There are a number of official NBCOT study tools to assist candidates with their exam preparation including entry-level self-assessments, study guides, online tests and packages. The tools are designed to help candidates assess their examination readiness, focus study efforts in appropriate areas, and become familiar with the areas tested on the examination.  Click the link for more information on the official NBCOT study tools: Test Preparation

NBCOT conducts a periodic survey to identify texts and peer-reviewed journals commonly used in occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational programs. Results of this survey are used when reviewing and updating the NBCOT examination item writer reference list. Click the following links to view the results of the latest OTR and COTA text and peer-reviewed journal reports, and to view the top 10 texts used by NBCOT item writers: 

Curriculum Text and Peer-Reviewed Journal Report (OTR)

Curriculum Text and Peer-Reviewed Journal Report (OTA)

Click the link below to access a booklet outlining the key psychometric principles that form the foundations of the NBCOT certification examinations, including item development, exam validity and reliability processes, and scoring. 

Foundations of the NBCOT Certification Examinations

NBCOT has completed two matrix studies comparing the NBCOT Domain, Task, Knowledge and Skill statements with the ACOTE Accreditation Standards.  Click the links below to view the study reports:

OTR Matrix Study

COTA Matrix Study

There are multiple Task, Knowledge and Skill statements for each of the domain areas on the respective OTR and COTA examinations.  For a full overview of the validated Domain, Task, Knowledge and Skill statements for the certification examinations click on the following links: 

OTR Domain, Task, Knowledge, Skill Statements

COTA Domain, Task, Knowledge, Skill Statements

The results of the practice analysis studies were analyzed to identify the most critical and frequently performed tasks by OTR and COTA certificants. The following links outline the percentage of test items devoted to each domain area established for the OTR and COTA examination blueprints.

OTR Examination Blueprint

COTA Examination Blueprint

 

The NBCOT certification examinations are constructed based on the results of practice analysis studies. Click on the following links for information on the practice analysis studies for the current OTR and COTA examinations:

Executive Summary of the Practice Analysis Study for the Occupational Therapist Registered OTR

Executive Summary of the Practice Analysis Study for the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant COTA

After a candidate has submitted an examination application, an ACVF can be submitted by the school’s registrar no sooner than 3 months prior to the candidate’s anticipated graduation date.

Accuracy of your program’s score report screens is directly related to the accuracy of the school code the candidate enters on the exam application. Advise your student’s about which school code to select and emphasize the importance of entering the correct school code when completing the exam application.

NBCOT will not release the name of a failed a candidate to program directors unless the candidate has given permission for this score release on their examination application.

There are several reasons why a candidate’s name may be missing from your report screen, these include:

• They may not applied to take the examination yet
• They may have applied, but not taken the examination yet
• They may have used an incorrect school code on their examination application
• They may have failed the examination

If you would like NBCOT to investigate a candidate that you suspect is missing from your score report, please e-mail: pdirectors@nbcot.org. Include your program’s name, school code, student’s name, and date of the report you are querying.

The “Comparison Data Screen” is a static screen that records data ONLY for First Time New Graduate candidates testing from your program. The “Report Screen” is a dynamic screen that lists ALL successful passing candidates (including retakes and those testing beyond a year from graduation) from your program as soon as the scoring information is released.

The “Comparison Data Screen” is updated two times per year – in March to reflect the year-end totals from the previous testing year, and August to reflect the first six months of the current testing year.

The “Report Screen” is a dynamic screen that is updated as soon as the examination scores are released. Click the link to check the: NBCOT examination scoring calendar.

For security purposes, program director’s login information is updated on an annual basis. NBCOT will send out alerts in September requesting program directors to complete the latest Program Director Survey.  Your current login will remain active until your survey has been processed and you have been issued with a new login. To complete the Program Director’s Survey please download the document here:

Program Director's Survey

For security purposes, login information will only be issued to program directors via hardcopy mail.

The most likely reason this has occurred is because the candidate used an incorrect school code on their exam application or had a name change between graduating and applying for the examination.  If you would like NBCOT to investigate a candidate listed on your score report, please e-mail: pdirectors@nbcot.org. Include your program’s name, school code, candidate’s name, and date of the report you are querying.