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NBCOT Certification Renewal: Understanding the Rules & Requirements

It's the beginning of the NBCOT Certification renewal period for OTRs and COTAs! Read on as we map out how HomeCEU can help you remain Active in Good Standing with the NBCOT for the next three years.

nbcot_logoBut first, a quick review of your rules:

Hours Needed: NBCOT requires 36 PDUs for renewal.

Deadline: Due every 3 years by March 31st.

Additional Information: 36 PDUs are needed for renewal (29 contact hours from an AOTA approved provider). 1.25 PDUs = 1 contact hour

Click here to view your state CEU requirements.

For more details, read on.

NBCOT Certification Renewal Period

The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification is granted for a 3-year period if all requirements are met by the scheduled renewal date. The on-time renewal period ends on March 31st at 11:59 pm EST. However, it is recommended that therapists aim for a March 16th submission deadline instead, because applications received less than 15 days prior to the renewal deadline may not be processed by the March 31st due date. That means there's no time to waste to get started on your NBCOT continuing education.

Professional Development Requirements for OTRs and COTAs

The NBCOT certification requires at least 36 Professional Development Units (PDUs) accrued during the 3-year renewal cycle for both Registered Occupational Therapists and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants.  HomeCEUconnection.com is an AOTA approved provider and CEUs earned through an AOTA approved providers convert from .1 CEU to 1.25 PDU. This means that you only have to take 29 contact hours with us and it will count as all 36 of your PDUs for your NBCOT continuing education! 36 PDUs for the price and effort of 29, you can’t beat that! You can review your NBCOT Certification Renewal rules here. To understand PDU Conversion, check out #15 under "Competency Assessment Units" within this NBCOT Renewal Activities Chart.

NBCOT Packages from an AOTA Approved Provider

In addition, needing to take fewer hours since we are an AOTA approved continuing education provider, we are also offering customizable OT/OTA packages. These packages allow students to bundle a variety of text and video courses to create a unique learning experience. And, there are a variety of package options for you to choose from! For more detailed information regarding the NBCOT certification renewal, please visit www.nbcot.org. Select an OT/OTA Flex package to get started, or, search our OT/OTA course catalog for a complete listing of courses approved for your state and profession!

And, for a limited time, save extra on all OT/OTA Flex packages with promo code NBCOT10.

nbcot continuing education

**Rules and Requirements as listed are correct at the time of publication to the best of our knowledge. For specific questions, please contact NBCOT directly.

Comments

    • Hi Jessica,
      The New York State Board requires OTs and OTAs to complete 36 hours of continuing education every 3 years, which are due the last year of your birth month. “No more than two-thirds (24 hours) of the continuing competency requirement may be completed through self-study. Webinars count as live and are not subject to self study.At least 24 hours must focus on one or more professional subjects; the remaining 12 hours can focus on one or more related subjects.”
      This information is accurate to the best of our knowledge, you should always verify with the board itself. New York State Board of Occupational Therapy: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/ot/

      Reply

    • Here are the rules for Washington OTs and OTAs, Kriti:
      Washington OTs and OTAs need 30 hours.
      Due every 2 years on the licensees birth date.
      Text and pre-recorded video are considered continuing education course work (home study).
      Live webinars are considered interactive online courses.
      A portion of the required hours must be completed in both types of course work.
      A minimum of twenty hours must be directly related to the practice of occupational therapy.
      Three hours of training every six years in suicide assessment is required.

      Reply

  4. What are the requirements for NJ? If I take a course that satisfies 30 hrs does that mean I would only need 6 more hrs to meet the 36hr requirement in 3yrs? Hope my question is clear

    TIA

    Reply

    • Hello Mary,
      Currently, New Jersey does not require CEUs for OTs/OTAs. If you take courses from an AOTA approved provider like us, each hour counts as 1.25 NBCOT hours, so you would only need 29 hours to meet your NBCOT requirements. Cheers!

      Reply

  5. I’m a new graduate from Wisconsin. In Wisconsin, we use a point system. I believe it’s 24 points every 2 years, but I saw that some states count CEUs by the amount of hours. Could you explain the difference between points vs hours? If I’m reading my state license renewal correctly, would i be correct in thinking that a self study course (whether it’s 10, 20, or 30 hours) is only worth 4 points in Wisconsin?

    Reply

    • Thank you for your question! Wisconsin OTs and OTAs need 24 points every 2 years. You receive 1 point per contact hour of attendance (i.e. 4 hours = 4 points, 10 hours = 10 points, etc.). Therefore, if you take a total of 24 hours of continuing education courses from HomeCEU, you will receive 24 points. The OT/OTA 24 Hour Signature Flex Package is our best offer for all 24 hours. You can use promo code OTSAVE to get a discount.

      Please let us know if you have any additional questions.

      Have a great day!

      ***Check your state board to verify license renewal requirements

      Reply

  6. I recently got an audit paper from NBCOT…I am aware I need 36 PDU’S..I live in Ohio. However looking back at my prior renewal to this one..7.25 PDU’S may not apply leaving me short 4 PDU’S and non compliant..leaving me without a license until I can reinstate it.
    Can you tell me how this works since I did apply within the renewal period and how long it takes to get reinstated if they do find me short on my PDU’S?

    Reply

    • Hi Gabriella,

      Thanks for asking your question! If you are referring to the PDU requirements for NBCOT certification, it is granted for a three-year period. You must complete all of the certification renewal requirements which includes 36 PDUs by your scheduled renewal date to remain Active in Good Standing certification status for another three-year period.

      You can get more info about the renewal requirements here: https://www.nbcot.org/-/media/NBCOT/PDFs/Renewal_Handbook.ashx?la=en

      What state do you practice in? Do you have an OTR or COTA license?

      Reply

  8. Hello! What are the requirements for a PA license? Do these CEUs satisfy both state requirements and NBCOT? Will a certificate be available after each course? Thanks!

    Reply

  9. Hello,

    I see where you state that 29 of the 36 units must come from AOTA approved providers, but I don’t see that on the NBCOT’s website, do you know where I can find that stipulation? Also are you aware of any adaptations for American OTs currently practicing OT in a foreign country (but wanting to retain NBCOT registration).

    Thank you

    Reply

    • Hi Sam,

      Thanks for your question! The requirements do not state that 29 hours must come from an AOTA provider. The NBCOT requirements state that 29 hours of continuing education completed from an AOTA provider is equivalent to 36 PDUs. Please see #15 on the NBCOT’s Renewal Activites Chart here: https://www.nbcot.org/-/media/NBCOT/PDFs/Renewal_Activity_Chart.ashx?la=en

      I am not familiar with the stipulations for OTs practicing in a country outside of the U.S. I would recommend contacting the NBCOT directly with this question. You can contact the NBCOT here: https://www.nbcot.org/en/Contact

      Please let us know if you have any additional questions.

      Have a great day!

      Reply

  10. I am a practicing OT I the state of UT. If I have found a fall prevention course that qualifies for PDUs does that mean I can automatically count them towards CEUs in my state as well, or does a course that qualifies for PDUs not always count for CEUs?

    Reply

  11. Hello,

    I am an OTR in WI. I have 24 points (or 24 contact hours) which for my state meets my 2 year licensing requirement. However, I see that for the NBCOT renewal I need 36 PDUs or 29 contact hours. Therefore, I have 24 hours so I am 5 points/hours away from the 29 needed for the NBCOT, correct? How do I know if the contact hours are from an AOTA approved provider?? I have been interested in occupationaltherapy.com for online courses but not sure if it’s an AOTA approved provider. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Hello David,

      Thank you for your question! What state is your license under and did you take your courses with us?
      You can also contact our amazing customer service team if you need any assistance, they will help you as best they can. The number to call is: 1-800-55-4CEUS (2387)

      Reply

  13. I graduated on December 2018. I received my NBCOT lincense on March 19 2018 as my Nevada state license March 19 2018. I do not understand CEU and PDUs I am trying to take seminars before March 19 2019 to renew my lincese. The CEUs and PDUs are the same for the Nevada State Board?

    Reply

  15. I hold a Michigan, Tennessee, and Florida license, each requiring 24-26 hours of CEU’s. Do i need to complete all separate CEU’s for each state or can i take 29 total and apply them to all three states as well as NBCOT? Just trying to figure out taking 70 hours versus 29. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Hi Kara,

      Can you call us at 1-800-554-2387? We can help you find CEUs that are approved in all 3 states so you do not have to take 70 hours. Florida does have a live requirement, which will entail taking our live, interactive webinars.

      Have a great day!

      Reply

  16. I just realized that I am late renewing my certification!!!! My license is good until 2020, so I assumed the same for nbcot. What happens now? Thanks, Allison

    Reply

  17. I am so very confused about CEUs and the requirements. I am newly licensed in TN. I understand I need 24 CEUs every two years, however, how do all the .1 and .3 ect. CEUs equal out to 1 full CEU?

    Reply

  18. I am living in FL and recently renewed my FL license. I have 40 CEUs from initial license 2017-2019; fulfilling my state requirement. I was of the understanding that these CEUs are transferable to the national certification due in 2020. Am I correct in thinking this? on my profile page (for NBCOT) it says I have 0/36 hours completed. But my CE broker page says differently. I have the transcripts obviously I just don’t know the process of reporting them if I need to. I was under the impression CE broker does this, but it appears they only deal with the state board? Can I get some clarity? I can’t imagine none of the 40 CEUs count as they all were approved and acceptable for state renewal.

    Reply

    • Hi Patrick,

      Did you take the courses from HomeCEU? If so, our courses satisfy NBCOT Professional Development requirements. I would contact NBCOT and report your CEUs. Be sure to save your transcripts as proof of completion. Any courses you take from HomeCEU are saved in your account for life, so you can access and download them at any time.

      You can contact NBCOT at info@nbcot.org or by phone at (301) 990-7979.

      Please let us know if you have further questions. We are available via email at anne@homeceu.com or via phone at 1-800-554-2387.

      Have a great day!

      Reply

  20. Hi,
    I retired my OT license (CA) 16 years ago. I am now ready to re-enter the workplace. What would you recommend my first couple of steps be in order to get the process rolling. Do I start chipping away at my PDU’s? Any information is greatly appreciated.
    Thank You!

    Reply

  21. in new york state is an OT whose license is registered and current but NBCOT recertification is inactive, am I allowed to work, cosign and supervise students?

    Reply

  22. I’m currently licensed in the state of Hawaii. The state does not require any cont ed. I’ve recently audited by NBCOT to submit proof of my cont Ed certificates. I have a multiple cont Ed courses from 2015 to 2019. Can I use the certificates from 2015 to satisfy the PDU? Is there an expiration date for these certificates?

    Reply

    • Thank you for submitting your inquiry. You need 36 PDUs every 3 years to satisfy your NBCOT requirements. You will need to contact NBCOT to find out which renewal year is being audited, and verify if your certificates fall within the 3 year renewal window. You can contact NBCOT here:
      https://www.nbcot.org/en/Contact

      Reply

    • Taylor, thank you for submitting your question. OTs need 36 PDUs within 3 years, due March 31st, to satisfy the NBCOT renewal requirements. For questions concerning your individual certification, I would recommend contacting NBCOT here: https://www.nbcot.org/Contact

      Have a great day!

      Reply

  24. Is there a requirement for in person hours for renewal of the 36 total every 3 years? In Michigan I need 20 hours every 2 years and 10 have to be in person (live webinars do not count).

    Reply

    • Hi Jorden,

      Currently, there are no live (in person) CE requirements for the NBCOT. You can verify your PDU requirements with NBCOT here: https://www.nbcot.org/en/Certificants/Certification

      You would still need to meet your in person requirements for your state.

      If you need further assistance, feel free to reach out to our customer service team at 1-800-554-2387.

      Have a great day!

      Reply

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