Verify Practice as an Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist
You must include documentation that verifies three years of practice as a certified, registered, or licensed occupational therapist or physical therapist. Practice under a temporary license is not applicable. Years as an occupational therapy assistant or a physical therapist assistant may not be applied to this requirement. Length of practice may be verified by submitting ONE of the following documents:
- United States occupational therapists or physical therapists must submit a photocopy of state license with the original date of licensure, or verification of date of licensure from the state.
- Contact the state licensing board of the state in which you were originally licensed for verification. Each state board has its own procedures and fees and should be contacted for more information. License verification from a website of an official state agency is acceptable verification.
- United States occupational therapists have the option of submitting a photocopy of the large NBCOT certificate that reflects the date of initial certification as an OTR instead of an initial state license.
- If you do not have this certificate, you can obtain verification from NBCOT by submitting a request using NBCOT's Verification of Certification Request form, which is available at www.nbcot.org. NBCOT advises to allow three weeks for processing.
- Therapists from outside of the United States, must submit verification of original professional credential (license, certificate or registration) that is required to legally practice in your location.
Verify Practice in Hand Therapy
Form 1 - Employment Verification
Use the Employment Verification Form to document 4,000 hours of direct hand therapy practice.
- Copies may be made of this form as needed for more than one employer.
- Indicate the number of hours of hand therapy practice at each place of employment.
- Submit only as many forms as needed to document 4,000 hours.
- Forms may be signed by a direct supervisor, facility administrator, physician, or a person deemed appropriate by the candidate.
- Candidates in private practice may sign their own form. Proof of ownership/partnership in a private practice such as a business license or partnership agreement is required.
- HTCC reserves the right to request additional information regarding how the 4,000 hours were derived.
- Falsification of hours may lead to penalties including, but not limited to, revocation or denial of certification, recertification or eligibility for certification.
Form 2 - Explanation of Direct Practice Experience
Use the Explanation of Direct Practice Experience Form to document how you determined that you have fulfilled the 4,000 hours of direct practice in hand therapy.
Direct Practice Experience is the direct provision of patient care through assessment and implementation of an individualized treatment plan including but not limited to orthotics/splinting,
modalities and/or exercise/activities to prevent dysfunction, maximize functional recovery or influence the effect of pathology in the upper limb. It does not include time spent in administration, research, teaching or consultation.
Provide Current License or Certificate
- Submit a copy of your current professional credential to practice. Depending on your profession and where you practice, a professional credential may include a license, certificate, or registration.
In all cases, it is the credential that you need to legally practice in that location.
- This credential must be active, and you must be in good standing with the agency that issued it.
- Verification from the website of an official state agency is acceptable verification.
- If you practice in a country that does not issue a professional credential to practice, you must provide information about what is required to practice in your location and you must be in compliance
with those requirements.