Occupational Therapy Assistant
The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) application is open from February 1 through May 31. Interested applicants should note that they must be admitted to Polk State and complete observation hour requirements before applying for the limited-access OTA Program. Veterans of the U.S. Military may also benefit from two reserved seats within the program and should email veterans@polk.edu for assistance with the veteran application. Click here for info sessions to learn more.
What is an Occupational Therapy Assistant?
The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) works under the supervision of an occupational therapist. The OTA teaches individuals with emotional, developmental, and/or physical disabilities new methods or techniques to perform daily activities, and adapts the environment, and/or tasks to maximize independent functioning. “Occupation” (purposeful activity) is used as a means of preventing, reducing, and/or overcoming physical, social, and emotional disabilities in people of all ages.
Program Description
The OTA Program is a 74-credit-hour AS degree program, which trains and qualifies graduates to work in the occupational therapy field.
The OTA Program supports cross-cultural diversification within the program and profession and advocates equal opportunity for all students regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, disability, age, veteran status, or marital status.
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online at https://secure.nbcot.org/data/schoolstats.aspx.
One Bank Street, Ste 300
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Phone: 1.301.990.7979
info@nbcot.org, https://www.nbcot.org/
| Year | Board Pass Rate |
| 2025 | 100% |
| 2024 | 83% |
| 2023 | 80% |
| 3-year aggregate | 89.33% |
If a student has concerns regarding eligibility for certification and credentialing, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the OT state board and/or NBCOT in a timely manner.
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®) program data results: https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance (nbcot.org)
+ Graduation Rates
3-Year Reporting: Program Graduates
The Occupational Therapy Assistant program during the three-year period from 2023 to 2025 had an overall graduation rate of 89.681%.
Graduation Year Graduation Rate 2025 100% 2024 85.714% 2023 83.33% 3-year aggregate: 89.681%
*It should be noted that students who begin in an original cohort and take a leave of absence or need to repeat a course, a one-year time passes due to the schedule of course offerings and if a pre-requisite course is failed. The student is then added to the next cohort which increases the overall student enrollment.
+ Program Cost
Background check, fingerprinting, drug screens $260 Book Fees $809.94 Lab Fees $120 Physical / Medical Requirements $250 Tuition Fee $8304.28 Uniform Fee $225 CPR $60 HIV Certification $24 The approximate total program cost is $10,573
*Please note that these fees are subject to change.
+ Class Size
Twenty-four (24) applicants are admitted each year to begin coursework in the spring semester.
+ Working Sites
Typical work sites for the OTA are found in rehabilitation units/centers, general hospitals, outpatient clinics, school system, private clinics, nursing homes, psychiatric units, mental health agencies, forensic facilities, developmental disabilities agencies, pediatric agencies, and education, etc.
+ Certification Examination
Following completion of academic and clinical work, graduates of the program will be able to sit for the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapy Assistant, administered by the
National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
One Bank Street, Ste. 300
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Phone: 1.301.990.7979
Email: info@nbcot.org
https://www.nbcot.org/
The computer-delivered examination is offered on-demand, yearlong. After successful completion of this exam, the graduate will be credentialed as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification exam.
If You Have a Felony in Your Background
See information on Good Moral Character Review or email character.review@nbcot.org or call 301.990.7979.
+ Florida Licensure
Most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Graduates need to apply for Florida licensure upon successful completion of the Certification Exam. Graduates are responsible for requesting information from the state licensing agency and completing requirements for licensure.
A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to attain state licensure.
+ Essential Requirements
Essential requirements have been established to identify the specific technical standards and skills required of students in the program. Decisions to enroll in the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program should be made after considering the program Essential Requirements.
It is the responsibility of the program applicants to carefully review the essential requirements and ask questions if not familiar with the standards and skills listed. Certain chronic or recurrent illnesses and problems that interfere with patient care or safety may be incompatible with occupational therapy training or clinical practice.
Conditions that may lead to a high likelihood of student absenteeism should be carefully considered. Deficiencies in knowledge, judgment, integrity, character, or professional attitude or demeanor which may jeopardize patient care may be grounds for course/rotation failure and possible dismissal from the program. All applicants to the program must have the ability to meet the standards and skills in the Essential Requirements list in order to complete the educational requirements for the Associate in Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant.
If a student cannot demonstrate the standards and skills without accommodation, it is the responsibility of the student to request an appropriate accommodation with the Coordinator for Special Services (in the Student Services Department) before the beginning of the school term. The College is committed to the principle of equal opportunity as defined in the catalog and will provide reasonable accommodation as long as it does not fundamentally alter the nature of the program offered and does not compromise patient safety, or impose an undue hardship such as those that cause a significant expense or are unduly disruptive to the educational process.
Students may be required to travel up to or more than 60 miles to clinical sites.
+ Forms & Schedules
Program application question form
Complete this form by answering the three (3) stated questions. Save and submit this form as part of the application process (Feb. 1-May 31).
Physical Exam Form
To be used only by students who have been accepted into the program. The student needs to take this form to the physician performing the physical exam, ensuring that the physician completes all sections. Once completed, the form is to be submitted to the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator of the OTA program before the first day of class in January. The program accepts titer verification and/or an immunization record.
Resume Template
Use this template to assist you with developing a resume, which is to be submitted along with the application form and observation hours form.
Spring and Fall Schedules
Schedules will be provided at orientation.
Accreditation Status
The Occupational Therapy/Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA, is 1-800-SAY-AOTA (729-2682) or 301-652-6611, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.
