If you or your spouse is a veteran or current member of the Armed Forces of the United States, the following information is provided to help you in obtaining an initial Ohio license and when renewing your Ohio license.

The Armed Forces of the United States includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or any reserve components of those forces. It also includes the National Guard of any state, the commissioned corps of the United States Public Health Service, the Merchant Marine Service (during wartime), or the Ohio Organized Militia when engaged in full-time national guard duty for a period of more than thirty (30) days.

A veteran is any person who completed service in the Armed Forces who has been discharged under honorable conditions or who has been transferred to the reserve with evidence of satisfactory service.

In accordance with Ohio Revised Code section 5903.03, each Section of the Board has adopted rules specifying the military programs of training, military primary specialties, and lengths of service that are substantially equivalent to or exceed the educational and experience requirements for licensure.

Passage of the licensing exam is still required even if the military service meets the educational and experience requirements.

Occupational Therapist and Occupational Therapy Assistant - Ohio Administrative Code rule 4755-3-15

Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant - Ohio Administrative Code rule 4755-23-17

Athletic Trainer - Ohio Administrative Code rule 4755-43-12

Orthotics Prosthetics, and Pedorthics - Ohio Administrative Code rule 4755-63-13

Ohio Revised Code section 5903.10 deals with renewal of a license.

Who Does This Section Apply To?

Licensees who are serving in the Armed Forces of the United States

OR

Licensees who are the spouse of an individual serving in the Armed Forces of the United States, whose service resulted in the licensee's absence from Ohio

What Does This Section Do?

Allows a licensee whose license expired due to the active military service have the license renewed at the usual cost without penalty or re-examination, provided that the licensee is not otherwise disqualified due to mental or physical disability.

Note: This provision does not extend the expiration date of a license. It only allows for the renewal of an expired license without penalty. If you are required to have an active license for your military position, you will need to renew your license prior to your expiration date. If you will be deployed prior to the opening of your renewal period, please contact the Board to make arrangements to renew your license early.

What Documentation is Required?

Documentation that the licensee or licensee's spouse, whichever is applicable, has been discharged under honorable conditions or released under honorable conditions from active duty or national guard duty within six (6) months after the discharge or release.

Ohio Revised Code section 5903.12 deals with the extension of the continuing education reporting period.

Who Does This Section Apply To?

Licensees who are members of the Armed Forces of the United States who are called to active duty.

What Does This Section Do?

Grants an extension of the current continuing education (CE) reporting period by an amount of time equal to the total number of months spent on active duty during the current CE reporting period. Any portion of a month served on active duty is considered as one (1) full month.

What Documentation is Required?

Documentation certifying the licensee's active duty service and the length of that service and evidence of release under honorable conditions from active duty or national guard duty within six (6) months after the release.

Ohio Revised Code section 5903.121 deals with the using military training, education, or service to meet the continuing education requirements.

Who Does This Section Apply To?

Licensees who are members of the Armed Forces of the United States.

What Does This Section Do?

Requires the Board to consider relevant education, training, or service completed by the licensee as a member of the Armed Forces in determining whether the licensee has met the continuing education requirements needed to renew the license.

What Documentation is Required?

Evidence or documentation of the education, training, or service. The evidence or documentation must be submitted to the board at least ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the license.

Ohio Revised Code section 4743.041 deals with licenses for members of the military or spouses on members of the military.

Who Does This Section Apply To?

Applicants for licensure who are on active military duty in Ohio.

Applicants for licensure whose spouse is on active military duty in Ohio.

What Does This Section Do?

Authorizes the Board to issue a temporary military license. The temporary military spousal license is valid for up to six years.

What Documentation is Required?

Applicants must apply online at http://elicense.ohio.gov. Documents include, but are not limited to:

• Proof that the person is on active military duty in Ohio OR proof that the applicant is married to an active duty member 
• BCI/FBI background check - see instructions

• Proof that the applicant holds a valid unrestricted licensed to practice in another jurisdiction(s) of the United States

There is no fee for the issuance of a military or military spouse license.

Please visit the Ohio Department of Veterans Services (www.ohiovet.gov) for additional resources for veterans, service members, and military spouses.