About NBCOT

The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT), is the national certification body for occupational therapy professionals in the United States, its territories, and Puerto Rico. More than 190,000 occupational therapy practitioners have obtained their credentials from this prominent certification organization.

The OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST REGISTERED OTR® (OTR) and CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT COTA® (COTA) credentials are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

NBCOT Volunteer Opportunities

1. Certification Examination Validation Committee (CEVC)

(CEVC Brochure)

The CEVC is responsible for developing the OTR and COTA certification examinations. Working closely with NBCOT and their test development contractor, CEVC members review and validate test items that appear on the OTR and COTA national certification examinations. CEVC members serve a one-year term and are eligible for reappointment for additional one-year terms. All CEVC participants are expected to attend up to three (3) weekend NBCOT-sponsored examination development meetings per year.

Minimum qualifications for the CEVC OTR position include:

• 5 years of experience in a specific occupational therapy practice area (Mental Health, Physical Disabilities, Pediatrics, School-Based);
• Currently practicing in an specific occupational therapy practice area;
• 40% of current practice time involved in direct occupational therapy service;
• Experience supervising OT or OTA students;
• Current OTR certification;
• Ability to work well in groups; and
• Computer literacy and Internet access.

Minimum qualifications required for CEVC COTA position include:

• 5 years of experience in a specific occupational therapy practice area (Mental Health, Physical Disabilities, Pediatrics, School-Based);
• Currently practicing in a specific occupational therapy practice area;
• 40% of current practice time involved in direct occupational therapy service;
• Experience supervising OTA students;
• Current COTA certification;
• Ability to work well in groups; and
• Computer literacy and Internet access.

2. Examination Item Writers

(Examination Item Writer Brochure)

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST REGISTERED OTR (OTR) and CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT COTA (COTA) practitioners serve as item writers, who develop examination questions for the national entry-level OTR and COTA certification examinations. Item writers are expected to serve for at least two years. The NBCOT examination development staff provides training and guidance to item writers each year.

Minimum qualifications to become an item writer include:

Current OTR or COTA certification;

• 3 years of experience in clinical practice (beyond fieldwork);
• Currently an occupational therapy practitioner, educator or administrator;
• Familiarity with the knowledge and skills associated with entry-level occupational therapy practice;
• Good writing, reviewing and editing skills;
• Computer literacy and Internet access; and
• An ability to work within a scheduled timeline.

If you are interested in becoming an NBCOT volunteer, you should know that:

• All OTR and COTA volunteers must be currently certified and in good standing with NBCOT and their respective professional community.
• Your travel and other meeting related expenses are paid by NBCOT.
• Committee and other meetings are usually held on weekends, thereby avoiding/reducing work conflicts.
• You can earn Professional Development Units (PDU) for certain volunteer activities that can be used towards your certification renewal.
• You will have one of the most rewarding and stimulating experiences of your professional career.

Listed are some of the reasons why some certificants choose to be an NBCOT volunteer:

• Giving back to the profession that has provided a rewarding career.
• Professional opportunity to interact with peers from different parts of the country.
• Opportunity to gain or strengthen social or professional contacts.
• Personal satisfaction and professional recognition.
• Opportunity for a different professional development experience.
• Help shape the future of the profession.

If you would like to be part of a growing list of certified occupational therapy practitioners who volunteer with NBCOT, please complete our Volunteer Application. With your involvement and expertise, you will be a vital asset to NBCOT in fulfilling its mission of serving the public interest.

Volunteer Application