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Occupational Therapy Assistant
Occupational therapy assistant licensing requires graduating from an ACOTE-accredited program, passing the NBCOT COTA exam, and meeting state-specific requirements. OTAs work under the supervision of licensed occupational therapists (OTR/L) with varying ratios and supervision types across states.
51
Total States
31
OT Compact States
51
NBCOT Required
20.5 hrs
Avg CE Hours
OTA licensing follows a structured path from education through certification to state licensure, with ongoing supervision requirements throughout practice.
OTAs must graduate from an ACOTE-accredited associate's degree program that includes Level II fieldwork (minimum 16 weeks). Programs cover occupational therapy principles, treatment techniques, anatomy, and clinical reasoning.
After graduation, candidates take the NBCOT COTA exam. Each state also sets its own requirements including background checks, jurisprudence exams, and supervision plans. OTAs must practice under OTR/L supervision.
The OT Licensure Compact allows OTAs to practice across member states with a compact privilege. Non-compact states may accept out-of-state credentials through endorsement. Most states require continuing education for renewal.
Side-by-side fees, hours, exams, and timelines across all 50 states. Sort by cost, hours, or any column.
Compare All StatesFind out if your license transfers to another state and what extra steps are needed.
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Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | Credential | NBCOT | Supervision | Ratio | Fees | CE Hours | OT Compact | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | OTA | Yes | Yes | 1 OT may supervise up to 3 OTAs | $628 | 20 | Yes | March 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | OTA | Yes | Yes | Not specified in statute | $820 | 24 | No | March 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | OTA | Yes | Yes | Not specifically limited by statute | $820 | 12 | Yes | March 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | OTA | Yes | Yes | Not specifically limited by statute | $593 | 12 | Yes | March 2026 |
| California(CA) | COTA | Yes | Yes | 1 OT may supervise up to 3 OTAs concurrently | $639 (if fingerprint cards used: $50 application + $540 NBCOT exam + $49 fingerprint = $639) | 24 | No | March 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | OTA | Yes | Yes | OT must determine the number they can safely and effectively supervise | $676 | 24 | Yes | March 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | OTA | Yes | Yes | Not specifically limited by statute | $740 | 18 | No | March 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | OTA | Yes | Yes | Not specifically limited by statute | $636 | 24 | Yes | March 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | OTA | Yes | Yes | Not specifically limited by regulation | $675 | 12 | No | March 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | OTA | Yes | Yes | Not specifically limited by statute | $720 | 26 | Yes | March 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | OTA | Yes | Yes | Determined by supervising OT based on ability to safely supervise | $640 | 24 | Yes | March 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | OTA | Yes | Yes | Not specifically limited by statute | $726 - $819 | 0 | No | March 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | OTA | Yes | Yes | Not specifically limited by statute | $600 | 10 | No | March 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | OTA | Yes | Yes | Determined by supervising OT based on complexity and OTA experience | $615 | 24 | No | March 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | OTA | Yes | Yes | Not specifically limited by statute | $640 | 18 | Yes | March 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | OTA | Yes | Yes | Not specifically limited by statute | $715 | 15 | Yes | March 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | OTA | Yes | Yes | Maximum of 4 full-time equivalent OTAs per OT; total combination not to exceed 8 OTAs | $620 | 40 | Yes | March 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | COTA | Yes | Yes | 1 OTR:3 OTAs | $640 | 12 | Yes | March 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | COTA | Yes | Yes | 1 OTR:2 OTAs | $740 | 14 | Yes | March 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | OTA | Yes | Yes | 1 OTR:3 OTAs | $656 | 6 | Yes | March 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | OTA | Yes | Yes | 1 OTR:2 OTAs | $749 | 24 | Yes | March 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | OTA | Yes | Yes | 1 OTR:2 OTAs | $640 | 24 | No | March 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | OTA | Yes | Yes | 1 OTR:4 OTAs | $705.4 | 20 | No | March 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | OTA | Yes | Yes | 1 OTR:3 OTAs | $678.25 | 18 | Yes | March 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | COTA | Yes | Yes | 1 OTR:3 OTAs | $740 | 20 | Yes | March 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | OTA | Yes | Yes | 1 OTR:3 OTAs | $560 | 24 | Yes | March 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | OTA | Yes | Yes | 1 OTR:3 OTAs | $730 | 20 | Yes | March 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | OTA | Yes | Yes | 1 OTR:3 OTAs | $660 | 15 | Yes | March 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | OTA | Yes | Yes | 1 OTR:2 OTAs | $840 | 24 | No | March 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | OTA | Yes | Yes | Not specified in statute | $650 | 24 | Yes | March 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | COTA | Yes | Yes | 1 OTR:2 OTAs | $690 | 15 | No | March 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | OTA | Yes | Yes | Not explicitly specified; determined by board rules and supervising OT | $650 | 20 | No | March 2026 |
| New York(NY) | COTA | Yes | Yes | 1 OTR:2 OTAs | $687 | 36 | No | March 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | OTA | Yes | Yes | 1 OTR:3 OTAs | $650 | 15 | Yes | March 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | COTA | Yes | Yes | Supervising OT must be on premises during OTA work hours for new OTAs (under 1,650 hours) | $700 | 20 | No | March 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | COTA/L | Yes | Yes | No specific statutory ratio; determined by supervising OT based on complexity and competence | $640 | 20 | Yes | March 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | OTA | Yes | Yes | OT is responsible for determining appropriate number of OTAs supervised based on competence and setting | $720 | 20 | No | March 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | OTA | Yes | Yes | Determined by supervising OT based on practice setting and OTA competence | $720 | 30 | No | March 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | OTA | Yes | Yes | 1 OTR:2 OTAs | $570 (=$30 application + $540 NBCOT exam) | 24 | No | March 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | COTA | Yes | Yes | 1 OTR:2 OTAs | $680 | 20 | No | March 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | OTA | Yes | Yes | 1 OTR:3 OTAs | $655 | 16 | Yes | March 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | OTA | Yes | Yes | Determined by supervising OT based on practice setting and OTA competence | $625 | 12 | Yes | March 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | OTA | Yes | Yes | 1 OTR:3 OTAs | $625 | 24 | Yes | March 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | LOTA (implied via OTA license designation) | Yes | Yes | Determined by supervising OT based on complexity and setting | $640 | 24 | No | March 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | OTA | Yes | Yes | Determined by supervising OT based on practice setting and OTA competence | $610 | 20 | Yes | March 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | OTA | Yes | Yes | 1 OTR:2 OTAs | $720 | 24 | No | March 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | OTA | Yes | Yes | Determined by supervising OT based on practice setting and OTA competence | $610 | 10 | Yes | March 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | OTA | Yes | Yes | Determined by supervising OT based on practice setting and OTA competence | $706 | 24 | Yes | March 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | OTA | Yes | Yes | Determined by supervising OT based on practice setting and OTA competence | $640 | 24 | Yes | March 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | COTA | Yes | Yes | Determined by supervising OT based on practice setting and OTA competence | $600 | 24 | Yes | March 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | OTA | Yes | Yes | Determined by supervising OT based on practice setting and OTA competence | $715 | 32 | Yes | March 2026 |
Occupational therapy assistants often work alongside other healthcare professionals. Explore related licensing requirements.
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