Healthcare Resource
How to Get an Occupational Therapist License in Georgia (2026)
In brief
OT licensure in Georgia 2026: OT Compact member, GA State Board of OT, fast compact privilege, and Atlanta metro demand.
Steps at a glance
Check OT Compact eligibility
Georgia is an OT Compact member. Apply at compact.aota.org for a practice privilege in 1-3 days.
Complete NBCOT certification
Pass the NBCOT OTR exam if not already certified. Scores reported directly to the GA Board.
Submit state application and fees
Apply through the GA State Board of Occupational Therapy portal. Fee ~$100.
Verify prior state licensure
Provide license verification from all states where you hold or held an OT license.
Background check
Criminal background check required. Results typically 2-3 weeks.
In this article
Georgia is an OT Compact member state, enabling compact-eligible OTs to activate a practice privilege within 1-3 days. The GA State Board of Occupational Therapy oversees licensure, and major employers include Emory Healthcare, Piedmont Healthcare, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA), and Wellstar Health System.
Georgia OT license at a glance
- Issuing board: GA State Board of Occupational Therapy
- OT Compact member: Yes
- Compact Privilege processing: 1-3 days
- Endorsement processing: 4-6 weeks
- Application fee: ~$100
- NBCOT required: Yes
OT Compact vs. full endorsement
Georgia's compact status allows travelers to start contracts quickly. OTs from non-compact states must complete full endorsement (4-6 weeks) through the GA Board, submitting NBCOT verification, prior license verification, and background check results.
Georgia OT compensation 2026
| Setting | Median Base | Sign-On Range |
|---|---|---|
| Outpatient / hand therapy | $70,000 | $3,000-$6,000 |
| Acute care hospital | $78,000 | $5,000-$10,000 |
| SNF / skilled nursing | $76,000 | $4,000-$8,000 |
| School-based OT | $60,000 | $2,000-$4,000 |
| Travel OT (13-week) | $90,000 + housing stipend | — |
Where OT demand is highest in Georgia
The Atlanta metro drives the vast majority of Georgia's OT demand, with Emory Healthcare, Wellstar, and CHOA collectively employing hundreds of OTs. Savannah is a growing coastal market, and Augusta benefits from AU Health and multiple military medical facilities at Fort Gordon.
Bottom line
Georgia offers compact-state ease of entry combined with a large, growing Atlanta metro healthcare market. Salaries are near the national median, and cost of living outside the Buckhead/Midtown core is reasonable for healthcare professionals.
Related: OT License Florida 2026, PT License Georgia 2026.
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