How Long Does It Take To Get An Occupational Therapy License In California?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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It typically takes

between three and four weeks

to receive your license in California. This is average compared to other occupational therapy licenses across the United States.

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How long does it take to get a California OT license?

Processing time for all applications is

3-4 weeks

.

How do I get my occupational therapy license in California?

  1. Begin the online application process on BreEZe.
  2. Submit a transcript for an occupational therapy degree from an ACOTE accredited institution (B.S. …
  3. Submit proof of passing the NBCOT exam.
  4. Complete fingerprinting for background checks.
  5. Submit a passport-style photo.

Which occupational therapist makes most money?

  • “Child Day Care Services” – $108,650.
  • Management of Companies and Enterprises – $101,540.
  • Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities – $93,870.
  • Nursing and Skilled Nursing Facilities – $90,660.
  • Home Health Services – $90,480.

How often do you renew California OT license?

When does a California OT license expire? Your OT license is

valid for two years

but will expire biennially on the last day of your birth month. If you were born in an odd-numbered year, then your license will expire on odd-numbered years (and vice versa for even-numbered years).

Can Ota become OT?

Occupational therapy assistants, can become occupational therapists. … To become an OT, you must complete a

master's program in occupational therapy

, which OTA's can apply to directly or complete a bachelor's degree before doing so. Alternatively, bridge programs allow an OTA to obtain a OT degree directly.

What experience do you need to be an occupational therapist?

To become an occupational therapist, you will need to earn both an

undergraduate and graduate degree and pass the required licensure exams

. You can expect to spend six to seven years in school: four years for an undergraduate degree and two to three years for a graduate degree (if attending on a full-time basis).

How many years do you have to go to school to be an occupational therapist?

A long time! In most cases, you'll need to complete an undergraduate degree (four years, unless you graduate early or pursue an accelerated program), and then you'll be in occupational therapy school anywhere from

two to three years

.

How do I get a COTA license?

  1. Graduate from an ACOTE®-accredited OT or OTA educational program.
  2. Complete your fieldwork requirements.
  3. Apply for and Pass the NBCOT® Certification Examination. …
  4. Complete an initial license application and pay a fee for each state or jurisdiction in which you wish to practice or hold a license.

How do I become an OTA with a bachelor's degree?

If you're thinking about becoming an occupational therapist (OT), you will need to earn a

four-year (bachelor's degree)

in occupational therapy. Once you have your bachelor's degree, you will then need to apply to a graduate school program.

How can an OT make 6 figures?

  1. Work in a SNF or Home Health. These are some of the highest paid settings for occupational therapists. …
  2. Work in an environment that offers bonuses/incentives. …
  3. Work in a place that offers overtime pay. …
  4. Work weekends. …
  5. Sign up to do travel therapy. …
  6. Move to a rural location. …
  7. Avoid salaried positions. …
  8. Specialize.

What state pays occupational therapists the most?

Best-Paying States for Occupational Therapists

The states and districts that pay Occupational Therapists the highest mean salary are

Nevada

($105,450), California ($98,450), New Jersey ($96,820), Arizona ($95,180), and District of Columbia ($94,430).

Is becoming an OT worth it?

Occupational Therapy (OT) is a

very rewarding profession

. They help people of all ages who would typically struggle to perform normal daily activities. It's challenging and impactful work that patients and their families greatly appreciate.

How many continuing education hours do you need for occupational therapy in California?

California-licensed OT's have a license renewal every two years, with a birth date deadline.

Twenty-four (24) PDU's

(hours) of continuing education are required every two years to renew a license.

How do I renew my California Occupational license?

To renew a license online,

log in to your breeze account located at www.breeze.ca.gov

. To renew a license by mail, you must submit the renewal fee and a complete renewal form. The renewal form includes two certifications that must be completed in order for the renewal to be processed.

How many hours of CEUS does an occupational therapist need?

An OT or OTA renewing for the first time after initial licensure shall complete

10 hours

of continuing competence per full year of licensure. If the license has been held for one year or less, no continuing competence is required. If held for more than one year, but less than two, 10 hours is required.

How much does an OTA make in California?

Annual Salary Hourly Wage Top Earners $100,768 $48 75th Percentile $87,987 $42 Average

$79,191

$38
25th Percentile $61,935 $30

Is OT school difficult?

The short answer is:

YES, occupational therapy school is hard

. … These programs want to ensure you're equipped to competently and safely work in the healthcare field, so you're going to have a good amount of science classes involved in any of these programs, along with challenging clinical/fieldwork rotations.

Can OTAs administer PAMs?

If state regulations permit, then delegating occupational therapy assistants

to use PAMs is permitted

. The occupational therapy assistant must also be adequately trained and demonstrate competency to use the recommended modalities.

How many OTAs can an OT supervise in California?

How many OTAs may an OT supervise? A. Pursuant to Business and Professions Code (BPC) Section 2570.3(j) (2), an OT may supervise

three OTAs

concurrently.

What major is occupational therapy under?

  • Occupational Therapy or Pre-Occupational Therapy. …
  • Kinesiology and Exercise Science/Physiology. …
  • Psychology. …
  • Biology.

Is being an OT stressful?


Being an occupational therapist can be stressful

.

Almost every setting has productivity requirements, with some settings less strict than others. So while you do get to provide meaningful treatments and help people achieve their goals, you do have to deal with the struggle of meeting your productivity on a daily basis.

How much do occupational therapists make in Australia?

The average occupational therapist salary in Australia is

$89,997 per year

or $46.15 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $79,262 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $110,000 per year.

Do OTs or PTS make more money?

In 2017, occupational therapists earned

slightly less than physical therapists

at a mean $40.69 per hour, or $84,640 per year. Their pay could fall below $26.23 per hour, or $54,560 per year, or reach above $57.91 per hour, or $120,440 per year.

Can you study OT online?

We know you need flexibility when you study; that's why you can study some occupational therapy subjects

online in your first and second year

.

How much does the COTA exam cost?

Cost: The OTR and COTA exams cost

$500 each

. The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) is the only recognized organization that provides certification for all occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants within the United States.

What can an OT do that an OTA Cannot?

An OTA can state or write observations but

cannot make an evaluation or determine a need for occupational therapy services

. This must be determined by an OT. The OT interprets the information provided by the OTA and integrates that information into the evaluation and decision-making process.

Who makes more OTA or PTA?

The median salary for

established OTAs

is more than $60,000. The median salary for established PTAs is $58,040. … First-year OTA salaries are in the $45,000 range. Typical responsibilities of OTAs tend to have a wider scope than a physical therapy assistant.

What colleges have OTA programs?

  • American Career College-Orange County Campus.
  • CBD College.
  • Grossmont College.
  • Sacramento City College.
  • Santa Ana College.
  • Stanbridge University.

What is OTR degree?

OTR/L is

the standard occupational therapy credential

and signifies that the professional is an “OT” who is “R,” registered by the national OT credentialing board, and “L,” licensed by your particular state. … However, if your OT has been practicing since 2007, they may only hold a bachelor's degree.

Where do I send my transcripts for California occupational therapy?

A. Send a written request to the Board at

1610 Arden Way, Suite 121, Sacramento, CA, 95815

, along with a check or money order in the amount of $35.00 made payable to CBOT.

Is Occupational Therapy harder than nursing?


Nursing is more difficult than Occupational Therapy

(OT) since it entails dealing with sick and dying patients, working long hours, and working shifts. However, being a nurse provides more income and a broader choice of job options to increase earning potential.

How do you pay for occupational therapy school?

  1. Fill Out Your FAFSA. …
  2. Buy Used Textbooks. …
  3. Consider Hybrid Programs. …
  4. Apply for Scholarships! …
  5. Pick up a Part-Time Caregiver or Nanny Position. …
  6. Join your Student Occupational Therapy Association.

Is an occupational therapist a doctor?

The Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) is

a professional (or clinical) doctorate

– the highest level of academic preparation that an entry-level occupational therapist can obtain. Preparation at the doctoral entry-level goes well beyond that of the entry-level master's degree.

How much do private OTs make?

Wages* Low (5th percentile) Median Starting $31.70 $33.57 Overall

$39.82

$45.70
Top $49.09 $49.65

Can OTs do psychotherapy?

In the meantime, to avoid confusion, those

OTs who have demonstrated they are competent to provide psychotherapy

are able to continue describing themselves as OTs who provide psychotherapy.

What do occupational therapists do for early childhood?

Occupational therapists help with barriers that affect a person's emotional, social, and physical needs. To do this, they use everyday activities, exercises, and other therapies. OT

helps kids play

, improves their school performance, and aids their daily activities.

Where is the highest demand for occupational therapists?

  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA. …
  • Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA. …
  • Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Deerfield Beach, FL. …
  • Edison-New Brunswick, NJ. …
  • San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA. …
  • Las Vegas-Paradise, NV. …
  • Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, CA. …
  • Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX.

What percent of occupational therapists are female?

There are over 141,405 Occupational Therapists currently employed in the United States.

77.5%

of all Occupational Therapists are women, while 19.0% are men. The average age of an employed Occupational Therapist is 40 years old.

What is the best state for occupational therapy?

  1. California. Total Occupational Therapist Jobs: …
  2. Hawaii. Total Occupational Therapist Jobs: …
  3. Louisiana. Total Occupational Therapist Jobs: …
  4. Nevada. Total Occupational Therapist Jobs: …
  5. Alaska. Total Occupational Therapist Jobs: …
  6. Arizona. …
  7. New Hampshire. …
  8. Oregon.

How often do you renew California OT license?

When does a California OT license expire? Your OT license is

valid for two years

but will expire biennially on the last day of your birth month. If you were born in an odd-numbered year, then your license will expire on odd-numbered years (and vice versa for even-numbered years).

Who can delegate to an OTA?

(2)

A licensed occupational therapist

may delegate to occupational therapy aides only specific tasks which are neither evaluative, assessive, task selective nor recommending in nature, and only after insuring that the aide has been appropriately trained for the performance of the task.

Are CEUs and PDUs the same?


1 CEU equals 1.25 PDUs/1 Contact Hour

. Note: the number 1 (whole number) CEU equals 10 PDUs/10 Contact hours. Unless there is an exam associated with it then the PDUs would be more. … Each state has their own requirements regarding CEU's/Contact Hours.

Juan Martinez
Author
Juan Martinez
Juan Martinez is a journalism professor and experienced writer. With a passion for communication and education, Juan has taught students from all over the world. He is an expert in language and writing, and has written for various blogs and magazines.