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Occupational therapy assistants help people relearn the everyday activities that matter to them, working under an occupational therapist. Here's the roadmap, with the Arizona programs, licensing, and employers that matter.
Where to train in Arizona
You complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate program — the Maricopa Community Colleges (GateWay) and Pima Community College run accredited two-year programs with supervised fieldwork under licensed occupational therapists.
Licensing in Arizona
OTAs in Arizona are licensed by the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners. You finish your accredited program, pass the NBCOT exam for the COTA credential, and get licensed — required to treat patients under an occupational therapist.
Where the Arizona jobs are
Arizona OTAs work in hospitals (Banner Health, HonorHealth, Dignity Health), outpatient and pediatric clinics, school districts, rehab centers, and skilled nursing across Phoenix and Tucson. A growing, aging population keeps demand strong.
Ready to start? Browse live Arizona opportunities — internships, training programs, and scholarships across the state.
An accredited associate program plus the NBCOT exam earns your COTA credential
The path is clear: finish an ACOTE-accredited associate program, pass the NBCOT exam, and get your state license as a COTA. It's a two-year credential into meaningful, hands-on work — and a possible step toward becoming an occupational therapist.
Keep going: see whether the trades are worth it, compare the pre-OT roadmap, and check if it will pay off.