COTA - Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) is the national certification body for occupational therapy professionals in the United States and administers the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) examination. Passing the COTA exams demonstrates entry-leel competence for candidates meeting the eligibility requirements for certification. All states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico require NBCOT certification for licensing and practice. The American National Standards Institute and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies are the accrediting agencies for NBCOT certification programs.

Eligibility

Prerequisites

• Complete an entry-level occupational therapy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)

• Submit an official final transcript from a college/university showing graduation date and degree title or submit the Degree Verification Form

  • Candidates submitting a Degree Verification Form don’t receive exam results until submission of final transcript

Completion Time: 

• Candidates have 4 hours to complete the COTA exam

• Candidates have an additional 1.5 hours to complete tutorial, administrative and survey tasks

Cost: 

• $515 online exam application

• $385 online reapplication

• $555 paper application

• $415 paper reapplication

Exam Format

The COTA exam includes 200 multiple-choice questions. Exam topics include:

• Collaborating and Gathering Information (28%)

• Selecting and Implementing Interventions (55%)

• Professional Standards and Responsibilities (17%)

Test Dates

Prometric is NBCOT’s certification exam administration. Candidates may take the COTA year-round at Prometric Test Centers worldwide.

• Satisfy the prerequisites

• Create a NBCOT account

• Apply for the exam online or by paper application

• Submit the $515 fee 

• Provide supporting documents

• Schedule the examination with Prometric once an Authorization to Test letter arrives via email

• Take the COTA exam

The initial renewal cycle lasts 4 years, then COTAs renew their credentials in three-year cycles. The certification renewal season occurs between January and March each year, regardless of when the candidate passed their initial certification exam.

To maintain their COTA credential, renewal candidates must: 

• Hold a current, valid, unrestricted and unencumbered COTA certification

• Earn at least 36 units of competency assessment units or professional development units

• Agree and sign the NBCOT certification attestation statement

• Complete the online renewal or paper application

• Pay renewal fee

Renewal Fees

• Online Certification Renewal $65

• Paper Certification Renewal $75

• Late Fee $25

• Reinstatement of Certification Renewal Application (within one missed renewal cycle) $125

• Reinstatement of Certification Renewal Application (outside one missed renewal cycle) $175

COTA renewal requires earning at least 36 units of continuing education. These units may be a combination of competency assessment units or professional development units in the following categories:

• Competency Assessment Units

  • 10 activities in the NBCOT Navigator

  • Assess professional skills using NBCOT Self-Assessment tools or similar professional skills assessment tools

  • Develop a Professional Development Continuing-Competency Plan based on professional skills assessments

• Professional Development Units

  • Professional Service

  • Workshops/Courses/Independent Learning

  • Knowledge Dissemination

Refer to the Renewal Activities document for full information on accepted activities.

The NCCPA offers various resources to help candidates prepare for the COTA exam, including:

• Certification exam handbook

• COTA StudyPack with a full practice exam, practice simulations, practice tests, study guide, flashcards and self-assessment

• Flashcards Cost: $15

• Practice tests Cost: $30 each

• Study Guide Cost: $60 print / $40 eBook

• Knowledge match games Cost: $9

Related certifications include:

• Occupational Therapist-Registered (OTR) 

• Assistive Technology Professional (ATP)

• Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS)

• Board Certification in Physical Rehabilitation (BCPR)