COTA - Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant
- Cost $515-$555
- Renews every 3 or 4 years
COURSE FORMAT
About
The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) is the national certification body for occupational therapy professionals in the United States and administers the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) examination. Passing the COTA exams demonstrates entry-leel competence for candidates meeting the eligibility requirements for certification. All states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico require NBCOT certification for licensing and practice. The American National Standards Institute and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies are the accrediting agencies for NBCOT certification programs.
Eligibility
Prerequisites
Complete an entry-level occupational therapy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
Submit an official final transcript from a college/university showing graduation date and degree title or submit the Degree Verification Form
Candidates submitting a Degree Verification Form don’t receive exam results until submission of final transcript
Completion Time:
Candidates have 4 hours to complete the COTA exam
Candidates have an additional 1.5 hours to complete tutorial, administrative and survey tasks
Cost:
$515 online exam application
$385 online reapplication
$555 paper application
$415 paper reapplication
Course Format
Exam Format
The COTA exam includes 200 multiple-choice questions. Exam topics include:
Collaborating and Gathering Information (28%)
Selecting and Implementing Interventions (55%)
Professional Standards and Responsibilities (17%)
Test Dates
Prometric is NBCOT’s certification exam administration. Candidates may take the COTA year-round at Prometric Test Centers worldwide.
Exam day instructions
Arrive at the testing center 30 minutes before exam time
Bring two forms of identification
Testing Centers utilize multiple security measures and constantly observe candidates via various methods. No electronic devices are allowed, including cell phones, watches, pagers or recording devices. Candidates are fingerprinted.
Certification
Satisfy the prerequisites
Create a NBCOT account
Apply for the exam online or by paper application
Submit the $515 fee
Provide supporting documents
Schedule the examination with Prometric once an Authorization to Test letter arrives via email
Take the COTA exam
Renewal
The initial renewal cycle lasts 4 years, then COTAs renew their credentials in three-year cycles. The certification renewal season occurs between January and March each year, regardless of when the candidate passed their initial certification exam.
To maintain their COTA credential, renewal candidates must:
Hold a current, valid, unrestricted and unencumbered COTA certification
Earn at least 36 units of competency assessment units or professional development units
Agree and sign the NBCOT certification attestation statement
Complete the online renewal or paper application
Pay renewal fee
Renewal Fees
Online Certification Renewal $65
Paper Certification Renewal $75
Late Fee $25
Reinstatement of Certification Renewal Application (within one missed renewal cycle) $125
Reinstatement of Certification Renewal Application (outside one missed renewal cycle) $175
Continuing Education
COTA renewal requires earning at least 36 units of continuing education. These units may be a combination of competency assessment units or professional development units in the following categories:
Competency Assessment Units
10 activities in the NBCOT Navigator
Assess professional skills using NBCOT Self-Assessment tools or similar professional skills assessment tools
Develop a Professional Development Continuing-Competency Plan based on professional skills assessments
Professional Development Units
Professional Service
Workshops/Courses/Independent Learning
Knowledge Dissemination
Refer to the Renewal Activities document for full information on accepted activities.
Other Resources
The NCCPA offers various resources to help candidates prepare for the COTA exam, including:
COTA StudyPack with a full practice exam, practice simulations, practice tests, study guide, flashcards and self-assessment
Flashcards Cost: $15
Practice tests Cost: $30 each
Study Guide Cost: $60 print / $40 eBook
Knowledge match games Cost: $9
Related Certifications
Related Jobs
Travel Occupational Therapist Assistant
- Creswell, OR
- Aequor Allied
- 5x8 hrs, Days
$1,700/week
Travel Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Clifton, NJ
- MMC Group
- 5x8 hrs, Days
$1,445/week
Occupational Therapist Assistant
- Eden Health
- Portland, OR
- Sign-On Bonus
Home Health Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
- LHC Group
- St Petersburg, FL
$69K+/year
Travel Occupational Therapist
- Hondo, TX
- PHP
- 5x8 hrs, Days
$2,544/week
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to retake the NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) certification exam if I don't pass?
If you don't pass the NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) certification, you must pay $385 to reapply for the exam and take it again.
How long must I wait to repeat the NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) exam if I don't pass?
Repeating the NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) exam after you don’t pass requires a waiting period based on how many attempts you’ve already made to pass the exam. Waiting periods include 30 days before making your second or third attempt, 60 days before your fourth through sixth attempts and 6 months before your seventh and any consecutive attempts.
How do I apply for accommodation to take the NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) examination if I have a disability?
If you require accommodations to take the NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) exam, follow the instructions in the NBCOT Testing Accommodations Handbook.
When will I receive the results of my NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) examination?
NBCOT sends out notifications within 4 to 6 weeks of taking the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) examination.
Is the NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) test hard?
All professional certification examinations are challenging. In 2023, 87% of the 3,472 candidates who tested within one year of graduation from an approved occupational therapy assistant program passed the NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) certification examination. However, only 74% of the 3,439 first-year applicants passed on their initial attempt.
Can I earn a NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) online?
No you can't earn a NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) online.
What other certifications does the NBCOT offer besides Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)?
The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) also offers the Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR).
What organization offers the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)?
The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) offers the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).
What kind of advanced certification could a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) pursue?
If you hold a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), you could choose to pursue your OTR certification, allowing you to earn advanced certifications like the AOTA - Physical Rehabilitation (BCPR), among others.