National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy

CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT COTA®
DOMAIN, TASK, AND SKILL STATEMENTS
for the COTA® Certificant
General Practice Self-Assessment

Throughout this document the use of the term client is intended to include individuals and groups such as patients, consumers, workers, students, and others who receive occupational therapy services.

Definition of the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant COTA® is a professional who works with clients whose occupational performance is impaired or at risk of impairment to facilitate engagement in meaningful occupation across the lifespan. Under the supervision of and in partnership with the OTR, the COTA uses collaborative, client-centered strategies to obtain information regarding personal and environmental factors that impact occupational performance to formulate conclusions toward development of an intervention plan. The COTA collaborates with the OTR in the selection and implementation of interventions to support participation in basic and instrumental activities of daily living, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation. The COTA engages in professional development activities to maintain competence and uphold standards of practice.