Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Does compassion drive you? Do you want to help others live their best lives? Are you interested in wellness and fitness? If so, a career in occupational therapy may be a good fit for you.
Occupational therapists (OTs) help people overcome functional challenges caused by illnesses, accidents and injuries. From basic skills like getting dressed and eating to complicated ones like using a new prosthetic or driving, OTs help clients engage fully in their daily lives.
These professionals take a holistic approach to each individual, considering their physical, emotional and psychological needs to support the development or rehabilitation of skills and functions that have become difficult or impossible.
If you love working with people and want a rewarding career that positively impacts others, keep reading. In this article, we examine occupational therapist education requirements, responsibilities, specialization areas and career outlook.
Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Education
Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics, education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations. An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information. Advertisers do not influence our rankings or editorial content.
- 6,290 accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities analyzed nationwide
- 52 reputable tech bootcamp providers evaluated for our rankings
- All content is fact-checked and updated on an annual basis
- Rankings undergo five rounds of fact-checking
- Only 7.12% of all colleges, universities and bootcamp providers we consider are awarded
What Is an Occupational Therapist?
Occupational therapists are skilled healthcare professionals who develop research-backed interventions to help patients complete everyday tasks, also known as occupations. They guide people through life activities despite challenging circumstances like injuries, debilitating illnesses and disabilities.
Certain everyday activities are easy to take for granted until completing them becomes difficult. For example, a parent may not think twice about preparing breakfast for their child until an arm injury makes the simple task too challenging to manage. That’s where occupational therapists come in.
Role and Responsibilities
Occupational therapists consider an individual’s emotional, psychological, social and emotional needs. They design rehabilitation services and interventions to help people of all ages improve or regain their ability to do the things that are most meaningful to them, whether that’s taking care of family, working, attending school or participating in sports.
Occupational therapists work in settings such as hospitals, schools and outpatient clinics. They typically perform the following services.
- Occupational profile: This evaluation covers an individual’s unique factors—characteristics, abilities and beliefs—that affect their ability to perform specific tasks. These include considerations like pain, memory and strength that age, medical conditions or injuries may impact.
- Intervention plan: Working with clients and their families or caregivers, OTs develop customized plans to improve clients’ ability to perform daily occupations and promote independence. Interventions include learning new skills, using prosthetics or wheeled mobility devices and environmental modifications.
- Outcomes evaluation: Occupational therapists meet with their clients regularly to evaluate their progress over time, making adjustments to interventions as needed.
How To Become an Occupational Therapist
Becoming an occupational therapist involves a series of requirements established by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
Earn a Master’s Degree
Completing a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy or a related field, such as psychology, biology, exercise science or kinesiology, is recommended but not required as long as you satisfy the coursework prerequisites to earn a graduate degree in occupational therapy.
Whatever your undergraduate major, you must obtain a master’s degree in occupational therapy or a professional doctorate to become a practicing occupational therapist. These programs take two to three years and must be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Coursework varies by institution, so choose a program offering classes that align with your career goals.
Complete Required Fieldwork
During your master’s program, AOTA requires you to complete two types of supervised fieldwork:
- Level I fieldwork involves observation and hands-on experiences where students shadow licensed occupational therapists in various clinical settings. AOTA does not require a specific number of level I fieldwork hours.
- Level II fieldwork consists of at least 24 weeks of supervised clinical experience on a part- or full-time basis. This in-depth training allows students to develop and practice their skills in intervention planning in settings like schools and daycare centers, homeless shelters, hospitals and clinics.
In addition to their regular coursework, doctoral students must complete a 14-week doctoral capstone and culminating project.
Pass the National Exam
To obtain licensure, students must pass the national certification exam administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). You must take the test within three months of registration, which requires completing at least a master’s degree in occupational therapy. Passing the certification exam qualifies you for licensure in the following 12 states:
- Alaska
- Colorado
- Maine
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Vermont
Other states have additional requirements for licensure.
Obtain State Licensure
After passing the NBCOT exam, you must apply and pay a fee for licensure within your state. Additional state-specific licensure requirements may include:
- Completing a state or federal criminal background check
- Passing a state law exam
- Submitting an official final transcript from your graduate program
Many states allow students to practice with a temporary license until they receive passing exam results.
Fulfill Continuing Education Requirements
To maintain your license, you must comply with your state’s specific continuing education requirements. Most states require a combination of continuing education credits and professional development hours, ranging 10 to 40 hours every one to two years. You must also renew your license regularly according to your state’s guidelines.
Occupational Therapist Salary and Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects demand for occupational therapists to increase by 12% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than average projected job growth for other occupations.
Although salary varies by location, experience and specialization, the BLS reports that OTs earn a median annual wage of $93,180. Those who work in the management of companies and enterprises make the highest salaries, bringing in an average of $117,790 per year.
Occupational Therapist Specializations
After earning licensure, occupational therapists can obtain additional certification in various areas of specialization, including:
- Pediatrics
- Gerontology
- Driving and community therapy
- Seating and mobility
- Autism
- Mental health
- Brain injury
- Physical rehabilitation
- Feeding, eating and swallowing
- Environmental or home rehabilitation
- Hand therapy
Specialty certifications are available through several organizations, including AOTA, whose offerings we cover below.
Board Certifications for Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists can pursue three areas of advanced certification through AOTA. Each requires passing a certification exam.
Board certifications include:
- Board Certification in Pediatrics: Pediatric occupational therapists work with children to improve fine motor, sensory and communication skills and promote independence. They typically work in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation facilities and in-home healthcare.
- Board Certification in Gerontology: Gerontology occupational therapists help aging and older adults manage issues like vision problems, mobility problems, stroke recovery and Alzheimer’s. They work in settings such as hospitals, assisted living facilities and in-home healthcare.
- Board Certification in Physical Rehabilitation: Physical rehabilitation occupational therapists work with individuals whose injuries, disabilities or other health conditions impair their ability to perform daily tasks. They work in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and in-home healthcare.
Note that AOTA recognizes professionals who previously earned the Board Certification in Mental Health, but the organization does not offer this certification exam.
The application fee for each certification exam is $525 for AOTA members or $650 for non-members. Additional eligibility requirements are listed below.
- You must have at least three years as a licensed occupational therapist in good standing. Individuals who have completed an AOTA-approved fellowship program are eligible to take a certification exam after two years of experience.
- You need at least 3,000 hours of experience in the certification area within the last five years. These hours may include supervised or direct intervention, care management and consultation, community programming, research or other qualifying experience.
- You must have completed at least 500 hours of direct occupational therapy (delivering interventions) within the last five years.
- Maintenance of advanced certification includes at least 60 contact hours of professional development and 1,500 hours of experience in your certification area every five years.
- Recertification is required every five years.
Specialty Certifications for Occupational Therapists
AOTA offers five specialty certifications, but the organization is switching from a portfolio assessment to an exam-based process. While AOTA recognizes current candidates, new candidates must wait for the exams. You can find updates on AOTA’s website. Specialty certifications include:
- Specialty Certification in Driving and Community Mobility: Occupational therapists with this certification assess an individual’s ability to drive and provide guidance on modifications or alternative transportation resources when necessary.
- Specialty Certification in Environmental Modification: These OTs evaluate how an individual’s limitations affect their ability to function and navigate within their environment. They then develop intervention strategies to increase accessibility and facilitate independence.
- Specialty Certification in Feeding, Eating and Swallowing: OTs with this certification help individuals with swallowing difficulties, feeding disorders, motor deficits or sensory issues that interfere with eating and swallowing. Using various interventions, they promote independent eating.
- Specialty Certification in Low Vision: Occupational therapists specializing in low vision focus on visual impairments caused by traumatic brain injury, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other conditions. They use interventions like optical devices, assistive technology and environmental modifications to improve clients’ vision.
- Specialty Certification in School Systems: These OTs work in school settings to support the educational success of students who require learning modifications and accommodations. They may implement interventions to improve fine motor skills, self-regulation, handwriting and other functions.
Occupational therapists with these specializations may work at rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, schools, community resource centers, hospitals or private practices. They may also work as consultants.
Professional Organizations for Occupational Therapists
The below organizations provide professional support to current and aspiring occupational therapists.
- AOTA: AOTA is a member-based organization representing occupational therapy students and professionals. It provides resources and education opportunities to promote professional growth.
- National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT): NBCOT is a nonprofit organization that certifies occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants in the United States.
- American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF): AOTF is a nonprofit organization that supports occupational therapy research and scholarships. The foundation works to promote public awareness about occupational therapy.
- Accreditation Council for OT Education (ACOTE): The accrediting body for occupational therapy education programs within the United States, ACOTE sets curriculum standards and evaluates programs for compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Becoming an Occupational Therapist
What degree do most occupational therapists need?
Occupational therapists must earn a master’s degree or professional doctorate to practice in the United States. State licensure is also required.
What is the difference between an OT and an OTA?
The main difference between an OT and an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) is their level of education. OTAs must complete an associate degree in occupational therapy, whereas OTs need at least a master’s. OTs also have more responsibilities than OTAs, who must work under the supervision of an occupational therapist.
What is the difference between PT and OT?
Physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy are both forms of rehabilitation that help people regain or develop their physical function. PT treats physical impairments through exercise, manual therapy and other modalities. Occupational therapy helps people regain a broader variety of skills after illness, injuries or other health issues.