Do You Know the Difference

Nevada Occupational Therapy Association (NOTA) is the state association primarily for occupational therapy practitioners. Membership is voluntary and you must contact the association to obtain membership details.

Mission statement: “We are dedicated to supporting the occupational therapy community; our mission is to champion the distinct value of occupational therapy by supporting its practitioners, students, and community partners. We facilitate engagement by offering accessible resources, educational and networking opportunities, mentorship and advocacy.”

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is the national association primarily for occupational therapy practitioners and occupational therapy students. Membership is voluntary and you must contact the association to obtain membership details.

Mission statement: “To advance occupational therapy practice, education, and research through standard setting and advocacy on behalf of its members, the profession, and the public.

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) is the national certification board. NBCOT administers the entry-level examination for both occupational therapists and therapy assistants. Registration and certification are mandatory if you choose to use the “R” in OTR and “C” in COTA. Those acronyms are trademarked by NBCOT.

Mission statement: “NBCOT protects the public through the validation of essential competencies for effective and safe occupational therapy practice.”

State of Nevada, Board of Occupational Therapy is the licensing board for the state. All occupational therapy practitioners must maintain licensure in order to practice.

Mission statement: “To protect the public health, safety and welfare by ensuring that only competent occupational therapy practitioners are licensed in the state and that those licensed practitioners maintain the highest level of professional conduct. This includes ensuring the competency of occupational therapy practitioners by requiring annual continuing education courses; and to provide the public with a means by which they can pursue administrative legal recourse.”