Accreditation and Sitting for the National Certification Examination

The Combined BS/MSOT degree and the EMOT programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

Students who successfully complete both academic and fieldwork requirements are eligible to take the Certification Examination of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).  Students become registered Occupational Therapists once they have passed the NBCOT Examination. Students are then eligible to obtain a permanent license to practice in those states that require licensing. NBCOT can be contacted at 800 S. Frederick Avenue, Suite #200, Gaithersburg, MD 20877-4150, (301)990-7979 or http://www.nbcot.org/  

All occupational therapy students must fulfill the national essential educational standards established by the Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Students must successfully complete the educational coursework and a minimum of six months of fieldwork experience (Level II Fieldwork) in assigned, predetermined fieldwork sites. Fieldwork training takes place under the direction of qualified fieldwork supervisors. Level II Fieldwork must be successfully completed within one year following completion of academic coursework. Under some circumstances, students who have been convicted of a felony may be denied certification or licensure as an Occupational Therapist.

As of January 1, 2007, Occupational Therapy programs are accredited only at the post-baccalaureate level.

ACOTE can be contacted at:

The American Occupational Therapy Association
4720 Montgomery Lane
PO Box 31220
Bethesda, MD 20824-1220

(301) 652-AOTA, (2682)

website - http://www.aota.org/
e-mail address - accred@aota.org

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