Graduates who completed recognized academic degree programs in occupational therapy, in an institution recognized by the Council for Higher Education in Israel or in an institution abroad that is recognized by the Council, can submit a request for a professional license from the Ministry of Health.

The following documents must be included with the request:

1. 2 passport pictures.
2. A copy of your Teudat Zehut, including the Sefach, the appendix with your address. If you are applying pre-Aliyah, please provide a copy of your passport with your application to Misrad Habriut.
3. Final diploma or a certificate from the university indicating completion of studies, fulfillment of all of the university’s requirements and eligibility for a diploma in the relevant field, which will be granted at a specified date – requires verification* (see below).
4. Official certification indicating the start and end date of studies – requires verification* (see below).
5. Official certification of an internship (“stage”) indicating the number of hours that you completed.OTs must have completed at least 1,000 hours of internship.The greater the number of hours considered as part of your internship, the more likely it is that your licensing process will proceed smoothly. If you did not complete an internship, please provide official certification about supervised work done in the field abroad, with a valid license, for at least one year – requires verification* (see below).
   Please note: If you have worked as an OT for more than one year you do not need to provide an internship certificate. In this case, you can send your work permit, license and license verification from the board stating that your license has never been revoked, suspended, limited or placed on probation.
6. Official certifications of work experience, from the relevant medical institutions, indicating the start and end date of work in each institution – requires verification* (see below).
7. Valid license – – requires verification* (see below).
8. Professional letter of good standing from the board of the state in which one is licensed. The letter confirms that there are no, and have not been any, disciplinary, negligence or professional ethics complaints against the physician. (This letter is issued from the board of the state in which one is licensed. If it is sent directly to Misrad Habriut from the board it does not have to be translated and notarized. Please ensure in this case, that the letter is sent only once the rest of the documents have been received by the Misrad Habriut.) Alternatively, You may have the letter of good standing sent to you. If you leave it in the sealed envelope- you can add it to the rest of the documents that you send in to the MOH- and you do not need to notarize and translate it. It may be a good idea to ask the board for a copy of the letter- just to have. Physicians from the UK should ask for a letter of good standing to be sent by registered mail from the GMC directly to Misrad Habriut (the GMC will only mail it directly, and this is the only way to guarantee its arrival). Physicians from Montreal should obtain the letter from the College des Medicines du Quebec.
9. An application form – Medical Licensing – Questionnaire. Please make sure to have your name written also in its Hebrew transliteration. In addition, you must provide with an ISRAELI address and cell phone# (can be of friends/family).
10. An application requesting to be tested in OT.
11. Documentation indicating a name change, where relevant.
12. If you intend to take the licensing exam as a tourist, please make sure to submit this affidavit.

*For the documents which require verification, you have 3 verification options:

1. Verified with an apostille after having the original document notarized (recommended).
2. Bring it to an ISRAELI notary and have them notarize it.
3. A verified copy (אימות העתק, Imut He’etek) at the Israeli consulate.

All documents must be submitted in two copies. You must submit the verified copy plus an additional photocopy of the original document. Always keep the originals for yourself, as well as a photocopy of the verified document.

Please Note: As of now the Israeli Ministry does not recognize online degrees. 

It should also be noted that some of the documents listed above are only valid for one year from their issuing date.  If you have not submitted your Teudat Zehut (ID) within a year from opening your file with the Misrad Habriut, you may be required to present valid, re-issued documents in order to request your temporary license.