An individual who represents him/herself as having obtained COTA certification has met the following criteria:

• Graduated from an accredited occupational therapy assistant education program and completed fieldwork requirements.
• Attested to understanding and adhering to NBCOT’s Candidate/Certificant Code of Conduct.
• Passed NBCOT’s national certification examination for COTA. The examination is based upon a comprehensive practice analysis conducted to determine critical knowledge, skills, and abilities of occupational therapy assistants.

An individual who represents him/herself as having obtained OTR certification has met the following criteria:

• Graduated from an accredited occupational therapy education program and completed fieldwork requirements.
• Attested to understanding and adhering to NBCOT’s Candidate/Certificant Code of Conduct.
• Passed NBCOT’s national certification examination for OTR. The examination is based upon a comprehensive practice analysis conducted to determine critical knowledge, skills, and abilities of occupational therapists.

If you have more questions or need more information please email us at info@nbcot.org

You need to contact the state regulatory entity in the state where you are interested in obtaining information. See our State OT Contact Map.

Interested parties can verify an individual’s certification status by requesting a NBCOT Certification Verification Letter. This certification information is reported on letterhead and carries the NBCOT official stamp. The letter is mailed directly from NBCOT to the addressee (e.g., employer, regulatory entity).  The fee for this service is $35.

NBCOT does not provide verbal/e-mail verifications to employers or other parties.  However, for employment agencies only, NBCOT will verify a certificant’s status by facsimile.

NBCOT is an independent national credentialing agency and not a governmental entity.  NBCOT certification is a nationwide recognition that an occupational therapy practitioner has met certain professional requirements and certification standards

In contrast, a state license/registration/certification grants an occupational therapy practitioner permission to practice in that state or jurisdiction.  State regulations regarding the practice of occupational therapy and continuing education vary from one state to another.

NBCOT certification is a prerequisite to licensure in all states and the U.S. territories.  However, NBCOT does not have jurisdiction over state regulatory entities and their requirements. The application process for NBCOT certification is separate and apart from the application process for state licensure.

To maintain their certification status, certificants must satisfy a 36-hour requirement of professional development activities every three years and abide by the NBCOT Candidate/Certificant Code of Conduct.

OTR candidates must have a post-baccalaureate degree from an accredited occupational therapy higher education program.  COTA candidates must have an associate or technical degree from an accredited occupational therapy education program. They must complete clinical fieldwork and pass the OTR or COTA national certification examination.  They must also agree to adhere to the standards of the NBCOT Candidate/Certificant Code of Conduct.

OTR and COTA are recognized as a world-class standard and share the attributes of certification programs in other healthcare professions, including:

• Use of a defensible eligibility requirement ensuring that all candidates possess an appropriate level of education and experience.
• An examination based upon a comprehensive job analysis, which ensures that the examination is job-related.
• An examination which is valid and reliable, which means that the examination measures job-related attributes in a consistent manner.
• Periodic renewal required to demonstrate that certificants have maintained their proficiency.
• Reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities.
• Accreditation/recognition from nationally and internationally recognized standard setting bodies.
• Inclusion of “character questions” ensuring acceptable standards of professional conduct by practitioners.

NBCOT certification programs are accredited by the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA), the leader in setting quality standards for credentialing organizations.

Employers, patients and clients want professional therapy practitioners who are not just well-educated and experienced, but also committed to keeping pace with the latest advances in practice.  Voluntary certification is an important component of the professional development of allied health professionals.

NBCOT certification serves the public interest because it provides a world-class standard for professionals that help drive quality care and service in occupational therapy. It is a means for employers, patients and clients to recognize professionals who have met a standard of achievement beyond state licensure. Earning and maintaining Occupational Therapy Registered (OTR) and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) means that the therapist adheres to a code of professional conduct, which helps protect consumers from receiving substandard services and helps limit employer liability.

Complaints must be submitted in writing.  You can use the NBCOT Complaint Form to assist you in submitting your complaint along with any supporting documentation you wish to provide.

A complaint cannot be made anonymously; the individual accused has a right to know the nature of the complaint, and the identity of the person who filed the complaint.

In addition you can go to the NBCOT web page under Qualifications and Compliance Review where you will find the “Candidate/Certificant Code of Conduct,”  “Procedures For The Enforcement of The Candidate/Certificant Code of Conduct,” and the Complaint Form, in addition to other information.

The answer is, "Yes, provided that upon review of your background, it appears that the circumstances of your criminal record are not found to be in direct violation of any of the principles of the Candidate/Certificant Code of Conduct.”

NBCOT's certification examination application contains good moral character questions that must be answered by all exam candidates applying for the certification examination.  Applicants who answer “yes” to any of these questions must submit an explanation and official documentation regarding their background to NBCOT’s Credentialing Services Department at the time of application.  This information will be reviewed by the NBCOT on an individual basis prior to determining exam eligibility.

Also, an individual who is considering entering an educational program or has already entered an educational program can have his or her background reviewed prior to actually applying for the exam by requesting an early determination review.  The fee for this review is $100.

For additional information contact the Credentialing Services Department at credentialing.services@nbcot.org.