NBCOT

The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy

The NBCOT serves as the certification authority for occupational therapy professionals in the U.S. All 50 states, along with Washington, D.C., Guam, and Puerto Rico, mandate NBCOT certification for state occupational therapy licensure.

NBCOT's certification exams aim to safeguard public interest by ensuring that only qualified candidates with essential occupational therapy knowledge are certified. The Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR®) and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA®) exams assess the entry-level competence of individuals who meet the certification requirements.

Exam Information

Learn more about eligibility, requirements, policies, processes, the code of conduct, and more in our online handbook that guides you through the application process.

Once your exam application is approved, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter by email and in your MyNBCOT account. This letter authorizes you to take the certification exam and provides instructions on how to schedule. It also provides information on the IDs that you need to bring to verify your identity at the test center. Some candidates with testing accommodations may have specific scheduling instructions. Please refer to your ATT letter for details on how to schedule with testing accommodations.

Test Center Regulations

You must bring one form of valid, government-issued, unexpired photo ID with signature. The name on your ID must match exactly the name you used when registering. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Acceptable forms of photo identification:
- Current driver's license
- State Approved ID
- Passport
- Tribal ID card
- Military ID
- FIU Panther ID (FIU make-up & ACT On-Campus ONLY).
No electronic devices are permitted within the testing lab. Electronic devices are, but are not limited to:
- mobile phones of any type
- tablets
- smartwatches
- smart glasses
- laptops
All personal items will be placed inside one of the lockers located outside the testing lab. Items such as watches of any kind, headwear, sunglasses, snacks, electronic devices, bags of any kind, loose jewelry, and other personal effects will not be permitted within the testing lab.
Bring your exam registration ticket, if applicable, on the day of your exam.

I agree that I have read and understood the above test center regulations.

Outerwear Clothing Policy for Test Takers

To ensure a secure testing environment, all test takers wearing outerwear over their clothing must present it for visual inspection upon entering the Testing Center.

What Counts as Outerwear?

Outerwear includes but is not limited to: jackets, sweaters, coats, hoodies, cloaks, robes, dusters etc.

Guidelines for Test Takers:

Outerwear Inspection: You must temporarily present all outerwear, to the extent possible, for inspection before starting your exam.
Long-Sleeve Shirts: These are allowed, but you’ll need to temporarily roll up your sleeves during the inspection.

Important Reminder:

Failure to follow the test center rules will result in being possibly denied access to the exam. Plan ahead to ensure a smooth testing experience.

Thank you for your cooperation!

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NBCOT

The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy