Advanced Certification Program FAQs

If you hold current AOTA Board or Specialty Certification, your certification remains in good standing until its identified expiration date. In summer 2021, the Occupational Therapy Advanced Certification Commission (OTACC) developed and approved the new requirements for recertification. These requirements will apply both to those who obtain initial certification in 2021 and moving forward, and to those who currently hold one of AOTA’s advanced certifications. AOTA will not take away credentials from those who hold current certification. 

If you were previously certified (through exam or portfolio), but chose not to maintain your certification through the mechanisms offered by AOTA, you are not eligible to receive reciprocity (‘grandfathering’) into the current certification program. This policy is based on requirements and standards of external accrediting agencies to ensure the continuing competence of certificants.

OTACC has determined that the first areas for exam will be pediatrics, physical rehabilitation, and gerontology. The pediatric exam has been developed and the application is open. We anticipate that the physical rehabilitation exam will be available in summer 2022, and the gerontology exam will be available in spring 2023.

AOTA is exploring options for the Specialty Certification areas, including Professional Certificate programs.

OTACC has determined the following eligibility requirements for initial certification:

• 3 years as an occupational therapist
• 3000 hours of experience in the certification area within the last 5 years- may include direct intervention, supervision, teaching, consultation, administration, case or care management, community programming, or research
• 500 hours of experience within the last 5 years delivering occupational therapy services to clients that are specific to the certification area.

Because the pediatric and physical rehabilitation exams will be based on job analyses specific to the scope and role of occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants will not be eligible to take these exams. AOTA and OTACC are considering other options for occupational therapy assistants.

AOTA and OTACC welcome your ideas. Please email certification@aota.org.

Opportunities to participate in exam development will be posted on the page dedicated to certification and relayed through other AOTA member communications.

Stay tuned—updates regarding the program will be available at www.aota.org/certification and in other AOTA member communications.