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.