Employment

Certificate Exam

Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapy Assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination. 

After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). 

State Licensure 

Tennessee requires licensure to practice as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. All applicants for Tennessee licensure must pass the NBCOT certification examination, in addition to other requirements. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to attain state licensure. 

If students have questions or concerns regarding criminal history and employment eligibility, please contact NBCOT at 301-990-7979 and the Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy at 615-532-3202 or 800-778-4123. 

Occupational Therapy Assistant Employment 

An Occupational Therapy Assistant works under the direction of an Occupational Therapist in hospitals, school systems, nursing homes, psychiatric programs, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics and in the community. Occupational Therapy Assistants have been trained to use “occupations” or activities of daily life to help people of all ages participate in their activities of choice to their fullest potential.