Pediatric Occupational Therapist

How to Become a Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Pediatric occupational therapists must earn a master’s degree in occupational therapy and earn state licensure. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to become a pediatric occupational therapist.

Step 1: Graduate from High School or Obtain a GED (Four Years)

Becoming a pediatric occupational therapist begins by completing high school or obtaining a GED as this is required for most bachelor’s degree programs. A high school diploma or GED demonstrates a minimum level of education and a dedication to completing an educational program.

Students who wish to pursue a pediatric occupational therapy career should take high school classes such as biology, child development, and psychology. Volunteer experience in high school with children with developmental, physical, or mental disabilities can help boost college applications and provide early hands-on career experience.

Step 2: Complete a Bachelor’s Degree (Four Years)

A bachelor’s degree is necessary to become a pediatric occupational therapist. There are several undergraduate majors students can complete, including kinesiology, anthropology, psychology, anatomy, and biology.

Many master’s programs have prerequisite coursework requirements, so students should ensure they take the necessary courses for admission. These classes can include anatomy and physiology, statistics, medical terminology, and psychology. Admission to master’s programs can be competitive, so students should ensure they have volunteer or work experience with children who have developmental, physical, or mental disabilities as this can boost applications.

Step 3: Obtain a Master’s Degree (Two to Three Years)

The last educational step towards becoming a pediatric occupational therapist is to complete a master’s degree in occupational therapy. Most professionals earn a master’s of arts or science in occupational therapy. Students should ensure the program they attend is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), as this is required for both certification and licensure.

Most occupational therapist programs are general programs. Students who wish to pursue a career in pediatric occupational therapy should look for a program with a strong pediatric emphasis, pediatric clinical internship sites, and faculty with pediatric specialties.

University of Southern California

The University of Southern California Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy offers a two-year entry-level professional master of arts (MA) degree in occupational therapy. This program is designed for students who have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than occupational therapy. Students complete three intensive immersion experiences in adult rehab, mental health, and pediatrics. The program has a pediatric emphasis throughout the entire course of study and has key faculty with extensive expertise with children.

As part of the program, students will delve into behavioral neuroscience; clinical reasoning; research and evidence-based practice; therapeutic use of self; dysphagia across the lifespan: pediatrics through geriatrics; sensory integration; and school-based practice.

• Location: Los Angeles, CA
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC); Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Wayne State University

Wayne State University offers an entry-level master of occupational therapy (MOT) program. This 2.5-year program, designed to prepare students to become occupational therapy health care professionals, requires students to complete a bachelor’s degree before admission.

The program, which is made up of 93 credits, includes courses such as occupational therapy assessments and interventions (pediatric), pediatrics special topics, surface anatomy for occupational therapy, movement assessment and intervention, neurosciences for health care professionals, motor control, occupational therapy practice in the aging, and environment, occupation, and health.

• Location: Detroit, MI
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 2.5 years

University of Washington

University of Washington’s Department of Rehabilitation Medicine offers an entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program. Including rigorous academic coursework integrated with fieldwork education, this program ranks in the top 25 OT programs in the nation by the US News & World Report.

In the first year, students focus on the therapeutic analysis of activities and occupations throughout the lifespan, the foundations of occupational therapy, therapeutic communication groups, and the process of occupational therapy service delivery. They also learn applied human sciences such as neurobiology, kinesiology, and functional anatomy and engage in clinical learning experiences.

Second-year students learn about occupational therapy theory and practice in pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health, and physical disabilities through academic coursework integrated with four weeks of full-time community-based fieldwork and other clinical learning experiences.

• Location: Seattle, WA
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU); Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Pfeiffer University

Pfeiffer University offers a master of science program in occupational therapy that helps students develop a holistic approach and servant attitude to occupational therapy, empowering them for traditional professional settings and areas of newly identified needs like rural health. All students in this program are required to complete 12 semester hours of fieldwork in approved clinical education sites.

The program consists of 77 credits. Students complete fieldwork in mental health, adults, and pediatrics, and the core curriculum focuses on coursework in neuroscience, gross anatomy and kinesiology, ethics and professional reasoning, and mental health. Additionally, the program includes several courses focused on pediatrics.

• Location: Misenheimer, NC
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 27 months

Step 4: Obtain National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Certification (Timeline Varies)

Occupational therapists must obtain certification from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) to practice. The requirements to be eligible to sit for this exam are:

• Complete an entry-level occupational therapy degree from an ACOTE-accredited program
• Submit official transcripts
• Agree to abide by the NBCOT Practice Standards and Code of Conduct

Candidates have three years from completing their program to be eligible to sit for the exam. The exam costs $515, takes four hours, and consists of three clinical simulations and 170 multiple-choice questions.

Step 5: Apply for State Licensure (Timeline Varies)

Occupational therapists are required to be licensed in all 50 states. Pediatric occupational therapists only need to meet the licensing requirements for standard occupational therapists. Requirements for occupational therapists vary by state, so applicants should contact their local board to ensure they have the necessary qualifications. For example, to become an occupational therapist in Florida, candidates must:

• Complete an ACOTE-accredited program
• Be of good moral character
• Complete six months of supervised work experience
• Pass the NBCOT exam
• Pass a background check

Step 6: Apply for Work as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist (Timeline Varies)

Once licensed as occupational therapists, aspiring pediatric occupational therapists can apply for work. Volunteer or work experience, as part of an educational program or not, in a pediatric occupational therapy clinic can help boost candidates’ job applications.

What Do Pediatric Occupational Therapists Do?

Pediatric occupational therapists work in various settings, including children-specific-occupational therapy clinics, hospitals, schools, and home health companies. Day-to-day duties vary based on place of employment, but typical responsibilities of pediatric occupational therapists include:

• Observing pediatric clients and reviewing their medical records
• Evaluating children’s condition and needs
• Performing mobility, feeding, and cognitive tests on children
• Identifying parent and child’s goals for occupational therapy
• Writing a treatment plan to meet goals
• Assisting children in completing an exercise to meet their goals
• Teaching parents how to perform exercises with their children
• Evaluating living and school environments to ensure they meet the children’s needs
• Recommending and fitting special equipment to pediatric patients
• Maintaining careful client records

How Much Do Pediatric Occupational Therapists Make?

Occupational therapists—including those in pediatrics—earn $96,790 per year on average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2023). Wages vary based on place of employment, level of education, and years of experience. The percentiles for wages are:

• 10th percentile: $65,210
• 25th percentile: $79,290
• 50th percentile (median): $96,370
• 75th percentile: $109,480
• 90th percentile: $129,620

In contrast, PayScale, a self-reported aggregate of salary data, asserts the annual average wage specifically for Pediatric Occupational Therapists is $68,012 per year based on 676 individuals reporting (PayScale November 2024).

Pediatric Occupational Therapist Professional Associations & Resources

• American Occupational Therapy Association
• American Occupational Therapy Foundation
• Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
• National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)