Vermont licenses occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants through the Secretary of State's Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), advised by appointed occupational therapy advisors. 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.
Vermont 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
Paid in OPR's online application; check OPR's forms and instructions
Same
Temporary license
Available; see OPR's Temporary License Application Instructions
Same
Background check
Check with OPR
Same
OT Compact
Member, not accepting applications yet. Vermont has enacted the OT Compact but has not opened privilege applications, so for now you need a full Vermont license. (OT Compact, checked October 18, 2026)
Vermont, step by step
Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (Occupational Therapy advisors)
Apply online with OPR, following the occupational therapy Forms and Instructions page.
NBCOT: pass the OTR or COTA exam and have it verified to OPR.
Temporary license (optional): OPR posts Occupational Therapy Therapist and Assistant Temporary License Application Instructions; read them for eligibility before you plan to work.
Compact: Vermont has enacted the OT Compact but is not accepting privilege applications yet.
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.