Overview

Graduates of the program 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 graduate will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure 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. Information regarding individual eligibility may be obtained from NBCOT through its early determination process.

Participation in clinical experiences and fieldwork are required components of the OT curriculum. Clinical and fieldwork sites may require a criminal background check and/or child abuse history clearance in order to permit participation in the clinical experience. Clinical and fieldwork sites may deny a student's participation in the clinical or fieldwork experience because of a felony or misdemeanor conviction, failure of a required drug test, or inability to produce an appropriate health clearance, all of which would result in delayed graduation or inability to graduate from the program. Individuals who do not graduate are ineligible to sit for the NBCOT certification examination.