the State Reactivation Handbook
Occupational Therapist Registered OTR ® Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant COTA® State Reactivation Candidates CERTIFICATION EXAM HANDBOOK 2015 NBCOT® Certification Programs are accredited by: This publication is intended solely for the use of state reactivation candidates applying to take the NBCOT® Certification Examination in 2015. NBCOT does not discriminate against any individual because of race, ethnicity, gender, age, creed, disability, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, or national origin. NBCOT reserves the right to amend the procedures outlined in this handbook. For the most up-to-date information concerning the certification examinations, please visit www.nbcot.org, e-mail: [email protected], call 301-990-7979 or fax: 301-869-8492. AOTCB/NBCOT 2015 State Reactivation Candidate Examinations ID72 rev01052015 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without prior written permission of the copyright owners. ©2015 National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. ‘NBCOT®’ is a service and trademark of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. ‘OTR®’ is a service and trademark of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. ‘COTA®’ is a service and trademark of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. All marks are registered in the United States of America. National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. 12 South Summit Avenue, Suite 100 Gaithersburg, MD 20877 http://www.nbcot.org Printed in the United States of America. ® TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction About NBCOT........................................................................................................................... 2 About This State Reactivation Candidate Examination Handbook...................................... 2 Purpose of the Examinations................................................................................................. 2 Examination Development..................................................................................................... 3 Examination Administration................................................................................................... 3 Eligibility Requirements State Reactivation Candidate Examination Eligibility Requirements.................................. 3 NBCOT Candidate/Certificant Code of Conduct .................................................................. 3 Application Process State Reactivation Exam Approval......................................................................................... 5 State Reactivation Hardcopy Application Instructions......................................................... 5 Character Questions............................................................................................................... 6 Reporting Service: Official Score Transfer............................................................................. 6 Fees.......................................................................................................................................... 6 Testing Accommodations........................................................................................................ 7 Approved Applications Authorization to Test (ATT) Letter........................................................................................... 7 Scheduling the State Reactivation Candidate Examination................................................. 7 Biometric State Reactivation Candidate Notice During Scheduling/Registration.............. 8 Name and/or Address Changes............................................................................................. 8 Application Withdrawal and Refund For Personal and/or Medical Emergencies............... 8 Cancellation, Rescheduling, Late Arrival or No Show for Scheduled Examination............. 9 NBCOT Exam Products and Service Refund Policy............................................................... 9 Preparing for the Exam State Reactivation Candidate Examination......................................................................... 10 Multiple Choice Items...................................................................................................... 11 Simulation Test Items (OTR® examination only)............................................................. 11 Study Tools............................................................................................................................ 11 Exam Day: Questions & Answers............................................................................................ 13 After The Exam: Questions & Answers................................................................................... 16 Retaking the Exam.................................................................................................................. 17 NBCOT Certification Renewal: Keep Your Credential Active!.............................................. 17 Examination Application Procedures Checklist................................................................... 19 Appendix A: 2015 Certification Examination Application OTR® and COTA® for State Reactivation Candidates................................................................................... A-1 INTRODUCTION About NBCOT The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT®) is the national certification body for occupational therapy professionals in the United States. The mission of NBCOT is to serve the public interest by advancing client care and professional practice through evidence-based certification standards and the validation of knowledge essential for effective practice in occupational therapy. NBCOT’s vision is certified occupational therapy professionals providing effective evidencebased services across all areas of practice worldwide. Currently, 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia require NBCOT initial certification for occupational therapy state regulation, (e.g., licensing). NBCOT certification programs have received and maintained accreditation by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). NBCOT is a proud member of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE). About This State Reactivation Candidate Examination Handbook This handbook has been developed to provide State Reactivation Candidates with the information to complete and successfully submit a certification examination application. NBCOT recognizes the responsibility State Reactivation Candidates assume when completing their exam application. Our aim is to provide a smooth and positive application experience. Visit www.nbcot.org for a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding the certification examination and application. Questions can be directed to [email protected], or by phone (301) 990-7979. Purpose of the Examinations In certain situations (for example, if an occupational therapy practitioner has not practiced for a certain period of time), regulatory laws in some states/jurisdictions require individuals who have obtained OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST REGISTERED OTR® (OTR), and/or CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT COTA® (COTA) certification to take the NBCOT examination for state regulatory purposes only. Such state requirements must be met in order to obtain a limited permit or license to practice in that state/jurisdiction. Candidates taking the examination for this purpose are eligible as State Reactivation Candidates. These individuals must be pre-approved by the state regulatory entity in order to sit for the examination. Since its inception in 1986, NBCOT has worked closely with state regulatory agencies to administer the certification examinations (OTR/COTA) to individuals for state reactivation purposes. NBCOT has done so in order to assist the states/jurisdictions who have this requirement written into their statutes and/or regulations. Page 2 www.nbcot.org Examination Development The OTR® and COTA® examinations are constructed based on the results of practice analysis studies. The studies identify the domains, tasks, and knowledge required for occupational therapy practice relative to the respective credential. The ultimate goal of a practice analysis study is to ensure that there is a representative linkage of examination content to practice. The periodic performance of practice analysis studies assists NBCOT with evaluating the validity of the test specifications that guide content distribution of the credentialing examinations. Examination Administration The NBCOT certification examinations are administered at Prometric Test Centers (PTCs) worldwide. Prometric delivers and administers more than 10 million tests a year on behalf of approximately 400 clients in the academic, financial, government, health care, professional, corporate, and information technology markets. It delivers tests flexibly via the Web or by utilizing a robust network of more than 10,000 test centers in more than 160 countries. For more information, please visit www.prometric.com. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Regulatory laws in some states require that OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS and OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANTS retake the NBCOT certification examination for state reactivation purposes. Taking the examination again is solely for state purposes and does not affect an individual’s NBCOT certification status. Individuals are not approved to apply for the NBCOT certification examination until they have been approved through their state board for eligibility. NBCOT CANDIDATE/CERTIFICANT CODE OF CONDUCT Preamble The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (“NBCOT,” formerly known as “AOTCB”) is a professional organization that supports and promotes occupational therapy practitioner certification. This Candidate/Certificant Code of Conduct enables NBCOT to define and clarify the professional responsibilities for present and future NBCOT certificants, i.e., OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST REGISTERED OTR® (OTR) henceforth OTR®, and CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT COTA® (COTA) henceforth COTA®. It is vital that NBCOT certificants conduct their work in an appropriate and professional manner to earn and maintain the confidence and respect of recipients of occupational therapy, colleagues, employers, students, and the public. As certified professionals in the field of occupational therapy, NBCOT certificants will at all times act with integrity and adhere to high standards for personal and professional conduct, accept responsibility for their actions, both personally and professionally, continually seek to enhance their professional capabilities, practice with fairness and honesty, abide by all federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and encourage others to act in a professional manner consistent with the certification standards and responsibilities set forth below. Where the term “certificant” is used, the term “applicant or candidate” is included in its scope. www.nbcot.org Page 3 NBCOT® Candidate/Certificant Code of Conduct Principle 1 Certificants shall provide accurate and truthful representations to NBCOT concerning all information related to aspects of the Certification Program, including, but not limited to, the submission of information: ▪▪ On the examination and certification renewal applications, and renewal audit form; ▪▪ Requested by NBCOT for a disciplinary action situation or ▪▪ Requested by NBCOT concerning allegations related to: »» Test security violations and/or disclosure of confidential examination material content to unauthorized parties; »» Misrepresentations by a certificant regarding his/her credential(s) and/or education; »» The unauthorized use of NBCOT’s intellectual property, certification marks, and other copyrighted materials including all NBCOT exam preparation tools e.g. practice exams. Principle 2 Certificants who are the subject of a complaint shall cooperate with NBCOT concerning investigations of violations of the NBCOT Practice Standards, including the collection of relevant information. Principle 3 Certificants shall be accurate, truthful, and complete in any and all communications, direct or indirect, with any client, employer, regulatory agency, or other parties as relates to their professional work, education, professional credentials, research and contributions to the field of O.T. Principle 4 Certificants shall comply with state and/or federal laws, regulations, and statutes governing the practice of occupational therapy. Principle 5 Certificants shall not have been convicted of a crime, the circumstances of which substantially relate to the practice of occupational therapy or indicate an inability to engage in the practice of occupational therapy safely, and/or competently. Principle 6 Certificants shall not engage in behavior or conduct, lawful or otherwise that causes them to be, or reasonably perceived to be, a threat or potential threat to the health, well-being, or safety of recipients or potential recipients of occupational therapy services. Principle 7 Certificants shall not engage in the practice of occupational therapy while one’s ability to practice is impaired due to chemical (i.e., legal and/or illegal) drug or alcohol abuse. Principle 8 Certificants shall not electronically post personal health information or anything, including photos, that may reveal a patient’s/client’s identity or personal or therapeutic relationship. (All statements, regardless of intent, about a patient/client can potentially contain sufficient information for a member of a community to recognize the patient/client thus, violating the state and/or federal law (i.e. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)). Page 4 www.nbcot.org APPLICATION PROCESS Process Overview 1. The state regulatory board must send NBCOT a completed Eligibility Application for NBCOT Examination for State Reactivation Purposes for an applicant who is required to retake the certification exam. The application can be found at: www.nbcot.org/certificant-services-state-reactivation. 2. Once NBCOT receives and approves the Eligibility Application, it will email the applicant instructions on applying for the certification exam. 3. The applicant must complete the exam application and return it to NBCOT, along with the associated fee. State Reactivation Candidates may request a copy of their score report be sent to a state regulatory board. For further information, refer to the Reporting Service: Official Score Transfer section of this handbook. 4. Once an exam application is processed, the State Reactivation Candidate receives the Authorization to Test (ATT) Letter by email (or by postal service if email is not available). The candidate may then contact Prometric Test Center to schedule their test date. The certification exam is offered year-round. For more information, refer to the Authorization to Test (ATT) Letter section of this handbook. 5. The certification exam is scored weekly. State reactivation score reports are sent by the U.S. postal service within 10-15 business days of testing. ! Important Note: Candidates who do not take their exam within one year of the date they apply will need to submit a new application with exam application fee. State Reactivation Paper Application Instructions Approved applicants will receive a letter by email (or by postal service if email is not available) from NBCOT to review the State Reactivation Exam Handbook and submit the paper copy of the State Reactivation Candidate exam application. Step 1: Read the instructions outlined in this handbook Step 2: Complete all applicable sections of the application. »» A signature is required on the Attestation Statement. »» Make a photocopy of the completed application for your records. Step 3: Mail the application, along with payment to: NBCOT, Inc. 12 S. Summit Avenue, Suite 100 Gaithersburg, MD 20877 www.nbcot.org Page 5 Character Questions To ensure that occupational therapy practitioners meet standards of professional conduct prior to entering the profession, this section MUST be completed by all State Reactivation Candidates. If a candidate answers “Yes” to any of the character questions on the application, the following information MUST also be submitted: 1. A written explanation of the events regarding the incident or question to which ‛ Yes’ was answered. 2. Copies of any official documentation related to the incident, including police reports showing the initial charge(s), court documents showing sentencing requirements, or documents showing how the case was resolved, e.g., dismissed, pre-trial program. 3. Any additional information or documentation, such as remedial measures taken since the incident, including letters from parole or probation officers confirming successful completion of probation, or a letter confirming successful completion of chemical dependency treatment. For initial felony charges or felony convictions, State Reactivation Candidates MUST answer affirmatively and submit supporting documentation, even if records, charges, or convictions have been pardoned, expunged, pled down, released, or sealed. All information MUST be submitted to and reviewed by NBCOT before the examination application will be approved. In addition to the questions asked within the exam application, if a State Reactivation Candidate has been charged with and/or convicted of a felony or any crime at any time before or after issuance of an Authorization to Test (ATT) Letter, the State Reactivation Candidate MUST notify NBCOT immediately and submit supporting documentation. If the State Reactivation Candidate fails to inform NBCOT, disciplinary action may result. Notifications should be sent to: NBCOT, Inc. ATTN: Qualifications and Compliance Review 12 S. Summit Avenue, Suite 100 Gaithersburg, MD 20877 Reporting Service: Official Score Transfer State reactivation candidates may request that NBCOT send an Official Score Transfer (also known as the Score Report) to a state regulatory board. A state regulatory board will NOT automatically receive a score report unless an Official Score Transfer service has been ordered. There is a fee for each score transfer request. Ordered items cannot be canceled or refunded. All states accept scores with the exception of Hawaii. Fees Payment for examination applications and official score transfers must be made by credit card (MasterCard or Visa). State Reactivation Candidates applying for the examination (OTR or COTA) MUST pay the fee at the time the application is submitted. No off-line payments will be accepted. An application cannot be processed until all fees are paid in full. For a detailed fee schedule, see the payment section of the exam application in Appendix A of this handbook. Questions can be directed to NBCOT via email at [email protected] or by phone at 301-990-7979. Page 6 www.nbcot.org Testing Accommodations In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended, NBCOT will provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations for qualified individuals with a disability who submit appropriate documentation. For details on requesting testing accommodations, refer to the Testing Accommodations handbook at: www.nbcot.org/special-testing-accommodations. Direct specific questions to: [email protected] APPROVED APPLICATIONS Authorization to Test (ATT) Letter Within three (3) business days after NBCOT approves a State Reactivation Candidate’s exam application, the candidate will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter by email. The ATT letter authorizes the candidate to take the certification exam. It will include details on how to schedule the exam directly with Prometric, as well as information on how to reschedule or cancel an exam, if necessary. Prometric’s contact information will also be included. The ATT letter is active for 90 days. If the candidate does not take the exam within this time period, the ATT letter will expire, and the candidate will have to request to reactivate the ATT letter for an additional 90 days. The ATT letter can be reactivated as many times as necessary during the one-year exam application period, with the understanding that in order to successfully reactivate a letter, the candidate must cancel any previously scheduled exam appointments. Once a candidate submits a request to reissue an ATT letter, the original ATT letter is voided. The candidate may no longer test on the original ATT letter. If an exam application is more than one year old, the ATT letter can no longer be reactivated; a new exam application and fee MUST be submitted. Reactivation of the ATT letter may be requested by submitting a Request to Reissue ATT Letter form, which is available at: www.nbcot.org/att-letter-request. Pictured above and at right: a Prometric test center. Scheduling the State Reactivation Candidate Examination After the ATT letter has been received, State Reactivation Candidates can schedule their testing appointment directly with Prometric Candidates SHOULD NOT contact Prometric until after they have received the ATT letter. A list of Prometric test centers can be found online at www.prometric.com. State Reactivation Candidates are www.nbcot.org Page 7 encouraged to locate a test center and schedule their examination online. If a State Reactivation Candidate chooses to call Prometric instead, the call center should be contacted rather than the individual Prometric test center. Prometric's contact information will be included on the State Reactivation Candidate's ATT letter. NBCOT cannot schedule or confirm individual exam appointments. ! Important Notes: State Reactivation Candidates approved for testing accommodations CANNOT schedule their exam online. They MUST call Prometric to schedule their exam with the assistance of a Prometric testing accommodations advocate. Biometric State Reactivation Candidate Notice during Scheduling/Registration Whether scheduling the exam online or via phone, the State Reactivation Candidate will be presented with a biometricenabled check-in notice. This notice will explain the collection and usage of biometric information. TIf scheduling the exam online, the State Reactivation Candidate MUST acknowledge having read the notice by selecting “agree” or “disagree” — either selection will allow the State Reactivation Candidate to proceed with registration. If scheduling the exam online, the State Reactivation Candidate MUST acknowledge having read the notice by selecting “agree” or “disagree” — either selection will allow the State Reactivation Candidate to proceed with registration. If scheduling the exam over the phone, the Prometric customer service representative will read a brief statement about biometrics and direct the State Reactivation Candidate to the website for further information. Upon completion of the scheduling process, an exam confirmation email will be sent to the candidate containing a link to the website featuring further information about biometric-enabled check-in. Name and/or Address Changes ▪▪ The name provided on the exam application is the name that is printed on the Authorization to Test (ATT) letter. ▪▪ State Reactivation Candidates are required to present identification when arriving at the Prometric Test Center. ▪▪ This identification MUST match the first and last names indicated on the ATT letter. The middle initial does not show on the ATT letter and is not required for ID purposes. ▪▪ If the identification does not match the ATT letter, the State Reactivation Candidate will not be admitted to test, and the examination will be forfeited. ▪▪ When the exam is forfeited, the ATT letter is voided; a new ATT letter is required. ▪▪ Name changes cannot be made at the test center. They should be submitted with the State Reactivation Candidate's examination application. Address Change ▪▪ A candidate can update their address at any time online by logging into www.my.nbcot.org. The address that is on file when scoring takes place will be the address used to send score reports and any other certification documentation. If an address changes after this time, the candidate should set up a forwarding address with the postal service so that correspondence from NBCOT can be forwarded to the new address. Application Withdrawal and Refund for Personal and/or Medical Emergencies State Reactivation Candidates whose exam has been scheduled, and whom experience a personal or medical emergency, MUST notify NBCOT in writing. Documentation verifying the event/circumstance MUST be provided. Requests for rescheduling the exam will be considered on a case by case basis. Page 8 www.nbcot.org Approved State Reactivation Candidates will receive a partial refund. Since the exam application remains active for one year, in order to receive a partial refund, the State Reactivation Candidate MUST completely withdraw the exam application within one year of the application by submitting the request, with a brief explanation, via email to info@ nbcot.org. Refunds will be processed within 30 days from the date NBCOT approves the refund request. Cancellation, Rescheduling, Late Arrival or No Show for Scheduled Examination The following fees apply to state reactivation examination candidates who reschedule, cancel, arrive late or do not appear for their scheduled examination: Category Cancellation/Reschedule Period Cancellation/Rescheduling Fee 30 or more business days before scheduled exam date No fee. If exam is rescheduled within current ATT letter activation period, a Request to Reissue ATT Letter form is not required. 2 5-29 business days before scheduled exam date $35.00 (contact Prometric’s State Reactivation Candidate Services Contact Center). If exam is rescheduled within current ATT letter activation period, a Request to Reissue ATT Letter form is not required. 3 • Less than 5 business days before scheduled exam date; or • Fails to appear for a scheduled exam; or • Arrives at the Test Center more than 15 minutes after scheduled exam start time and is refused admission; or • Arrives at the Test Center without the proper ID $175.00 - Submit a Request to Reissue ATT Letter form, available through MyNBCOT. The form, with payment, MUST be submitted to NBCOT before the exam can be rescheduled. 1 State Reactivation Candidates with Category 1 or 2 changes MUST make and confirm all cancellations/changes through direct contact with Prometric’s Candidate Services Contact Center (CSCC) personnel. Leaving a message on a recorder or a voice mail is NOT an acceptable means to confirm cancellation or exam date change. ® NBCOT Exam Products and Services Refund Policy There are no refunds or returns for services except in cases of duplicate payments, overpayments, or exam application withdrawals. There is a $40 processing fee for all refunds. Withdrawals of the exam application must be requested in writing (email accepted: [email protected]) by the candidate for consideration of a partial refund. If the refund is granted, a candidate cannot apply for the exam for one full year from the date of the refund request. Any refund granted will be refunded by the same payment method and to the same party as the original transaction. www.nbcot.org Page 9 PREPARING FOR THE EXAM State Reactivation Candidate Examination The examinations consist of the following: ▪▪ OTR: 3 Simulation Test Items and 170 Multiple Choice Test Items ▪▪ COTA: 200 Multiple Choice Test Items only The questions are derived from the result of practice analysis studies and developed to measure the knowledge required for practicing as an entry-level occupational therapist registered or certified occupational therapy assistant. The following charts present the domain areas and proportion of test items established for the OTR and COTA blueprints of the current certification examinations. OTR Domain Descriptions Percent of Exam 01 Acquire information regarding factors that influence occupational performance throughout the occupational therapy process 17% 02 Formulate conclusions regarding client needs and priorities to develop and monitor an intervention plan throughout the occupational therapy process 28% 03 Select interventions for managing a client-centered plan throughout the occupational therapy process 45% 04 Manage and direct occupational therapy services to promote quality in practice 10% COTA Domain Descriptions Percent of Exam 01 Assist the OTR to acquire information regarding factors that influence occupational performance throughout the occupational therapy process 32% 02 Implement interventions in accordance with the intervention plan and under the supervision of the OTR to support client participation in areas of occupation throughout the occupational therapy process 60% 03 Uphold professional standards and responsibilities to promote quality in practice 8% Validated Domain, Task, and Knowledge Statements for the Examinations Within each domain area of the exam, there are a number of associated task and knowledge statements. All items on the NBCOT exams are classified according to these domain, task, and knowledge statements. The OTR Validated Domain, Task, and Knowledge and COTA Validated Domain, Task, and Knowledge Statements for the examinations are available online at: www.nbcot.org/exam-blueprints. Page 10 www.nbcot.org Multiple Choice Items Each multiple choice item starts with a stem or premise. This is usually in the form of a written statement or question. Possible response options are listed beneath the stem. From the options listed, there is only ONE correct response, the other options are distracters. Candidates need to select the best response based on the information presented in the stem. Example: During which task would a stereognosis deficit secondary to a CVA be MOST EVIDENT? 1)Getting coins from a pocket* 2)Pouring water into a cup 3)Putting on a pair of socks 4)Opening a pill bottle *Correct answer Simulation Test Items (OTR® Examination Only) A simulation test item consists of an opening scene, a series of sections each with section headers, and a list of decisions or action statements. These action statements consist of positive, negative, and neutral responses. An example is shown at right. Candidates select the actions that they deem appropriate from the list of actions provided. As the action statement is selected, a feedback box will appear. The feedback box provides information related to the action selected. Feedback is revealed response-by-response as the candidate makes each selection, so that a candidate only receives information on the actions they have chosen throughout the course Pictured above: screenshot similar to the format that appears on the exam. of the problem. Feedback does not give information on whether the response was positive, neutral, or negative. From the list of actions, a candidate will score points for positive actions and have points deducted for actions that are negative or hinder the resolution of the presented problem(s). A candidate will neither have points awarded nor deducted for selecting a neutral action. Once an action has been selected it cannot be de-selected. Candidates are able to navigate back to see previous screens; however, actions cannot be changed on previous screens once the candidate has progressed to a new screen. Study Tools NBCOT offers a number of study tools to assist candidates with their exam preparation including the validated domain, task, and knowledge statements, the exam blueprints, entry-level self-assessment tools, online practice www.nbcot.org Page 11 tests, study guides, and study packages. The tools are designed to help candidates assess their exam readiness, focus study efforts in appropriate areas, and become familiar with the areas tested on the examination. NBCOT does not guarantee enhanced performance on the NBCOT certification examinations for those using any of these study materials. However, the official NBCOT study tools are the only OTR® and COTA® certification examination study tools designed exclusively by NBCOT test development professionals and include sample practice questions that have been written to the same psychometric standards as the actual NBCOT certification examinations. To access the study tools, visit www.nbcot.org/exam-preparation. ! Important Note: NBCOT does not administer, approve, endorse, or review any preparatory courses or study materials relating to the NBCOT certification exam that are produced by other vendors. NOW Accessible For iPads NBCOT OTR and COTA Official Study Guide Page 12 www.nbcot.org EXAM DAY: QUESTIONS & ANSWERS What are the requirements for admission to the test center? »» You MUST arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment with two forms (two primary forms or a primary and secondary form) of acceptable identification where your name and signature match your ATT letter. Acceptable Primary identification is: ▪▪ A currently valid, government-issued photo ID with legal name and legible signature (passport, driver’s license, military ID card, state ID card, state driver's permit, permanent resident card). IDs without both legal name and signature will not be accepted. Acceptable Secondary identification is: ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ A current major credit card with expiration date (Visa, Master Card, American Express or Discover Card) ATM card Employee ID card Voter registration card or letter Student ID card Social Security cards are not accepted »» All forms of ID MUST be original and MUST have a signature. If there is a discrepancy caused by a recent name change, a copy of the marriage license/certificate or divorce decree will NOT be accepted at the test center and you WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO TAKE THE EXAMINATION – refer to name change procedures on page 8. Will I be thumb-printed or photographed at the testing center? Prometric employs biometric-enabled check-in services at all its test sites. This procedure consists of a number of steps to verify your eligibility to test, including taking an electronic record of your ID, photo imaging, and a digital fingertip record. You are required to undergo fingertip analysis any time you leave and re-enter the testing room for validation purposes. There is video surveillance in all State Reactivation Candidate accessible areas of the testing center. What items are prohibited while taking the examination? You are not allowed to bring ANY electronic device (cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cameras, or digital watches) or any hard copy documentation into the testing facility. This includes but is not limited to the lobby, bathroom, test administration check-in and/or waiting rooms or the test administration room. If you are found using such a device during any part of the test administration process, the Testing Center Administrator (TCA) will require you to step out of the test administration area. The TCA will inform you that you have violated test center rules and a report will be filed. The TCA will file a detailed Candidate Proctor Report (CPR) with NBCOT, including the make/model of the prohibited item (if applicable). You will be dismissed and the exam terminated. Your future exam eligibility status will be determined by NBCOT. Can I use earplugs? State Reactivation Candidates may provide their own earplugs as long as they are not connected with a string or wires. Earplugs are subject to inspection by the TCA. www.nbcot.org Page 13 What clothing am I allowed/not allowed to bring into testing room? If you wish to wear a sweater or jacket, the clothing item MUST be donned before entering the testing room. Once in the testing room, you will not be allowed to put on or take off a sweater, jacket, or shoes, or pull a jacket hood up over your head. Head coverings of any kind are not allowed in the testing room unless it is being worn for religious purposes (such as hats, turbans, scarves, and yarmulkes). If the item is worn for religious purposes it will be visually inspected prior to you being admitted into the testing room and MUST remain in full view at all times. If you need to reposition or take off the head covering or religious item, you will be asked to step out of the testing room into the waiting area. Do I have to request a testing accommodation to bring a hearing aid, cochlear implant or insulin pump into the testing room? If the device makes any kind of noise, the State Reactivation Candidate must request and be approved for testing accommodations in advance. If the device does not make any noise, no testing accommodation is required. All devices will be visually inspected prior to the State Reactivation Candidate being admitted into the testing room. If the device needs to be readjusted after the exam has begun, the State Reactivation Candidate will be asked to step into the waiting area. How much time will I have for the examination? The appointment time for the OTR® and COTA® examinations is 5 hours and 15 minutes. The exams themselves are only 4 hours long. The extra appointment time is to allow State Reactivation Candidates to complete administrative, tutorial, survey information. Will there be other candidates testing at my test center? It is likely that there will be other candidates taking different examinations at your test center during your exam appointment. The layout of the testing cubicles ensures you have ample workspace and privacy from other test takers. Can I take a break during the examination? Yes, you may take breaks during the examination. However, the exam clock will continue to run while you are on the break. You will be required to complete all check-in procedures to re-enter the testing room. This may require waiting for other State Reactivation Candidates to complete check-in procedures. Is computer knowledge necessary? No. The optional tutorial(s) that accompany the examinations walk you through the process of selecting answers and progressing through the examination on the computer. Tutorial time does not count towards your allotted examination time. You can repeat the tutorial(s) if you wish. Can I Make Notes During the Exam? You can request to use a wet marker board from the TCA during your examination. If you require additional materials, you will need to wait for the TCA to clean the originally issued wet marker board before reusing. Can I eat/drink in the testing room? No; however, beverages and snacks can be stored in lockers located in the testing center waiting area. State Reactivation Candidates may eat or drink in the waiting area only. Page 14 www.nbcot.org What can I do if the computer malfunctions while taking the exam? You MUST alert the TCA immediately. Staff will make every effort to remedy the situation as soon as possible. The time spent to remedy the problem will not count as part of your examination time. Due to the nature of the exam delivery system, no previously entered examination data can be lost. If the problem cannot be remedied within 30 minutes, you have the right to reschedule the examination for another day within your eligibility period. What happens if I experience an administrative or technical issue during my exam? Examples of administrative or technical issues include: computer screen freezing, power failure, approved accommodations not being available, excessive noise or physical disruption within the testing center, or test not available at scheduled time. The following must be completed in order for your complaint to be reviewed: (bold this statement) ▪▪ You MUST file a complaint immediately with the Test Center Administrator (TCA) or before leaving the test center. ▪▪ You MUST request a 'ticket' number from the TCA before leaving the test center. ▪▪ You MUST also contact NBCOT by email within 24 hours after the incident occurred and provide NBCOT with the 'ticket' number and case summary. ▪▪ Administrative or technical complaints MUST be emailed to [email protected]. ▪▪ NBCOT will confirm receipt of the complaint. ! Important Note: NBCOT cannot address administrative or technical complaints with Prometric if you did not first file a complaint at the test center. Administrative or technical complaints submitted after the candidate’s pass/fail status is posted will not be acknowledged. Appeal of an administrative or technical complaint can only be filed AFTER an administrative or technical complaint has: 1) been submitted by the candidate 2) been reviewed by NBCOT, and 3) had a decision rendered. Examination challenges of any kind may result in the delay of the examination score being released. All exam scores are held until the examination challenge has been fully investigated and resolved. What is my obligation to maintain confidentiality after I take the exam? The NBCOT’s certification examinations and the items contained therein are protected by federal copyright law. No part of an examination may be copied, reproduced, or shared in any manner, in part or whole, by any means whatsoever, including memorization, verbal, written, and/or electronic transmission which includes but is not limited to (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, cell phone, blogs, discussion forums). Posting examination or study tool questions to social media or other networking sites constitutes a test security and copyright violation as noted in Principle 1 of the NBCOT Candidate/Certificant Code of Conduct. Infringements of the NBCOT Code of Conduct are investigated by the NBCOT’s Qualifications and Compliance Review Committee (QCRC) to determine appropriate disciplinary action. www.nbcot.org Page 15 What to Bring to the Exam: Two forms of identification: √√ Must match name on ATT letter √√ One must be government-issued photo ID with signature √√ Signatures on BOTH ID documents must be CLEAR AFTER THE EXAM: QUESTIONS & ANSWERS How are the exams scored? Each administration of the NBCOT® certification examinations is designed to fairly assess the knowledge required for entry-level practice. The total raw score (the total number of correct responses) is converted to a “scaled score” ranging from 300 to 600 points. To ensure scores on different forms of the examination have the same meaning, raw scores are converted to scaled scores representing equivalent levels of achievement regardless of the form of examination taken. The NBCOT minimum passing scaled score is 450. For more information on scoring, please refer to the Foundations of the NBCOT Certification Examinations, which can be accessed at www.nbcot.org>Certification Candidates>U.S. Candidates>Post Exam. How will I get my examination result? After the administration of the examination, your examination will be scored by NBCOT. Additional information regarding scoring schedules can be accessed at www.nbcot.org>Certification Candidates>U.S. Candidates>Schedule the Exam>Scoring Schedule You can view your unofficial pass/fail status through your online account after the exam has been scored — usually within two to three days after the scoring date. The official score report is mailed within 10-15 days of taking the examination. If you do not receive your score report within four to six (4-6) weeks of taking the examination you should submit a Duplicate Score Report Request. Duplicate score reports are provided at no cost if submitted within 4-6 weeks after taking the exam. Beyond six (6) weeks, the Duplicate Score Report Request Form MUST be accompanied with the appropriate fee. The form can be accessed at: www.nbcot.org>Exam Services>Duplicate Score Report Can I Appeal My Examination Result? Yes, you may appeal your examination result; however, failing the examination alone is not sufficient grounds for an appeal. The appeal MUST be submitted in writing to NBCOT and MUST specifically state the reason(s) for the appeal, and why the appeal should be granted. Appeal letters should be sent to NBCOT by traceable mail – signature of receipt required to: NBCOT Managing Director, Competency Assessment 12 South Summit Avenue, Suite 100 Gaithersburg, MD 20877 The appeal letter MUST be received by NBCOT within 14 days of receipt of the online examination pass/fail results. Correspondence received after this date will not be accepted. NBCOT will provide a response to the State Reactivation Candidate regarding the outcome of the appeal within 21 days of receipt of the appeal letter. Page 16 www.nbcot.org RETAKING THE EXAM Any State Reactivation Candidate who fails the examination may apply for another examination administration. The re-application process is the same as the initial application process. Instructions will be included with the failing score report. When re-applying, the following should be noted: ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ There is a 30-day waiting period after the last examination date before the State Reactivation Candidate may test again. The State Reactivation Candidate MUST submit a new application by mail in order to re-test. A new application fee will be assessed. New fees will also be assessed for score reporting, confirmation notices, or any other services. After eligibility has been approved, the candidate will receive a new ATT Letter, with a new 90-day testing eligibility period. NBCOT CERTIFICATION RENEWAL: KEEP YOUR CREDENTIAL ACTIVE! Upon initial NBCOT certification, a certificant's credential is valid for a period of three (3) years. Certification renewal is required to maintain active certification. The requirements for certification renewal are: »» A completed Certification Renewal Application »» The appropriate renewal application fee »» Accrual of required Professional Development Units (PDU): certificants accrue 36 PDU in the three (3) years between their initial certification date and the renewal due date »» Abidance by the NBCOT Candidate/Certificant Code of Conduct Fulfilling the certification renewal requirements entitles a certificant to continue using the OTR® or COTA® credential. Why Renew? When an OTR or COTA renews their national certification, it shows that they place value in professional development and evidence-based practice. It also shows a commitment to the NBCOT mission of serving the public interest. One value of certification renewal is the continued use of the NBCOT credential. The OTR and COTA credentials are representative of practitioners who satisfy national standards in education, experience, and professional conduct, and demonstrate that they possess the knowledge and skills to be accountable for the delivery of professional services. In addition, NBCOT not only sets the national standard for certification, but also offers the tools to identify practice strengths and weaknesses to better advance continued competency. By maintaining the NBCOT certification, certificants have access to evidence-based research such as ProQuest, and continued competency resources such as online self-assessments. www.nbcot.org Page 17 How to Renew Certification If you are renewing current certification, there are two ways to renew: 1. Submit an online application at www.nbcot.org 2. Complete and mail in a paper application A certificant may renew online at www.nbcot.org by clicking on "Get Certified" and submitting a renewal application. To renew a certification that is more than one year past expiration, a request for a Reinstatement Packet should be sent [email protected]. The email should include the certificant's name (including former name, if applicable), address, date of birth, and certification number (if availabe). Prior to a certificant’s renewal due date, NBCOT sends a courtesy reminder notification and renewal instructions. For this reason, it is essential that certificants keep all of their contact information updated with NBCOT. Upon renewal, all certificants receive an updated certificate and wallet identification card. Page 18 www.nbcot.org EXAMINATION APPLICATION PROCEDURES CHECKLIST Completing the State Reactivation Candidate Examination Application and Submitting Fees: I have read the NBCOT State Reactivation Candidate Exam Handbook. I have submitted a paper application and am submitting payment by mail to NBCOT (refer to exam application). If I want NBCOT to send an Official Score Transfer to a regulatory entity or employer, I have indicated so on my application. I have paid all applicable fees. Requesting Testing Accommodations: If I have a professionally diagnosed disability covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and I wish to request testing accommodations, I have submitted the required Testing Accommodations Provider Recommendation Form and documentation with my exam application. Option to take the Spanish OTR or COTA Exam: If I wish to take the Spanish OTR or COTA exam, I have completed the following: Indicated my intent to take the Spanish OTR or COTA exam on the exam application. Submitted the exam application and payment to NBCOT. Scheduling with Prometric: I have contacted the Prometric Call Center to schedule my appointment. Note: An examination date cannot be scheduled without an ATT Letter. If I need to cancel/reschedule my examination date, I will follow the procedures outlined in the cancellation policy. www.nbcot.org Page 19 ® 2015 Certification Examination Application OTR® and COTA® STATE REACTIVATION CANDIDATES rev150105 Section 1: Applicant Information I am a: first-time state reactivation applicant repeating state activation test-taker FOR NBCOT USE ONLY Date of Birth: State Approved “State Reactivation” Candidate: _______________ First Name: Middle Name: Exam Last Name: COTA Mailing Address: OTR City: First-Time State/Province: Postal Code: Country: Repeat Phone: home work mobile Phone: home work mobile Social Security Number: Email Address: Security Question: What is your birth city? Section 2: Credential Information Exam Level: CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT COTA OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST REGISTERED OTR U.S. School Name: State: Graduation Date (mm/yyyy): Exam Eligibility Pathway: OTR Credential: Entry-level Master’s Degree Entry-level Doctoral degree Bachelor’s degree OTED (including internationally-educated) COTA Credential: Associate Degree Certificate www.nbcot.org Appendix A-1 Name: Section 3: Character Questions HAVE YOU EVER... been charged with or convicted of a felony? (NOTE: Certificants must answer affirmatively if records, charges, or convictions have been pardoned, expunged, released or sealed.) Yes No had any professional license, registration, or certification denied, revoked, suspended, or subject to probationary conditions by a regulatory authority or certification board? Yes No been found by any court, administrative, or disciplinary proceeding to have committed negligence, malpractice, recklessness, or willful or intentional misconduct which resulted in harm to another? Yes No been suspended and/or expelled from a college or university? Yes No If you answer “Yes” to any of the character questions, please refer to page 6 of the handbook for further detail regarding documentation requirements. All documentation must be submitted to and reviewed by NBCOT before the examination application will be approved. Mail documentation to: NBCOT, Inc.; ATTN: Qualifications and Compliance Review 12 South Summit Avenue, Suite 100 Gaithersburg, MD 20877 Section 4: Application Acknowledgment and Attestation Statement By submitting this exam application, you are attesting to having read and understood the following NBCOT Certificant Attestation Statement and the information provided in the NBCOT Certification Examination Handbook. Please read this statement carefully. I have read, understand, and agree to adhere to the provisions of the current edition of the NBCOT Certification Examination Handbook, the NBCOT Candidate/Certificant Code of Conduct (hereinafter referred to as the “Code of Conduct”), and the NBCOT Procedures for Enforcement of the NBCOT Code of Conduct (hereinafter referred to as the “Procedures”), all of which can be found on the NBCOT website at www.nbcot.org. By signing below, I am attesting that I have reviewed and completed the exam application myself and that the information I submit in this application and in any required accompanying or subsequent documentation is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. Additionally, I understand that persons who apply for certification as an OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST REGISTERED OTR® or CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT COTA® or persons who have been certified by NBCOT, are subject to the Code of Conduct and the Procedures. I understand that from time-to-time NBCOT may amend its requirements, policies, and procedures for initial certification, certification renewal, and Procedures for Enforcement of the Code of Conduct. During my three-year certification cycle, I agree to notify NBCOT in writing of any violation of the Code of Conduct (e.g. felony conviction, suspension, or revocation of a license to practice occupational therapy). I agree to hold NBCOT, its directors, officers, employees, and agents free from any damage or complaint by reason of any action taken in connection with the score or score given with respect to this or any other NBCOT certification examination, or the failure of NBCOT to issue me certification. I understand that if it is confirmed I was not eligible at the time I examined, my examination score will be voided. If it is ever determined that I was a participant in any testing irregularity, such as use of any electronic device during the examination and/or break, or cheating, to include discussing, transmitting or copying a test item(s) or answer(s) to a third-party, before, during or after the examination, my certification or eligibility status with NBCOT may be changed. Further, I understand that if I need to file an examination administrative or technical complaint that I must file such a complaint on-site at the Prometric Test Center, and must request a ticket number. I also agree to notify NBCOT in writing of any address and/or name change within thirty days (30) after the change becomes effective. If requested to do so, NBCOT may verify my certification status. I hereby consent to NBCOT’s release of any information regarding this application, my examination eligibility, my examination administration, or my certification status to any academic institution, employer, regulatory agency, or other party that may inquire in writing. I understand that NBCOT reports aggregate school performance data to all occupational therapy education programs and to the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, (ACOTE) on an annual basis. Signature: Date: Please print name here: Appendix A-2 www.nbcot.org Name: Section 5: Testing Accommodations I am requesting Testing Accommodations for the certification examination due to a documented disability. My initial Testing Accommodations application and required medical documentation was submitted to NBCOT for review when I took the examination for NBCOT certification. I am requesting identical accommodations previously approved by NBCOT. (If you are requesting different or additional accommodations, you must complete the full accommodations process.) Repeating Examination Candidates: If you were approved to take the exam with accommodations prior to 2012, you may be required to submit updated documents. The Testing Accommodations Provider Recommendation Form can be found at www.nbcot.org. Section 6: Official Score Transfer Please send an Official Score Transfer to the jurisdiction(s) selected below. I have included the $40 fee for EACH score report. Please Note: No state will receive a report unless it is marked here and the additional payment for EACH state marked is enclosed. Fees for score reports are non-refundable. ONLY the states listed below accept score reports. Alabama Idaho Minnesota North Dakota Utah Alaska Illinois Mississippi Ohio Vermont Arizona Indiana Missouri Oklahoma Virginia Arkansas Iowa Montana Oregon Washington California Kansas Nebraska Pennsylvania West Virginia Colorado Kentucky Nevada Puerto Rico Wisconsin Connecticut Louisiana New Hampshire Rhode Island Wyoming Delaware Maine New Jersey South Carolina District of Columbia Maryland New Mexico South Dakota Florida Massachusetts New York Tennessee Georgia Michigan North Carolina Texas Section 7: Fees and Payment for State Reactivation Candidates Examination Application/Study Tools NBCOT offers a range of products to aid in test preparation. From hardcopy to online study guides and practice tests, NBCOT can help you get prepared for the exam. For more details on NBCOT Study Tools, go towww.nbcot.org/exam-preparation. Each Service Fees: Examination Application Fee (State Reactivation Candidate) $540 (paper application) Official Score Transfer Request $40 per score report Returned Check Fee $35 Qty. Amount Application Fee $540 x = Official Score Transfer $40 x = Total Payment = www.nbcot.org Appendix A-3 Name: NBCOT Application Payment Name: Credit Card Number: Street Address: Expiration Date: 3-digit CVV code: Credit Card Holder’s Name: City: Card Holder’s Address (required): State/Province: Postal Code: Country: Phone: I authorize the amount indicated above to be charged to my credit card. E-mail: Signature of Cardholder (required) Payment: Check Money Order Visa MasterCard Please make checks and money orders payable to “NBCOT.” Checks must be drawn on a U.S. bank. Mail completed State Reactivation Candidate examination application including signature and date on Attestation Statement, any required documentation, and payment together in one envelope, to: NBCOT, Inc. 12 South Summit Avenue, Suite 100 Gaithersburg, MD 20877 Is everything enclosed? • Completed State Reactivation Candidate application including signature and date on Attestation Statement • Payment in full • Any required documentation Appendix A-4 www.nbcot.org ® www.nbcot.org ® © 2015 National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. ‘NBCOT’ (formerly American Occupational Therapy Certification Board ‘AOTCB®’) is a service and trademark of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. ‘OTR®’ is a certification mark of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. ‘COTA®’ is a certification mark of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. All marks are registered in the United States of America. 12 S. Summit Avenue, Suite 100 Gaithersburg, MD 20877 www.nbcot.org
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