The entry-level OTD Occupational Therapy program is an on-campus academic program designed to enable a graduate to meet the academic requirements to qualify for professional licensure as an occupational therapist in New York State and all other states outside of New York and the District of Columbia. This professional doctorate in occupational therapy (Entry-Level OTD) program places students in supervised field experiences both within and outside of New York State (NYS).
To be licensed as an occupational therapist in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, you must graduate from an accredited occupational therapy program, complete required fieldwork and capstone experiences, and pass the NBCOT entry-level certification exam.
The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) administers the OTR© certification exam. Passing the NBCOT examination enables you to become a Registered Occupational Therapy and allows you to apply for licensure in the state in which you wish to practice. The American Occupational Therapy Association’s website has additional information on how to obtain a license.
The NYU Entry-Level OTD program enrolled its first class in 2024. The program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status by the American Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). In order for graduates of the Entry-Level program to be eligible to sit for the NBCOT exam, the Program must complete a pre-accreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation in 2026-27, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the NBCOT exam. It is anticipated the program will be fully accredited by December 2026.
Please contact Academic Fieldwork Coordinator Alison Rangel at 212-998-5832 or alison.rangel@nyu.edu with questions about fieldwork placements outside New York State or additional licensure requirements in other states.
Please note that specific states may have additional requirements for licensure, such as completing a state and/or federal criminal background check or passing a state law or jurisprudence exam.