Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Overview
Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) is one of the nation’s fastest-growing professions. The US Department of Labor estimates that the demand for OTAs will increase by 40% by 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. The nationwide median pay is $52,300 per year. OTAs work in a variety of locations, primarily in outpatient clinics, hospitals, schools, home health, and nursing care facilities. For more information on OTA careers, visit A-B Tech's Career Coach.
Interested applicants need to be admitted to A-B Tech, attend student orientation, submit documentation, and meet with an advisor in order to be considered for admittance into the OTA program. Applicants will be required to take the ATI - Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). For application information, visit Competitive and Limited Programs.
The Asheville-Buncombe ÄÐÈ˲ؾ«¸ó OTA program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at . ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is . Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the . After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Occupational Therapy Assistant A.A.S. Cost Estimate
Programs
| Title | Credential | Credit Hours | Link to program details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant A.A.S. | Degree | 75 | |
Good to Know
Heather Hall, MPPA, MS, OTR/L, Department Chair
- Phone: (828) 398-7272
- Email: heatherphall@abtech.edu
Christine Lomax, BFA, COTA/L, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
- Phone: (828) 398-7548
- Office: 539 AHWD
- Email: christinelomax@abtech.edu
- (AOTA)
- (NCBOT)
- (NBCOT)
- ;(NCOTA)
| Graduation Year | Students Entering/Graduating | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 16/11 | 69% |
| 2023 | 20/16 | 80% |
| 2022 | 21/19 | 91% |
| Total | 57/46 | 92% |
Note: Program graduates may sit for the exam whenever they choose, so the number of first-time test takers does not always match the number of graduates in a given year. The number of first-time test takers may also include graduates from the previous year.
Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online at the .
