Occupational Therapist Licensure Procedures For Vermont
Vermont is known for its independent spirit and long history. Vermont is also a great state to become a licensed Occupational Therapist in. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics has provided information from the 2010 census that reveals that Vermont had roughly 210 licensed Occupational Therapists. Currently, the BLS is anticipating that the Occupational Therapy sector will expand at a rate 33% higher than the average economic sector during the next ten years. The BLS also found data in the 2010 census that demonstrates that an Occupational Therapist in Vermont had a mean yearly salary of $76,060.
The Vermont Office of Professional Regulation is responsible for licensing and regulating the occupational therapy profession in Vermont. There are two levels of licensure in Vermont the Occupational Therapy Assistant and the Occupational Therapist. While you are waiting to sit for your examination you can apply for a temporary license to practice at either level. Temporary licenses require that you work under the direct supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist who has a minimum of one year of licensure with the state.
If you want to become an Occupational Therapist in Vermont, or an Occupational Therapy Assistant you will need to follow these steps:
Vermont Physical Therapy Certificate and License Requirements
VT Occupational Therapy Assistant:
- You must earn an Associate’s degree or higher in Occupational Therapy Assistant program from an American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) or the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) certified school.
- Performed at least 16 weeks of occupational therapy work experience under the direct supervision of a licensed Occupational therapist.
- Pass a criminal background check.
- Pass the National Board of Occupational Therapists (NBCOT) COTA examination.
- To renew a license, you must complete 20 Continuing Education hours during the licensure period.
VT: Occupational Therapist
- You must earn a Bachelor or Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from an American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) or the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) certified school.
- Performed at least 24 weeks of occupational therapy work experience as part of an internship under a licensed Occupational Therapist.
- Pass a criminal background check.
- Pass the NBCOT OTR examination.
- To renew a license, you must complete 20 Continuing Education hours during the licensure period.
To learn more about how to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant or Occupational Therapist in Vermont, please read the following steps.
Step 1: Graduate from an ACOTE Accredited College
Occupational Therapy Assistant:
You must graduate from an ACOTE approved degree program with at least an Associate’s degree to serve as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Vermont. Although Vermont does not have any schools with accreditation in the state, it does recognize graduates from schools in other states and many foreign countries.
Licensed Occupational Therapist:
To serve as a Licensed Occupational Therapist in Vermont, you must have graduated from an ACOTE approved degree program with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. While Vermont does not have any ACOTE accredited schools in state, it does recognize graduates from other states and many foreign countries.
Step 2: Complete an Internship or Practicum
Occupational Therapy Assistant:
Prior to licensure as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, you must complete at least 16 weeks of clinical occupational therapy work under the direct supervision of a Licensed Occupational Therapist.
Licensed Occupational Therapist:
You must complete at least 24 weeks of clinical occupational therapy work under the direct supervision of a Licensed Occupational Therapist to qualify for a license as an Occupational Therapist.
Step 3: Pass the National Certification Exam
Occupational Therapy Assistant:
You must pass the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) exam offered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy with a score of at least 450 in order to become nationally certified.
Licensed Occupational Therapist:
To become nationally certified as an Occupational Therapist, you must take the Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) exam offered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and score at least in the 70th percentile.
Step 4: Apply for a Vermont State License
To obtain a Vermont license for an Occupational Therapy Assistant or Occupational Therapist, you must complete the following procedure:
- Submit a signed and completed application
- Pay the $100 application fee with a check or money order
- Request that the NBCOT forward a Verification of Certification or a score report to the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation
- Request that all attended schools forward an official transcript to the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation
- Request that any states which you have practiced in forward a Verification of Licensure
Allow up to six weeks for the OPR to review your documents and issue you a license.
Step 5: Maintain Professional Licensure
Occupational Therapy Assistant:
You must complete at least 20 continuing education hours by the end of your current licensure period to qualify for OTA license renewal.
Licensed Occupational Therapist:
If you wish to renew your Occupational Therapist license, you must complete at least 20 continuing education hours by the expiration of your current license.
To learn more about the occupational therapy profession in Vermont, please visit these websites: