AOTA - BCPR - AOTA - Physical Rehabilitation

The Board Certification in Physical Rehabilitation (BCPR) certification validates the knowledge and skills of occupational therapists specifically in the physical rehabilitation specialty. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) offers the BCPR exam.

Eligibility

To be eligible to take the BCPR exam, applicants must meet all the following requirements:

• Have an active Occupational Therapy certification or license from an AOTA-recognized regulatory body

• Have at least 3 years of experience as an occupational therapist

• Worked at least 3,000 hours as an occupational therapist in the last 5 years (can be direct intervention, supervision, teaching, consultation, administration, research, community programming, or case management)

• Spent at least 500 hours directly delivering occupational therapy services to patients in the last 5 years

Cost

• AOTA member: $525

• Non-member: $650

Exam Format

The BCPR exam includes 150 questions and takes 4 hours to complete. Exam topics:

• Client Conditions and Factors (50%)

  • Conditions, Disease Progression, and Considerations (16%)

  • Evaluation, Assessment, and Clinical Considerations (27%)

  • Occupational Performance/target Outcomes (7%)

• Activities and Interventions (36%)

  • Occupation-Based Activities (8%)

  • Types of Interventions (28%)

• Service Delivery (14%)

  • Occupational Therapy and medical Documentation (3%)

  • Communication (6%)

  • Operational Practices and Considerations (5%)

Test Dates

Applicants can register to take the in-person exam during the testing window at their selected PSI Testing Center. 

Test Results

PSI provides test results immediately after finishing the exam. 

Online Application

Refer to the BCPR exam page for information on upcoming test windows.

• Create an account or log in to the AOTA website

• Confirm contact information

• Go to the BCPR page and click “Apply Now”

• Complete the application

• Upload verification of experience hours

• Submit payment 

AOTA will contact applicants within 10 business days of application submission. Once approved, candidates have 90 days to schedule and take the exam.

BCPR is valid for 5 years. Renewal applicants can renew by meeting the following requirements:

• Have an active Occupational Therapy certification or license from an AOTA-recognized regulatory body

• Worked at least 1,500 hours as an occupational therapist in the last 5 years (can be direct intervention, supervision, teaching, consultation, administration, research, community programming, or case management)

• Earned 60 contact hours in relevant professional development categories

• Complete the recertification application

• Pay the renewal fee

Renewal Fees

• Non-member: $375

• AOTA member: $250

Part of the renewal process requires earning 60 contact hours in the relevant professional development categories, including CE courses, academic coursework, independent learning, mentorship, fieldwork supervision/capstone mentoring, professional writing, or presentation and instruction.

For full information, refer to the Recertification Handbook.

The AOTA provides several resources to help prepare for the BCPR exam, including:

• Exam Content Outline 

• BCPR Clinical Course available for $350

• Reference List

The AOTA also offers the following certifications:

• Board Certification in Pediatrics (BCP)

• Board Certification in Gerontology (BCG)

Other related certifications include:

• ABPTS Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Clinical Specialist (CCS)

• ABPTS Clinical Electrophysiologic Clinical Specialist (ECS)

• ABPTS Geriatric Clinical Specialist (GCS)

• ABPTS Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS)

• ABPTS Oncologic Clinical Specialist (Oncology)

• ABPTS Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)

• ABPTS Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS)

• ABPTS Women's Health Clinical Specialist (WCS)

• Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR)

• Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)