I am moving to the state of Ohio and need a license to practice. How long does it take to get licensed in Ohio and can I practice prior to receiving the license?
A. The question is more complicated than it sounds. The simple answer is that once all paperwork is received, a decision on licensing would likely be made within two weeks of the completion date. Delaying factors include time to collect required documentation, previous disciplinary action by another state or prior felony or misdemeanor records. Based on the record, if the board proposes to refuse to issue a license, a hearing would be offered resulting in another delay. Non-residents that hold licenses in other states are not automatically licensed in Ohio. Although Ohio law permits the board to issue a license based on reciprocity, it rarely does so. This is because no mutually recognized compact exists among licensed states. Until such time a board formally recognizes another state as having equivalent licensing requirements, reciprocity is not an issuance option.
