Your Guide to COTA Certifications and Specialties

Whether you’ve been practicing for two years or two decades, you might be wondering where to go next in your OTA career.

While we at OT Potential are proud to offer you continuing education based on new research and treatment best practices, we also know that certifications can help you build specialized skills and demonstrate expertise in your field.

There are numerous certifications available for occupational therapy assistants (OTAs). Some are easier to obtain than others, but most require taking a course and/or an exam. In this post, we cover some of the most common ones—providing details on their requirements, cost, time investment, and renewal guidelines. (Note: If you know of an OTA certification that we’ve missed, please contact us.)

This post is part of a series on therapy certifications. To learn more about certification in other professions, check out our posts on OT Certifications, SLP Certifications, and PT Certifications.

Disclaimer: All content is provided solely for informational purposes and does not serve as any form of endorsement. Also, please verify the information provided here with the relevant certifying agencies, as details can change over time. 

Assistive Technology Professional (ATP)

If technology excites you, and you work with complex clients (especially those with congenital or progressive disabilities), the ATP certification is a great pick. Offered by RESNA, the ATP designates clinicians who are specialized in using assistive technology to help clients participate in activities of daily living (ADLs), employment, and education. An ATP might address augmentative and alternative communication methods, computer accessibility, environmental modifications, vehicle modifications, positioning, sensory aids, seating and mobility, and more.

• Requirements: 180-question multiple-choice exam

• Time: 3,000 hours of direct assistive technology work experience AND six years of therapy work experience

• Cost: $125 application fee and $625 exam fee

• Renewal: $215 every two years, plus documentation of related work experience and continuing education

For more information, visit the RESNA ATP info page. 

Seating and Mobility Specialist (ATP/SMS)

The SMS certification (also offered by RESNA) was developed to further distinguish ATPs who are highly specialized in seating, positioning, and mobility assessment, as well as accessing funding resources, implementing interventions, and assessing outcomes. This certification is designed for the clinician who works with complex rehab clients on seating and custom mobility solutions—and it provides the foundation to incorporate the use of electronics to address limitations caused by complex and/or progressive diseases.

• Prerequisite: Active ATP certification

• Requirements: 165-question multiple-choice exam

• Time: 1,000+ hours of seating and mobility-related experience AND two seating and mobility activities in the past five years (such as CEUs, advocacy, mentoring, publication, or leadership)

• Cost: $125 application fee and $300 exam fee

• Renewal: $50 every two years, plus documentation of related work experience and continuing education

For more information, visit the RESNA SMS info page. 

Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS)

The Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) designation is geared toward those who want to help seniors remain in their own homes and communities, maintaining their independence as they age. CAPS-designated OTAs modify people’s living environments by addressing the most common safety barriers. The CAPS designation is not designed specifically for therapists (in fact, most CAPS professionals are home remodelers), but a growing number of those with the CAPS credential work in healthcare.

• Time:Completion of a three-day training

• Cost:Course fee is $330 ($220 for NAHB members); graduation fee is $218 ($145 for NAHB members)

• Renewal:$83 annual renewal fee ($55 for NAHB members) as well as 12 hours of continuing education every three years

For more information, visit the CAPS info page.

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS)

The Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists (ACBIS) offers a voluntary national certification program for both entry-level staff and experienced professionals working in brain injury services. ACBIS provides these workers the opportunity to learn important information about brain injury, demonstrate that knowledge by passing a written examination, and earn a nationally recognized credential.

CBIS certification is not restricted to any one profession or discipline. Rather, it is meant for anyone who delivers brain injury services. Official ACBIS training is offered through many state chapters and service providers,  but training is not required to sit for the examination.

• Cost: $225–325 application fee (depending on number of candidates)

• Time: 500 hours of direct contact with individuals with brain injury—and completion of training or self-study

• Requirements: Pass exam (two hours with 70 multiple-choice questions)

• Renewal: Annual application and $70 fee, plus completion of 10 hours of continuing education

For more information, visit the CBIS info page.

Certified Perinatal Health Specialist Training (PHS)

After talking with Rebeca and Jenna Seagraves on the OT Potential podcast, I am so thrilled for this certification course they created. It guides professionals on developing a new program or expanding an existing service that improves maternal and infant health with rehabilitation in the hospital and at home.

Time: 30-hour CEU training
Cost: $2,997 (30% discount for Pelvic Health Network members)
Renewal: Every two years; 10 CE hours required; $200 recertification fee (30% discount for Pelvic Health Network members)

For more information, visit the Certified Perinatal Health Specialist Training site.

Physical Agent Modalities (CPAM)

Some states require credentialing beyond your basic license in order to use physical agent modalities (PAMs). However, each state has unique regulations, so please be sure to check your state’s board for guidance. As the requirements vary from state to state, the ongoing training hours and costs will vary as well. Here is one example:

• Time: Two-day workshop and a 20-hour self-study portion (we recommend starting the self-study portion no later than one month before attending the workshop); 10 hours of supervised modality application

• Cost: $650 for all materials, exam, and workshop

• Certification Requirements: Two-hour exam on didactic training and workshop materials; demonstration of PAM competency via supervised and documented treatments by an OT/OTA with CPAM certification

• Renewal: None

For more information, visit the CPAM info page.

Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT and CLT-LANA)

The lymphatic system is often misunderstood, and lymphedema is frequently under-diagnosed and under-treated. However, OTAs can be highly valuable resources in the management of lymphedema. There are multiple organizations that offer certification in management of lymphedema (CLT).

• Requirements: Multiple choice, written, and practical exam

• Cost: $3,100–$3,900 exam fee depending on course provider

• Time: 135 hours of instruction (90 hours of classroom time and 45 hours of home study)

• Renewal: Every five years

A voluntary secondary certification by the Lymphology Association of North American (LANA) has been developed to support advanced standards of training and education based on sound scientific theories and approaches for improving treatment quality.

• Requirements: Completion of CLT instructional course; active CLT certification; 120-question exam (multiple choice)

• Cost: $430 application fee

• Renewal: Every six years; requires either 24 hours of continued education or retaking the certification exam, as well as a $200 fee

For more information, check out the CLT brochure.

Certified Health Coach (CHC)

Developed by clinicians, for clinicians, the CHC certification builds upon the skills, knowledge, and experience you already have as an OTA (such as management of health conditions and patient communication styles). This is a self-study course that includes an audio CD, video clips, articles, and webinars. The course prepares you to take the online certification exam. The goal of earning a CHC is to learn skills that will help you increase patient engagement and better guide patients toward meeting their goals.

• Requirements: Current National Society of Health Coaches (NSHC) membership; 125-item multiple choice exam

• Time: 85+ hours of self-study and practice

• Cost: $875 for material and exam

• Renewal: Re-examination required every five years at a cost of $545

For more information, visit the CHC info page.

Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner (CKTP)

If you love that colorful tape, a CKTP certification is a great way to incorporate kinesiology taping into your practice with full confidence. Kinesio University offers this certification for OTAs and COTAs.

• Time: Multi-part course totaling 20 contact hours

• Cost: $749 course fee; $99 exam fee

• Renewal: Annual membership in Kinesio Taping Association International is required ($54/year minimum)

For more information, visit the CKTP info page.

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT BIG)

Don’t be thrown off by the namel; LSVT BIG is a movement-based treatment protocol for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease (as well as other neurological disorders). Certification programs put therapists through an “intensive whole body amplitude-based training protocol.”

LSVT BIG certification is now offered through an online certification course, but not all states approve the online format. Please check here to verify your state’s approval status.

• Time: 14.5 hours (online asynchronous)

• Cost: $605

• Renewal: Every two years; online renewal course with $65 fee required

For more information, visit the LSVT BIG info page.

Trauma-Informed Pelvic Health Certification (TIPHP)

In all OT practice areas, it is important to have a trauma-informed lens. But, this is especially true in pelvic health. This certification helps pelvic floor therapists bridge the gap between hands-on techniques and transformative healing. This course is hosted by Lindsey Vestal and Lara Desrosiers.

Time: 30 hours (includes 8 hours of live support calls)
Cost: $997
Renewal: None

For more information, see the Trauma-Informed Pelvic Health Certification page.

What if my supervising therapist does not have the same certification?

This question pops up frequently here at OT Potential, and it’s a good one. Unfortunately, we don’t have an answer that offers much clarity. We encourage you to get in contact with your state licensing board for further guidance. And, if you have any insights, please share them in the comment section below! Hopefully, we can crowdsource some answers.

What does it take to bridge to from an OTA degree to an OT degree?

As you can see, there are many ways to advance your practice and demonstrate advanced competencies as an OTA. If you seek greater autonomy—or want to go into teaching—then you might want to consider becoming an OTR. OTA-to-OT bridge programs are designed for the working professional, often offering a combination of distance learning and on-site classes.

Some bridge programs allow you to apply previous course credits, fieldwork, and work experience toward the program requirements to help reduce the time and cost burden.

Note that some programs require a bachelor’s degree, while others do not. Bridge programs can typically be completed in three to four years at a cost of around $90,000.

This website provides a thorough breakdown of the transition from OTA to OTR, including pros and cons, key financial considerations, and additional links.

Here is one example of a bridge program based in Massachusetts (Bay Path University). It offers a blend of online coursework and on-site participation every other weekend.

Track 1:

• Prerequisites: Associate’s OTA degree; one year of full-time OTA work experience; current OTA license

• Time: Four years (109 credits); the first two semesters consist of undergraduate classes that will prepare you for the master’s degree

• Cost: $97,045

Track 2:

• Prerequisites: Associate’s OTA degree; bachelor’s degree in any field; one year of full-time OTA work experience; current OTA license; completion of certain prerequisite undergraduate-level courses with a B- or better

• Time: 3 years (81 credits)

• Cost: $86,365

Conclusion

The OTA designation is just the beginning of your career as an occupational therapy assistant.

From home modification to seating and mobility, there are many different specialty routes available to you as an OTA. And, if you end up wanting to pursue a career as an occupational therapist, OTA-to-OTR bridge programs offer pathways to advance your skills.

Whatever route you choose, there are endless possibilities for staying satisfied and engaged as an OTA!