Undergraduate Program
Certification by the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy
Graduates from an accredited program are eligible to sit for the Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a certified occupational therapist (OTR). Most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Examination Results for the period 2004-2007
NBCOT Certification results for UNH typically are within one standard deviation of the national average. The average passing rate for students taking the exam for the first time, from our graduating classes of 2004, 2005 and 2006 was 93/103 or 90%, while the national average during that time was 87%.
By year: (as reported in the comparison data provided by the NBCOT website, retrieved March 11, 2008)
- 2006 UNH passing first time takers was 34/39, or 87.1%. The national average during that time was 87%.
- 2007 UNH passing first time takers was 38/50, or 76% . The national average during that time was 87%.
Examination of Passing Rates by Graduating Class
Because many of students in a given class take the board exam in different years (Graduating dates are in Sept. or Dec.) an examination of passing rates by graduating cohorts/class is most useful, as the performance of our students can then be linked to specific curricula.
- 2004 graduates: 28/28, 100% passing rate; Of those who passed, 26/28 or 92.8% passed on the first attempt.
- 2005 graduates: 40/40, 100% passing rate; Of those who passed, 37/40 or 92.4% passed on the first attempt.
- 2006 graduates: 35/35, 100% passing rate; Of those who passed, 30/35 or 85.7% passed on the first attempt.
- 2007 graduates: 42/57 (many haven't taken as of March 11, 2008); Of those who passed, 38/42 or 90.4% passed on the first attempt.
Consistent with NBCOT expectations, students must sit for the certification examination within two years of completion of course work and fieldwork.
A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination and/or obtain state licensure.
For more information about the certification process go the NBCOT website (http://www.nbcot.org).