Department of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science

Current Students

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy

NBCOT Certification Exam

Candidates can submit their applications online or use a paper application.

Online Submission

All candidates applying online must have a valid e-mail address that is capable of receiving e-mail from NBCOT. 

1. "Go to the NBCOT website at www.nbcot.org.  Click on "Forms" on the home page.  Click on the candidate Handbook link.  Read the handbook.
2. Go to the NBCOT home page and click on "Exam Candidates" Then go to "Online Examination Application" (NBCOT Handbook, 5).
3. "Set up a new account by clicking on the right screen titled "Exam Application Account Setup."  Once the account is set up, do not set up another account- a $75 fee will be assessed if a duplicate account is created.    If you have problems accessing your account contact NBCOT at onlineexamapp@nbcot.org for assistance.  Do not set up another account" (NBCOT Handbook, 2005, p. 5).
4. Proceed through carefully and make sure to follow the on-screen instructions. 
5. "Helpful Hints and Definitions: Pay special attention to the information that is requested on the application.  These helpful hints and definitions will help with your application process" (NBCOT Handbook, 2005, p. 6).

1. Make sure to choose you are a graduate of a U.S. Program

2. Select the drop down box, the "country of your mailing address." 

3. Make sure to provide social security number and student identification number assigned by Towson. 

4. Be sure to select the correct examination level OT. 

5. When selecting the School Code, you must first select the state of school location.  Then select the School Code from the drop down box below the state box.  Only the school's Occupational Therapy (OT) program located in that state will be listed.  Towson University's school code is 22408. 

6. You may obtain a temporary license to practice be sure to select the jurisdiction(s) on the application to which the Confirmation of Eligibility to Examine Notice is to be sent.  There is a $40 fee per jurisdiction. 

Paper Application Form

The paper application form can be downloaded from the NBCOT candidate handbook which is available at www.nbcot.org.

1. Make sure to read the NBCOT Candidate Handbook.

2. Make sure all items are answered correctly and the application is signed.

3. Photocopy the completed application for your own records. 

4.  "Mail all fees with your application or else application will be returned unprocessed.   

5. It is recommended you mail the application via traceable mail" (NBCOT Handbook, 2005, p. 5).

6. You may check the status of your application if you provide a valid e-mail address and password on your paper application.  Go to www.nbcot.org to check on your application status.

Submission of Transcript and ACVF

1. Candidates should not have their transcripts or ACVF Forms (Academic Credential Verification Form) sent to NBCOT until they have submitted their application.

2. The candidate’s transcripts should come directly from the Registrar’s Office. NBCOT will not accept any transcripts that are marked "issued to student," even if the envelope is sealed. Failure to do so will delay your application process.

3. Please note, candidates are permitted to take the certification examination with an ACVF on file with NBCOT, but an official transcript must be received before certification can be granted. The registrar should send your official final transcript, in a sealed envelop to:  NBCOT, Attn: Transcript Processing, 800 South Frederick Avenue, Suite 200, Gaithersburg, MD 20877-4150." To confirm that the official final transcript/ACVF has been mailed by your registrar and received by NBCOT, you may wish to have your registrar mail it via traceable mail " (NBCOT Handbook, 2005, p. 11).

Authorization to TEST (ATT) Letter

You will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter by e-mail or regular mail indicating that you have been approved to take the examination.  The ATT letter is active for 90 days.  It may be reactivated for another 90 days after the first letter expires for a fee of $75. Once an ATT letter is generated you can no longer make changes to your examination application.   

Notification to State Regulatory Entities  

1. After you have taken the exam and you want your score report sent to another jurisdiction listed on the application, use the Official Score Transfer Request Form (post-examination) www.nbcot.org and mail it with the appropriate fee of $40 per jurisdiction. 
2. NBCOT cannot provide you with details about state or jurisdiction law, regulation. or the regulatory application process for a particular jurisdiction.  Please contact the jurisdiction for details about its licensure process and requirements. 
3. If you fail the examination, check immediately with the licensure/regulatory agency to determine whether you can provide practice in that state/jurisdiction if you currently hold a temporary permit. 

Remittance of Fees

1. The examination and other fees can be remitted by credit card or check.

2. Candidates who apply online have the option of entering credit card information or selecting payment by check.

3. Candidates submitting a paper application also have the option of remitting payment by credit card or check. Until the credit card company provides authorization or the check has "cleared," an application cannot receive final approval.

4. Listed are examples of experiences we have had with credit cards resulting in delayed processing:

• Incorrect account numbers entered
• Credit card no longer valid
• Insufficient funds
• Unacceptable credit card source (i.e. Target or Sears card)

Note: Forms and information can be found on the NBCOT Web site under "2005 Candidate Handbook/Application Forms."

• NBCOT Web site

Department of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science
Enrollment Services, Room 245

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5 p.m.

Phone: 410-704-2762
Fax: 410-704-2322

	•2006	91.70%
	• 2005	75 %
	• 2004	86.30%
	• 2003	85.00 %
	• 2002	90.6 %