Program Information
Process | Eligibility Requirements | Application Fees and Deadlines | Renewal Info | Certification Competencies |
The Process
AOTA Board and Specialty Certification is based on a peer-reviewed reflective portfolio. The process is prospective and self-directed and includes 3 major sections:
BACKGROUND - Candidates complete demographic and employment information. An employment verification form that provides 3rd party verification of the necessary practice hours is required.
REFLECTIVE PORTFOLIO - With AOTA Board and Specialty Certification, self-appraisal is key. Candidates identify the professional development activities they have engaged in that best demonstrate their knowledge, critical and ethical reasoning, and interpersonal and performance skills relative to identified competencies and criteria. How those activities helped them meet the criteria, supported their professional development, and influenced client outcomes is then described in a single brief narrative for each competency.
ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - Self-assessment is an important part of developing a professional development plan and continuing competence. Candidates for certification will include a self-assessment that they use as a guide to establish 5 measurable goals that will be worked toward for the 5 years immediately following initial certification.
Eligibility Requirements
Board Certification (OT)
- Professional degree or equivalent in occupational therapy.
- Certified or licensed by and in good standing with an AOTA recognized credentialing or regulatory body.
- Minimum of 5 years of practice as an occupational therapist.
- Minimum of 5,000 hours of experience as an occupational therapist in the certification area in the last 5 calendar years.
- Minimum of 500 hours of experience delivering occupational therapy services in the certification area to clients (individuals, groups, or populations) in the last 5 calendar years. Service delivery may be paid or voluntary.
- Verification of employment.
Specialty Certification (OT and OTA)
- Professional or technical degree or equivalent in occupational therapy.
- Certified or licensed by and in good standing with an AOTA recognized credentialing or regulatory body.
- Minimum of 2,000 hours of experience as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant.
- 600 hours of experience delivering occupational therapy services in the certification area to clients (individuals, groups, or populations) in the last 5 calendar years. Service delivery may be paid or voluntary.
- Verification of employment.
Application Fees & Deadlines
Application Deadlines
Applications are accepted online at www.aota.org/certification in December and June of each year.
Application Fee
The following fees are nonrefundable:
Board Certification - $525 Specialty Certification - $375
- Applicants must be AOTA members at the time of application and also at the time certification is granted.
- Membership is not required to maintain certification once granted, except at the time of renewal.
- Learn more about the benefits AOTA membership.
Renewal Information
Both Board Certification and Specialty Certification are valid for a period of 5 years.
For the first instance of renewal all certified practitioners must submit a complete renewal application. After the first renewal, consecutive renewals will be done by random audit. Parameters for the renewal application include the following:
Board Certification (OT)
- 3,000 hours in the certification area as an OT in the last 5 years of which 250 hours are service delivery
- Address 2 criteria of your choosing in each competency
- Complete 1 narrative reflection for each competency
- Self-assessment that includes reflection on status of previously established goals
- Develop a new professional development plan
Specialty Certification (OT and OTA)
- 2,000 hours in the specialty area as an OT or OTA in the last 5 years of which 300 hours are service delivery
- Address 2 criteria of your choosing in each competency
- Complete 1 narrative reflection for each competency
- Self-assessment that includes reflection on status of previously established goals
- Develop a new professional development plan
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The actual online renewal application will probably not be available until 2011, but the competencies and criteria will be the same as initial certification, so certificants may start collecting evidence to build their portfolios at any time.
View Certification Competencies & Criteria
Complete information and instructions for certification are found in the Application Handbooks.
Board Certification (the following are not applications)
Specialty Certification (the following are not applications)
OT Competencies
OTA Competencies
(pdf) = Files Require Acrobat Reader.
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