mn.us

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B. GENERAL LICENSING

INSTRUCTIONS for Method B: General Licensing

  • Print these instructions and use them as a check list.

  • Print the application form using this link:
    Application for Licensing as an Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant (PDF:68kb/ 8 pages)

  • You must provide an official transcript that is sent directly to MDH from the educational institution where you completed your occupational therapy education. We will not accept a transcript from you (the applicant) unless it is in an unopened sealed envelope. Our address is:
    Minnesota Department of Health
    Health Occupation Program
    Attn: Kim Ruberg
    PO Box 64882
    St. Paul, MN 55164-0882

  • You must also request that NBCOT exam results be sent directly to MDH. You can reach NBCOT at http://www.nbcot.org/ or at 301-990-7979. If you requested and paid for at the time of your exam to have your score sent to Minnesota this will show up on our NBCOT online score system. If you did not request your score be sent to Minnesota when you took the exam, you will need to contact NBCOT and pay $45.00 to have a paper request sent to MDH.

  • Print and send this form to each state in which you hold or have held a license. Verification of Credential Form  (PDF:8.74 KB/2 pages) This form is required if you are or have ever been licensed in any other state. You must have verification from each state sent to MDH.

FILL OUT THE APPLICATION AND PLEASE REMEMBER TO:

  • Answer every numbered question or statement in this application. Incomplete applications will be returned.

  • If something does not apply to you, please write “N/A” in the space provided for a response.

  • Each question in the application must be answered fully, truthfully and accurately. Intentionally submitting false or misleading information to the Commissioner is cause for denial of licensing or disciplinary action by the Commissioner.

  • If space for any answer is insufficient, the answer may be completed on page 8 of the application or on another piece of paper. If additional sheets of paper are used, please specify the number of the question, sign and date each page and attach it to the rest of the application.

  • Sign the Records Waiver Authorization and release.

  • Complete, sign, and date the application form within 30 days of submission.

  • Make out check or money order made payable to: Treasurer: State of Minnesota, in the amount of:

    • OT APPLICATION MAILED OT FEE AMOUNT* OTA APPLICTION MAILED OTA FEE AMOUNT*
    December – September $160.00 June - August $110.00
    October & November $121.00 September - February $88.00
        March - May $66.00

*Electronic licensing surcharge fee. Your license fee contains an electronic licensing surcharge. The Minnesota Office of Enterprise Technology (OET) recently sponsored and the Minnesota Legislature passed legislation requiring a 10% surcharge of no less than $5.00 and no more than $150.00 on each business, commercial, professional or occupational license. The funding from this surcharge will go to OET, which will establish an electronic licensing system for the state. The surcharge will be placed through June 30, 2015. See Laws of Minnesota 2009, Chapter 101, Article 2, Section 59

PLEASE NOTE: ALL FEES ARE NONREFUNDABLE. Minnesota Statutes §148.6445.

Make a copy of the application and all supporting forms for your records.

  • Mail completed original application and fees to the address on the application form.

  • Mail letters requesting verification of state licensing if you hold or have held a credential.

NOTE: When MDH receives your application and fees, your check or money order is deposited immediately. The application is held as we wait for all supporting documentation to arrive. When all supporting documentation is received in our office, we begin a final review of your application and the process of issuing or denying the license. The processing time may take 5-30 business days after we receive all forms and supporting documents. The entire application process can take from 30-90 days, so plan and allow for time to obtain licensing.

To check if your credential has been issued you can go to our website at: http://pqc.health.state.mn.us/hopVerify/loginAction.do

Your name will appear on the website the day after your credential has been issued.

Questions: Please call Kim Ruberg at 651-201-3725 or email me at kimberly.ruberg@state.mn.us

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C. LICENSING by RECIPROCITY

INSTRUCTIONS for Method C: Licensing by Reciprocity

  • Print these instructions and use them as a check list.

  • Print the application form using this link:
    Application for Licensing as an Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant (PDF:68kb/ 8 pages)

  • You must provide verification from another state that you hold a current and unrestricted Credential. Print and send the form at this link:Verification of Credential Form (PDF8.74 KB/2 pages) to each state in which you hold or have held a license. This form is also required if you are or have been licensed in any other state. You must have verification from each state sent to the Minnesota Department of Health.
  • You must have sent to the Department of Health a copy of the state statute and/or administrative rules in effect at the time your credential was first issued and that describes the state’s qualifications for your credential. Our address is:

    Minnesota Department of Health
    Health Occupation Program
    Attn: Kim Ruberg
    PO Box 64882
    St. Paul, MN 55164-0882

FILL OUT THE APPLICATION AND PLEASE REMEMBER TO:

  • Answer every numbered question or statement in the application. Incomplete applications will be returned.

  • If something does not apply to you, please write “N/A” in the space provided for a response.

  • Each question in the application must be answered fully, truthfully and accurately.
    Intentionally submitting false or misleading information to the Commissioner is cause for denial of licensing or disciplinary action by theCommissioner.

  • If space for any answer is insufficient, the answer may be completed on page 8 of the application or on another piece of paper. If additional sheets of paper are used, please specify the number of the question, sign and date each page and attach it to the rest of the application.

  • Sign the Records Waiver Authorization and release.

  • Complete, sign, and date the application form within 30 days of submission.

  • Make out check or money order made payable to: Treasurer: State of Minnesota, in the amount of:

    • OT APPLICATION MAILED OT FEE AMOUNT* OTA APPLICTION MAILED OTA FEE AMOUNT*
    December – September $160.00 June - August $110.00
    October & November $121.00 September - February $88.00
        March - May $66.00

*Electronic licensing surcharge fee. Your license fee contains an electronic licensing surcharge. The Minnesota Office of Enterprise Technology (OET) recently sponsored and the Minnesota Legislature passed legislation requiring a 10% surcharge of no less than $5.00 and no more than $150.00 on each business, commercial, professional or occupational license. The funding from this surcharge will go to OET, which will establish an electronic licensing system for the state. The surcharge will be placed through June 30, 2015. See Laws of Minnesota 2009, Chapter 101, Article 2, Section 59

PLEASE NOTE: ALL FEES ARE NONREFUNDABLE. Minnesota Statutes §148.6445.

  • Make a copy of the application and all supporting forms for your records.

  • Mail completed original application and fees to the address on the application form.

  • Mail letters requesting verification of state licensing if you hold or have held a credential.

  • Contact the state you using as Reciprocity and have laws/rules sent to MDH.

NOTE: When MDH receives your application and fees, your check or money order is deposited immediately. The application is held as we wait for all supporting documentation to arrive. When all supporting documentation is received in our office, we begin a final review of your application and the process of issuing or denying the license. The processing time may take 5-30 business days after we receive all forms and supporting documents. The entire application process can take from 30-90 days, so plan and allow for time to obtain licensing.

To check if your credential has been issued you can go to our website at: http://pqc.health.state.mn.us/hopVerify/loginAction.do

Your name will appear on the website the day after your credential has been issued.

Questions: Please call Kim Ruberg at 651-201-3725 or email me at kimberly.ruberg@state.mn.us

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UpdatedWednesday, 03-Aug-2011 09:05:47 CDT