OTR Exam for International Candidates

OTED compares your education and fieldwork with current U.S. entry-level requirements. NBCOT lists these qualifying education routes.

• An entry-level occupational therapy master's degree.

• An occupational therapy bachelor's degree plus a post-professional occupational therapy master's degree or doctorate.

• An occupational therapy bachelor's degree plus a master's degree in a related field.

You need at least 960 fieldwork hours through the institution that provided your entry-level degree, at bachelor's level or higher.

Apply online for OTED and pay the $850 review fee. Complete the OTED review before applying for the OTR exam.

After approval, use your OTED ID to complete the OTR exam application. The initial OTR exam application costs $540 online or $595 on paper. After NBCOT approves your application and issues an Authorization to Test (ATT), follow its Pearson VUE scheduling instructions.

Use NBCOT's OTED documentation checklist to arrange the following documents.

• Final transcripts and, when needed, the academic credential verification form.

• Government recognition documents.

• The program director form.

• Syllabi from the years you studied.

• Verification of your license, registration, or certification.

• Your professional practice history.

Required primary-source documents must come from the responsible institutions or agencies. For transcripts and syllabi in another language, provide official English translations with the originals.

Your OTED application remains active for three years from the date you start it. After approval, you have seven years to pass the OTR exam.

An application extension can involve an additional fee. Plan document requests early so you can complete your application within its active period.

The Visa Credential Verification Certificate is a separate process for visa purposes after you pass the OTR exam.

NBCOT's Visa Credential Verification Certificate (VCVC) process requires an accepted English proficiency assessment unless an exemption applies. This requirement applies to VCVC for visa purposes. OTED requires official English translations of transcripts and syllabi in other languages.

The current VCVC handbook lists these minimum English scores.

English scores are valid for two years. Occupational therapy program graduates from the following places are exempt.

• Australia.

• Canada, except Quebec.

• Ireland.

• New Zealand.

• The United Kingdom.

• The United States.

VCVC follows successful completion of the OTR exam. NBCOT describes the certificate as valid for five years.

You must apply to your state licensing board and satisfy its requirements before you practice. If you need VCVC for visa purposes, follow the separate VCVC application instructions.