What type of license or certification do you need to be occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy assistant (COTA) and occupational therapist (OTR) licenses are required to practice in most states. To get an OTR license:

1. Earn a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy from an accredited program. Prerequisites for these programs include courses like biology, psychology, physics, and math.

2.Pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. This exam covers topics like human anatomy and physiology, occupational therapy theory, and clinical reasoning.

3. Complete a supervised fieldwork experience. This experience typically lasts for 6-12 months and allows you to work under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist.

4.Apply for your state license. Each state has its own licensing requirements, so you'll need to research the requirements for the state where you want to practice.

To get a COTA license:

1. Earn an associate's degree in occupational therapy from an accredited program. Like OTR programs, prerequisites for COTA programs include courses like biology, psychology, physics, and math.

2.Pass the NBCOT exam for COTAs. This exam covers topics like occupational therapy theory, clinical practice, and ethics.

3. Complete a supervised fieldwork experience. This experience typically lasts for 4-6 months and allows you to work under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist.

4.Apply for your state license. Each state has its own licensing requirements, so you'll need to research the requirements for the state where you want to practice.

In addition to these requirements, some states may also require occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to complete continuing education courses to renew their licenses.