Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Overview
Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) is one of the nation’s fastest-growing professions. The US Department of Labor estimates that the demand for OTAs will increase by 40% by 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. The nationwide median pay is $52,300 per year. OTAs work in a variety of locations, primarily in outpatient clinics, hospitals, schools, home health, and nursing care facilities. For more information on OTA careers, visit A-B Tech's Career Coach.
Interested applicants need to be admitted to A-B Tech, attend student orientation, submit documentation, and meet with an advisor in order to be considered for admittance into the OTA program. Applicants will be required to take the ATI - Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). For application information, visit Competitive and Limited Programs.
The Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College OTA program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Occupational Therapy Assistant A.A.S. Cost Estimate
Programs
| Title | Credential | Credit Hours | Link to program details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant A.A.S. | Degree | 75 | |
Good to Know
Heather Hall, MPPA, MS, OTR/L, Department Chair
- Phone: (828) 398-7272
- Email: heatherphall@abtech.edu
Christine Lomax, BFA, COTA/L, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
- Phone: (828) 398-7548
- Office: 539 AHWD
- Email: christinelomax@abtech.edu
| Graduation Year | Students Entering/Graduating | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 20/16 | 80% |
| 2022 | 21/19 | 91% |
| 2021 | 18/15 | 83% |
| Total | 59/50 | 85% |
Note: Program graduates may sit for the exam whenever they choose, so the number of first-time test takers does not always match the number of graduates in a given year. The number of first-time test takers may also include graduates from the previous year.
Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online at the NBCOT website.
