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 examination scores are posted based on the examination scoring calendar. Pass/Fail status can be viewed through your candidate exam portal.

Cancellation and rescheduling policies are listed in the Certification Examination Handbook.

If the request was made during the application process, the confirmation notice is mailed 10-15 business days after the application has been approved. If the request was made after the application was submitted, the confirmation notice is mailed 10-15 business days after the request was received by NBCOT.

Name change policies and procedures are listed in the Certification Examination Handbook.

Please contact NBCOT via email at onlineexamapp@nbcot.org for your username and password. Please provide your full name and candidate ID number.

The NBCOT Official Study Guides for the COTA and OTR examinations both have a sample multiple-choice practice test.  An answer key containing the rationales and references for each item on the practice test is provided in the guide.

NBCOT only accepts credit card payments (MasterCard and Visa) for examination applications and related services such as score transfer and confirmation of examination eligibility notices. Candidates applying for the examination (OTR® or COTA®) must pay by submitting a credit card at the time of application submission. No off-line payments are accepted. This change increases security and decreases processing time enabling candidates to move through the eligibility process in a shorter period of time. Questions about this policy should be directed to NBCOT via email at onlineexamapp@nbcot.org or by phone at 301-990-7979.

Instructions for submitting an examination application are outlined in the Certification Examination Handbook.

There will be an examination and certification renewal blackout period from December 19, 2012 through January 3, 2013. No online exam or renewal application or pending applications will be processed during this annual system maintenance period.

NBCOT recognizes U.S. occupational therapy degrees accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA).  You may find useful information at the American Occupational Therapy Association website, at www.aota.org.  Click on "Students", then click on "Schools".  From there, select the type of program you are looking for, and then you can select or scroll down to your state.

 

There is a 45 day waiting period after the last examination date before the candidate may take the test again.  You will need to submit a new application, and after that is processed and approved, you will get a new ATT letter, in order to re-test.  Your score report will also include information about how to register for another exam date.  Or, you may re-apply online through the Exam Portal. Do NOT create a new account or a fee will be assessed for duplicate accounts.  Please read the NBCOT Certification Examination Handbook for further details regarding re-taking the examination.

Instructions for reactivating your ATT letter are outlined in the Certification Examination Handbook.

Fees are as follows:

• OTR/COTA Exam Candidate Paper Application Fee: $540
• OTR/COTA Exam Candidate Online Application Fee: $500

Also, check with your state board prior to applying to determine if they require a score report or a confirmation notice.

• Official Score Transfer Request: $40 per report
• Confirmation of Exam Registration and Eligibility to Examine Notice: $45 per notice

Click on this Certification Examination Handbook hyperlink.  You can also go to the Certification Examination Handbook link located under the Certification Candidates tab on the NBCOT home page.

Non-NBCOT endorsed courses are available both on and off-line. NBCOT offers examination preparation tools for both OTR and COTA candidates. 

A candidate may take the exam as many times as necessary provided they continue to meet all eligibility requirements to sit for the exam.  There is a 45 day waiting period after the last examination date before the candidate may test again.  Some states may have limits on how many times the exam may be re-taken but NBCOT does not.

Certification examinations cannot be rescored based solely on a candidate’s request. 

Your student ID# is the identification number assigned to you by your school.  Some schools use the social security number as the student ID#.  If your school did  not assign you a student ID#, you may use your social security number.

Instructions for submitting a name or address change request are outlined in the Certification Examination Handbook.

Upon confirmation of eligibility to examine, you will receive an ATT letter by email (or regular mail, if no email address and password have been provided). Please do not attempt to schedule your exam until your ATT letter has been sent to you.

Once your application has been submitted and we have received your complete official transcripts and any other pending items, your application will be processed and ATT letter will be emailed to you within 10-15 business days.

A candidate cannot be admitted to the test site without the required documentation. The first and last name on the candidate’s 2 acceptable forms of identification must match the first and last name on the ATT letter. Refer to the Certification Examination Handbook for further details.

The first and last name on the candidate’s 2 acceptable forms of identification must match the first and last name on the ATT letter.

After receiving your ATT letter, follow the instructions on the letter to schedule your exam.

Click here for a listing of U.S. school codes.

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

Refer to the NBCOT Examination Scoring Calendar for score release dates.

Refer to the NBCOT Examination Scoring Calendar for more information about the score release dates. NBCOT makes every effort to make the examination result available to you on the next business day following the scoring date.  The Candidate sign on page is only available to you when your scores have been imported.  If you take your exam one to two days prior to a scoring date, your unofficial pass/fail result may not be available until the next scoring period. You will get an error message until your result has been imported.

It is a good idea to contact your state board prior to submitting your exam application to determine if you need to request a Score Report and/or Confirmation of Examination Registration and Eligibility to Examine Notice.  Each state has their own rules and regulations regarding these items, and you may or may not need one or both as part of your licensure and/or temporary licensure application(s) to practice in your state.