Become a Associate of Occupational Science - OTA

Overview & Accreditation

Find your calling as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)

Make a difference in everyday lives. In the Occupational Therapy Assistant program, you will learn the foundational skills to help people with physical or mental limitations live fuller, more meaningful, and more independent lives. Work hands-on in real-world environments with the industry's latest technology and equipment as you discover an exciting, rewarding career.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) through 2028/2029 in Orange County and Los Angeles. AOTA is located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Program graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licensure is usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Program graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licensure is usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Applicants must be aware that felony convictions and other character issues could disqualify them from taking the NBCOT exam, as well as individual state licenses. For more information regarding this and other certification questions, or to obtain an Early Determination Review prior to starting your program, please contact the NBCOT at:

Credentialing Services at NBCOT
12 S. Summit Avenue, Suite 100,
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877.
Phone: (301) 990‑7979.