OT and OTA Prerequisites Made Easy

Introduction

So you want to be an occupational therapist. Or maybe it's the occupational therapy assistant job that’s calling your name. Whatever the case, this is a simple guide for all you need to know about the jobs, from the required prerequisites for graduation to an insight into the exam that will make or break your career in OT! 

What are Prerequisites? 

A prerequisite, defined by Goodwin University, a private university based in Connecticut, is a “required course that must be completed prior to enrolling in a more advanced course.” In other words, prerequisites are necessary because they ensure that those taking the course will be given foundational knowledge, enabling them to succeed when they move on to more complex and challenging activities. For example, prerequisites that are given to a student in medical school would include (Information taken from Kaplan Test Prep)

• Coursework in biology, physics, and chemistry 

• A bachelor’s degree 

• The MCAT exam

Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides and Their Differences from Occupational Therapists 

The main difference between an occupational therapy assistant/aide and an occupational therapist lies in their work responsibilities, educational requirements, and levels of client interaction. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the job of an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) is to aid the occupational therapist (OT) in providing treatments and procedures to their clients. Furthermore, OTAs provide assistance to the OT during different routine tasks, including the preparation of treatment rooms. 

Prerequisites for Occupational Therapy

The first thing you should do when deciding that OT is the field for you and when looking for an OT school is to decide if you want to pursue a doctorate or a master’s. Once having done so, the next step would be to then find ones that are accredited. It’s important to keep in mind that a doctorate is not needed to practice. A master's is the minimum! Also, remember that each college will have its own set of prerequisites. Some of the most common prerequisites include

• Statistics 

• Abnormal/Developmental Psychology 

• Human Anatomy + Physiology 

• Biology + Lab

• Sociology/Anthropology 

• Medical Terminology

Prerequisites for Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs 

As previously mentioned, each college will differ in its requirements for students interested in applying! To further explain this, here are two examples: 

The American Career College, a private vocational for-profit college with three campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Anaheim, states on their website that their academic prerequisites for aspiring OTA majors include:

• High School Diploma/GED

• Official high school transcript/GED certificate

• International Credentials

• Entrance Exam (in subjects such as science, reading comprehension, and math)

On the other hand, St. Catherine University, a private Catholic School founded in Minnesota, requires these prerequisite courses for its students enrolled in its OTA major: 

• Medical Terminology 

• General Anatomy and Physiology with Lab 

• General Psychology 

• Lifespan Developmental Psychology

It’s important to check the college(s) of interest and look for their prerequisites, which often can be found on their websites. 

Licensure Preparations 

In order to properly prepare for OT/OTA licensure, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) reported that students must do the following:

• Complete an accredited educational program

  • The first step is to graduate from a program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Of course, however, the required degree level will differ for OTs and OTAs.

• Fulfill fieldwork requirements

  • Fieldwork is a crucial, hands-on component of an OT/OTA major’s education! OTs have to complete 24 weeks of supervised fieldwork, also known as Level II fieldwork. On the other hand, OTAs have to complete 12 weeks of supervised Level II fieldwork,

• Pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NCBOT)

  • Lastly, once graduating from an accredited program and finishing fieldwork, the next step is to pass the NCBOT! OTs must pass the Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) exam, and OTAs need to pass the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Program (COTA)

Final Thoughts 

All in all, OT and OTAs play an essential role in their patients’ lives and their development in many areas, even recovery! Both jobs are incredibly rewarding. Once again, thank you so much for reading!

Written by Gabrielle B and researched by Keegan W

2025 The HEAL Project