Professional Certification
Professional Certification
In order to be an occupational therapist, graduates must take and pass the Certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of the exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR).
RESULTS OF NATIONAL BOARD FOR CERTIFICATION IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (NBCOT) EXAMINATION
| Year | Number of Program Graduates | Number of first-time test takers | Number of first-time test takers who passed the exam | Percentage of first-time test takers who passed the exam |
| 2010 | 26 | 23 | 19 | 83% |
| 2011 | 24 | 27 | 25 | 93% |
| 2012 | 38 | 39 | 33 | 85% |
| Total 3-year | 88 | 89 | 77 | 87% |
Most states license occupational therapists. Licensure is most often dependent on successful completion of the NBCOT Certification Examination.
NBCOT and State Licensing Boards have the right to refuse to grant occupational therapy certification and/or license to any individuals regardless of their educational credentials under circumstances of:
- Falsification of application.
- Conviction of a felony or crime of moral turpitude.
- Other moral and legal violations specified in relevant state laws.