The ABC's of OT Specialty Certifications and Credentials

Chart of the different acronyms
Sarah Lyon
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Even among healthcare professionals, it can be difficult to decode the alphabet soup that follows an occupational therapist’s name.

Unscrambling which credentials and certifications your occupational therapist (OT) holds will help you understand their training and qualifications to meet your particular needs. You may even want to seek out an OT who holds a specific certification.

This article explains the meanings of various credentials and certificates held by occupational therapists. It details the difference between OTR and OTRL, and gives the meaning of other common acronyms you might see.

What Is OTR/L?

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.

If your occupational therapist is an OT/L, this indicates that they passed the national certification exam, but have not kept their certification with the board, which requires a fee and proof of continuing education every three years.

There is a good chance that an OT with the OTR/L credential has received their master’s, as this is currently the minimum education required for an OT to practicing.

However, if your OT has been practicing since 2007, they may only hold a bachelor’s degree. OTs with bachelor’s degrees were grandfathered in back in 2007 when entry-level switched from a bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree.

Some OTs will indicate that they have obtained a master’s with the designation MOT, MA, or MS.

What Is OTD?

The OTD credential indicates that the occupational therapist has received their doctorate in occupational therapy. Doctoral programs are becoming increasingly popular as the profession is contemplating the move toward an entry-level doctorate, though there are currently only seven fully accredited entry-level doctoral programs compared to 161 entry-level masters programs.

An OT with a doctorate will have had about three years of post-baccalaureate education versus an MOT, who would only have about 2.5 years. Doctoral programs vary in their focus, but the OTD practitioner may have had more training in clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, or theory development.

What Is COTA?

COTA stands for a certified occupational therapy assistant. This credential indicates the professional holds an associate degree from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program and passed the national certification exam. The scope of practice for a COTA varies from state to state, but in general, COTAs must work under the supervision of an occupational therapist, can deliver many of the same treatments, but not plot the overall course of care.

Specialty Certifications

A specialty certification often signifies that an OT has undergone additional training in a particular area, passed an exam, and kept up with continuing education related to the topic.

If you are looking for an OT who specializes in a particular area, here is a list of common certifications:

  • ATP: Assistive Technology Professional
  • ATP/SMS: Seating and Mobility Specialist
  • ATRIC: Aquatic Therapeutic Exercise Certification
  • C/NDT: Neuro-Developmental Treatment Certification
  • CAPS: Certified Aging in Place Specialist
  • CAS: Certified Autism Specialist
  • CBIS: Certified Brain Injury Specialist 
  • CHT: Certified Hand Therapist
  • CIEE: Certified Industrial Ergonomic Evaluator
  • CIRS: Certified Industrial Rehabilitation Specialist
  • CKTP: Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner
  • CLT: Certified Lymphedema Therapist
  • CRDS: Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist
  • CSRS: Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist
  • CVLT: Certified Low Vision Therapist
  • HPSC: Certified Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist 
  • LSVT BIG: Lee Silverman Voice Treatment–BIG
  • SIPT: Sensory Integration and the Sensory Integration Praxis Test

Different national and international organizations regulate the above certifications. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), which is the national association for occupational therapists, also rewards the following certifications to practitioners who have logged 2,000–5,000 hours of work in a particular area and are undertaking continuing education in that area.

  • BCG: Board Certification in Gerontology
  • BCMH: Board Certification in Mental Health
  • BCP: Board Certification in Pediatrics
  • BCPR: Board Certification in Physical Rehabilitation
  • SCDCM: Specialty Certification in Driving and Community Mobility
  • SCEM: Specialty Certification in Environmental Modification
  • SCFES: Specialty Certification in Feeding, Eating and Swallowing
  • SCLV: Specialty Certification in Low Vision
  • SCSS: Specialty Certification in School Systems
  • FAOTA: Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association

The FAOTA certification is an exception as it is received through a nomination process. The AOTA awards the nominees the designation for making a significant contribution to the profession by utilizing special skills or knowledge in therapeutic practice, education, research, or administration.

This list is a general guide to credentials and certifications. There are certainly other credentials and certifications that OTs may hold. The best way to learn about your OT's qualifications to meet your particular needs is simply to ask them.

Note that these credentials and certifications apply only to occupational therapists in the United States. Each country has its own system for credentialing and awarding specialty certifications.

Summary

OTR and OTRL are two of the most common acronyms used by occupation therapists. Whereas OTR means the therapist is registered by the national credentialing board, “L” means they are licensed by your state. If you see OTD, it means the therapist has earned their doctorate. A therapist with the acronym COTA has passed the national exam, but cannot work without the supervision of an OT. Other acronyms, like CHT (certified hand specialist), CAS (certified autism specialist), and SCLV (specialty certification in low vision), indicate extra specialties that the OT is trained and certified in.

By Sarah Lyon, OTR/L
 Sarah Lyon, OTR/L, is a board-certified occupational therapist and founder of OT Potential.