Maryland OT License Verification: Lookup, Status & Renewal

MARYLAND BOARD OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTICE • LICENSE LOOKUP • RENEWAL

Maryland OT License Verification: Lookup, Status & Renewal

Need to verify a Maryland occupational therapist license? The official Maryland Board of Occupational Therapy Practice verification system lets you search an individual license and review the public record for the correct license type, license number, status and expiration information.

This guide explains the Maryland occupational therapy license lookup process, how to avoid false “no record” results, what the Board publishes, how biennial renewal works, continuing competency requirements, current fees, reinstatement, written verification and the most useful official Maryland resources.

Quick Answer: How to Verify a Maryland OT License

Use the official Maryland Board of Occupational Therapy Practice License Verification Site. Select the appropriate license type and search using the person’s last name, first name or Maryland license number. The Board specifically notes that searching by license number or last name generally produces the most efficient results.

When the result appears, do not stop at the name. Confirm that the license belongs to the correct occupational therapist, review the license type, license number, original license date, current status and expiration date, and review any public disciplinary information when available.

If another state board, employer, credentialing organization or agency requires formal verification rather than a public lookup, use Maryland’s separate written verification process. The Board’s official verification page states that written verification includes the licensee’s name, license type, license number, original license date, status, expiration date and derogatory or disciplinary information/status of good standing.

Best first step

Use the Board’s verification site

The public Maryland OT verification system is the correct starting point for checking an individual occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant license.

Best identifier

Use the license number when available

A license number can reduce ambiguity. If you do not have it, search by last name and then narrow the results using the supported fields.

Important distinction

Public lookup is not always formal verification

A screenshot or online record may not satisfy another licensing board’s verification requirement. Use the Board’s written verification route when formal proof is requested.

Choose the Maryland OT License Task You Actually Need

“Maryland occupational therapy license verification” can mean several different tasks. Pick the correct one before submitting an application, paying a fee or relying on a license record.

Lookup

Check a current license

Use the public verification site to confirm an OT or OTA license record, status and expiration date.

Renew

Renew an existing license

Use the Board’s renewal system during the applicable renewal period and satisfy the continuing competency requirements.

Formal proof

Request written verification

Use written verification when another state board or organization requires an official verification document.

Expired

Restore an expired license

Do not treat an expired license as current practice authority. Review reinstatement or reactivation rules based on the license’s status.

New applicant

Apply for Maryland licensure

Initial licensure uses a different application process involving education, NBCOT verification, background checks and other documentation.

Problem

Fix a missing or wrong result

If the search produces no record, first check the license type, spelling and search fields before assuming the person is unlicensed.

Maryland Occupational Therapy License Lookup: Step-by-Step

The Board’s verification site supports searches for Maryland occupational therapy license records. Use the following workflow when checking an OT or OTA.

Open the official verification site

Start at the Maryland Board of Occupational Therapy Practice’s online License Verification Site rather than a private license directory.

Select the correct license type

Make sure the profession matches the credential you are trying to verify. Maryland’s system includes occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant license records.

Search by license number when available

If you have the Maryland license number, use it as your primary search identifier. The Board specifically identifies license-number searches as an efficient way to locate a record.

Use the last name if you do not have the number

Search by last name and use the other available fields to distinguish between people with similar names. The verification system also supports wildcard searching around a name or portion of a name.

Open the matching record

Compare the record against the person’s known identity and professional role. Do not assume that a similar name automatically identifies the correct practitioner.

Check status and expiration

Confirm whether the license is current and check the expiration date before using the record for employment, credentialing, contracting or practice-related decisions.

Save dated verification notes

For employer or credentialing files, record the source, date checked, license number, license type, status and expiration date. If formal verification is required, request the Board’s written verification separately.

Search tip from the Maryland Board

The Board warns that entering too many search criteria can make a record harder to find because all entered criteria must match. If you know the license number, searching with that number alone can be more efficient.

Maryland OT License Status: What You Should Check

Finding a name in the Maryland occupational therapy license lookup is only the beginning. The important question is whether the record supports the action you intend to take.

Record detail Why it matters Verification action
Licensee name Confirms the record is associated with the person being checked. Match the full name and consider former names if relevant.
License type Distinguishes OT from OTA and other available license categories. Confirm the credential matches the position or requirement.
License number Provides a precise identifier for future searches. Record it in the verification file.
Original license date Helps establish the practitioner’s Maryland licensure history. Compare it with information supplied by the practitioner when needed.
Status Indicates the current standing displayed by the Board’s database. Do not rely solely on a name match; review the complete record.
Expiration date A license that has reached its expiration date should not be treated as current authorization. Check the date on every verification.
Derogatory / disciplinary information Public disciplinary information may affect credentialing or employment decisions. Review the official record and applicable Board documents when present.

What Information Is Included in Maryland OT License Verification?

Maryland’s official written verification page identifies the principal information that can be included in a verification of licensure.

Identity

Licensee name

The verification identifies the occupational therapy professional whose license is being verified.

Credential

License type and number

These fields establish which Maryland occupational therapy credential is being verified and provide the license identifier.

History

Date of original license

The original license date can help distinguish a practitioner’s Maryland licensure record from another person with a similar name.

Current record

Status and expiration date

These are central fields when determining whether a credential appears current at the time of the search.

Public information

Derogatory or disciplinary information

Formal verification can include derogatory or disciplinary information and an indication of good standing status.

Formal use

Board-issued verification

When another jurisdiction requires official verification, use the Board’s written verification procedure rather than relying on an unofficial directory.

Maryland Occupational Therapy License Renewal Requirements

Maryland OT licenses are issued on a two-year term. The Board staggers license terms so that licenses originally issued in even-numbered years expire June 30 of even-numbered years, while licenses originally issued in odd-numbered years expire June 30 of odd-numbered years.

License term

Two-year license period

Occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant licenses operate on a biennial cycle.

Expiration

June 30 of the applicable year

The expiration year follows the original licensure year: even-year licenses expire June 30 in even years and odd-year licenses expire June 30 in odd years.

Renewal window

May 1 through June 30

The Board’s renewal procedure states that the renewal cycle begins May 1 and ends June 30.

Deadline

Do not wait until expiration

The Board’s regulations state that a completed renewal received after the June 30 expiration date will not be accepted as a normal renewal.

Application

Complete the renewal application

Submit a completed renewal application, the required payment and the applicable continuing competency attestation or documentation.

Audit

Keep competency records

The Board may audit continuing competency compliance, so retain the supporting records required by Maryland’s regulations.

2026 timing clarification

The 2026 cycle applied to licenses expiring June 30, 2026, including licenses originally issued in 2026, 2024, 2022 and other even-numbered years according to the Board’s staggered two-year system. Because that deadline has passed, a license that expired June 30, 2026 should be evaluated under the Board’s applicable reinstatement or reactivation rules rather than treated as an ordinary timely renewal.

Maryland OT Continuing Competency Requirements

Maryland’s occupational therapy continuing competency rules use a 24-contact-hour requirement unless an applicable exception applies. Current NBCOT certification is specifically recognized by the Board as satisfying the continuing competency requirement.

Standard requirement

24 contact hours

An occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant generally must certify a minimum of 24 contact hours of competency activities during the applicable two-year period preceding renewal, reactivation or reinstatement.

  • Minimum total: 24 contact hours.
  • At least 16 hours relate to occupational therapy principles and procedures.
  • Up to 8 hours may come from occupational therapy role-related activities.
  • Supporting documentation must be available if requested by the Board.
NBCOT exception

Current NBCOT certification

Maryland recognizes maintenance of current NBCOT certification as fulfilling the continuing competency requirement.

  • Maintain current NBCOT certification.
  • Provide verification of current NBCOT certification when required.
  • Do not claim the exemption if the NBCOT certification is not current.
Newly licensed practitioners

An OT or OTA who has held a Maryland license for less than one year before renewal is exempt from the continuing competency requirements for the first renewal period under the current regulation.

What Can Count Toward Maryland OT Continuing Competency?

Maryland regulations allow multiple competency activities. The exact credit available can depend on the activity and the limits established by the regulation.

Activity Potential use Documentation / limitation
Continuing education Core source of occupational therapy principles and procedures hours. Keep certificates and required course information.
University or college courses Can provide contact hours in occupational therapy or related topics. Maryland specifies documentation such as an official transcript and course description.
Fellowship training May qualify as competency activity in a specific area. The regulation establishes credit and documentation limits.
Poster presentations May generate contact hours based on presentation time. Credit is limited and the presentation is credited only once per renewal cycle.
Academic guest lecturer Teaching an OT-related academic course may qualify. The regulation imposes limits on the number of hours that may be applied.
Current NBCOT certification Can satisfy the continuing competency requirement. Current certification must be maintained and verifiable.

OT License Renewal After a Long Break From Practice

Maryland has additional continuing competency requirements when an applicant for licensure, renewal, reactivation or reinstatement has not graduated from an accredited occupational therapy program or practiced occupational therapy for three years or more.

3–8 years out

Additional competency steps

  • Complete a Board-approved self-assessment.
  • Complete a Board-approved professional development plan.
  • Complete at least 24 contact hours related to OT principles and procedures during the 24 months before application.
  • Document at least 30 hours of observation, mentoring or a combination with an actively licensed OT during the preceding 24 months.
  • Document completion of established professional goals and activities with an actively licensed OT.
More than 8 years

Additional requirements may apply

If the lapse in practice exceeds eight years, the regulation adds further competency requirements beyond the 3-to-8-year pathway.

Because reinstatement and long-practice-lapse situations can be fact-specific, use the current Maryland regulation and contact the Board before assuming that ordinary renewal requirements are sufficient.

Maryland OT License Fees: Renewal, Reinstatement & Verification

Maryland’s current occupational therapy fee regulation lists separate charges for OT renewal, OTA renewal, reinstatement, reactivation, late renewal and written verification.

Service Board fee Important note
Occupational Therapist renewal $270 The regulation lists $270 for OT license renewal. A separate MHCC assessment may also apply at renewal.
Occupational Therapy Assistant renewal $210 This is the separate OTA renewal amount listed in the fee regulation.
Late renewal fee $100 Applies to renewal made after the renewal deadline but within the period permitted by the regulation.
Reinstatement $450 Used for the reinstatement pathway rather than ordinary timely renewal.
Reactivation after elective nonrenewal $245 Applies to the specific elective-nonrenewal reactivation route.
Written license verification $20 The Board’s verification page identifies $20 per licensee for written verification.
Initial OT licensure application $200 The fee regulation lists the initial application fee, including the first temporary license.
Do not confuse the Board fee with the total renewal amount

Maryland’s occupational therapy fee regulation separately provides for an assessment for health care professionals by the Maryland Health Care Commission. The total amount shown in an actual renewal transaction can therefore differ from the $270 OT Board renewal fee.

Expired Maryland OT License: Renewal, Reactivation or Reinstatement?

Once a Maryland OT license has passed its expiration date, do not continue treating it as a current license merely because the practitioner previously held a Maryland credential.

Expired

Do not use ordinary renewal assumptions

The Maryland regulation states that a completed renewal received after the June 30 expiration date will not be accepted as a normal renewal.

Elective nonrenewal

Reactivation can be different

Maryland separately lists reactivation after elective nonrenewal. The correct route depends on how the license became inactive or expired.

Reinstatement

Use the Board’s reinstatement pathway

The current fee regulation lists a $450 reinstatement fee. Additional competency, application or other requirements may apply depending on the circumstances.

Practice warning

Maryland’s renewal application specifically states that practicing occupational therapy without a current Maryland license is a violation of the Occupational Therapy Practice Act. Confirm restored status through the official verification system before treating an expired credential as active.

Maryland Board of Occupational Therapy License Verification for Another State

A public Maryland OT license lookup and a formal license verification are not necessarily the same thing. If another state licensing board asks Maryland to verify your credential, use the Board’s formal verification process.

Public lookup

Best for routine status checks

  • Confirm a Maryland license exists.
  • Check license type.
  • Find a license number.
  • Review status and expiration.
  • Perform an employer or credentialing check.

Start at the Maryland OT License Verification Site .

Formal verification

Best when an agency requires official proof

  • Another state board requests formal verification.
  • A credentialing organization requires Board-issued verification.
  • A written verification document is specifically requested.
  • You need a Board verification with the applicable status information.

Maryland lists the written verification fee as $20 per licensee.

Board verification content

Maryland states that written verification can include the licensee name, license type, license number, original license date, status, expiration date and derogatory or disciplinary information/status of good standing.

Maryland OT License vs. NBCOT Certification

A Maryland occupational therapy license and NBCOT certification are related but different credentials. They should not be treated as interchangeable for every purpose.

Credential What it represents Where to verify
Maryland OT license State authorization to practice occupational therapy under Maryland law. Maryland Board of Occupational Therapy Practice verification system.
NBCOT certification National professional certification from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. NBCOT’s credential verification resources.
Maryland OT + current NBCOT A Maryland licensee may use current NBCOT certification to satisfy Maryland’s continuing competency requirement. Verify the Maryland license and NBCOT certification separately when both are relevant.

Maryland OT Initial Licensure: What Applicants Need

If a person is not yet licensed in Maryland, a verification search is not a substitute for the initial application process.

Application

Complete the Maryland application

The Board provides an online application route for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants.

Education

Provide education information

Applicants provide information about their occupational therapy education, including the program and graduation details.

NBCOT

Verify certification or examination eligibility

Maryland requires verification of initial NBCOT certification or examination-related eligibility depending on the applicant pathway.

Background check

Complete criminal history requirements

The Board’s application materials require the applicable State and FBI criminal history records check process.

Other states

Provide license verification when applicable

Applicants who have been licensed in another state or country must provide the required verification.

Photo

Submit required identification materials

Current Board application materials include a passport-sized photograph among the required application documentation.

Expired NBCOT certification

Maryland’s current application materials state that applicants whose NBCOT certification is expired may need to provide verification of 24 continuing competency contact hours, together with the applicable compliance report.

Maryland OT License Lookup Not Finding a Record?

A failed search does not automatically prove that an occupational therapist is unlicensed. Maryland’s verification FAQ specifically warns that over-searching can prevent a matching record from appearing.

Problem Possible reason What to do
No result after entering several fields One field may contain a spelling or data mismatch. Remove unnecessary search criteria and search by license number or last name.
Temporary OT search fails The person may have a regular occupational therapist license rather than a temporary license record. Search again using the appropriate license type or simply the last name.
Common last name produces many results Multiple licensees share the same surname. Use the first name or license number to narrow the result.
Name changed The Board record may use a different legal or former name. Try the relevant former name and contact the Board if the record still cannot be resolved.
License expired The practitioner did not complete renewal before expiration. Check the current record and determine whether reactivation or reinstatement is required.
Another state asks for verification A public lookup may not satisfy formal board-to-board requirements. Request Maryland written verification using the Board’s official process.
Maryland Board search advice

The official verification FAQ says that all search criteria entered must match. If you know the license number, the Board recommends not entering additional search criteria. This can avoid an unnecessary “no result” caused by a spelling mismatch.

Maryland OT License Verification Checklist for Employers

For hiring, credentialing or compliance files, document the verification instead of simply recording “license checked.”

Record these details
  • Full name searched.
  • Maryland license number.
  • OT or OTA license type.
  • Date the record was checked.
  • Current status shown by the Board.
  • Expiration date.
  • Public disciplinary information when applicable.
  • Official verification URL used.
Do not rely on these alone
  • Resume claims.
  • Old license photographs.
  • Unverified PDF copies.
  • Private license-directory profiles.
  • Social media profiles.
  • NBCOT certification alone when Maryland state licensure is required.
  • A similar-name search without confirming identity.

Maryland Board of Occupational Therapy Practice Contact Information

Contact Information Use it for
Board phone 410-402-8556 Licensing, verification and renewal questions.
Board email mdh.botp@maryland.gov Board correspondence and licensing questions.
Board office Spring Grove Hospital Center, 55 Wade Avenue, Tuerk Building, 2nd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21228 Official Board correspondence and services. Confirm current instructions before visiting.
Maryland Department of Health 201 W. Preston Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 Maryland Department of Health general information.

Maryland OT License Verification: The Practical Decision Guide

Whether you are an OT, OTA, employer, recruiter, credentialing team member or another licensing board, the correct workflow is determined by the task.

Need current status?

Use public verification

Search the Maryland Board’s verification system and confirm the license type, identity, status and expiration.

Need to renew?

Check competency first

Confirm whether current NBCOT certification satisfies the requirement or whether the 24-contact-hour competency pathway applies.

License expired?

Do not keep practicing on old status

Determine whether reactivation, reinstatement or another Board-directed process applies before treating the credential as current.

Another board asks?

Request written verification

A public lookup and formal verification serve different purposes. Use the Board’s written verification process when required.

No result?

Search less, not more

Try the license number or last name alone. Maryland’s official FAQ warns that excessive criteria can cause a failed match.

Need another Maryland profession?

Use the correct board

Maryland OT verification is board-specific. A physician, nurse, pharmacist or other health profession may use a different official system.

Maryland OT License Verification FAQs

How do I verify a Maryland occupational therapist license?

Use the Maryland Board of Occupational Therapy Practice License Verification Site. Search by license number when available or use the supported name fields, then confirm the license type, status and expiration date.

Where is the Maryland occupational therapy license lookup?

The official Maryland OT license lookup is available through the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice verification system at mdbot.mylicense.com/verification/.

Can I search for a Maryland OT license by name?

Yes. The Board’s verification site supports name-based searching, and its instructions indicate that searching by last name is one of the most efficient methods. A wildcard can also be used when spelling is uncertain.

What should I do if the Maryland OT license lookup shows no result?

First remove unnecessary search criteria and try the license number or last name alone. Maryland’s official verification FAQ explains that all entered criteria must match, so over-searching can cause a record not to appear.

How often does a Maryland occupational therapy license need to be renewed?

Maryland OT licenses have a two-year term. Licenses originally issued in even-numbered years expire June 30 of even-numbered years, while licenses originally issued in odd-numbered years expire June 30 of odd-numbered years.

What are the Maryland occupational therapy license renewal requirements?

Renewal requires a completed application, the applicable renewal payment and compliance with Maryland’s continuing competency requirements. The standard competency requirement is 24 contact hours during the applicable two-year period unless a recognized exception, such as current NBCOT certification, applies.

How many continuing competency hours does a Maryland OT need?

Maryland generally requires 24 contact hours. At least 16 contact hours must relate to occupational therapy principles and procedures, while up to 8 hours may come from occupational therapy role-related activities. Current NBCOT certification is recognized as satisfying the continuing competency requirement.

How much is Maryland OT license renewal?

Maryland’s current fee regulation lists a $270 Board renewal fee for an occupational therapist license and $210 for an occupational therapy assistant license. A separate Maryland Health Care Commission assessment may also apply at renewal.

How much does Maryland written occupational therapy license verification cost?

The Maryland Board’s verification page lists a $20 fee per licensee for written verification. Public online license lookup is a separate process.

What happens if a Maryland OT license expires?

A license that has passed its expiration date should not be treated as current practice authority. Maryland provides separate reactivation and reinstatement pathways, and the appropriate route depends on how the license became inactive or expired.

Official-Source Check and Accuracy Note

This guide is an independent informational resource, not the Maryland Board of Occupational Therapy Practice.

The current Maryland Board verification system, Maryland Department of Health Board pages and current COMAR materials were used to explain the lookup, renewal, competency, fee and formal-verification workflows. Maryland licensing requirements, fees, online systems and administrative procedures can change, so verify the live Board record and current official instructions before practicing, hiring, renewing, applying or sending verification to another jurisdiction.

In particular, use the official Maryland verification record for a real-time license-status decision and use the current Board regulations for detailed competency, lapse-of-practice and reinstatement questions.

Bottom Line: Verify the Maryland OT License at the Board Level

The safest Maryland occupational therapy license verification workflow is straightforward: open the Maryland Board of Occupational Therapy Practice verification site, search by license number or last name, confirm the correct OT or OTA record, review status and expiration, and save dated verification details when the check is being used for employment or credentialing.

For renewal, remember that Maryland OT licenses operate on a two-year cycle and the standard continuing competency requirement is 24 contact hours unless current NBCOT certification satisfies the requirement. If the license has already expired, do not assume ordinary renewal is still available. If another state or organization requires formal proof, use Maryland’s written verification process rather than relying only on a public search result.