Career

Your occupational therapy journey begins here

Whether you're just starting out or looking for new opportunities, your AOTA membership provides the tools and resources you need to grow in your career and find your passion.

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Become an occupational therapy practitioner

Are you thinking about becoming an occupational therapist (OT) or occupational therapy assistant (OTA)? You won't be disappointed—occupational therapy is one of the most rewarding careers you could ask for.

Learn more about the profession and the steps it takes to start a fulfilling career in occupational therapy. We'll be here for you every step of the way.

About OT and OTA careers

Occupational therapy career rankings

Occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant careers are consistently ranked among the best professions in the United States. The future looks bright!

State of the profession
#10
Best Health Care Jobs
U.S. News & World Report
#19
100 Best Jobs
U.S. News & World Report
#13
Fastest-Growing US Healthcare Job (OTAs)
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Jumpstart and advance your career

Find a career opportunity that inspires you to be your passionate, most creative best. Visit the AOTA Career Center to post your resume, view job listings, read resume and interview tips, and so much more. Find a job that's just right for you, no matter where you are on your career path.
Visit the Career Center
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State licensure requirements

All 50 states in the United States, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam, require occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to be licensed to provide occupational therapy services.

Our guide to state licensure will help you understand what it takes to obtain and maintain your state licensure.

Professional Development

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Learn from the organization that you trust. AOTA provides highly informative and interactive courses created to achieve the best learning outcomes for the adult learner. Visit our Continuing Education center to select from a wide variety of course topics to advance your career.

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Diverse Leaders Program

The AOTA Diverse Leaders Program was established to offer participants, referred to as Scholars, the opportunity to learn from experts within and outside of the occupational therapy field to explore current and developing issues in inclusive and effective leadership. The initiative was designed to identify, develop, and support emerging leaders from underrepresented groups within the occupational therapy community to participate in an accelerated program based on leadership education, coaching, and service to the profession.

Explore the Diverse Leaders Program
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Occupational therapists have the privilege of helping people learn or relearn how to connect with their environment, and we get to have fun while we do it.

Lisa Griggs-Stapleton
Albuquerque, New Mexico

I have already found the profession of occupational therapy to be fascinating, rewarding, and challenging, and filled with countless opportunities to serve one's community, one's country, and one's world.

Brandi Buchanan
Los Angeles, California

I like to think of occupational therapists as puzzle solvers because they assist clients in solving how to complete tasks that they may or may not have been able to do in the past.

Stacy Landau
Ithaca, New York