Student Resources

Student members receive the digital benefits of Plus+ membership, including free access to 200+ continuing education courses and member discounts on CE, publications, and events.

Student members also receive 30% off the AOTA’s NBCOT® Exam Prep Tool and member-only pricing on books and other publications.

All AOTA members receive digital access to the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, as well as international journals.

Read advice from fellow students about getting published, managing your budget, hybrid programs, and more, published in OT Student Pulse.

OT Student Pulse is always accepting article submissions and Editorial team applications in the Volunteer Center.

Visit our Wellness hub for tips on balancing your quality of life, maintaining your optimal health, managing stress, and avoiding burnout.

Use AOTA's client-centered, evidence-based practice guidance to promote mental health in a variety of practice areas and settings.

After graduation, don’t forget to update your contact information – especially email! – to ensure you’re receiving uninterrupted access as you begin your practice.

Read this 2023 advice from Carley Yanuck, OTD, on planning a timeline for after graduation.

Students are invited to use AOTA's Special Interest Sections (SISs) to network and explore your practice-specific career opportunities in multiple ways. Connecting with SISs is included in your AOTA membership. When you join or renew, select 1 to 3 sections that relate to your professional interests, and connect with all 9 sections on the CommunOT online forum.

Read tips and advice from students who have been in your shoes! OT Student Pulse publishes by students, for students.

OT Student Pulse is always accepting article submissions and Editorial team applications in the Volunteer Center.

Explore the breadth and depth of work that has been completed across academic programs, and be inspired by research propelling the field of occupational therapy forward, all in the CommunOT Capstone Corner.

The AOTA podcast library is designed to bring you the latest on a variety of issues related to occupational therapy in a popular format that you can listen to on-the-go.

• Listen to the AOTA Podcast if you want a behind-the-scenes look at everything AOTA, including the latest studies, advocacy efforts, events, and more.
• Interested in the science of occupational therapy? Check out the Everyday Evidence Podcast , which sorts through the latest research to provide you with the skills to help improve client outcomes.

Student members receive the digital benefits of Plus+ membership, including free access to 200+ continuing education courses and member discounts on CE, publications, and events.

• Use these continuing education courses to prepare for specialty fieldwork assignments and succeed in your Fieldwork.

Explore student-authored articles in OT Student Pulse focusing on leadership and advocacy, such as tips for refining your elevator pitch, strategies for maximizing your influence, and insights into organizing sensory awareness events.

OT Student Pulse is always accepting article submissions and Editorial team applications in the Volunteer Center.

Students are full, voting members of the association, and should be informed and prepared to participate in bylaw votes and elections.

AOTA is led by a broad team of volunteer leaders—including a Board of Directors, a Representative Assembly, and other advisory committees and commissions—who set priorities for the Association. Volunteer leaders, along with full-time staff with diverse professional expertise, work together with a focus on advancing the occupational therapy profession.

Students have direct representation via the Assembly of Student Delegates Steering Committee, who are part of a larger governance structure within AOTA volunteer leadership.

• Learn more about AOTA leadership and governance

Micro-volunteering

Participate in volunteer opportunities that align with your skills, interests, and schedule as you grow your résumé! Visit the Volunteer Center in CommunOT to view and apply for non-governance volunteer roles.

• Pro tip: Build your volunteer profile to receive alerts for future volunteer opportunities that match your expertise!

Elected Positions

There are several committees that are composed of elected or appointed positions. Learn about AOTA’s volunteer groups, including the Assembly of Student Delegates Steering Committee.

Students are invited to nominate themselves for open ASD Steering Committee positions open in every fall. Applicants must be enrolled in a pre-accredited/accredited entry-level OTA or OT program at the time of nomination. An individual is eligible if they will be practicing as an OTA or OT before completion of the term of office.

• Learn more about ASD and ASDSC roles and responsibilities in AOTA’s Procedural Manual.

Discover opportunities for occupational therapy advocacy. In the Legislative Action Center you'll find resources to connect with your elected representatives and other policymakers, information about advocacy opportunities, and links to help you research current legislation.

Incorporating advocacy into your daily routine is an important part of being an occupational therapy practitioner. Everyday advocacy builds trust and advances your vital role with your team, systems, and clients. Use our resources to prepare for these everyday advocacy conversations.

AOTA’s online NBCOT® Exam Prep program is the most comprehensive and effective way for OTs to get ready for the biggest test of their career—at their own pace, any time and any place. Developed and reviewed by top occupational therapy leaders and educators across all practice areas, this prep includes more than 1,000 self-assessment questions and vital tools that will help new graduates focus on the topics they’ll need to master. Subscriptions include individual, non-transferable access for 1 year from the date of purchase. Student members receive 30% off!

View the 2024 How to Use AOTA’s Exam Prep Tool webinar.

Read by student, for student articles published in OT Student Pulse about preparing for – and passing! – the NBCOT® exam. 

OT Student Pulse is always accepting article submissions and Editorial team applications in the Volunteer Center.

The ability to practice occupational therapy is regulated by state licensure agencies. Learn more about AOTA's work on licensure issues.

• Learn the steps to licensure
• Licensure FAQ

The AOTA Fellowship Program cultivates, promotes, and recognizes post-professional training programs that advance the knowledge and skills of licensed occupational therapists in various focused areas of practice.

Read advice from new practitioners in your shoes via the Job Search and Career Advice sections of the OT Student Pulse articles archive.

OT Student Pulse is always accepting article submissions and Editorial team applications in the Volunteer Center.

The AOTA Career Center is the best place to find new opportunities that unleash your unlimited potential. Explore job listings and find crucial information curated especially for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants. Your future starts here.

Negotiate with confidence! Use AOTA’s Salary and Workforce Survey to gain insight into national trends around salary, hours, benefits, case load – and more!

Visit OTJobLink to post your resume for free and explore career opportunities for occupational therapy practitioners—you can even search by keyword and location.