NBCOT Exam Prep: Student Support Resources at St. Catherine University

Before you can begin practicing as a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA), you must pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam.

The NBCOT exam measures the entry-level competence of professionals desiring to enter the profession. As such, preparation for the OTA exam is an integral component of the St. Catherine online OTA program curriculum.

If you are already an OTA who has passed the NBCOT and are interested in becoming an occupational therapist, visit our Occupational Therapy Bridge Program page.

What Is the NBCOT Exam?

The NBCOT exam is a national certification test that qualifies candidates to become Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) in the U.S. All states require passing this exam to obtain state licensure to practice.

Here is what to know about the NBCOT exam to prepare for it:

Candidates have four hours to take the NBCOT exam. Breaks are allowed, although the time doesn’t stop.
The exam is administered on a computer and consists of 190 multiple-choice questions, including three- and four-option single-response multiple-choice items and six-option multi-select items.
If a question is left unanswered, it will not count toward the overall score. NBCOT does not deduct points for incorrect responses, so candidates should answer every item. Some items are unscored field-test items, but candidates cannot identify them.
Candidates can go back and answer questions if they are within their time limit. The exam also has a feature to flag questions exam-takers want to return to.
It’s less expensive to apply for the exam online than to mail in a paper application. Candidates can apply online through the NBCOT website.
A score of 450 or higher out of 600 is needed to pass. Candidates who don’t pass can sit for the exam again. Candidates on attempts 2-4 must wait 30 days, attempts 5-7 require 60 days, and attempts 8+ require 90 days. There is no limit on how many times candidates can take the exam; however, there is an additional fee to retake it.

NBCOT Exam Prep Coaching Program

Support for St. Catherine online OTA students doesn’t end at graduation. While other OTA graduates must prepare independently pass the NBCOT exam, the St. Catherine NBCOT Prep Coaching Program (NBCOT PCP) begins preparing you for the exam after you’ve completed your Level II Fieldwork.

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How the NBCOT PCP Works

Coaching. One-on-one tutoring is available upon request, as well as general group instruction to help prepare for the NBCOT exam.
Performance. We aim to have at least 85% of participants successfully pass the NBCOT exam within six months of graduation.

Additional Student Resources

Whether you need to improve your writing skills or have a disability that requires special accommodations, our online OTA program student support services can make all the difference in your learning experience. These services continue the personalized support you will become accustomed to during admissions.

Disability resources*: Take advantage of an accessible, inclusive learning environment. We aid students who may need the following:
- Alternative test accommodations
- Peer note-taking support
- Sign language interpreters
- Adaptive technology
- Clinical accommodation planning
Multilingual services: Receive additional testing time if English is not your native language.
Studying assistance: Let us help you improve your time management and test-taking skills.
Tutoring sessions: Interact with peers who can help you better understand the course.
Writing assistance: Connect with a writing assistant to improve the quality of your prose.
Career development: Connect with professional development resources through our Career Development team.

*Technical standards and essential requirements describe functions necessary for students to complete the OTA program and assume the role of an occupational therapy professional. They are stated to ensure all students, regardless of disability status, understand program expectations. Students must meet the academic requirements and behavior expectations with the approved accommodations.

For more information, contact:
The Student Accessibility and Accommodations office staff coordinates academic accommodations for students with disabilities and can be reached at (612) 690-6563 or via [email protected].

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