Q: Is becoming an occupational therapist hard?

Yes, becoming an occupational therapist can be hard. Because it has specific requirements, examinations, and requires a license, it can take a lot of time and money. Most occupational therapists enter the field with a master's degree. Master's degree programs are typically 2-3 years, and tuition can be costly. Before taking the required NBCOT exam, there are also fieldwork requirements, which cost over $500.

Q: Is occupational therapy a dying field?

No, occupational therapy is not a dying field. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is projected to grow 17 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average (about eight percent) for all occupations.

Question 1

How long does it take to become a registered occupational therapist?

Accepted Answer

Becoming a registered occupational therapist can take 5-11 years. Most occupational therapists enter the occupation with a master's degree in occupational therapy.

Master's programs usually take two to three years to complete, and doctoral programs can take about three and a half years. However, some schools offer dual-degree programs in which the student earns a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in five years.

Question 2

Is becoming an occupational therapist hard?

Accepted Answer

Yes, becoming an occupational therapist can be hard. Because it has specific requirements, examinations, and requires a license, it can take a lot of time and money.

Most occupational therapists enter the field with a master's degree. Master's degree programs are typically 2-3 years, and tuition can be costly. Before taking the required NBCOT exam, there are also fieldwork requirements, which cost over $500.

Question 3

Is occupational therapy a dying field?

Accepted Answer

No, occupational therapy is not a dying field. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is projected to grow 17 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average (about eight percent) for all occupations.

Question 4

Occupational Therapist Assistant vs Physical Therapist Assistant

Accepted Answer

An occupational therapist assistant is a professional who aims to help people learn to complete tasks for independent living and carrying out job functions, while a physical therapist assistant is a professional that helps patients regain a range of motion, strength, and flexibility in affected areas of the body.

Question 5

Occupational Therapist vs Speech Therapist

Accepted Answer

An occupational therapist is a medical professional who treats patients from head to toe, while a speech therapist is a professional who is narrowly focused on treating complications that affect a patient's speech, language, and swallowing ability.

Question 6

Occupational therapist vs Physical therapist

Accepted Answer

Occupational therapists are individuals focused on improving the patient's ability to perform activities needed for daily living, while physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain.

Question 7

What are the pros and cons of being an occupational therapist?

Accepted Answer

The pros and cons of being an occupational therapist relate to compensation and benefits, job security, and educational requirements.

Here are the top pros and cons of being an occupational therapist:

Question 8

What degree do you need to be an occupational therapist?

Accepted Answer

You need a master's degree to be an occupational therapist. Students can earn a bachelor's degree in a related field, like biology or physiology, before advancing to a master's program, or they can apply for a combined bachelor's/master's program.

Question 9

What is the career path for an occupational therapist?

Accepted Answer

The career path for an occupational therapist involves jobs as a certified nursing assistant (CNA), physical therapist, and occupational therapist. The roles other than an occupational therapist include other backgrounds in terms of education and licensure.

Question 10

What pays more OT or PT?

Accepted Answer

A physical therapist (PT) is paid a little more than an occupational therapist (OT).

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for PTs in 2020 was $91,010, whereas, for OTs, it was $86,280. However, as most jobs go, it depends on factors like location. Nevada is a top-paying state for both PTs and OTs, but it pays OTs more, possibly because of a scarcer number of OTs employed.

Question 11

What qualifications do you need to be an occupational therapist?

Accepted Answer

The minimum qualifications to be an occupational therapist are completing Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE(r))-accredited educational program and passing the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam.

Skills	Percentages
Patients	22.61%
Rehabilitation	12.44%
Home Health	11.57%
Patient Care	9.42%
COTA	6.92%

State	Education	Exam	License url
Alabama	-	-	Licensed Occupational Therapist Assistant
Alaska	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Occupational Therapy Assistant
Arkansas	Specific course required	State exam required	Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA)
California	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Occupational Therapy Assistant
Colorado	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Occupational Therapy Assistant

What is an occupational therapist and how to become one

What general advice would you give to an occupational therapist?

What are the pros and cons of being an occupational therapist?

Occupational therapist career paths

Key steps to become an occupational therapist

Explore occupational therapist education requirements

Most common occupational therapist degrees

Start to develop specific occupational therapist skills

Complete relevant occupational therapist training and internships

Obtain the necessary licensing

Research occupational therapist duties and responsibilities

Prepare your occupational therapist resume

Choose from 10+ customizable occupational therapist resume templates

Apply for occupational therapist jobs

How did you land your first occupational therapist job

Average occupational therapist salary

How do occupational therapists rate their job?

Occupational therapist reviews

Occupational therapist FAQs

How long does it take to become a registered occupational therapist?

Is becoming an occupational therapist hard?

Is occupational therapy a dying field?

Occupational Therapist Assistant vs Physical Therapist Assistant

Occupational Therapist vs Speech Therapist

Occupational therapist vs Physical therapist

What are the pros and cons of being an occupational therapist?

What degree do you need to be an occupational therapist?

What is the career path for an occupational therapist?

What pays more OT or PT?

What qualifications do you need to be an occupational therapist?

Search for occupational therapist jobs

Occupational therapist jobs by state