CurrentOT, Occupational therapistOTA, Occupational therapy assistant
Occupational therapy assistant
What it is
Commonly works on
- Daily living skills
- Therapeutic activities
- Adaptive equipment
Typical settings
- Skilled nursing
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Home health
Occupational therapy assistants provide occupational therapy services alongside occupational therapists, to people of all ages in homes, schools, community settings, hospitals, nursing homes and outpatient clinics. AOTA describes occupational therapy services as provided by both licensed occupational therapists and licensed occupational therapy assistants.
Entry is through an ACOTE-accredited assistant program at the associate degree level. Graduates sit a separate NBCOT examination from the one for therapists; passing it confers the COTA credential.
As with therapists, NBCOT certification and a state license are separate. NBCOT points certified practitioners to the additional steps needed for a license, and each state sets how an occupational therapist must supervise an assistant.
Sources
A general description of the profession. It does not say what you may do under your license; for that, see the scope statuses below and your state board.
How it is regulated
National certification, then a state credential
A national body sets the entry standard and certifies people who meet it. States then regulate practice on top of that, by license, certification or registration depending on the state. The two layers are separate obligations, each with its own renewal.
- COTA
- National certification, then a state credential
- Around 2 years
- NBCOT
Licensure
Two layers, the same as the OTR: national certification plus a state license, each with its own renewal.
OT Compact
Enacted, not yet issuing privilegesWidely enacted, only partly live. Around thirty states have passed it; a much smaller number have finished implementation and are issuing privileges.
Scope at a glance
- Not yet covered
- Not yet covered
- Not yet covered
- Not yet covered
- Not yet covered
- Not yet covered
- Not yet covered
- Not yet covered
- Not yet covered
- Not yet covered
- Not yet covered
- Not yet covered
- Not yet covered
- Not yet covered
- Not yet covered
- Not yet covered
- Not yet covered
- Not yet covered
- Not yet covered
- Not yet covered
- Not yet covered
- Not yet covered
- Not yet covered
- Not yet covered
Bodies and guidance
Bodies
- AOTAProfessional associationAmerican Occupational Therapy AssociationThe national professional association for occupational therapy.
- NBCOTCertifying bodyNational Board for Certification in Occupational TherapyCertifies occupational therapists and assistants through its national exam.
- ACOTEProgram accreditorAccreditation Council for Occupational Therapy EducationAccredits occupational therapy and assistant programs.
- WFOTInternational organizationWorld Federation of Occupational TherapistsThe international body for occupational therapy, representing occupational therapists worldwide and setting standards for the profession.
- OT CompactInterstate licensure compactOccupational Therapy Licensure CompactAn interstate compact for occupational therapists and assistants; a privilege to practice can be used only in member states that have opened applications, not merely enacted the law.
Guidance
CurrentOT, Occupational therapistOTA, Occupational therapy assistant
Physical agent, mechanical, and instrument-assisted modalities in occupational therapy practice
CurrentOT, Occupational therapistOTA, Occupational therapy assistant
Standards of practice for occupational therapy
CurrentOT, Occupational therapistOTA, Occupational therapy assistant
Occupational therapy practice framework: domain and process, fourth edition
SupersededOT, Occupational therapistOTA, Occupational therapy assistant
AOTA 2020 Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics
SupersededOT, Occupational therapistOTA, Occupational therapy assistant
Occupational therapy practice framework: domain and process (3rd edition)
Overlap with other professions
How to become an occupational therapy assistant
- Step 1
Complete an ACOTE-accredited associate degree program
- Step 2
Pass the NBCOT examination for occupational therapy assistants
- Step 3
Apply for the state license
Where to get licensed
Each step in full, with the board for every state and the compacts that apply.
Get licensed as an occupational therapy assistantCareer path
Education routes, settings and how the profession is changing.