Advanced Certification credentialing process overview

The roadmap to AOTA Advanced Certification is comprised of six essential steps, taking you from initial certification through certification maintenance.  

Step 1: Application

Submit your application.

Step 2: Application review & approval

You will receive an initial decision (approved to test, more information needed, or denied) within 10 business days.

Step 3: Exam eligibility

You will have 90 days from the approval date to take your exam.

Step 4: Certification cycle

Your certification cycle begins the day you pass the exam and lasts for five years.

Step 5: Certification maintenance

You are required to earn at least 60 contact hours of professional development and maintain at least 1,500 hours of experience in the certification area within your five-year certification cycle.

Step 6: Recertification

You will complete the recertification process at the five-year mark, once you have met all of the recertification requirements. Then your new certification cycle begins.