Occupational Therapy OT

| 23 January 2025

The data in this blog is for general informational purposes only and information presented was accurate as of the publication date.

OT vs OTA: Key Differences Explained

OT vs OTA: Key Differences Explained

If you seek a creative career helping clients improve their quality of life, you may want to consider occupational therapy. There are two paths to practicing within this dynamic, growing and well-paid field: becoming an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) vs occupational therapist (OT).

We will review the similarities and differences between OT vs OTA career paths—the educational requirements, job responsibilities and growth opportunities—to help you explore which path could be right for you.

What Is the Major Difference Between the Role of an OT and an OTA?

There are three primary differences between OTA vs OT practitioners: their occupational therapy education, level of responsibility and requirements for supervision.

An OT (vs OTA) must earn an entry-level graduate degree, whether a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) or a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD), and they evaluate clients without supervision from other clinicians. In contrast, an occupational therapy assistant (vs occupational therapist) will complete an associate-level Occupational Therapy Assistant program (OTA program). This role references evaluations from OTs to build plans for clients—or they evaluate clients under the guidance of OTs. The chart below describes the distinctions between an occupational therapy assistant vs occupational therapist.

Differentiating Factors: OTs vs OTAs

OT vs. OTA: Roles and Responsibilities

Occupational therapists and occupational therapist assistants work together closely, and their responsibilities overlap in many respects. OTs and OTAs work hands-on with clients and track client progress. The main difference between an OT vs OTA is that an occupational therapy assistant does not work independently. Instead, they require OT supervision. The difference between an OT and OTA is as follows:

Occupational Therapists:

  • Coach clients to use adaptive equipment and therapeutic techniques.
  • Utilize testing and observation to assess clients and to lead OTAs through client evaluations.
  • Create treatment plans and supervise OTAs in providing these plans.
  • Help clients find adaptive ways to perform meaningful activities of daily living (ADLs) according to their treatment plan.
  • Write or sign off on client progress assessments.

Occupational Therapy Assistants:

  • Complete administrative and clerical tasks.
  • Assist clients with navigating activities and exercises in their treatment plan.
  • Report client activities and progress to the supervising OT.
  • Help OTs evaluate clients through testing, measurement, and observation.

OT vs. OTA: Roles and Responsibilities

Educational Requirements of an OT vs OTA

Perhaps the most significant difference between OT and OTA career paths is education. The OT career path usually requires earning a bachelor’s degree, then either a master’s or an entry-level doctoral degree in OT. However, at USAHS, we offer an OTA to MOT program, which does not require a bachelor’s degree.

To become an OTA, you need a two-year associate degree in OT. Each path requires candidates to pass a National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam.

Occupational Therapists

  • Earn a bachelor’s degree in OT or a related field (three to four years). Alternatively, enroll in the USAHS OTA to MOT program, which allows you to enroll directly into our Master of Occupational Therapy program and earn your advanced degree, even if you don’t have a bachelor’s degree
  • Earn a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree (about two to three years at USAHS*) or a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree (about three to four years at USAHS*) from an accredited program.
  • Pass the NBCOT exam to become a registered occupational therapist and use the title Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR).

Occupational Therapy Assistants

  • Complete an associate-level accredited occupational therapy assistant program (about two years).
  • Pass the NBCOT exam to become certified and use the title Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).

**Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred and other factors.

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OTA Salary vs OT Salary

Are you curious if there is a difference between an OTA salary vs. OT salary? Thanks to more intensive educational requirements, OTs earn almost $31,000 more than OTAs per year.1, 2 Although the OTA vs OT salary can vary by institution, geographical location and other factors, OTAs are almost always paid less than OTs. Below are the median wages of both professions:

Occupational Therapists

  • $96,370 per year
  • $46.33 per hour

Occupational Therapy Assistants

  • $65,450 per year
  • $31.47 per hour

Job Market and Growth Opportunities of an OTA vs OT

OTs and OTAs work across the same settings. This includes schools, outpatient clinics, nursing care facilities and beyond. Their scope of practice includes helping clients increase their capacity to perform the activities that matter most to them. This may encompass physical and mental health issues.

There’s not much of a difference between the OT and OTA job outlook. For both occupational therapy career paths, the future is bright, with job opportunities predicted to grow much faster than average.

Both paths offer great advancement opportunities. As they gain clinical experience, OTs can earn certificates and pursue specialties, or pivot to a teaching position. OTAs can work toward becoming an OT by pursuing additional education.

Occupational Therapists1

  • 11% increase from 2023 to 2033

Occupational Therapy Assistants2

  • 21% increase from 2023 to 2033

How to Pursue and OT Career Path

OT Career Path

Now that you understand the differences between an occupational therapy assistant vs occupational therapist, are you ready to start your journey? Below are the steps you need to take to become an occupational therapist:

1. Earn a Relevant Bachelor’s Degree

If you’re debating an OT vs OTA path, get your bachelor’s degree in a subject area relevant to occupational therapy. There are few occupational therapy–specific bachelor’s programs in the United States. Appropriate degrees include biology, psychology and public health. In these majors, you will gain foundational medical knowledge to build on in your future education.

At USAHS, you can enroll directly into our MOT program, even without earning a bachelor’s degree. Through our OTA to MOT program, OTAs without a bachelor’s degree can pursue their advanced degree and take the next step in their personal and professional growth.

2. Pursue a Graduate Degree in OT

In the United States, you must earn an entry-level master’s or doctoral degree in OT from an accredited program before getting your license. Enroll in a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) or a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program.³ The MOT and OTD programs offered by the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) combine theory with hands-on practice in simulation labs, preparing you to work in:

  • Schools
  • Private practices
  • Rehab centers
  • Mental health settings
  • Other healthcare settings

Choose the MOT if you want a shorter program, and you envision your career as mainly clinical in nature. Choose the OTD if you want the doctoral credential, additional coursework in OT leadership and advocacy and the chance to contribute to the field through a capstone research project.

3. Pass the NBCOT Exam and Obtain State Licensure

All occupational therapists must pass an NBCOT exam to become an Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) or Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA). Once you receive a passing grade, you can submit your results to your state OT state licensure board, along with complete transcripts from your university, an application fee and the results of a background check to complete the licensing process for most states. Consult your state’s occupational therapy regulatory agency for specific state licensing requirements. Once you have become a licensed occupational therapist, you are ready to practice in this challenging and rewarding field!

The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) offers hands-on Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degrees. Practice with mock clients in our state-of-the-art simulation centers and learn anatomy with our high-tech tools. Prepare for clinical practice with clients across the lifespan, as well as advanced roles in research, practice leadership and policymaking. Residential, Hybrid Immersion and Flex (online/weekend) formats are available. USAHS also offers an OTA to MOT bridge program.

Master of Occupational Therapy – Dallas Campus

The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program at the Dallas, Texas, campus has applied for accreditation and has been granted Preaccreditation Status 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 301-652-AOTA, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must complete an on-site evaluation and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.

Salary data may not reflect starting pay for recent graduates.

Sources

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Therapists: Summary,” BLS, August 29, 2024,https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm.
  2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides: Summary,” BLS, August 29, 2024,https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapy-assistants-and-aides.htm.
  3. Sarah Lyon, “How to Become an Occupational Therapist (2024),” OT Potential, February 1, 2024,https://otpotential.com/blog/become-an-occupational-therapist.

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