Healthcare Resource
How to Get an Occupational Therapist License in Mississippi (2026)
In brief
OT licensure in Mississippi 2026: OT Compact member, MS State Board of Health, fast compact privilege, and rural demand statewide.
Steps at a glance
Check OT Compact eligibility
Mississippi 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 MS Board.
Submit state application and fees
Apply through the MS State Board of Health OT licensure section. 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
Mississippi is an OT Compact member state, so compact-eligible OTs can activate a practice privilege in 1-3 days. The MS State Board of Health administers OT licensure, and major employers include Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg.
Mississippi OT license at a glance
- Issuing board: MS State Board of Health, OT Licensure
- 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
Mississippi compact membership enables quick entry for travelers. Non-compact applicants complete full endorsement (4-6 weeks) by submitting NBCOT verification, prior license verification, and background check to the MS State Board of Health.
Mississippi OT compensation 2026
| Setting | Median Base | Sign-On Range |
|---|---|---|
| Outpatient / hand therapy | $62,000 | $3,000-$5,000 |
| Acute care hospital | $70,000 | $4,000-$8,000 |
| SNF / skilled nursing | $68,000 | $4,000-$7,000 |
| School-based OT | $55,000 | $2,000-$4,000 |
| Travel OT (13-week) | $85,000 + housing stipend | — |
Where OT demand is highest in Mississippi
Jackson is Mississippi's primary OT market with UMMC and Baptist Medical Center anchoring demand. Hattiesburg serves the southern part of the state, and Gulfport's Gulf Coast Memorial Hospital covers the coastal strip. Rural delta counties have persistent OT shortages with federally designated HPSA status.
Bottom line
Mississippi has the lowest OT salaries in the series but also among the lowest cost of living. Compact membership makes it a fast-access add-on for Southeast travelers, and rural HPSA designation opens NHSC loan repayment eligibility for qualifying OTs.
Related: OT License Alabama 2026, PT License Mississippi 2026.
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