Once you complete your coursework and required fieldwork placements, you will receive your Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) degree and become eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT) credentialing examination.
Many states require initial credentialing by NBCOT as a part of licensing eligibility. While information regarding testing will be provided to students prior to graduation, the student is responsible for completing all necessary paperwork, arranging all testing, and payment of any and all fees relative to the NBCOT exam.
Upon passing the NBCOT exam, you are:
- Given the designation "Occupational Therapist, Registered" (OTR)
- Eligible for licensure and practice in most states
The occupational therapy program at Â鶹ÊÓƵ helps all students to prepare for the NBCOT exam. Many of these activities are integrated into coursework and become more intensive as the student approaches graduation. In addition, study guides, practice examinations and seminars are available through NBCOT, AOTA and others. The program does not recommend any specific preparatory strategy; students are responsible for the costs related to external exam preparation activities.
Please note, a felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT exam and/or attain state licensure. NBCOT offers a pre-qualification process for people who are concerned that there may be something in their background that would be an obstacle to certification. There is a fee for the process. Interested parties can contact NBCOT at
Candidates should visit for information concerning the application and exam-taking process.
NBCOT Results
Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the national certification exam to become board-certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Alvernia boasts a competitive pass rate on this exam. The 2023 NBCOT pass rate for new graduates of Alvernia's MSOT program was 96%, exceeding the national average (94%) by 2 percentage points. A new graduate is a candidate testing within one year of graduation.
Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found at .
