Occupational Therapy

Professional Certification

The National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT) is a not-for-profit credentialing agency that serves the public interest by developing, administering, and continually reviewing the certification process for the occupational therapy profession. Students in occupational therapy are required to pass the certification exam after completion of coursework and field experience. As of 2007, the requirements include completion of a master's degree. The passing rate of the NBCOT certification examination from the last three years for first-time test takers from the UWM's Occupational Therapy Program are presented. The passing rate at all US schools for first-time test takers in 2007 was 87%.

Graduates of the master's program who complete Level II fieldwork successfully may sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR). In addition, most states require licensure in order to practice. State licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Candidates for the NBCOT Certification Examination will be asked to answer questions related to the topic of felonies when applying for the exam. For further information on these limitations and other certification requirements, contact NBCOT at www.nbcot.org or The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, the Eugene B. Casey Building, 800 S. Fredrick Avenue, Suite 200, Gaithersberg, MD 20877-4150, (301) 990-7979. A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.