District of Columbia Occupational Therapy Association RA Corner

RA Update

Megan L Mahaffey — Sat, 02 May 2026 00:04:36 GMT

DeaHello DCOTA!

Dear DCOTA Members,

Meet your Representative Assembly member Ms. Nadine Signe

District of Columbia (2025-2028)
Nadine Signe, MBA, MS
Governance@aota.org

ACOTE's decision on the entry-level degree for the OT and the OTA

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 13:53:21 GMT

Occupational Therapist

The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®) has determined that the entry-level-degree requirement for the occupational therapist will remain at both the master’s and the doctoral degree. The Council’s decision is based on a comprehensive
review of available literature, specific reports, and extensive commentary from stakeholders. The overarching justifications for the Council’s decision are: (1) limited outcomes differentiate master’s and doctorally prepared graduates; (2) the academic infrastructure of many institutions is not sufficient to meet the occupational therapy doctorate standards, especially with respect to faculty resources and institutional support; (3) the readiness and capability of
institutions to deliver quality fieldwork and experiential components of the program is constrained; and (4) retaining two entry levels allows for flexibility of the profession to assess and address the changing health care needs of individuals and populations.

Occupational Therapy Assistant

The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®) has determined that the entry-level-degree for the occupational therapy assistant will be offered at both the associate and bachelor’s degree. A motion to move to the single entry-level baccalaureate was defeated, but the motion to move to a dual entry-level for the occupational therapy assistant was approved. The Council’s decision is based on a number of findings, which were informed in significant part by information and commentary from stakeholders, including: (1) the ability to better prepare individuals for further academic advancement and leadership positions; (2) the expansion of opportunities within the current scope of practice; and (3) two entry levels permits additional flexibility to assess and address the changing health care needs of individuals and populations.

Staff is currently working on the required policies and procedures necessary to implement the occupational therapy assistant at the baccalaureate degree level. More information will be available in fall 2015 after consultation with legal counsel.

RA National Meeting

Mon, 08 Jun 2015 12:23:38 GMT

Key points from the national meeting:

1) RA members met informally with AOTA board to discuss single point of entry OTD. The crowd was mixed on opinions, but there was a consensus that the decision was a done deal. AOTA has taken a position in favor of OTD as single point of entry. However, the RA will not
make this choice, it comes down to ACOTE. The RA members want OT "at the table" but there were also concerns about quality of practitioners, number of practitioners and faculty, cost of OTD, and servicing rural areas.

2) Congress voted on several issues. A position statement on AT was adopted (after many years) and members voted not to add another RA position specific to the military OTs

The AOTA Leadership Development Program for Managers

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:24:27 GMT

Please visit this link and encourage any potential leaders you may know who would like to apply. The application period will be open May 15^th- June 15^th, 2012.

http://www.aota.org/Practitioners/Resources/Leadership-Development-Program-for-Managers.aspx

NOTE: Web story appears in the May 22 issue of OT Practice and will be announced in the May 22nd 1-minute update.

Thank you for supporting this effort!