How to Get Your COTA License in Kansas (2026 Guide)

## How to Become a Licensed OTA/COTA in Kansas Kansas has a steady and growing need for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs), particularly in skilled nursing facilities serving its aging rural population, school systems addressing developmental and physical disabilities in students, and healthcare networks anchored in Wichita and Kansas City. If you're on the path to OTA licensure in Kansas, here is your complete 2026 roadmap. ### Step 1: Complete an ACOTE-Accredited OTA Program Kansas OTA licensure begins with graduation from an ACOTE-accredited OTA program. The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) sets the national standards for OTA education. Kansas has ACOTE-accredited programs at community colleges and health education institutions, particularly in the Wichita and eastern Kansas regions. These two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) programs cover occupational therapy theory, functional anatomy, therapeutic modalities, psychosocial OT, pediatric and geriatric practice, and professional ethics. ACOTE mandates a minimum of 16 weeks of Level I and Level II fieldwork, including a full-time Level II clinical placement. Kansas students complete fieldwork rotations in skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, pediatric clinics, outpatient settings, home health, and school districts. ### Step 2: Pass the NBCOT COTA Exam Following program completion, you must pass the NBCOT COTA examination. The exam fee is approximately $555 and consists of 200 questions delivered over four hours at a Prometric testing center. The exam assesses clinical knowledge, therapeutic reasoning, ethical practice, and skill in designing and implementing occupational therapy interventions across care settings. NBCOT credentials are maintained through the 36-PDU-per-three-years system. PDUs can be earned via formal CE coursework, professional leadership, mentoring, and research activities. Your NBCOT certification must remain current alongside your state license. ### Step 3: Apply for Your Kansas OTA License Kansas OTA licensure is governed by the **Kansas State Board of Healing Arts**, which regulates multiple healthcare professions in the state, including occupational therapy. After passing the NBCOT exam, submit your licensure application to the Board. The application fee is approximately $50–$75. Documentation requirements include NBCOT exam verification, official program transcripts, and a criminal background check authorization. Kansas does not currently require a jurisprudence exam for OTA initial licensure, though candidates should review the Kansas OT Practice Act to understand supervision requirements, scope of practice, and documentation standards. Kansas OTA licenses renew biennially. ### OT Compact Membership Kansas is a member of the OT Compact, allowing Kansas-licensed COTAs in good standing to apply for multistate practice privileges in other Compact states. This is especially relevant for Kansas COTAs who work in border regions near Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado, or Oklahoma. As the Compact's membership base has expanded since 2023–2024, this credential increasingly opens doors for travel assignments and cross-border practice. ### Continuing Education Requirements Kansas requires **20 continuing education hours per two-year renewal cycle**. Hours may be earned in any area of occupational therapy practice — pediatrics, geriatrics, neurological rehab, sensory integration, ergonomics, mental health, and more. Approved providers include AOTA, state OT associations, and accredited universities offering professional development programming. The Kansas Occupational Therapy Association (KOTA) hosts annual conferences and CE workshops that fulfill state renewal requirements. Practitioners should retain CE certificates for a minimum of four years. ### Kansas COTA Salary Ranges COTAs in Kansas typically earn between **$42,000 and $62,000 annually**. Wichita, the state's largest city, offers the most robust job market with competitive compensation, particularly at hospital-affiliated rehab departments and large SNF chains. Kansas City metro practitioners can access both Kansas and Missouri employer markets. Rural areas of western Kansas typically see lower base salaries but consistent demand and, for travel COTAs, higher agency rates. Travel COTAs in Kansas earn approximately **$30–$48 per hour**, with housing and travel allowances. Rural and western Kansas communities frequently rely on travel staffing to fill COTA shortages. ### Top Employers The **University of Kansas Health System** is Kansas's flagship academic medical center employer for rehabilitation professionals, with extensive OT services across inpatient, outpatient, and specialty clinics. **Kansas school districts** — including Wichita Public Schools and districts in the Kansas City metro area — are major employers of school-based COTAs who deliver services under student IEPs. **Genesis HealthCare**, **Brookdale Senior Living**, **Kindred Healthcare**, and **Encompass Health** operate skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities throughout the state. Pediatric outpatient therapy groups, home health agencies, and mental health organizations complete the employer picture for Kansas COTAs.