OTR - Occupational Therapist Registered

The Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) certification validates the knowledge and skills of entry-level occupational therapists. The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) offers the OTR exam, accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

Eligibility

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

• Have an entry-level occupational therapy degree from an ACOTE-accredited OT program

• Agree to follow the NBCOT Practice Standards and Code of Conduct

Cost

• Initial online application fee: $540

• Initial paper application fee: $595

• Online reapplication fee: $430

• Paper reapplication fee: $485

Exam Format

The OTR exam includes 170 scored questions. Candidates have 4 hours to complete the exam and need a minimum scaled score of 450 to pass. OTR exam topics include:

• Evaluation and Assessment (25%)

• Analysis and Interpretation (23%)

• Intervention Management (37%)

• Competency and Practice Management (15%)

Test Dates

Pearson VUE Test Centers offer OTR exams year-round based on availability at individual test centers.

Online Application Process

• Create an account on the NBCOT website

• Click “Start My OTR/COTA Exam Application”

• Enter contact information

• Answer character questions and testing accommodations

• Select applicable services

• Read and check the box for the Attestation Statement

• Review your cart and click “Proceed to Checkout”

• Complete shipping information and click “Continue to Payment”

• Complete payment information and click “Submit Order”

After submitting the application, all applicants must submit official transcripts. Send transcripts via email to [email protected] or mail to NBCOT, Inc., One Bank Street, Suite 300, Gaithersburg, MD 20878.

Paper Application Process

• Download and print the paper application

• Complete applicant and general information

• Complete credential information

• Request testing accommodations if applicable

• Answer character questions 

• Request score transfer if applicable

• Sign the application acknowledgment and attestation

• Sign the disclosure and authorization

• Include payment information

Mail the paper application, payment and official transcripts to NBCOT, Inc., One Bank Street, Suite 300, Gaithersburg, MD 20878. Applicants may also email transcripts to [email protected].

Applicants receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) after application approval. The ATT is valid for 90 days and includes information for scheduling the exam with Pearson VUE.

OTR certification is initially valid for 4 years, but subsequent renewals are valid for 3 years. Renewal occurs in January through March, regardless of when OTRs earned their initial certification. The final application deadline is March 31. To be eligible for renewal, applicants must:

• Obtain 36 competency assessment and/or professional development units

• Complete the renewal application

• Pay the renewal fee

For full renewal information, refer to the Renewal Handbook.

Online Renewal Application

• Sign in to the NBCOT website

• Click “Start My OTR/COTA Renewal Application”

• Complete applicant information

• Answer character questions 

• Complete renewal and practice information

• Sign and date

• Complete payment information

Paper Renewal Application

NBCOT recommends mailing the paper application before March 15 to ensure timely receipt. The final application deadline is March 31.

• Download and print the paper renewal application

• Complete applicant information

• Answer character questions 

• Complete renewal and practice information

• Sign and date

• Complete payment information

Mail the paper application and payment to NBCOT, Inc., One Bank Street, Suite 300, Gaithersburg, MD 20878.

Renewal Fees

• Online renewal application fee: $65

• Paper renewal application fee: $75

• Applications submitted after March 31st of renewal year: $25 late fee

• Reinstatement of certification within one missed renewal cycle: $125

• Reinstatement of certification with more than one missed renewal cycle: $175

Applicants must accrue 36 units during the renewal period. The units are a combination of competency assessment units (CAUs) and professional development units (PDUs) 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.

The NBCOT provides several resources to help prepare for the OTR exam, including:

• OTR Handbook

• Content Outline

• OTR Study Pack has multiple study tools in one pack, including a full practice exam, 3 practice simulations, a study guide and other resources. Cost: $85

• OTR Study Guide with test-taking strategies and practice questions. Cost: $40 for eBook or $60 for hard copy

• Individual Practice Tests Cost: $30 each

Similar certifications include:

• Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

• Board Certification in Physical Rehabilitation (BCPR)