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How to become an OTA in Oregon. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Most information on this page has been verified.
85% of data points are verified against official sources. 6 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
OTA
Credential
Required
NBCOT Exam
Required
Supervision
Determined by supervising OT based on practice setting and OTA competence
Supervision Ratio
30 hrs
CE Hours
$720
Total Initial Fees
ACOTE-Accredited Education
VerifiedDegree Required
Associate's degree from ACOTE-accredited OTA program
ACOTE Accredited
Required
Program Length
2 years (Associate's degree)
Fieldwork Requirement
Level II fieldwork — minimum 16 weeks
Accepted Alternatives
OTAs must graduate from an ACOTE-accredited (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education) associate’s degree program that includes Level II fieldwork. Some states may accept foreign-educated applicants who meet equivalent standards.
Browse approved ota training programs to find the right fit.
Browse OTA study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
National Certification Exam
VerifiedRequired
NBCOT COTA Exam
Administered By
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
190
Questions
4 hrs
Time Limit
Scaled score of 450 or higher
Passing Score
$540
Exam Fee
Format: Computer-based; 190 questions (multiple-choice + multi-select); 4 hours. Scoring: scaled 300-600, pass = 450. Provider: Pearson VUE.
The NBCOT (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy) COTA exam is the national certification examination for occupational therapy assistants. Most states require passing this exam for initial licensure.
Overall licensing difficulty: 15/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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OTA Exam Prep Books
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Study guides for the NBCOT COTA certification exam.
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OTR/L Supervision
VerifiedSupervision by OTR/L Required
Supervisor Credential
OTR/L (Occupational Therapist Registered/Licensed)
Supervision Ratio
Determined by supervising OT based on practice setting and OTA competence
Supervision Type
General supervision; OTA must file OT Supervisor with the board before starting work
Initial Supervision Period
OTA must have OT Supervisor on file before starting practice. Filed via Applicant Portal (when applying) or License Portal (once licensed). Supervising OT must log into their License Portal and change approval status to 'APPROVE.'
Ongoing Requirements
Confirmed: All OTAs practicing in Oregon must have their current OT Supervisor on file with the OT Licensing Board at all times.
OTAs must practice under the supervision of a licensed and registered occupational therapist (OTR/L). Supervision ratios, types (direct, general, routine), and frequency requirements vary by state.
OTA Practice Scope
Mostly verifiedPermitted Activities
Restricted Activities (OTR/L Only)
Supervision Level for Tasks
OTA may only assist in the practice of OT under supervision of a licensed OT; must have supervisor on file with the board
OTAs implement treatment plans under OTR/L supervision. They may perform treatment implementation, documentation, and patient education, but evaluation, treatment planning, and discharge planning are typically reserved for the supervising OTR/L.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Current one-year fee bundle: $130 license + $50 fingerprint background check | $180 |
NBCOT Exam Fee Paid directly to NBCOT | $540 |
License Fee Included in the application fee bundle | $130 |
Renewal Fee Biennial renewal fee for OTA | $160 |
NBCOT Renewal Fee Online renewal every 3 years to maintain NBCOT certification | $65 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application/license fee bundle ($180) and NBCOT exam ($540) | $720 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Government & exam fees
Application, exam & license fees
$850
Study guides & supplies
OTA Exam Prep Books
Estimated total (gov't fees)
$850
Average OTA salary in Oregon: $73,580/year
Your investment pays for itself in approximately 5 days
Education and training costs vary by provider. Government fees sourced from state licensing board websites.
Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedConsistent with Applications page references: renewals noted as beginning 3/2–5/31/2026, implying biennial even-year May 31 expiration.
Renewal Period
30 hrs
CE Hours Required
No
NBCOT Renewal
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$160
Regulatory Board
OTA licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education covering occupational therapy practice, ethics, and specialized topics. Some states also require maintaining NBCOT certification.
We'll send you courtesy reminders at 90, 60, and 30 days before your license expires — so you can stay ahead of your CE and renewal deadlines.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
OT Compact Member
No
Endorsement Available
Yes
Compact Details
OT Compact is ACTIVE and partially operational. Covers both OTs and OTAs. Live states accepting applications as of early 2026: IN (Mar 9, 2026), MN, OH, WV (Jan 12, 2026). Apply through otcompact.gov (not state boards).
Reciprocity Type
Licensure without examination (endorsement)
Additional Requirements for Transfer
The Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (OT Compact) allows OTAs to practice across member states with a compact privilege. Non-compact states may accept out-of-state credentials through endorsement or require a full application.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Oregon requires OTAs to formally file their supervising OT with the OTLB before starting work, and the OT supervisor must log in to the License Portal to confirm. A separate Oregon Law/Ethics Exam is required. Limited permits are available for $25 while awaiting exam results. Oregon requires 30 CE hours per 2-year cycle, one of the highest requirements nationally. The NBCOT Early Determination & Character Review is available for $225.
Oregon requires a Law/Ethics Exam in addition to the NBCOT exam.
OTAs must file their supervising OT with the board before they can start working.
The OT Supervisor must confirm the supervision arrangement through the License Portal.
Limited permits ($25) are available while waiting for exam results.
Oregon has pending legislation to join the OT Licensure Compact.
30 CE hours required per biennial renewal — among the highest in the nation for OTAs.
OTA requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon (you) | $720 | 112–126 wks | |
| California | $639 | 112–126 wks | → |
| Idaho | $600 | 112–126 wks | → |
| Nevada | $840 | 112–126 wks | → |
| Washington | $706 | 112–126 wks | → |
Oregon ranks #39 out of 51 for lowest ota licensing fees ($720). See full ranking →
More rankings: Lowest Renewal Cost · Fewest CE Hours
Oregon is not currently a member of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact. OTA licensees must apply through standard reciprocity or endorsement. See which states are in the OT Compact →
Related Guides
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Oregon.
OTA Schools in Oregon
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#9 of 51
Cost
#39 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Occupational Therapy Assistants (SOC 31-2011)
Entry Level
$65,790
25th percentile
Median
$73,580
+8% vs. national avg ($68,340)Experienced
$78,450
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
250 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Occupational Therapy Assistants (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+16.5%
Very High DemandNew Jobs
+7,800
over 10 years
Annual Openings
5,000
per year (avg.)
47,500 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Occupational Therapy Career Ladder+45% salary growth potential
You are here
Occupational Therapy Assistant
$73,580
Associate degree in OTA + NBCOT-COTA
You are here
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Associate degree in OTA + NBCOT-COTA
$73,580
Master's/Doctorate in OT + NBCOT-OTR
$106,840
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
NBCOT COTA Exam — 2024National rate
83%
Overall Pass Rate
Approximately 83%, varies by program (80-90% range).
Source: NBCOT (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy) (2024)
Pass rates are approximate national averages and may vary by state, exam provider, and candidate preparation.
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 112–126 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Oregon Occupational Therapy Licensing Board (OTLB) — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Oregon Occupational Therapy Licensing Board (OTLB) — Licensing Requirements
Moving to Oregon? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your OTA license to Oregon →
Transfer your OTA license from Oregon to: California → | Idaho → | Nevada → | Washington →
A week-by-week action plan built for your situation — with every cost, deadline, and next step mapped out.
A week-by-week action plan built for your situation — with every cost, deadline, and next step mapped out.
Oregon requires the NBCOT COTA exam for occupational therapy assistants. OTAs must practice under OTR/L (Occupational Therapist Registered/Licensed) supervision. All licensing is managed through the Oregon Occupational Therapy Licensing Board (OTLB).
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.