How to become a school occupational therapist.

To become a school occupational therapist, you’ll need both an undergraduate and graduate degree. Then, you’ll pass a national board exam and complete a state licensure process. 

Quick tips to become a school occupational therapist:

• While earning your undergraduate degree, keep an eye on GRE requirements for admission to graduate school programs. 

• Choosing between a master’s and doctorate OT degree requires careful consideration. 

• Graduate program requirements include several months of fieldwork. 

• Upon completion of your graduate program, you’ll take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam to qualify for state licensure. 

Becoming a school-based occupational therapist (OT) is a rewarding career path that directly impacts the quality of students’ lives in and out of the classroom. An OT’s work in supporting students with motor skill, sensory, and social differences helps them to improve academically, increase self-esteem, enhance their ability to participate in school activities, and develop daily living skills. 

Step 1: Earn your bachelor’s degree in a related field.

First, you’ll need to complete your bachelor’s degree in a field related to occupational therapy. While a specific major is not always required to work as a licensed occupational therapist, for most people pursuing an OT career path, many future OTs choose to major in biology, psychology, exercise science, athletic training, and kinesiology. 

It’s a good idea to begin exploring graduate schools for occupational therapy during your undergraduate career. Some graduate schools may require that you complete certain prerequisite courses (like statistics, psychology, physiology, and anatomy courses), while some may require that you complete observation hours and/or volunteer to gain experience prior to the start of your graduate program. 

Some colleges now offer a package deal for undergraduates who also want to get a master’s or doctorate at the same institution. This means you can get a masters in five years and doctorate in six years. You begin working toward these degrees as an undergrad. 

As you begin the process of searching for graduate schools and getting the experience required to gain entry to an occupational therapy graduate school program, be sure to keep your grades as high as possible. Many OT graduate programs are highly competitive. You may also need to take the GRE (graduate record examination) and achieve a certain score in order to gain admittance to your preferred graduate school program. 

Step 2: Earn your master’s degree or doctorate in occupational therapy.

Choosing between a master’s and a doctorate degree can be difficult, as there are pros and cons to both paths. 

A Master of Science in occupational therapy (MSOT) degree typically takes about two and a half years to complete, while a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) typically takes about three and a half years to complete.  

Salaries are similar for both OTs who earn an MSOT and those who earn an entry-level OTD. Those who have an OTD may have an easier time shifting from working as a practicing OT to working in academia. Carefully consider your career goals and timeline when choosing which path makes the most sense for you. 

During graduate school, you’ll complete fieldwork consisting of clinical rotations that provide you with on-the-job experience. Typically, there are two levels of fieldwork.  

• In level one, you’ll observe a licensed OT.  

• In level two, you’ll get to practice giving assessments, developing interventions, documenting patient progress, and more.  

PRO TIP: If you already know that you’re interested in working as a school occupational therapist, it’s a good idea to complete some or all practical experience with children. 

Step 3: Pass the national board for certification in occupational therapy.

After completing your graduate program, you’ll need to pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. Upon successful completion of the exam, you’ll receive your occupational therapist, registered (OTR) credential. 

Step 4: Obtain state licensure.

Exact licensing requirements for OTs differ from state to state, but all states require, at minimum, a passing NBCOT score and a licensure application. It typically takes about a month and a half to receive your license after filing your application. 

Continuing education and advanced certifications. 

After you’ve obtained your state OT license, you’ll need to renew your license at intervals determined by your state. Most states require that you meet certain continuing education requirements to be eligible for license renewal. 

Pediatric Therapy Services (PTS) is one of the largest providers of school-based occupational therapists in the country. We offer free continuing education opportunities that help meet the criteria for license renewal.  

Pediatric Therapeutic Services: we’re here to help you make a difference.

More and more school districts are seeing the benefit of using a company to hire their school-based therapists. At Pediatric Therapeutic Services, we work with occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, physical therapists, psychologists, mental health professionals, and other clinicians to help you find the right school-based placements. 

If you’re interested in how to become a school occupational therapist, learn more about about joining our team. 

* Information subject to change. This is a general guideline. School districts may have more requirements, in addition to state requirements. 

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