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Healthcare

How to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant

Helps patients recover the daily-living skills they need after an injury or illness, working under an occupational therapist. From no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there
2 years
Typical pay
$58k–$72k
Starting from
No experience

Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from no experience and includes any licence or programme legally required, not just course length.

Commonly asked for

  • Associate degree from an ACOTE-accredited program required
  • No prior healthcare experience required to enrol
  • NBCOT certification and state licence required to practise
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The route

  1. Complete an ACOTE-accredited program

    Two-year associate degree with fieldwork placements.

  2. Pass the NBCOT exam

    National certification, required before licensure everywhere.

    COTA (NBCOT)

    Get it from National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)

  3. License with your state

    Straightforward once NBCOT is in hand.

  4. Destination

    Occupational Therapy Assistant

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