Occupational therapy continuing education requirements are different for every state. They may even differ for occupational therapy assistants and occupational therapists in the same state. While the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) does provide a national certification, only some states will accept it in lieu of meeting their own requirements. Washington OTA continuing education requirements are developed by the Washington board of occupational therapy.
This guide focuses on the CEU requirements for occupational therapy assistants; if you are an OT, you can find the dedicated page for Washington OT CEU requirements here.
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Total CEUs Required
Almost all states have continuing education requirements for occupational therapy assistants. Generally, OTAs are required to complete a specific number of CEUs every one to two years. The CEU due date is often, but not always, the same as the license expiration date.
Total CEUs required: 24
CEU Due Date: It varies
As an OTA in Washington, you need 24 CEUs every two years by your birthday.
First Renewal Rules
CEUs required: 0
For occupational therapy assistants renewing for the first time, some states require the full number of CEUs, some require a prorated amount and some do not require any continuing education at all.
The rules may depend on whether you were licensed by examination or by endorsement. Generally, if you are newly licensed by examination, the exemption or prorated amount will apply to you. However, if you are newly licensed by endorsement, you will likely be expected to complete the full number of CEUs.
OTAs in Washington are not required to complete CEUs for their first renewal.
According to the Washington State Department of Health: continuing education will be required following the first full licensure period.
The occupational therapy section of the website states: "Initial licenses will expire on the practitioner's birthday. Initial credentials issued within 90 days of the practitioner's birthday do not expire until the practitioner's next birthday. After the initial license, occupational therapists must renew their license every two years on or before their birthday. In addition to submitting the appropriate fee, they're required to complete 30 hours of continuing education."
Special Requirements
Directly Related to OT Practice - 20 CEUs
Suicide Assessment - 3 CEUs
Health Equity - 2 CEUs
Some states have requirements regarding specific topics or activity types. There may be a certain number of CEUs required, or you may have to complete a particular course or exam. The CEUs you earn for special requirements can usually be applied toward your total.
Washington requires occupational therapy assistants to complete the following as part of their total CEU requirement.
Directly Related to OT Practice - 20 CEUs
A minimum of twenty hours must directly relate to the practice of occupational therapy.
Suicide Assessment - 3 CEUs
At least three hours of training every six years in suicide assessment. The first training must be completed during the first full continued competency reporting period after initial licensure. In the box below, please enter your due date based on the description above.
Health Equity - 2 CEUs
As of January 1, 2024, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are required to obtain at least two hours in health equity continuing education training every four years. In the box below, please enter the date this will be due for you based on the description above.
Choosing Courses
To choose the right occupational therapy continuing education courses, consider a few key factors. First, choose topics that are interesting to you, applicable to your current clinical setting, or helpful for transitioning to a new role. However, personal interest isn’t the only priority; make sure the course is specifically approved for your state. Finally, consider the cost, especially if your employer doesn’t pay for continuing education.
A subscription site can simplify this process. They provide unlimited access to a wide variety of subjects, with both live and recorded options, all for one reasonable price. Most sites offer courses in every state, though you should always check for individual course approval. Just because one course is approved for OTAs in Washington, you shouldn't assume all courses on that site are approved for OTAs in Washington. Before signing up for a course, check with the CE provider to see if it is approved.
Discounts on CEUs
To help take the guesswork out of your search, we’ve partnered with a few of our favorite platforms to offer you the best discounts!
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OccupationalTherapy.com offers a lower-priced option with 600+ evidence-based courses including live webinars, recorded webinars, text courses and audio courses.
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Compact Privileges
Compact privileges: No
Washington does not issue OT Compact privileges.
The OT Compact has started issuing privileges for a few states as of January 2026. Your state may have joined the compact but may not be actively issuing privileges yet. Continue to check here or the OT Compact website for updates.
What is the OT Compact?
The Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact allows an OTA licensed in one state to quickly and easily obtain privileges to practice in another state.
In order to take advantage of compact privileges, both your home state (the state you have your driver’s license in) as well as the state you want to practice in need to be part of the compact.
Compact privileges are intended to be temporary. If you move to a new state and you hold a compact privilege there, you won't be able to continue using that privilege. You'll need to apply for a license by endorsement in your new home state.
The OT Compact and CEU Requirements
Compact privileges have the same expiration date as your home state. You only need to meet the CEU requirements of your home state. You do not need to complete jurisprudence examinations in each state where you want to apply for a privilege.
Additional Notes
NEW: Effective January 16, 2026, the total number of CEUs due decreased from 30 to 24.
Sources
CEU Keeper strives to simplify Washington continuing education requirements for occupational therapy assistants. We like to say “we read the rules so you don’t have to”. While we do read them often, the rules are subject to change and it’s always best to confirm or clarify directly from the source, the state board website.
Conclusion
Understanding OTA continuing education requirements can be confusing. When searching for this information on social media, it’s important to remember requirements can be different for each state and profession. If you ask a question about occupational therapy requirements, be sure to specify your state and either OTA or OT. With that said, you can always ask us your questions. We want to help and it's what we do!
Curious how Washington OTA CEU requirements compare to other states? Check out our state list of occupational therapy CEU requirements.