Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant License in California
Everything you need to know about getting your COTA license to practice in California.
Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact
The OT Compact covers both occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants, allowing practice in member states through a Compact Privilege.
California is not a OT Compact member state. You will need to apply for a California COTA license by endorsement, regardless of whether you hold a compact license in another state.
Visit OT Compact PortalRequirements for COTA Licensure in California
- 1Graduation from accredited OTA program
- 2NBCOT COTA certification (current)
- 3Criminal background check
- 4Application fee
- 5California jurisprudence exam
Estimated Processing Timeline
Most COTA endorsement applications in California are processed within 6 to 12 weeks. Processing times may vary based on completeness of your application and current board workload.
Other Professions in California
This guide is for informational purposes only. Licensure requirements change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the California Board of Occupational Therapy.
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