Occupational Therapist Business Cards for OT OTR/L COTA and Occupational Therapy Professionals

Occupational therapists help people live fuller, more independent lives by addressing the barriers — physical, cognitive, sensory, emotional, environmental — that prevent them from doing the things that matter to them: working, caring for themselves, playing, participating in their communities, and engaging in the roles and relationships that give life meaning. The "occupation" in occupational therapy refers not to jobs but to the full range of meaningful human activity — everything people do with their time.

OT Credentials

OTR/L — Occupational Therapist Registered, Licensed

The primary credential for occupational therapists:

Education:

• MOT (Master of Occupational Therapy) or OTD (Doctorate of Occupational Therapy) — graduate-level entry to occupational therapy practice; the OTD is increasingly the entry-level standard; programs are 2–3 years post-bachelor's
• BSOT (Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy) — entry-level until the early 2000s; many practicing OTs hold this degree from earlier cohorts
• All programs must be accredited by ACOTE (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education)

Fieldwork:

• Level I and Level II fieldwork rotations in different practice settings during the graduate program
• Minimum 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork (full-time supervised clinical practice)

Certification:

• NBCOT OTR (Occupational Therapist Registered) — pass the NBCOT (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy) certification examination
• After passing: "OTR" designation; most states require state licensure in addition to NBCOT certification

State Licensure:

• "Licensed Occupational Therapist" or "OT/L" or "OTR/L" (the /L suffix indicates "Licensed")
• All states and DC require OT licensure
• NBCOT certification is typically required for state licensure eligibility

Card notation: "Jane Smith, OTR/L, MOT" or "Jane Smith, OTD, OTR/L" or "Jane Smith, MS, OTR/L"

COTA/L — Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, Licensed

The occupational therapy assistant credential:

• AAS (Associate of Applied Science) in Occupational Therapy Assistant — 2-year community college or technical program; ACOTE-accredited
• NBCOT COTA (Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant) — pass COTA certification examination
• State licensure required ("COTA/L" with licensed designation in most states)
• Works under supervision of OTR/L
• Card notation: "Jane Smith, COTA/L" or "Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant"

Doctoral Degree in OT (OTD)

The transitioning entry-level standard for OT education:

• Entry-Level OTD — 3-year doctoral program replacing or supplementing MOT programs for new graduates; all ACOTE-accredited programs transition to doctoral entry by 2027
• Post-Professional OTD (PPOTD) — doctorate for already-licensed OTs seeking advanced education; practice-focused doctoral degree

Card notation for OTD: "Jane Smith, OTD, OTR/L" — the OTD precedes the practice credential

FAOTA — Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association

Honorary designation from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA):

• Awarded to members who have made significant contributions to the OT profession
• Elected by AOTA members
• Card notation: "OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA"

Specialty Certifications

CHT — Certified Hand Therapist

The most prestigious specialty certification in upper extremity rehabilitation:

• Awarded by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC)
• Requirements: Licensed OTR/L (or physical therapist with PT license) + 3 years of practice with minimum 4,000 hours of hand therapy practice in the past 5 years + pass the CHT examination
• CHT practitioners work with patients with hand, wrist, forearm, and upper extremity conditions: fractures, tendon injuries, nerve injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, De Quervain's tenosynovitis, dupuytren's contracture, trigger finger, burns
• Card notation: "OTR/L, CHT" — the CHT is one of the most recognized specialty credentials in OT

BCP — Board Certified in Pediatrics

AOTA Specialty Certification in Pediatrics:

• For OTRs with advanced pediatric practice expertise
• Pediatric OTs work with infants, children, and adolescents in: early intervention, school settings, outpatient pediatric clinics, hospitals

SCEM — Specialty Certification in Environmental Modification

For OTs specializing in home modification and universal design

SCIS — Specialty Certification in Driving and Community Mobility

For OTs who perform driver rehabilitation evaluations

Low Vision Specialist

Various certifications for OTs working in low vision rehabilitation

Occupational Therapy Practice Areas

Pediatric Occupational Therapy

One of the largest OT practice areas:

• Sensory Processing / Sensory Integration: Children with sensory processing challenges; difficulty regulating responses to sensory input; often referred by pediatricians and neuropsychologists
• Handwriting and fine motor: Pencil grip, letter formation, scissor skills, tool use
• Self-care / ADL skills: Dressing, feeding, hygiene independence appropriate to developmental stage
• School-based OT: IEP-related services in school settings; classroom accommodations; assistive technology
• Early Intervention (Birth to 3): Services for infants and toddlers under IDEA Part C
• Autism Spectrum Disorder: Social participation, sensory regulation, self-care, play skills

Hand Therapy and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation

• Post-surgical hand and upper extremity rehabilitation (tendon repair, fracture fixation, joint replacement)
• Custom orthosis/splint fabrication for wrist, hand, and finger
• Carpal tunnel syndrome conservative and post-surgical treatment
• Work-related upper extremity injury rehabilitation
• Scar management and wound care following hand burns or injuries

Adult Rehabilitation

• Stroke (cerebrovascular accident) rehabilitation: Relearning ADLs (Activities of Daily Living); arm and hand function recovery; cognitive rehabilitation
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation: Cognitive deficits, visual-perceptual skills, executive function
• Spinal cord injury rehabilitation: ADL training, assistive technology, environmental modification
• Multiple Sclerosis: Energy conservation, fatigue management, adaptive equipment
• Parkinson's disease: LSVT BIG program, handwriting rehabilitation, fall prevention

Geriatric / Older Adult OT

• Fall prevention and home safety evaluation
• Driving evaluation and rehabilitation (or retirement counseling)
• Memory care and dementia support
• Home modification consultation
• Assistive device and adaptive equipment recommendation

Mental Health OT

• Inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings
• Substance use recovery
• Cognitive rehabilitation for psychiatric conditions
• Social participation and community re-entry

Card Design for OTs

Private Practice OT Cards

• Name + OTR/L credential (+ MOT/OTD)
• Specialty certification (CHT, BCP if earned)
• Practice name and specialty focus
• "Occupational Therapist" as clear title
• Phone, email, website with scheduling

Color palette suggestions:

• Warm teal or sage green (healing, functional, nature)
• Soft blue + white (medical but approachable)
• Warm orange + white (activity, engagement, energy)
• Deep navy + warm white (professional clinical credibility)

Clinical / Institutional Cards

OTs in hospitals, schools, or agencies:

• Employer name prominent
• Department: "Rehabilitation Services" or "Occupational Therapy Department"
• Title on org chart
• Pager or direct extension
• Team or facility scheduling contact

Checklist

• [ ] Full name with credential string (OTD/MOT/BSOT + OTR/L or COTA/L)
• [ ] Specialty certification (CHT, BCP, etc.)
• [ ] FAOTA if awarded
• [ ] "Occupational Therapist" or "Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant" as clear title
• [ ] Specialty practice area (pediatrics, hand therapy, stroke rehab, etc.)
• [ ] Practice or employer name
• [ ] Phone
• [ ] Email
• [ ] Website with scheduling
• [ ] Telehealth availability (if applicable)
• [ ] Insurance accepted (if private practice)