How Do I Become an Occupational Therapy (OT) Practitioner?
Becoming an occupational therapy practitioner (OTP) is a rewarding career choice that involves helping individuals improve their ability to perform daily activities and regain independence. If you are interested in pursuing a career in this field, there are several steps you can take to become an occupational therapy practitioner.
How Do I Get Started?
Start by learning what schools offer occupational therapy programs, and then use our application resources for tools, tips, and starter guides to help with the process.
What Do OT Candidates Study?
Each school has its own specific requirements or course prerequisites. Check the websites of the schools to which you are applying for requirements specific to their programs. With this in mind…
Some Popular Undergraduate Majors for OT:
- Kinesiology
- Biology
- Psychology
- Exercise physiology
- Chemistry
- Health sciences
- Education
- Sociology
- Therapeutic recreation
Common Course Prerequisites for OT:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Physics
- Statistics
- Developmental psychology
- Biology
- Abnormal psychology
- Sociology/Anthropology
- Kinesiology
- Medical terminology
Becoming an occupational therapy practitioner requires dedication, education, and ongoing professional development. By following the steps outlined above, you can embark on a fulfilling career in this rewarding field.
FAQs
After finishing high school, you’ll go to college and study occupational therapy. Then, you’ll need to pass a national board certification exam to become a professional occupational therapy practitioner and start helping people in hospitals, schools, or other places where they need support.
Lean more about how to become an occupational therapy practitioner.
The amount of time will depend if you want to become an occupational therapist (OT) or occupational therapy assistant (OTA). An OT requires a minimum of a master’s degree, while an OTA is a minimum of an associate’s degree.
If you’re thinking about studying occupational therapy, there are plenty of schools that can help you get started. Many community colleges, universities, and colleges have programs for aspiring occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants. These programs vary, offering associate degrees, entry-level master’s programs, and even doctoral programs. Use our Occupational Therapy Programs directory to search and find OT and OTA programs in the United States that might be the right fit for you.
You might wonder what to major in before entering the Occupational Therapy field. The good news is that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer! OT programs value diverse backgrounds, so students come from various undergraduate majors. Common ones include psychology, biology, and sociology, but there are OT students with degrees in art, engineering, or business. No matter your major, as long as you meet program prerequisites, you’re on the right track. Having a unique background can bring fresh perspectives to the field. Ready to pursue a career as an Occupational Therapist or an Occupational Therapy assistant? Follow the OT Career Path to get you there.
Occupational therapy is a well-paying profession. The amount of money you can make as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant can vary depending on several factors, such as where you work and how much experience you have.
Occupational therapists make a competitive salary, with a median annual wage of $96,790 in 2023, and the top 10 percent earning over $129,620. As an occupational therapy assistant, you can also expect a good salary, with a median annual wage of $68,170 and the top 10 percent earning over $89,230 in 2023. But remember, it’s not just about the money; it’s about making a positive impact on people’s lives. Salary information for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants is based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
I am applying to OT/OTA school but need help figuring out the application process. Where do I start?
If you are ready to get started on your OT school journey, we have tools and tips to help you apply to occupational therapist school or to apply to occupational therapy assistant school. Our resources help simplify the process from prepping and submitting your application, to preparing for your OT school interview, and applying for scholarships and financial aid and more.
Use all of our application process resources to help guide your way through this important journey.
From tips for filling out the FAFSA, to exploring state grants and scholarships, our Financial Aid and Scholarships Guide for OT/OTA Programs will help you navigate the financial part of your OT program journey.
