Occupational Therapy Assistant

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Information

This comprehensive list provides the applicant with information regarding admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program (OTA).

Allied Health Advisors

Schedule an appointment with your Allied Health Advisor to review admissions requirements (select and schedule a date for at least 2 weeks after submitting transcripts). Appointments can be schedule through Navigate or you can reach out to your Allied Health Advisor directly: Cindy Alcombright, cindy.alcombright@rccc.edu (South Campus) or Dr. Quinn Lacy, quinn.lacy@rccc.edu (North Campus).

Program Information

Admissions to the OTA Program is a multi-step process. To get started, carefully follow the Minimum Admission Requirements (MAR). Applicants must follow all steps of the MAR by March 30 each year to advance to becoming a qualified applicant.

The first step of the MAR is to apply to the College and select “OTA” as the program of study. Applicants will also need to send high school or college transcripts (if applicable) once the initial application is completed. Once accepted to the College, students can begin to work towards admissions to the OTA program.

Attending an OTA Information Session is a program admission requirement. Students are required to attend one health information session in the year prior to or in the year of desired admission. Five sessions are offered each year, generally in January, March, July, September, and November, but times vary. All sessions will be held virtually via Zoom. Registration is required, and registrants will receive a link to join prior to the meeting. Applicants are required to attend the entire session. Adults only, please.​

Program Admission Testing and Point System Evaluation

The program admissions test is the ATI Test of Academic Skills (ATI TEAS®). Applicants can find more information about this test. Applicants are required to take the ATI TEAS® and score a minimum of 60 (percentile rank) on the Reading Comprehension section and score a minimum of 55 (percentile rank) on Overall Score to be eligible to move to the selective point system. To take the test, register at ATI and follow directions provided. ATI TEAS® scores will count towards admissions (see Point Scorecard). Further details about the test will be discussed at the OTA Information Session.

OTA program applicants will be ranked using an objective point system, and the top 20 ranked students will be contingently accepted. There are multiple ways applicants can earn points, including the standardized program admissions test, general education coursework, a certificate, diploma, or degree, and volunteer or work experience in the healthcare field. Refer to the OTA Point System Selective Admission Process Scorecard for details.

Contingent Acceptance

Completion of the following is required only for those who have been offered conditional (contingent) acceptance into the program. Information and forms will be provided by the program at an OTA Health Packet Information Session in May each year. Contingently accepted students have a designated timeframe (deadlines announced at the Health Packet Information Session) to meet all requirements to advance to final acceptance and thus begin OTA coursework.

  • Current CPR Certification: American Heart Association at BLS Healthcare Provider level
  • Background Report/Drug Screen: Clinical facilities require criminal background checks and drug screening for students assigned to their facility for fieldwork.
  • In addition, the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and state licensure boards (such as the North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy) may prohibit eligibility for certification or licensure based on a felony conviction.
  • If a student is denied access to participate in fieldwork by the facility based on criminal background check and/or drug screen results, the student will not receive a secondary placement in another facility. The student will not be able to meet competencies required for progression in the program.
  • Physical Examination/Current Immunization Documentation

Distance Education

A portion of the OTA curriculum courses may be offered via distance education. Please review the distance education information for each type of distance education course, as well as the qualifications and technical requirements.

Admissions Documents