Summary of Certification Activities
A summary of certification activities for the OTR and COTA exam for the last three years are outlined below.
OTR Certification Activities: New Graduate Testing
The table below shows information about the pass rates for new graduates, defined as candidates who test within one year of their graduation date.
| All New Graduates1 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total candidates | 8,705 | 7,654 | 7,927 |
| Pass rate | 98% | 87% | 98% |
| First-Time New Graduates2 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total candidates | 8,810 | 7,574 | 7,878 |
| Pass rate | 81% | 84% | 82% |
1The total number of candidates who tested within one year of their graduation date and the percentage who passed the exam, regardless of the number of attempts.
2The total number of candidates who tested within one year of their graduation date and the percentage who passed the exam on their first attempt
OTR Certification Activities: Total Number of Exams Administered
The table below shows the total number of exams administered in each year. These numbers represent the number of exam administrations, not the number of people tested (i.e., the numbers below include multiple testing attempts by a single individual).
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 11,657 | 9,726 | 10,697 |
OTR Certification Activities: Total Certificant Population
The total number of individuals holding the OTR certification in 2021 was 146,847.
COTA Certification Activities: New Graduate Testing
The table below shows information about the pass rates for new graduates, defined as candidates who test within one year of their graduation date.
| All New Graduates1 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total candidates | 4,407 | 3,524 | 4,665 |
| Pass rate | 92% | 84% | 89% |
| First-Time New Graduates2 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total candidates | 4,601 | 3,292 | 4,667 |
| Pass rate | 75% | 79% | 75% |
1The total number of candidates who tested within one year of their graduation date and the percentage who passed the exam, regardless of the number of attempts.
2The total number of candidates who tested within one year of their graduation date and the percentage who passed the exam on their first attempt
COTA Certification Activities: Total Number of Exams Administered
The table below shows the total number of exams administered in each year. These numbers represent the number of exam administrations, not the number of people tested (i.e., the numbers below include multiple testing attempts by a single individual).
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 6,672 | 4,798 | 7,117 |
COTA Certification Activities: Total Certificant Population
The total number of individuals holding the COTA certification in 2021 was 58,015