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Occupational Therapy Assistant
Total cost: $625
Governing Authority
South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners (SDBMOE)
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
Determined by supervising OT based on practice setting and OTA competence
Supervision Ratio
12 hrs
CE Hours
$625
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; at least 2 months supervised clinical OT work
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: 12/100
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
Mostly 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
Initial Supervision Period
Direct supervision during initial practice period
Ongoing Requirements
Periodic supervisory meetings with OTR/L; must be in good standing with NBCOT
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 may be performed 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 | $85 |
NBCOT Exam Fee Paid directly to NBCOT | $540 |
License Fee Included in application fee | $85 |
Renewal Fee | $50 |
NBCOT Renewal Fee Online renewal every 3 years to maintain NBCOT certification | $65 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application/license fee ($85) and NBCOT exam ($540) | $625 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years (biennial)
Renewal Period
12 hrs
CE Hours Required
Yes
NBCOT Renewal
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$50
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
Mostly verifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
OT Compact Member
Yes
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
Endorsement and OT Compact
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 South Dakota with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
South Dakota requires ongoing good standing with NBCOT, making it one of the states where NBCOT renewal effectively remains necessary. Criminal background checks became mandatory effective July 1, 2024 (Senate Bill 40). Only 12 CE hours are required per biennial cycle, among the lowest in the nation. The SDBMOE handles OTA licensing rather than a standalone OT board.
South Dakota requires proof of good standing with NBCOT for licensure and renewal.
Criminal background check requirement became law effective July 1, 2024 (Senate Bill 40).
Only 12 CE hours required per 2-year cycle — among the lowest nationally.
Application is through the MySD online portal.
Failure to renew results in automatic forfeiture or suspension by statute.
OTA requirements in nearby states
See how South Dakota compares: OTA License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
✓ OT Compact Compact State — South Dakota is a member of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact. Licensed otas from other member states may be eligible for expedited practice privileges.
Related Guides
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in South Dakota.
OTA Schools in South Dakota
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to South Dakota? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your OTA license to South Dakota →
Transfer your OTA license from South Dakota to: Iowa → | Minnesota → | Montana → | Nebraska → | North Dakota → | Wyoming →
South Dakota 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 South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners (SDBMOE).
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.