Guidance to family members and attendants in safe and effective methods of caring for individuals. Occupational therapy practitioners are skilled professionals whose education includes the study of human growth and development with specific emphasis on the social, emotional, and physiological effects of illness and injury. The occupational therapist enters the field with a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree. The occupational therapy assistant generally earns an associate's degree. Practitioners must complete supervised clinical internships in a variety of health care settings, and pass a national examination.
Most states also regulate occupational therapy practice.
OT practitioners must also complete a supervised fieldwork program and pass a national certification exam. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, an Puerto Rico regulate the practice of occupational therapy. Many of these jurisdictions mandate periodic continuing education requirements . Back to the Top Benefits from Occupational Therapy Supplied by AOTA Occupational therapy is a health and rehabilitation profession that helps people regain, develop, and build skills that are important for independent functioning, health, well-being, security, and happiness. Occupational therapy practitioners work with people of all ages who, because of illness, injury, or developmental or psychological impairment, need specialized assistance in learning skills to enable them to lead independent, productive, and satisfying lives.