What You Need to Know About the Occupational Therapy Assistant Test 2025
Occupational therapy assistants are an important part of the healthcare field, helping people with disabilities participate more fully in society. They are often employed in clinics, hospitals, schools, and other clinical settings.
To become a certified OTA, you must pass the national OTA exam. This exam is administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
Free Occupational Therapy Assistant Practice Test Online
Occupational Therapy Assistant Test Questions and Answers
In the year 2025, the median annual pay for Occupational Therapy Assistants was $61,730. In that year, those in the top 25 percentile of earnings made $76,740, while those in the worst 25 percent earned $50,880.
Occupational therapy assistants are required to have an associate’s degree that was earned from a program that was certified to teach occupational therapy assistants. The practice of occupational therapy assistants is governed by state laws in every state. A high school diploma or its equivalent is normally required of occupational therapy assistants, and most also get training on the job.
Occupational therapy assistants and aides help patients acquire, recover, and enhance the abilities necessary for day-to-day living and functioning. They also help patients keep these skills. Occupational therapy assistants are actively involved in the provision of therapy to patients, whereas occupational therapy aides are primarily responsible for doing support duties.
A person who assists occupational therapists is known as an occupational therapy assistant. They assist you in putting your treatment plan into action and assisting you in tackling daily activities that may be tough owing to injuries, diseases, or impairments you have.
As of the 26th of January, 2025, the average hourly income for a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant in the United States is $31, however the range frequently falls between $28 and $34. Your education level, certifications, extra talents, and length of time spent working in your field can all have a significant impact on your hourly rate, as can the amount of years you have spent working in your field.
Prerequisites for Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs
‥ General Anatomy and Physiology with Lab.
‥ Medical Terminology.
‥ General Psychology.
‥ Lifespan Developmental Psychology.
The time commitment for the program is equivalent to two years. The student finishes all of the prerequisite classes during the first year of school. The student finishes the required courses for the OTA core during the second year of study. After finishing the courses, students are required to perform two fieldwork internships lasting between eight and ten weeks each at the Level II level.
‥ Clinics and Healthcare Facilities
‥ Hospitals
‥ Nursing Homes
‥ Homes and Schools
There is a solid reason why the position of Occupational Therapy Assistant is frequently ranked as one of the greatest occupations in the healthcare industry. In general, there is a lot of room for advancement, there is not a lot of stress, and there is a good balance between work and life.
Occupational therapy school is challenging, that is a fact. However, this is also the case with nursing school, medical school, pharmacy school, physician assistant school, and so on. The curriculum for any and all healthcare degrees is going to be rigorous, and for good reason.
Occupational therapy assistants are required to have an associate’s degree that was earned from a program that was certified to teach occupational therapy assistants. The practice of occupational therapy assistants is governed by state laws in every state. Occupational therapy assistants are normally required to have completed high school or have a comparable level of education, and they get training on the job.
Best Occupational Therapist Assistant colleges in the U.S. for 2025
‥ Touro College. New York, NY
‥ Rutgers University-New Brunswick
‥ University of Louisiana at Monroe
‥ University of Missouri-Columbia
‥ Radford University
‥ Siena Heights University
‥ Southwestern Oklahoma State University
‥ Cabarrus College of Health Sciences
‥ Mercy College
‥ St. Catherine University
As the population ages, the strong need for OTAs has contributed to this employment security. According to projections made by the Population Reference Bureau, the number of senior citizens living in the United States will more than double from its current level of 52 million in 2018 to more than 95 million by the year 2060. Because of this, an increased number of elderly people will suffer from illnesses such as joint discomfort, obesity, and heart disease, leading to an increased demand for occupational therapy assistants. It will be the responsibility of OTAs to ensure that conditions such as these are addressed in the appropriate manner in order for customers to maintain and enhance their overall health as well as their lifestyle and quality of life.
The amount of time that is required to participate in the program is equivalent to two years. The first year of school is dedicated to the completion of all of the necessary prerequisite classes. During the student’s second year of schooling, they will have completed all of the necessary classes for the OTA core. Following the completion of their coursework, students are required to complete two fieldwork placements at the Level II level, each of which must last between eight and ten weeks.
The completion of one of these programs typically takes two years of full-time study and incorporates topics such as psychology, biology, and pediatric health within its curriculum. In order to get practical experience in their area, occupational therapy assistants are required to do at least 16 weeks of fieldwork in addition to their academic studies.
In the year 2025, the median annual salary for Occupational Therapy Assistants was $61,730. In that year, those in the top 25 percentile of earnings made $76,740, while those in the bottom 25 percent earned $50,880.
As of the 26th of January in 2025, the average salary for a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant in the state of California is $71,354, but the range typically falls between $64,283 and $78,387.
As of January 26, 2025, the typical salary range for a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant in the state of Ohio is between $56,191 and $68,520, with the average salary coming in at $62,372.
As of the 26th of January, 2025, the typical salary range for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA) in the state of Texas is between $56,600 and $69,000, with the average salary coming in at $62,800.
As of the 26th of January in the year 2025, the typical salary range for a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant in the United States is between $28 and $34, with an average hourly wage of $31.
To become a pediatric occupational therapist assistant, you will typically need to possess at least an associate degree in occupational therapy or a field that is very closely related, in addition to previous clinical work experience. Additionally, candidates for OTA positions are typically required to hold a license, which typically necessitates successful completion of a state licensing examination.
Occupational therapy is a challenging work for both patients and practitioners, but particularly for OT assistants, whose duties routinely include setting up equipment, transporting patients to and from therapy rooms, assisting patients with therapy, and cleaning up after therapy sessions are complete. Patients and practitioners alike find occupational therapy to be challenging.
There is no better place to look for a job if you want the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. Every single day, if you work as an OTA, you will make a positive impact on the lives of others by assisting them in accomplishing goals such as improving their quality of life, preserving or regaining their sense of autonomy, acquiring new knowledge, enhancing their mobility, and coping with or overcoming physical limitations.
The requirements needed to enroll in programs to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant:
‥ A Laboratory Course in General Anatomy and Physiology
‥ Terminology used in medicine.
‥ General Psychology.
‥ The Psychology of Development Across the Lifespan.
The National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy (NSPOT), which is now known as the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), was established in 1917. The year 1921 was the official year that the profession of Occupational Therapy was given its name.
There are a variety of online OTA programs that are currently available. Your choice will be determined by the requirements and priorities of your professional life. When selecting an online OTA program, here are some factors to take into consideration:
‥ Do you prefer a curriculum that is delivered fully online or one that combines both online and traditional in-person instruction?
‥ What kinds of occupations do you have an interest in working as an occupational therapy assistant?
‥ What kind of price range are you working with for an online OTA program?
‥ Once you’ve determined the answers to these questions, you may move on to researching individual online OTA programs.
Yes, occupational therapy has been shown to aid in the rehabilitation process following a stroke. It treats the physical, cognitive, and emotional difficulties that come along with having a stroke. It is imperative that stroke survivors have access to occupational therapists so that they can participate in and eventually become proficient in activities that are important to them.
You need to have completed your occupational therapy studies at an institution that is accredited by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) in either Australia or New Zealand, or you need to have been deemed eligible for registration by the Occupational Therapy Council (OTC) if you completed your occupational therapy studies somewhere else in the world in order to work as an occupational therapist in Australia.
To be eligible for a license to work as an occupational therapy assistant in the United States, you need to possess either an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree and have graduated from an occupational therapy program that has been recognized by the ACOTE. After that, you may submit an application to the NBCOT in order to be considered qualified to take the certification test.
During a contact guard assist, the person supporting you will have one or two hands on your body, but they will not give any further aid in order for you to carry out the functional mobility job. This touch is made with the intention of helping to stabilize your body or assisting with your balance.
Occupational therapy covers not just the physical and cognitive aspects of performance, but also the psychological and sensory aspects. Academics, play and leisure, social involvement, self-care skills (also known as ADLs or Activities of Daily Living), and transitional/work skills are the primary areas of emphasis for occupational therapy practitioners working in schools.
The examination will set you back $515. (USD). The cost of the test is $385 if you are reapplying for it (USD). If you have no choice but to submit your application on paper, please be informed that doing so may lengthen the processing time for your application and will cost you $555. (USD).
Occupational Therapy Assistant Test Preparation
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Test is a national certification that assesses an individual’s ability to help registered occupational therapists fulfill their professional responsibilities. Upon passing the exam, an occupational therapy assistant can work with clients in traditional or non-traditional settings such as schools, hospitals, and community rehabilitation centers.
There are several different resources available to help prepare for the test. One is the NBCOT Exam Prep Info Center on Facebook, which is a community for students and test takers alike. This group has more than 33,000 members and features tips, tricks, and strategies for studying and acing the exam.
Another resource is the American Occupational Therapy Association’s website, which offers study guides, articles, and tips for preparing for the test. It also provides an FAQ page that answers many of the most common questions about the NBCOT exams.
When preparing for the test, it is recommended to do a lot of practice questions. This will allow you to see how well you’re progressing and what areas of the test you need to focus on most. The best way to do this is through question banks, which are a great way to get a feel for the types of questions you can expect to see on the actual exam.
Can Occupational Therapy Assistant Administer Test
Occupational therapy assistants are vital members of many medical teams that work to help people recover and improve their functional abilities and quality of life. They use their skills in the treatment of individuals with mental disorders, physical ailments and chronic illnesses.
OTAs work with occupational therapists in a variety of health care settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, long-term/ extended care, sheltered workshops, schools, home health programs and community programs. They deliver client-centered practice, use evidence-based research to support clinical decisions and provide occupational therapy treatments.
Graduates of an accredited program are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam and attain state licensure. However, felony convictions may prevent students from passing the examination and becoming licensed in the United States.
Occupational therapy assistant students are given general exposure to a variety of standardized and non-standardized assessments. They are taught to follow protocols correctly and obtain consistently accurate information for the OT.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Drug Test
Occupational therapy assistants work under the supervision of an occupational therapist to assist individuals with the tasks of daily living. They focus on the therapeutic use of daily activities, occupations and adapted environments to maximize independence in function, enhance development, prevent disability, and maintain health.
The occupational therapy assistant program at Keiser University is an Associate of Science degree that prepares students to become contributing members of the health care team by helping clients improve their quality of life. Specifically, the program teaches you how to perform assessment procedures, implement interventions and document OT services in order to meet reimbursement standards.
The OTA program requires a significant amount of class attendance, significant out-of-class preparation time and clinical education assignments outside the campus. In addition, the program boasts an innovative admissions process that includes a scoring system that ranks applicants by their academic and technical prowess. In the end, students with a combination of the best grades in each of these areas (and several others) are awarded full admission to the program.
Occupational Therapy Assistant State Test
Occupational therapy assistants help patients with physical, emotional, developmental or mental disabilities gain skills and learn new ways to perform activities of daily living. They are employed in a wide variety of settings including schools, hospitals, nursing homes and private practices.
OT assistants work under the supervision of a registered occupational therapist (OTR) or certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA). They conduct evaluations, administer tests and carry out treatment plans for patients, from children to older adults.
Many states require occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to pass a state or national certification exam in order to practice. NBCOT offers two exams, the OTR and COTA, that measure competence in three areas: gathering information and formulating conclusions that inform therapy; selecting interventions; and upholding professional standards.
The OTR and COTA exams are computer-based, criterion-referenced scoring systems. Your score is determined by how many questions you answer correctly and the relative difficulty of each question version.
Whether you’re looking to take the OTA test or want to prepare for a different exam, there are many resources to help you study for success. The best-selling “National Occupational Therapy Assistant Certification Exam Review and Study Guide” by Rita Fleming-Castaldy covers all of the key content areas and includes three complete online practice exams, full color graphics, and insightful score reports to help you focus your study on what you need to know.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Test Bank
Occupational therapy assistants work under the supervision of an occupational therapist to help people who have physical, mental or developmental disabilities to perform tasks in their daily lives. They have an associate’s degree from an accredited OTA program and must be licensed by their state.
OTAs are responsible for providing patients with treatment, equipment, and therapeutic activities. They are often employed in a wide variety of settings such as nursing care facilities, hospitals and occupational therapists’ offices.
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Test Bank provides over 1,700 practice questions that have been developed by faculty members and board-certified Occupational Therapists. These questions are delivered via SmartBank and include rich answer explanations that fundamentally improve your understanding.
Occupational therapists are experts in working with clients facing problems due to developmental impairment, physical disability, and mental health issues. They are also in a unique position to assess and treat sensorimotor and sensory integration issues in children who have hearing loss, cerebral palsy, or other neurological and medical disorders.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Test Dates
Occupational therapy assistants work under the supervision of occupational therapists to help people with disabilities participate in their daily activities. They use their skills in a variety of settings, from hospitals to outpatient clinics and public schools.
OTAs provide patients with treatment plans that include physical and sensory activities to promote independence. They also assist the Occupational Therapy team by providing patient-centered assessments and designing treatment procedures.
When an OTA graduate has completed the required coursework and fieldwork, they are eligible to take the NBCOT certification exam. Students must sit for the exam within three years of completing their program.
After you pass the test, your NBCOT certification is valid for three years. During this time, you need to earn 36 professional development units (PDUs).
You can meet this requirement by attending seminars or online classes, taking home study courses, and/or participating in continuing education programs. These options vary from state to state and can be useful for pursuing areas of special interest, gaining new skills or making connections in your field.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Test Questions
Occupational therapy assistants fulfill an important role in the recovery of patients with a variety of disabilities. They use their knowledge of frames of reference, service provision, rules and regulations, research, and continuing education to provide quality care.
Passing the NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant exam is one of the most important qualifications to become a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA). This certification is issued by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
The COTA exam is a computerized test with 200 questions that can be completed within four hours. The test is scored on a scale from 300 to 600.
In addition to passing the COTA exam, you also need to meet state licensing requirements. Each state sets its own requirements and some require a certain amount of continuing education, which can include attendance at seminars or online coursework.
Several books and study guides are available to help you prepare for the NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) exam. Some of the best-selling guides are by TherapyEd, who has been preparing students for the NBCOT COTA exam for over 20 years. Their #1 best-selling Review & Study Guide includes a content review, three complete online practice exams, and insightful score reports to identify strengths and weaknesses.
TEAS Test For Occupational Therapy Assistant
Occupational therapy assistants work under the supervision of occupational therapists to help people develop, recover or maintain the skills needed for everyday activities. They are trained to use treatment techniques, strategies and adaptive equipment to improve a person’s physical, cognitive, emotional or developmental functioning.
Currently, a student must take the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) to apply to the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. The test is available at ATI and consists of four components: reading, math, science and English/language usage.
The test is scored based on a criterion-referenced scoring system. A score of 450 or higher is required to pass the exam.
A student can attempt the TEAS as many times as necessary to obtain a minimum score. Applicants who do not meet the required score will be re-admitted to the selective point system at the discretion of the OTA admissions committee.
Before starting the program, you will have to complete the following requirements: a background check, drug screen and immunizations. These requirements will be discussed with you and are subject to change each year.