A career in occupational therapy offers an opportunity to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Occupational therapists (OTs) are healthcare professionals who help individuals of all ages engage in necessary and desired daily activities, known as “occupations.” This can range from assisting a child with disabilities to participate fully in school to helping an adult recover the skills needed for independence after an injury.
Follow the Educational Pathway
The journey to becoming a practicing occupational therapist begins with an educational foundation, culminating in a graduate degree. A bachelor’s degree is the first requirement for entry into any graduate program. While your undergraduate major can be in any field, many aspiring OTs choose degrees in related areas like kinesiology, biology, or psychology, as the coursework often overlaps with graduate school prerequisites.
After completing an undergraduate degree, you must earn a graduate degree from an accredited program. The two entry-level degree options are the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) or the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD). Both programs prepare graduates for entry-level practice, but the OTD includes a deeper focus on areas such as clinical research, leadership, and program development. An OTD program requires a longer time commitment and may involve higher costs than an MOT program.
Complete Prerequisite Coursework and Gain Experience
Before acceptance into a graduate program, you must complete prerequisite courses at the undergraduate level. While requirements vary between institutions, OT programs expect a foundation in the sciences. Common prerequisites include Anatomy and Physiology with a lab component, Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Statistics. It is important to research the specific requirements of the schools you are interested in, as some may also require courses in sociology or medical terminology.
Gaining direct experience in the field is another part of preparing for graduate school. Most programs require a number of observation or shadowing hours, where you watch a licensed OT work in a clinical setting. These hours demonstrate your commitment and provide a realistic understanding of an OT’s daily responsibilities. To find these opportunities, you can contact local hospitals, private clinics, rehabilitation centers, schools, and nursing homes.
Securing these hours requires proactive outreach and professionalism. Documenting your hours carefully, including the setting, the populations you observed, and the types of interventions you witnessed, is necessary for your application. This experience strengthens your application and helps you determine if the profession is the right fit.
Navigate the Graduate School Application Process
The application process for most OT graduate programs is centralized through the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). This service allows you to submit a single application to multiple programs, streamlining the process. Key components of the application include your academic transcripts, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and for some programs, standardized test scores.
Your personal statement is a chance to articulate your passion for occupational therapy and should connect your personal experiences to your motivation for entering the field. Letters of recommendation provide external validation of your skills and character. It is wise to ask professors who know you well and at least one occupational therapist you shadowed for these letters, providing them with ample notice.
Standardized tests, such as the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), were once a common requirement, but many OT programs are now test-optional. You must verify the specific testing policy for each program you apply to.
Obtain Your License and Certification
After graduating from an accredited MOT or OTD program, the final steps involve national certification and state licensure. You must pass the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Passing this exam demonstrates your competency and is a requirement for practice in the United States.
Passing the NBCOT exam earns you the designation of “Occupational Therapist, Registered” (OTR). With this certification, you can then apply for a license in the state where you intend to work. Each state has its own occupational therapy regulatory board with specific requirements for licensure, which is mandatory to legally practice.
Develop Key Skills for Success
Beyond educational requirements, a successful career in occupational therapy relies on well-developed personal skills. These interpersonal abilities transform technical knowledge into effective, client-centered care. Key skills include:
- Empathy to understand and share the feelings of clients facing significant physical or emotional challenges.
- Patience and compassion, as client progress can often be slow and require persistent encouragement.
- Strong communication skills to clearly explain treatment plans, collaborate with other healthcare professionals, and write detailed documentation.
- Creative problem-solving to devise innovative strategies and adaptations that help clients achieve their goals.