NBCOT® Certification Update

An overview of certification related information for students and educators.

Topics

About NBCOT®

Certification Examination OverviewSubmitting Your ApplicationUseful ToolsCertification RenewalContact NBCOT®

NBCOT®

Initially incorporated in 1988 as the American Occupational Therapy Association Certification Board.

1996 changed to the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.

Governed by a Board of Directors comprised of occupational therapists (OTR®), occupational therapy assistants (COTA®), and public or consumer members.

NBCOT®

47 regulatory jurisdictions rely on NBCOT® certification for licensure of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants.

Organizationally, NBCOT® is accredited by the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA); American National Standards Institute (ANSI); and U.S. Department of Labor’s National Skills Standards Board.

NBCOT®

Our Mission

Serving the Public Interest

Who Are NBCOT®’s Public?

Candidates Certificants Occupational Therapy Education Program

Directors State and Regulatory Entities Occupational Therapy Community at Large Those who receive occupational therapy

services provided by an OTR® or COTA®

How Does NBCOT® Serve the Public Interest?

By developing and implementing certification standards.

By developing and administering a valid and reliable certification examination for OTR® and COTA® candidates.

By establishing and enforcing a Certificant/Candidate Code of Professional Conduct.

How Does NBCOT® Serve the Public Interest?

By ensuring that practitioners who identify themselves to the “public” as being an OTR® or COTA® are eligible to do so.

By conducting research on what are the elements of entry-level and ongoing practice.

How Does NBCOT® Serve the Public Interest?

By ensuring that NBCOT®’s program, products, and services are:

– In compliance with applicable state and federal regulations, laws and statues; and

– Consistent with credentialing industry standards.

Certification Examination Overview

Practice Analysis Examination Development

Practice Analysis Study

For the purpose of 2003 study, entry-level means an OTR® or COTA® certificant who has been initially certified for 3 years or less.

Practice Analysis

A detailed description of practice.

To ensure that representative linkage of test content to practice – providing evidence of the examination’s job relatedness or content validity.

Practice Analysis…

A profession’s practice is described interms of:

Domains - broadly define the major performance components of the profession.

Tasks - describe activities that are performed in each domain. (Things practitioners do).

Knowledge and Skill Statements - describe information required to perform each task competently.

Profession

Domain Domain Domain

Task Task Task Task Task Task

Knowledge Knowledge Knowledge Knowledge Knowledge Knowledge

OTR® Test Blueprint

Domain – OTR® Examination 2003

1. Evaluate Evaluate the individual/group to determine needs and priorities for occupation-based interventions.

25%

2. Develop intervention planintervention plan that addresses the occupational needs of individuals/groups.

21%

3. ImplementImplement occupationally meaningful interventionsinterventions with individuals/groups that support participation on relevant environments.

41%

4. Provide OT servicesOT services that address the occupational performance needs of populationspopulations.

6%

5. Manage, organize, and promote OT servicesManage, organize, and promote OT services. 7%

COTA® Test Blueprint

Domain – COTA® Examination 2003

1. Evaluate Evaluate the individual/group to determine needs and priorities for occupation-based interventions.

12%

2. Develop intervention planintervention plan that addresses the occupational needs of individuals/groups.

22%

3. ImplementImplement occupationally meaningful interventionsinterventions with individuals/groups that support participation on relevant environments.

50%

4. Provide OT servicesOT services that address the occupational performance needs of populationspopulations.

9%

5. Manage, organize, and promote OT servicesManage, organize, and promote OT services. 7%

How are the results used?

The outcomes of the Practice Analysis Study are used to construct NBCOT®’s entry-level certification examinations.

Implementation of 2003 Study

Effective January 1, 2005, certification examinations’ content will be based on the test examination blueprints of

Examination Development

Certification examinations are developed based on a percentage of items within each of 5 domain areas:– Evaluation– Intervention Planning– Implementing Interventions– Occupational Therapy Services for Populations– Manage, Organize & Promote Occupational

Therapy Services

Examination Development

Items are written at the entry-level to determine minimal competency of candidates– By occupational therapy practitioners & educators.

– Represent various practice areas.

– Diverse geographical areas.

Require a synthesis of information– Combining practical application with textbook

knowledge.

Examination Development

200 multiple choice items– 170 statistically reliable items

• Scored for pass/fail.

• Pre-equated using IRT statistics.

– 30 pre-test items• Not scored for pass/fail status.

• Collecting statistics for future use on the examination.

Application Facts

96% of all exam candidates registering to take the exam online.

Authorization To Test (ATT) letter.– Sent electronically by e-mail (or mailed in

hard copy if it cannot be e-mailed).– Is active for 90-days.– Provides instruction on contacting Prometric

Testing Center and scheduling the exam.

Submitting Your Application

Candidates can submit their applications in one of two ways: Online using the Internet or by paper.

The online application can be accessed at NBCOT®’s home page www.nbcot.org.

After all required materials have been received and evaluated, the candidate’s Authorization To Test (ATT) letter will be sent to the candidate by e-mail or by snail mail.

Submitting Your Application

Candidates who submit their application online should: • Have access to the Internet. • Have a valid e-mail address. • Have Internet Explorer 5.0 and higher or Netscape 6.0

and higher. All versions (4.0 and higher) will work, but some versions of Netscape 4.7 have been problematic.

Have a computer connected to a printer in order to print the “Application Receipt” or invoice. If you are paying by check, printing your “Application Invoice” to mail with your payment will prevent delays in application processing.

Submitting Your Application

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

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.

Application Processing Problems

The candidate is no longer using the e-mail address that was used to submit the application.

The candidate accessed the Internet at a public facility, like a library, that is configured to “Send Only” and not receive mail.

We have learned that some ISP’s (Internet Service Providers), particularly the free ones like HOTMAIL, are filtering NBCOT® e-mail with attachments. Candidates who are using one of these providers, should change their system’s filter to allow e-mails coming from www.nbcot.org domain.

Application Processing Problems

A candidate does not request early determination character background reviewed prior to applying for the certification examination to determine eligibility to take the examination because of previous conditions such as:

• Felony charge or conviction• Encumbrance of professional license• Negligence, malpractice or willful intentional

misconductOutstanding/unresolved payment issues.Special accommodation delays.

Examination Administration

Prometric Testing Center– 350 testing sites throughout the U.S., Canada,

Puerto Rico, and Guam.– Testing available six days per week.– Some sites have evening hours.– Generally, candidates are able to schedule

their examination at a center on the date and time of their choice.

Useful Tools from NBCOT®

Certification Examination Study Guides.Web-based Practice Examinations.NEW PRODUCT – Web-based content

examinations provides feedback basis for correct and incorrect answers (Summer 2004).

Study Guide Outline

Section 1 – Overview of Adult LearningSection 2 – Effective Study HabitsSection 3 – General Test Taking StrategiesSection 4 – Specifics of NBCOT®

ExaminationsSection 5 – Practice Examination with

Answers and Rationale

Practice Examinations

Accessible by the Internet.Composed of 75 questions. Questions previously were used on

certification examination.Predictive value has been determined to

success on the OTR® certification examination (92%) new graduate test takers.

Practice Area Content Examinations

35 questions related to specific content. If candidate chooses incorrect answer, they are

provided with rationale of why answer is incorrect, and told the right answer with justification of why this is correct.

Content areas are:– Physical Disabilities– Mental Health– Pediatrics

Certification Renewal

Phase II of the Certification Renewal requirement became effective in 2002.

Class of 2002

39,000 certificants in the renewal class

33,150 renewed (85%)

Class of 2003

16,146 certificants in the renewal class

13,548 renewed (85%)

Did You Know…

11 states currently do not have continuing education requirement for license renewal.

– Geographically, 22% of the United States. – A combined total of 40% of the OTR® and

COTA® population are not required to engage in continuing education activities for licensure renewal.

Initial Certification

Beginning in 2004, new certificants will receive Certification Renewal information including professional development materials. Prior to completion of the initial three-year cycle, 36 Professional Development Units (PDUs) are needed to renew their OTR® or COTA® certification status.

Why Renew Your Certification?

Recognition of YOUR ongoing commitment to professional development.

Signifies to the Public – patients, clients, employers, and your peers that your status as an Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant is recognized nationally.

Enhance employment opportunities and growth.Enhances the publics’ understanding on and

reliance about Occupational Therapy professionals.

For Additional Information

Online at:http://www.nbcot.org

By Telephone: 301-990-7979

By Mail: NBCOT®

800 South Frederick Ave., #200 Gaithersburg, MD 20877

Thank You