In Arkansas, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are licensed by the Arkansas State Medical Board, advised by the Arkansas State Occupational Therapy Examining Committee. Everything below comes from the board's own pages and rules, checked October 18, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm on the linked pages before you pay.
Check with your board. OT Ticket is a study aid, not clinical or legal guidance. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), AOTA, ACOTE, the OT Compact Commission or any state board; NBCOT, OTR and COTA are their marks, used here only to name the exam.
Arkansas at a glance
Occupational therapist (OT)
OT assistant (OTA)
Exam
NBCOT OTR exam (180 questions, 4 hours), $540 to NBCOT
NBCOT COTA exam (190 questions, 4 hours), $540 to NBCOT
Board fees
$25 application + $50 full license (Rule 6)
$25 + $25
Temporary license
$25; renewable only once if you have not yet passed
Same
Background check
Check with the board (see the OT/OTA Application Pack)
Same
OT Compact
Member, accepting applications since October 5, 2026. An OT or OTA who lives in and is licensed in another member state that is open can apply for a Arkansas privilege to practice through the OT Compact (not through this board). (OT Compact, checked October 18, 2026)
Arkansas, step by step
Arkansas State Medical Board (Arkansas State Occupational Therapy Examining Committee)
Apply on the board's OT/OTA Application Pack or Applicant Portal with the non-refundable filing fee ($25). Applications and documents must be completed within one year or they are voided.
NBCOT: the board uses the NBCOT exam and its passing scores.
License fee:$50 for an OT, $25 for an OTA. The board acts on a complete application at its next regular meeting.
Temporary license (optional): $25; it can be renewed only once if you have not passed the exam.
Keep it: annual renewal ($65). Arkansas began accepting OT Compact privilege applications on October 5, 2026.
Every state licenses occupational therapists and OT assistants on NBCOT certification: an ACOTE-accredited degree with its Level II fieldwork, then NBCOT's exam (the OTR exam for OTs, 180 questions in 4 hours; the COTA exam for OT assistants, 190 questions in 4 hours; 450 on a 300-600 scale passes; $540 to apply online). NBCOT certification is not a license: you apply to your state board separately, and NBCOT sends the board your score (the Score Transfer is free if you add it when you apply for the exam, $35 later). The full walk-through: How to get your OT license.