California OT and OTA license renewal and continued competency
The California Board of Occupational Therapy states that renewing practitioners “will need to complete 24 PDUs” (professional development units) in each biennial renewal period.
Quoted from official pages checked November 12, 2026. Confirm current requirements, fees, and dates on those sites. This page is not legal advice and does not guarantee eligibility, certification, or licensure.
Source read on November 12, 2026: the Board of Occupational Therapy Continuing Competency page. It covers occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants and points to CCR Section 4161 for qualifying activities; the regulation itself was not read for this page.
Cycle
The page states: “The Board transitioned from an annual to a biennial renewal.” It also states: “The PDUs must be earned during the renewal period. Your renewal period begins the day after your license expires and ends on your expiration date.”
Content
“One half (1/2) of the required number of PDUs must be directly related to the delivery of occupational therapy services. The remaining units can be in other areas related to your practice.” The page adds: “The Board does not require that you take courses from approved providers.” Online or home study courses are allowed with a completion certificate (paraphrased).
Carryover
“If you earn more than the required number of PDUs within your renewal period, a maximum of six (6) PDUs may be carried to the next renewal period.”
Records and audits
Documentation is not sent with the renewal form, but “you are required to maintain documentation for a period of four (4) years following the renewal period. You must submit the evidence of completion if you are audited by the Board.”
What this page does not do
It covers the state occupational therapy license only, and only what the official page or pages named above say. It does not cover NBCOT certification renewal, does not list fees, and does not replace the board’s own instructions. Rules change; check the board before you renew.