• How do I file a complaint with NBCOT^®?
  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.
  
  For further information on how to file a complaint, or to discuss a potential complaint, please contact the Regulatory Affairs Department – Shaun Conway at ext. 3129, shaun.conway@nbcot.org.
  
  For additional information see Disciplinary Action.
  
• Can I become NBCOT^® certified if I have a criminal record in my background?
  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 character review 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 Regulatory Affairs 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.
  
• What is the difference between NBCOT^® certification and state regulation?
  NBCOT^® certification is a nation-wide recognition that an occupational therapy practitioner has met certain professional requirements and certification standards. NBCOT^® certification is a national program with emphasis on working toward the establishment of a national certification standard. NBCOT^®’s programs are designed to be complimentary of the larger systems that currently exist.
  
  A practitioner who is NBCOT^® certified as an occupational therapist is credentialed as OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST REGISTERED OTR^® (OTR) and a practitioner who is NBCOT^® certified as an occupational therapy assistant is credentialed as CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT COTA^® (COTA).
  
  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 vary from one state to another.
  
  NBCOT^® certification is a prerequisite to licensure in states. However, NBCOT^® does not have jurisdiction over state regulatory entities and their requirements. NBCOT^® is an independent national credentialing agency and not a governmental entity. The application process for NBCOT^® certification is separate and apart from the application process for state licensure.
  
• Who do I contact for information about occupational therapy state regulatory requirements?
  You need to contact the state regulatory entity in the state where you are interested in obtaining information. See - Occupational Therapy Regulatory Entities.
  
• Do I have to take the certification examination if I have been out of practice for a certain duration e.g. five (5) years?
  If you have been out of practice for a certain period of time, you do not need to re-take the certification examination to maintain NBCOT^® certification.
  
  However, there are a certain number of states that have regulatory laws that require a practitioner who has obtained OTR^® or COTA^® certification and who has been out of practice for a certain time to re-take the NBCOT^® certification exam for state licensure purposes only.
  
  If you have been out of practice for a certain period of time and are interested in re-entering the field, you should contact your state’s occupational therapy regulatory entity to determine whether your state would require you to re-take the examination to become licensed.
  
• Who do I contact to obtain a temporary/limited permit or permanent license to practice?
  Though many states have temporary/limited permit provisions in their statutes, there are several states that do not. You would need to contact the state regulatory entity where you wish to practice to find out whether the state has these provisions, and if so, request from the state an application for the limited or temporary permit.
  
• Does NBCOT^® have OT supervision requirements/guidelines?
  NBCOT^® does not have supervision requirements/guidelines. Supervision requirements are generally addressed through state law and/or rules. Additionally, the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA) has Association documents/guidelines on supervision.
  
  Guidelines for NBCOT^® Certification Marks

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Posted: October 2003

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