Occupational therapy assistants help people facing physical or mental challenges gain or regain the skills necessary for their highest quality of life. This can involve everything from daily tasks like eating meals and bathing to leisure activities such as selecting a TV show to watch or volunteering in the community.

“An occupational therapy assistant is often, in our profession, referred to as the treatment expert or the treatment specialist,” says Alyson Stover. Stover is an associate professor of occupational therapy at the University of Pittsburgh, president of the American Occupational Therapy Association, and director of clinical services and co-owner of Capable Kids pediatric clinic in Pennsylvania.

“We really look at occupations as what an individual needs to do, wants to do, and/or is expected to do,” she adds. “The responsibility of the occupational therapy assistant is to ensure that they are really guiding the consumer of occupational therapy services on a path to be able to participate in those meaningful occupations in a way that they want to.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 24.0% employment growth for occupational therapy assistants between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 10,800 jobs should open up.

Occupational therapy assistants must earn a degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, a division of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Typically these are associate degree programs, although some schools offer bachelor’s degree programs for occupational therapy assistants. In addition to the required class work, students usually must complete at least 16 hours of fieldwork as part of these degree programs, according to the BLS.

Graduates of accredited programs hoping to enter the field must sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy exam to become certified occupational therapy assistants. To maintain this certification, occupational therapy assistants must meet continuing education requirements every three years.

All 50 states, Washington, D.C., Guam and Puerto Rico require occupational therapy assistants to be licensed to provide services, according to the AOTA. After passing the national exam, occupational therapy assistants must be licensed in the state where they practice. Check with your state licensing board to learn about any specific requirements for taking the exam, as well as obtaining and maintaining licensure, since regulations vary by state.