Occupational Therapy Assistant (A.S.) (2355)

Occupational therapy assistants under the direction of occupational therapists help people of all ages regain, develop, or master everyday skills in order to live independent, productive, and satisfying lives. Working in collaboration with occupational therapists and other healthcare professionals, occupational therapy assistants are employed in a variety of traditional and emerging practice settings including community settings, mental health settings, public schools, rehabilitation settings, home health agencies, and nursing homes. Occupational therapy assistants provide occupation-based treatment interventions to improve the quality of life of clients within the community.

For information on the activities of our professional organization and the role of the occupational therapy assistant please visit the American Occupational Therapy Organization (AOTA) website.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the overall employment of occupational therapy assistants and aides is projected to grow 32 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Occupational therapy will continue to be an important part of treatment for people with various illnesses and disabilities.

Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). For official program pass rates on the certification exam, please visit the NBCOT website.

In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT certification examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

If you are considering employment in a state other than Florida, click here to ensure the program curriculum meets the requirements to sit for licensure or certification testing in that state.