The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT®) is a national not-for-profit organization that provides certification for occupational therapy professionals. NBCOT develops, administers, and continually reviews its certification process based on current and valid standards that provide reliable indicators of competence of occupational therapy practice. Above all else, our mission is to serve the public interest. 

Initial certification from NBCOT is a requirement for licensure in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. We also work with state regulators and employers to provide information on credentials, professional conduct, and regulatory issues. 

NBCOT's certification programs have received and maintained accreditation from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

At NBCOT, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) are an integral part of our mission and vision. We recognize, value, and celebrate the diverse backgrounds, lives, and experiences of all our stakeholders, including staff, students, certificants, regulators, educators, employers, and the public.

What does JEDI mean?

Justice/Just

Promoting fairness by eliminating the systems and structures that limit the opportunities for equity

Equity/Equitable

Providing equitable opportunities to everyone

Diversity

The representation of people of different races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, national origins, tribes, socioeconomic statuses, and religions

Inclusion/Inclusive

Actively inviting the contribution and participation of all people

We will hold true to these principles in the following ways:

1. Developing resources for stakeholders that satisfy the principles of our mission
2. Committing resources to integrate and elevate justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion into our mission, values, strategic plans, and organizational accountability systems
3. Ensuring that our certification programs are built with input from subject matter consultants who represent the diversity of our population and in a manner that emphasizes fairness and accessibility and reduces bias

We recognize that this is a process of ongoing learning and that we may not always get it right. However, we are committed to growing in our knowledge at every level of our organization and we will strive to be true to these principles.

OTR Certification Activities: New Graduate Testing

The table below shows information about the pass rates for new graduates, defined as candidates who test within one year of their graduation date.

¹The total number of candidates who tested within one year of their graduation date and the percentage who passed the exam, regardless of the number of attempts.

²The total number of candidates who tested within one year of their graduation date and the percentage who passed the exam on their first attempt.

OTR Certification Activities: Total Number of Exams Administered

The table below shows the total number of exams administered in each year. These numbers represent the number of exam administrations, not the number of people tested (i.e., the numbers below include multiple testing attempts by a single individual).

COTA Certification Activities: New Graduate Testing

The table below shows information about the pass rates for new graduates, defined as candidates who test within one year of their graduation date.

¹The total number of candidates who tested within one year of their graduation date and the percentage who passed the exam, regardless of the number of attempts.

²The total number of candidates who tested within one year of their graduation date and the percentage who passed the exam on their first attempt.

COTA Certification Activities: Total Number of Exams Administered

The table below shows the total number of exams administered in each year. These numbers represent the number of exam administrations, not the number of people tested (i.e., the numbers below include multiple testing attempts by a single individual).

OTR Certification Activities: Total Certificant Population

The total number of individuals holding the OTR certification in 2020 was 144,745.

COTA Certification Activities: Total Certificant Population

The total number of individuals holding the COTA certification in 2020 was 59,721.

NBCOT is governed by a board of directors composed of Occupational Therapists Registered (OTR®), Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA®), and public members. The board is responsible for establishing the strategic vision and providing management oversight for the organization.

The election period is currently closed.

NBCOT understands and is fully aware of the importance of impartiality in carrying out its certification activities. Our structure, policies, and procedures are designed to manage any conflicts of interest and to ensure the objectivity of our management system and certification activities.

NBCOT aims to inspire confidence in its certification activities by:

• Being impartial,
• Employing competent personnel,
• Being responsive to complaints,
• Being open,
• Providing access to relevant information gathered,
• Ensuring fairness,
• Maintaining transparency of processes, and
• Maintaining confidentiality.

Our certification processes are subject to continual review and improvements to increase the effectiveness of the management system.

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) 

American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF)

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)

Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE)

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

The Federation of Associations of Regulatory Boards (FARB)

The Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation (CLEAR)

Citizens Advocacy Center  (CAC) 

Professional Certification Coalition