The path to becoming an occupational therapy assistant involves several steps. After finding the right program, you will work with an admissions counselor to meet eligibility requirements and apply. If accepted, you can complete the program and take the certification exam to achieve COTA licensure. Finally, you can start your OTA career.
In 1964, the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) role was established to support the growing demand in the industry, and St. Catherine University responded by launching the nation’s first occupational therapy assistant (OTA) program that same year. With roots dating back to the profession’s founding, St. Kate’s has a well-established process mapping how to become an OTA.
In 2014, St. Kate’s also became the first to offer an Online OTA program to meet the flexibility needs of our students. Today, our OTA program offers students options during the admissions process and blends 80% online and 20% onsite curriculum to create an innovative learning model that graduates confident OTA practitioners.
So, if you’re looking for answers on how to become an occupational therapist assistant, turn to the experts. Before getting into how to become an OTA, however, let’s explore what an OTA is.
What Is an Occupational Therapy Assistant?
As a type of care, occupational therapy is designed to address the needs of clients across the lifespan who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities that prevent them from independently completing everyday activities. Based on where you choose to work, your day-to-day duties will vary, but typical responsibilities include:
- Working with OTs to develop and implement treatment plans.
- Teaching clients how to use assistive devices or perform modifications.
- Documenting clients’ progress and noting any revisions to the treatment plan.
- Keeping clients and caregivers informed about treatment and answering questions.
OTAs excel at the juncture between problem and solution, facilitating possibilities and boosting autonomy. Their clients may need help improving their mobility, modifying their environments, strengthening their activities of daily living, or navigating their work or school setups.
Occupational therapy prioritizes holistic care, so interventions may take creative forms, going beyond physical limitations, to address each client's unique needs.
Before applying, weigh the pros and cons of an occupational therapy assistant career.
Why Become an OTA?
While your pay will vary depending on location, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants was $68,340 in 2024.
The BLS also reports that overall employment of occupational therapy assistants is slated to grow 19% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. In fact, 9,500 new occupational therapy assistant positions are expected to open over the next 10 years.
How to Become an Occupational Therapist Assistant: Step-by-Step
Occupational therapists are responsible for helping people lead independent and meaningful lives. Often, this requires creative problem-solving and a thorough understanding of how the human body functions. As such, you’ll need training and experience to be a great OTA, as well as certification and a state license. This is how to become an OTA in eight steps.
1. Find the Right Program for You
Becoming an OTA begins with finding the right program for your needs. Put some thought into what is most important to you in a degree program, so you’ll know what to search for when you begin researching OTA programs.
Ask yourself questions such as:
- Do you prefer online coursework, or is an on-campus approach more your speed?
- Do you intend to work throughout your studies?
- Do you have previous college experience?
- Are you looking to start as soon as possible or take your time?
- Is relocation possible, or do you need something that allows you to learn where you are (with some travel)?
2. Talk to an Admissions Counselor
Before you apply for OTA school, you need to talk to an admissions counselor. Your counselor will walk you through the admissions process from start to finish, so there are no surprises, as well as discuss your previous education, reasons for wanting to become an occupational therapy assistant and finances to ensure a good fit for the program. This will also give you a chance to ask any questions you have and get to know your counselor, as you will be in regular contact throughout the process.
3. Fulfill any Eligibility Requirements
Your admissions counselor will then review your previous course history to determine which, if any, of the four prerequisite courses you’ll need to complete to be eligible to begin the program. He or she will also evaluate whether you will need to take any of the six required Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) courses, which may be taken before or during your time in the online OTA program, depending on your chosen curriculum option.
There are two curriculum options:
- Complete the LAS and OTA classes separately for a lighter course load over a longer period.
- Or, complete the classes simultaneously for a heavier course load with a timelier finish.
When choosing your curriculum option, keep in mind that these courses involve extensive reading and writing. For this reason, we recommend taking your LAS courses before beginning the OTA program.
Once you and your counselor have agreed on a plan for tackling any prerequisite or LAS courses, they will assist you with signing up for these courses, which can be taken online through St. Kate’s. To be eligible for the Online OTA program, you must complete the four prerequisite courses with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
With its student-to-faculty ratio of 24 to 1, St. Kate’s boasts professors who are also OT experts and offer a highly personalized teaching approach. Most professors set regular office hours and, as needed, private appointments for additional support.
Learn more about the benefits and career opportunities that come with an online OTA degree.
4. Apply for the OTA Program
After meeting the requirements, you can begin the formal application process. St. Kate’s offers three start dates annually in January, May, and September and cohorts in Virginia, Texas, and California. Our university reviews and responds to applications on a rolling basis, so the earlier you apply, the less competition you will face.
5. Complete the Program
Following the acceptance of your application, you’re ready to start the online OTA coursework. Beyond the two curriculum options, the program is divided into three components:
- Online Coursework: Offers students the flexibility to learn at their own pace in their preferred location while still completing assignments within set deadlines.
- Skills Labs: Taught by certified, highly experienced instructors, these labs allow students to practice core OTA skills. All labs must be completed at your chosen site, in Virginia, California, Minnesota, or Texas.
- Fieldwork: Divided into Fieldwork I and Fieldwork II, you will complete 720 hours of supervised activity in various areas of occupational therapy.
6. Take the NBCOT
As with many other healthcare professions, earning a degree is a major milestone on the path to professional practice, with successful completion of the program allowing you to sit for the certification exam to become a COTA. For occupational therapy assistants, the exam is the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Certification Exam.
While this may seem intimidating, you should feel good knowing that St. Kate’s has built extensive NBCOT prep into the Online OTA program. As part of the non-required NBCOT Prep Coaching Program, you will participate in general group instruction, with additional one-on-one coaching available if needed.
7. Apply for COTA Licensure
After graduating from an accredited OTA program, completing the fieldwork requirements, and passing the NBCOT exam, the only remaining step toward becoming a COTA is to apply for licensure in the state you wish to practice in and pay any associated application fees. Keep in mind that every state has its own regulatory body, so the application process will vary from state to state.
8. Apply for OTA Jobs
Once you obtain your state license, you’ll be able to start working as an OTA. Don’t be afraid to cast a wide net as you begin your OTA job search. OTAs can work in a variety of workplace settings, including:
- Client homes
- Hospitals
- Offices of other health practitioners
- OT offices
- Private and public schools
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Workplace and corporate environments
Start your career on the right foot. Learn how to write an OTA resume that stands out.
Join a Legacy of OTA Excellence
If you are a compassionate, qualified student, there’s a spot for you in the St. Kate’s Online OTA program, but it’s up to you to take the first step. Remember, though, you are not alone in this process. An admissions counselor will be there to help you every step of the way towards enrollment, and then you will have the support of your cohort, faculty, and professors. From pre-admission to post-grad, our goal is to help solidify your future.
Contact the admissions team at St. Kate’s to learn more about our online OTA program.
