EDUCATION

• Most states in America require a minimum education of at least a Bachelor degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited OT school. Please review the following link for a list of accredited schools. www.wfot.org.  You may also be required to present your thesis as part of the process. If you hold a Master's Degree from an accredited school this will make your process easier and shorter. Depending upon the year of your graduation from your undergraduate education, some states will require a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy.

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY

• As a condition for immigration and licensure, all foreign-educated therapists must demonstrate English proficiency. We require that all applicants receive a passing TOEFL score, preferrably in the TOEFL-IBT, which requires a minimum score of 89 overall and 26 in speaking. The exam needs to have been in the last 12 months unless you already have secured a VisaScreen certificate. We will also consider applicants who have taken the TOEFL, TSE and TWE. Passing scores for TOEFL (220/560) TWE (4.5) TSE (50).

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE 

• Passport USA typically requires at least one year of experience in a tertiary level hospital or large rehab clinic before beginning a sponsorship program. You must also have completed at least 1000 hours of supervised field work, which may be done during your education program.  Generally, we are typically unable to consider those therapists only working in a Private Duty or Homecare setting. 

CREDENTIALING

• State licensure boards require that all OT applicants complete a credential evaluation from a recognized Credential Evaluation Service (CES). Our preference is NBCOT, but we will consider applicants with credentials evaluation from CGFNS.  

LICENSURE 

• You must possess a current license in your country of education and practice.   Ultimately, you will need to pass the US license examination.  All therapists must be licensed by a U.S. State Board. Initial licensure is awarded upon passing the NBCOT.  
• Each State Board has its own rules and specific requirements for foreign trained therapists. Our Credentialing Team is very familiar with these requirements and will walk you through the process. They will provide you with all necessary forms and instructions for the application process.   Licensure processing is paid for by Passpport USA for successful applicants selected to join the Passpport USA program.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• If Offshore, TOEFL-IBT passed with NBCOT or CGFNS VisaScreen
• If Offshore or US based, NBCOT passed
• If US Based, on student (F-1) or H1-B visa currently

NOTE

• Occupational Therapists with no VisaScreen or TOEFL are welcome to apply.  However, the therapist should be prepared to initially shoulder the cost of the TOEFL expenses and must agree to complete any required Credential remediation for academic deficiencies (if applicable).