How to become an occupational therapist

Occupational therapists (OT) primarily work with people who have problems with movement and coordination due to an illness, injury, or birth defect. Those who come to an OT often feel discouraged about their physical limitations. It is the role of the OT to instill both strength and confidence.

While each patient requires a unique treatment plan, a common goal is to help clients regain the physical strength and motor skills needed for daily tasks and independent living. Occupational therapists often report a deep sense of satisfaction from finding creative solutions to help patients improve their quality of life.

What does an occupational therapist do?

Occupational therapists deal with a range of cases. Below are just 2 examples of the types of challenges a patient might face, and how an occupational therapist can help them.

What is the difference between an OT and PT?

The biggest difference between is that occupational therapy teaches patients how to master daily life activities, while physical therapy focuses on preventing injury and reducing pain.

Where do occupational therapists work?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that 29% of occupational therapists work in hospitals.

Below is a rundown of where other occupational therapists work:

• 25% work in the offices of audiologists, physical therapists, speech therapists, and occupational therapists.
• 12% work in elementary and secondary schools
• 8% work in skilled nursing facilities
• 8% work for home healthcare providers

Some occupational therapists choose to work with specific patient populations, such as gerontology, pediatrics, physical rehabilitation, or mental health.

It is common practice to obtain certification to work with patients experiencing the same basic set of problems. The American Occupational Therapy Association currently offers specialty certifications in:

• driving and communication mobility
• environmental modification
• feeding, eating, and swallowing
• low vision
• school systems

Step 1 – Get an undergraduate degree

Becoming an occupational therapist requires 6 – 7 years of college. Graduate schools typically do not require students to have completed an undergraduate degree specific to occupational therapy. However, some schools do offer this option.

Students studying an undergraduate degree in occupational therapy often combine this with the graduate program. This can enable them to reduce their schooling by 1 to 2 years.

Typical coursework for occupational therapy programs includes:

• biochemistry
• biology
• computers and information technology
• human anatomy and physiology
• human development
• kinesiology
• neuroscience
• occupational therapy clinical management
• psychology

Students not enrolled in a specific occupational therapy program often choose to major in health sciences, biology, or psychology. A science-based major is a solid choice as it allows students to acquire technical knowledge for coursework at the master’s degree level.

» Read: Useful tests to direct your choice of a college major and career

Step 2 — Volunteer in the field (optional)

Local rehabilitation centers and hospitals frequently post openings for volunteers and interns to assist regular staff with their duties. Typical departments requiring help from volunteers and interns include fitness and aquatics, sports and recreation, and transitional rehabilitation. Volunteering is optional, but it can increase your chances of acceptance into a graduate degree program.

Step 3 — Apply to postgraduate courses

All jobs in occupational therapy require at least a master’s degree. Those who are more interested in the research aspect typically need a doctorate. Both programs require a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

At postgraduate level, students can choose between a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), or a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD). An OTD takes approximately 33 months, and an MOT around 24 months. Some schools offer remote and flexible degree options that cover the same material but take longer to complete. Employers expect applicants to have graduated from programs accredited by ACOTE.

» Read: Alternative careers for healthcare professionals

Application requirements vary, but typically include submitting a resume, letters of reference, maintaining a 3.0 or higher grade point average, and passing the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Step 4 — Complete a postgraduate degree

Most people who earn a master’s degree in occupational therapy (MOT) choose to become an occupational therapist, working in either a group setting or individually in the patient’s home.

A master’s in occupational therapy typically takes 2 years. Coursework may include:

• musculoskeletal anatomy – Students learn the specific functions of the muscular and skeletal systems to understand how they work together to produce movement. They also discover what can go wrong with the musculoskeletal system, and how occupational therapy plays a pivotal role in helping people adapt to their challenges.
• neuroscience – This focuses on the study of the human nervous system. Students learn about parts of the brain and how they function, how the nervous system develops and then deteriorates with age, and neurological and psychological disorders that can limit human functioning.
• implementation of OT treatment plans – Students learn about activities of daily living, range of motion, sensory and motor processing, cognitive and psychosocial approaches in occupational therapy, and vocational rehabilitation. The course ties all the learning together to create the most effective treatment plan based on the patient’s needs.

Most master’s programs include a required period of fieldwork. This allows students to gain real-world experience and can help with securing their first occupational therapy job after graduation. The duration of fieldwork varies, but it is typically 11-12 weeks.

Some courses also include a thesis or research project, where students must produce an original work on a specific area of occupational therapy.

Step 5 — Get certified

All students must pass the National Board of Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) before they can practice. They also need to graduate from an entry-level occupational therapy degree program offered by an ACOTE accredited school.

To register for the exam, candidates need to create an account with NBCOT. On the day of the test, they need to be at the testing center for at least 5 hours to complete all administrative requirements.

A few days after the exam, students can check if they passed in their NBCOT account. After 4-6 weeks, they receive an official letter indicating that they passed the exam. Those who did not pass can also access information about their score.

All 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, have licensing requirements that occupational therapy students need to earn to practice in that state. to find out more, students can check information about their state’s occupational therapy regulatory body.

Occupational therapist salary and demand

The BLS predicts the demand for occupational therapists to grow at a rate of 17% between now and 2030. This is significantly higher than the average growth rate for all occupations. The figure breaks down to approximately 10,100 job openings for new occupational therapists. Many of these replace those who retire, receive a promotion, or leave the field for a different line of work.

Further information about the doctorate of occupational therapy (OTD)

The majority of doctorate of occupational therapy (OTD) programs last 3 years. Each year usually includes fieldwork that relates to the candidate’s area of interest, culminating in a longer period of up to 24 weeks in the final year. Students also need to complete a capstone project, and have regular one-on-one consultations with their supervisor.

OTD coursework is slightly different from the MOT, because the emphasis is on research.

A typical curriculum might include:

• educational theory and practice – Students learn strategies and techniques for a variety of academic and research settings. The course also touches on ethical, legal, and economic factors impacting patient populations.
• outcomes measurement and monitoring – This course teaches qualitative and quantitative research methods to systematically evaluate occupational therapy programs. By the end of the course, students have the knowledge and skills to submit a plan for their doctoral project.

» Read: Get paid to get your Ph.D.

What jobs can I get with an occupational therapy doctorate?

Financial aid opportunities

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) allows students at all degree levels to apply for grants and loans from the federal government. There is also non-government financial aid available in the form of scholarships. Some of these are specifically aimed at the health sciences.