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Occupational Therapy Assistant
Total cost: $640
Governing Authority
Indiana Occupational Therapy Committee, under the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA/PLA)
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
OTA
Credential
Required
NBCOT Exam
Required
Supervision
Not specifically limited by statute
Supervision Ratio
18 hrs
CE Hours
$640
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.
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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: 13/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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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
Licensed Occupational Therapist (OT)
Supervision Ratio
Not specifically limited by statute
Supervision Type
General supervision; temporary permit holders require direct supervision
Initial Supervision Period
A person with a temporary permit may only practice under the direct supervision of an Indiana certified occupational therapist that is responsible for the patient.
Ongoing Requirements
Periodic supervision meetings with supervising OT required; OT responsible for patient care
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
Routine tasks under general supervision; complex or new interventions require direct supervision
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 Nonrefundable; credit or debit card only | $100 |
NBCOT Exam Fee Paid directly to NBCOT | $540 |
License Fee Included in application fee | $100 |
Renewal Fee | $100 |
NBCOT Renewal Fee Online renewal every 3 years to maintain NBCOT certification | $65 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application/license fee ($100) and NBCOT exam ($540) | $640 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years (expires December 31 of even-numbered years)
Renewal Period
18 hrs
CE Hours Required
No
NBCOT Renewal
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$100
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.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
OT Compact Member
Yes
Endorsement Available
Yes
Compact Details
Confirmed. Indiana live March 9, 2026; MN, OH, WV live January 12, 2026. Applications for compact privileges submitted via otcompact.gov. Covers OTs and OTAs.
Reciprocity Type
OT Compact and 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 →
Compare Indiana with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Indiana uses a unique two-category CE system: Category I includes formal courses, online programs, and graduate courses (minimum 9 hours), while Category II includes publications, teaching preparation, and fieldwork supervision (maximum 9 hours). The OT Committee operates under the state's Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) rather than as an independent board. All application fees must be paid by credit or debit card only.
Indiana requires 18 CE hours per 2-year cycle, split into Category I (min 9 hours) and Category II (max 9 hours).
Application fees are nonrefundable and must be paid by credit or debit card.
Temporary permit available for $50 while awaiting exam results; requires direct supervision.
Licenses expire December 31 of even-numbered years.
Applications and renewals are processed through MyLicense.in.gov.
Indiana is a member of the OT Licensure Compact (SEA 73-2023, effective July 1, 2023).
Reinstatement fee is $200 if license has been expired 3+ years.
CE hours may not be carried over from one licensure period to another.
$50 temporary permit fee confirmed. Temporary permit requires direct supervision of an Indiana certified OT responsible for the patient. Expires the earlier of: date permanent license is issued, date application is disapproved, or 180 days after issuance.
$200 (current renewal fee $100 + current initial application fee $100) for licenses expired 3+ years.
OTA requirements in nearby states
See how Indiana compares: OTA License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
✓ OT Compact Compact State — Indiana is a member of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact. Licensed otas from other member states may be eligible for expedited practice privileges.
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Moving to Indiana? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your OTA license to Indiana →
Transfer your OTA license from Indiana to: Illinois → | Kentucky → | Michigan → | Ohio →
Indiana requires the NBCOT COTA exam for occupational therapy assistants. OTAs must practice under Licensed Occupational Therapist (OT) supervision. All licensing is managed through the Indiana Occupational Therapy Committee, under the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA/PLA).
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.