How to Become an Occupational Therapist Assistant

You might want to know how to become an occupational therapist assistant. After all, this is a challenging and rewarding career field that can make a real difference in people’s lives. OTAs work with occupational therapists to help patients regain and improve their ability to perform everyday activities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects OTA jobs are growing 25% from 2021-2031. Therefore, this is one of the fastest-growing jobs in the country.

People interested in learning how to become an OTA may not know where to begin. However, the pathway to a rewarding career as an OTA is simple. Breaking into the industry requires an Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree from an accredited program. It is possible to gain an associate degree online. Additionally, many universities, community colleges, and technical schools offer accredited OTA programs.

It usually takes around two years to complete the necessary coursework. Expect to gain fundamental knowledge in biology, pediatric health, and psychology. Before applying for the national certification exam, you must also complete at least 16 weeks of fieldwork. Luckily, many OTA programs include supervised work experience as part of their curriculum. Supervised field experience as well as the coursework will prepare you for the national certification exam. Once certified and licensed, you will be on your way for a rewarding occupational therapy assistant career.

This guide will overview what it takes to become an OTA, such as education requirements and job duties. In brief, what exactly does it take to become an occupational therapy assistant? Keep reading to find out.

Article Navigation: The Steps | Can You Become an OTA Online? | Education Requirements | Featured Online OTA Program | Education Standards | Certification | Licensure | Career Information | Salary & Job Outlook | Conclusion

Steps to Become an OTA

1. Earn your degree at an accredited online OTA program.
2. Complete fieldwork requirements.
3. Pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam for COTA’s.
4. Apply for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) licensure for your state.
5. Apply for OTA jobs.

Can You Become an OTA Online?

If you are interested in learning how to become an OTA, then many universities and community colleges now bring the classroom to you. These programs are excellent for people with busy schedules, who work, or who are raising kids. Thanks to innovations in virtual learning, students can receive a quality education online. In fact, it’s now possible to take all the coursework needed for a COTA certification online. Rather than driving to campus, parking, and finding a lecture hall, it’s now possible to log-in to a portal like Canvas and enter a Zoom lecture. The beauty of this feature is that students can connect from anywhere.

Online OTA programs feature essential coursework, collaborative labs, as well as fieldwork experience. Each will make candidates ready for the national certification exam and set them up for career success. Please note that labs and fieldwork require in-person participation. Labs and fieldwork serve as spaces for students to build their skills as well as their confidence. The value of doing these live and in-person can’t be replicated online.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Education Requirements

Occupational therapy assistants need at minimum an associate degree in order to be certified. Thanks to advances in technology, students can break into the world of healthcare with occupational therapy assistant online programs. Accredited online OTA programs are accessible and provide quality education. When researching online schools for occupational therapy assistant, programs with ACOTE accreditation are best.

Online OTA programs are generally delivered in a blended format. This means students participate in-person at certain times during the year while most of their learning occurs online. Online OTA associate degrees take about two years to complete.

The final and most important phase of an OTA program is fieldwork. This is the bridge between learning and practicing. Students will have an opportunity to observe industry professionals (Level I) and later apply their skills in actual healthcare settings (Level II). It is here where students can build their professional network, receive quality mentorship, and boost their skills with hands-on practice. Typically, Level II fieldwork is full-time, which is beneficial to a student’s growth.

Once a candidate graduates from an online OTA program, they are ready to apply for the NBCOT exam. The goal of most students is national certification. Therefore, online programs intentionally design their curriculums to assist them with this goal. ACOTE accreditation and the fieldwork experience automatically qualify graduates for the NBCOT exam.

Coursework

When considering OTA programs, you’ll want to look at the curriculum to get an idea of what courses you’ll be taking. Prospective students begin their occupational therapy assistant programs online with prerequisite science/liberal arts courses. These may include Biology, Anatomy, Psychology as well as English. As students advance in their degree, they take a variety of OTA coursework. Examples include topics in mental health, Healthcare Management, Therapeutic Interventions, Pharmacology, and Human Disease and Occupation. These classes are online. Additionally, they can be either in synchronous or asynchronous format, which varies with each institution.

Throughout these courses, students will build the foundation to their knowledge. Courses are then supplemented with in-person lab sessions. These reinforce skills and safe practices for patient care. In general, occupational therapy assistant programs will include coursework in various topics such as:

• Anatomy and physiology
• Kinesiology
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Occupational therapy theory and practice

Fieldwork Experience

You’ll also likely have the opportunity to participate in clinical fieldwork experiences, which will allow you to put your knowledge into practice. Gaining real-world experience is invaluable for aspiring OTA’s. It builds confidence, allows students to develop OTA skills, and brings the profession to life. Most importantly, it makes a candidate eligible for the NBCOT exam.

Fieldwork can take place in many healthcare or community settings. For example, a student can complete their fieldwork at In-patient rehab centers, pediatric hospital outpatient facilities, older adult community living centers, home health, and schools. It’s broken down into two categories: Level I and Level II. Level I includes observation in small groups. Level II involves supervised practice. Both are fundamentally important and compliment each other. All OTA program formats include fieldwork experience. Although, how much experience and where the fieldwork takes place will depend on the program.

• Level I Fieldwork

  Level I fieldwork typically involves observation with fellow classmates. The sites in this case will be more fixed than with Level II. Often the locations are close to the physical campus of the program. Because of this, it is common for occupational therapy assistant schools online to bundle all Level I fieldwork into a series of intensive weekend experiences throughout the program. An immersive Level I will limit the number of times a student will need to travel.

• Level II Fieldwork

  Level II fieldwork consists of supervised work in a real world environment. A fieldwork coordinator is responsible for assigning Level II locations to OTA students. Fieldwork coordinators can place students in settings that match their career goals. For example, if you are interested in pediatrics, then the fieldwork coordinator can find opportunities in this practice area. Fieldwork coordinators try to match students to clinical sites that are close to home. Additionally, OTA programs typically are flexible about where students practice. On one hand, many schools have agreements with different patient care facilities. On the other hand, students may seek out their own fieldwork sites. However, these proposed sites would then need program approval.

Length

It takes at least two years to become an occupational therapist assistant. The length may vary depending on your chosen program and whether you attend full or part-time. However, some accelerated programs may take as little as 18 months. Part-time programs may take up to three years to finish.

Cost

Occupational therapist assistants must earn an associate’s degree, which generally costs around $5,000-$24,000.

Featured Online OTA Program

St. Catherine University

Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $52,725

St. Catherine University offers an excellent online OTA associate of applied science (AAS) degree. It is ACOTE-accredited and prepares students for a successful career as a certified occupational therapist assistant. The program offers a blended learning format. 80% is online and 20% is in person. It includes virtual classes, in-person didactic labs, as well as 700 hours of supervised fieldwork experience. Students may participate at four different lab locations depending on where they live. Lab locations are in Minnesota, California, Virginia and Texas. Labs take place every 3-4 weeks. Fieldwork will take place in a variety of patient care settings like nursing homes, schools, and hospitals.

This program’s dynamic curriculum includes 38 credits of courses in Psychosocial Approaches, Primary Care, and Rehabilitation Practice. Students can also receive expert mentoring to pass the national exam with the 7-week NBCOT Prep Coaching Program. The coaching program is optional and would begin during a student’s third semester.

Enrollment into the OTA program requires completion of general liberal arts and science prerequisite courses with a minimum 2.5 GPA. These prerequisites are fully online. They may either take their liberal arts and science (LAS) prerequisite courses simultaneously with their OTA courses or take them in ascending order. Students can graduate in around 16 months using the first option. The AAS requires a total of 63 credits.

Find Out More:
Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant

NCBOT COTA Education Standards

Here we will discuss OTA school requirements. People interested in learning how to become a certified occupational therapy assistant must adhere to the educational standards established by NCBOT. This is because NCBOT is the national authority for certification. NCBOT only invites COTA candidates with at least an OTA associates degree from an ACOTE-accredited program. The majority of qualified individuals hold an associate degree. There exist ACOTE-accredited programs in a multitude of postsecondary settings like community colleges, technical schools, junior colleges, as well as universities.

Applicants from outside the US need at least a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy. Their studies should include 960 hours of fieldwork. These requirements will make a candidate eligible for the Occupational Therapist Eligibility Determination (OTED) process.

Invitees to the NCBOT exam need fieldwork experience. Fortunately, ACOTE-accredited OTA programs provide at least 16 weeks of Level II fieldwork practice. Level II fieldwork takes OTA education to the next level. Students learn how to provide occupational therapy to actual patients.

It’s necessary to maintain certification with Professional Development Units (PDUs). PDUs are available via continuing education (CE) courses, workshops, or seminars from:

• Accredited colleges of universities
• The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
• AOTA approved organizations
• International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET)
  approved organizations.

OTA Program Accreditation

Accreditation means the program meets the standards of the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). In order for an in-person or online OTA program to receive ACOTE accreditation, it must meet a rigorous list of qualifications. Most notably, a program must:

• Be recognized by the US Department of Education (USDE).
• Have degree-granting authority.
• Be a community, technical, junior college, senior college, university, medical school, vocational school, or military institution.
• Possess adequate resources, space, qualified staff, and budget to effectively educate students.
• Provide students with a foundation of liberal arts/science classes, entry-level skills through didactic and fieldwork learning, occupational therapy principles, therapeutic skills, occupational therapy interventions, knowledge of ethical standards, and much more.

Below is the process for schools seeking ACOTE accreditation:

1. Submit a Letter of Intent.
2. Submit an eligibility application.
3. If determined eligible, then a program must submit a Candidacy Application.
4. If Candidacy Status is granted, then a program may admit students and enter Pre Accreditation Review.
5. The program will assess and provide a self-study report of their compliance to ACOTE standards.
6. If ACOTE accepts the results of the report, then the program enters Pre Accreditation Status.
7. Site Evaluation.
8. ACOTE reviews the site evaluation and self-study report to determine if an institution receives accreditation.

Attending an accredited program is essential, as it will make you eligible to take the NBCOT Exam. This exam is required to become a certified occupational therapy assistant.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Certification

OTA Certification Requirements

In order for someone to be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), they need to pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination for COTA’s. NBCOT is the accrediting organization for occupational therapists in the US. Eligibility for the exam is straightforward. Firstly, you must receive an entry-level OTA degree. This may either be an associates or a bachelor’s degree accredited by the Accrediting Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Secondly, you need to gain fieldwork experience. Fortunately, most OTA programs incorporate hands-on practice into their curriculum.

Once a candidate has met their occupational therapy assistant training requirements, they are qualified for the exam. After passing the exam, these individuals are officially certified to work. Please note, occupational therapy assistant certification online means someone has the skills to work in the field. This does not give them permission to work. If a professional wants to be authorized to practice, then they also must get licensed. Each state requires COTA’s to be licensed. We will dive deeper into licensure later in this article!

NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Exam

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) offers the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) certification. To be eligible for the NBCOT COTA examination, an individual must have completed an accredited OTA program and fieldwork. According to the NBCOT Certification Handbook, the OTA program must be from an ACOTE-accredited institution. Qualified candidates must agree to follow the NBCOT Practice Standards and Code of Conduct. In addition, exam applicants are subject to a character review. This includes a background check. The NBCOT COTA examination tests the knowledge and skills of entry-level occupational therapist assistants. After passing the examination, the individual receives the certification by NBCOT as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).

The exam costs $515 for first-time applicants. If reapplying, then it costs $385. Candidates need to create a profile on the NBCOT website, which includes a $35 one-time fee. Prometric test centers administer this computer-based exam. Prometric has locations in all 50 states. From Bismarck, North Dakota to Tampa, Florida and all the way to Anchorage, Alaska there are testing sites available. Each center offers different testing dates. The exam includes 170 multiple choice questions and three clinical simulation test (CST) items on the exam. There are no in-person elements to the test.

If a candidate doesn’t pass the exam, then they may reapply as many times as they like. They must submit a new application for consideration. Depending on the number of attempts a person makes, there is a grace period before they can reapply:

• Second – Third attempt: 30 days
• Fourth – Sixth attempt: 60 days
• Seventh or higher attempt: Six months

Maintaining Your OTA Certification

A NBCOT certification needs to be renewed four years from the date of passing the exam. After a COTA’s first renewal, subsequent renewals occur every three years. Certification renewal requires completion of 36 Professional Development Units (PDUs) before the renewal deadline. PDUs ensure OTA’s continue their development and learning. NBCOT provides a list of PDU acceptable activities. A few include receiving continuing education units (CEU’s), competency assessment units (CAU’s) in the NBCOT Navigator, mentoring a OT colleague or attending an professional event. Examples of CEU’s include attending a workshop, lecture, seminar, or course. They may be from an accredited college or university, AOTA, AOTA approved organizations, or IACET approved organizations.

Why is an NBCOT Certification Important?

The NBCOT COTA credential is the only OTA credential recognized by the American Occupational Therapy Association. It’s also the only one recognized by state occupational therapy regulatory agencies. The NBCOT COTA credential represents one who has met the national standards for the entry-level OTA. The student has demonstrated the necessary knowledge and skills to provide quality occupational therapy services. In addition, the NBCOT COTA credential is a requirement for occupational therapist assistants practice in some states.

Licensure for OTAs

If you are curious about how to become an occupational therapist assistant in your state, then an important step involves getting a license. Every state in the US requires COTA’s to be licensed in order to work. A license grants a certified professional legal authority to practice in a particular state. Holding a license indicates an OTA is capable of giving high-quality service to patients. Each state has their own guidelines for accepting licensure applications. For up-to-date licensing requirements, contact the regulatory authority for the state in which you’re applying. The AOTA allows COTA’s to be licensed in more than one state. However, there are certain consistencies:

• Be of good moral character
• Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree program
• Have at least two months of supervised fieldwork experience
• Pass the NBCOT certification exam

Licensure Difference Between States

Alaska accepts graduates of programs approved by the Committee of Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association or the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Most states require a minimum of two months of supervised fieldwork experience. Although, a handful of states have a higher benchmark. For instance, Rhode Island requires three months. Whereas, Kentucky, Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, and New Mexico require four months of fieldwork. Meanwhile, New Jersey is the highest with six months. Prospective OTA’s who wish to practice in states that require more than two months of fieldwork have ways of meeting this requirement. Firstly, they need to confirm how many hours of fieldwork a program offers. After that, they must communicate with the field coordinator to see if they can increase hours or find additional fieldwork opportunities. Lastly, internships may be available for students who want more field experience.

Every state but one accepts candidates with a passing score of 75%. New Mexico only accepts applicants with at least an 80% in the NBCOT exam.

The Career of an OTA

What is an Occupational Therapist Assistant?

In short, an occupational therapist assistant (OTA) works with an occupational therapist (OT) to provide therapy services to patients. OTAs are responsible for carrying out a treatment plan designed by the OT and helping the patient to reach their goals.

What Does an Occupational Therapist Assistant Do?

• Carry Out Treatment Plans Designed by Occupational Therapists

  As assistants, OTAs work under the supervision of occupational therapists. For example, the OT will develop a treatment plan for each patient, and the OTA will carry out that plan. A treatment plan may involve leading patients in exercises, helping them use adaptive equipment, or providing support and guidance.

• Document Patient Progress

  This documentation is essential in helping the OT assess the treatment plan’s effectiveness and make necessary adjustments.

• Educate Patients & Their Families

  OTAs are essential in educating patients and their families about their condition and how to manage it. They provide information about adaptive equipment and safety precautions. As a result, OTAs help patients and families live more independent and fulfilling lives.

• Help Patients Reach Their Goals

  Reaching goals involves providing support and encouragement. It also requires allowing patients to practice new skills or motivating them to stay on track with their treatment plan.

• Provide Therapy Services to Patients

  Therapy services are probably the most obvious responsibility of the OTA, but it is also the most important. The OTA’s job is to provide therapy services to patients that will help them to improve their function and quality of life. In summary, it involves leading patients in exercises, helping them use adaptive equipment, or providing support and guidance.

Occupational Therapist Assistant vs. an Occupational Therapist Aide

The main difference between an occupational therapist assistant (OTA) and an occupational therapist aide is that an OTA is a trained and certified professional, while an aide is not. OTA’s have an associate’s degree from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program. They must also pass a national occupational therapy assistant certification exam. To maintain certification, OTAs must complete continuing education credits every four years. Generally, occupational therapist aides have a high school diploma or equivalent. They receive on-the-job training. OTAs can perform a broader range of tasks than aides. For example, they can provide direct patient care and carry out treatment plans. Aides, on the other hand, generally provide support to OTAs and occupational therapists. They perform administrative tasks or provide therapy treatments under the close supervision of an OTA or OTs.

Occupational Therapy Assistant vs. Physical Therapy Assistant

The main difference between OTAs and PTAs is the type of patients they see as well as the treatments they perform. An OTA works with patients who have mental, physical, developmental, or emotional disabilities. They help these patients develop, recover, and improve their daily living and working skills. Whereas, a PTA works with patients with injuries, illnesses, or conditions limiting their ability to move and perform everyday activities. PTAs help these patients improve their movement, relieve pain, and prevent or reverse the physical decline.

While each works under the supervision of occupational or physical therapists respectively, there are key differences in their scope of practice. OTAs typically have more contact time with patients. They are also involved in every stage of the treatment process, from assessment to discharge planning. Meanwhile, PTAs focus on implementing therapy plans and carrying out treatments prescribed by the physical therapist.

Both OTAs and PTAs need to pass a certification test, become certified, and apply for state licensure to be able to work in their respective fields. However, the exams and topics covered in those exams are different. Additionally, each state has various other requirements that are different between the two professions. For example, OTAs must first complete an accredited occupational therapy assistant program. Then, they pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. Some states have additional occupational therapy assistant requirements. Whereas, physical therapist assistants must attend an accredited physical therapy assistant program and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).

Can an OTA Become an OT?

Absolutely! It is very possible for an OTA to advance to an OT. All OT’s must hold at least a master’s degree, pass the NBCOT certification exam for OT’s, and apply for licensure in a respective state. Occupational assistants have two pathways: First, they can pursue a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy then go for a master’s degree. Given that OTAs already have core college credits under their belt, they have fewer coursework requirements needed for a bachelor’s. Instead of starting from scratch, students would piggyback from where they left off in their associate degree.

Alternatively, there are numerous bridge programs designed for the transition. Many of these programs don’t require a bachelor’s degree. Bridge programs allow employed COTA’s to study while they work. Online options are accessible on the ACOTE website. Students typically take classes over the weekend. Length of these programs can take between two to three years to complete. Completion of the bridge program will reward students with a master’s degree in occupational therapy.

Each route has a fieldwork requirement. This part is easy for those who are already working in the field as a COTA. In addition, candidates must pass the NBCOT examination for OT’s, then apply for licensure.

Where Do OTAs Work?

In addition to working in clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes, occupational therapist assistants may find positions in:

• Schools
• Rehabilitation centers
• Outpatient facilities
• Home health agencies
• Hospices
• Correctional institutions

Salary & Job Outlook

How Much Do Occupational Therapist Assistants Make?

According to the BLS, the average occupational therapist assistant salary was $61,730 as of May 2021. The top 10% of earners made more than $80,120 annually, while the lowest 10% made less than $46,810. The average salary, however, depends on many factors, such as geographic location, education, and experience.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Outlook

The job outlook for an occupational therapy assistant is bright. The BLS projects a 25% growth in OTA jobs from 2021 to 2031. For perspective, the average for all occupations is only 5%. During the decade, the BLS predicts the job market will create about 9,300 new occupational therapist assistant jobs across the US.

Enroll in an Online OTA Program Today!

If you’re interested in becoming an occupational therapist assistant, then the first step is to research programs and find one that’s right for you. Next, choose an accredited program to ensure you meet all licensure requirements. Once you’ve completed a program, you’ll need to pass an exam to earn your certification or license. After that, you’re on your way to a rewarding career helping others!

Sources: 

• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapy-assistants-and-aides.htm
• https://acoteonline.org/about/
• https://www.nbcot.org/get-certified
• https://www.nbcot.org/certification
• https://www.prometric.com/test-takers/search/nbcot
• https://www.nbcot.org/certification/continuing-education
• https://www.aota.org/