In North Carolina, the North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy (NCBOT) is responsible for issuing and regulating occupational therapy (OT) licenses. To become an OT in the Tar Heel State, you must complete the following steps:

  • Obtain an OT degree from an accredited school;
  • Complete an internship or practicum;
  • Pass the national certification exam;
  • Pass the Jurisprudence Exam;
  • Apply for a license;
  • Complete 15 hours of continuing education.

Occupational therapy in this state is lucrative — OTs can expect to make an average of $83,100 per year based on 2017 data, which is just under the national average salary for an OT. However, both Virginia and Tennessee had higher OT salaries in the same period, meaning it could be beneficial to commute to either state. The occupational therapy industry is expected to grow 18% in the next ten years — faster than all other occupations — making it a potentially lucrative field for students to consider.

If you do not wish to become an OT, you can still become an occupational therapy assistant (OTA). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 2018 OTAs in North Carolina make an average of $61,470 per year, which is just above the national salary for OTAs.

Before becoming an OT or an OTA, you must complete the recommended schooling. First, you’ll want to ensure that the schools you are looking into are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Luckily, North Carolina offers a variety of options for accredited OT schools.

Accredited Occupational Therapy Programs in Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is located in Northern North Carolina, about 183 miles from the Virginia border. This town is home to the University of North Carolina, which is renowned for its basketball team. As of 2020, OTs in Chapel Hill make an average salary of $72,661 per year, which is below the state average salary.

University of North Carolina

Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
Chapel Hill, NC
osinfo@med.unc.edu

  • Degree Level:
    • Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) – 63 credit hours;
  • Tuition:
    • Residents: $3,509.50/year;
    • Non-residents: 17,099/year;
  • Application Due Dates: The first Tuesday in December;
  • Prerequisites/Application Requirements: Requirements can be found on the UNC School of Medicine’s Admissions and Registrations page.

Accredited Occupational Therapy Programs in Concord

Concord is in Cabarrus County, which is also the name of its accredited OT school. As the second-largest city in the Charlotte metropolitan area, it is home to NASCAR’s Charlotte Motor Speedway and Concord Mills. As of 2020, OTs in Concord make an average of $71,398 per year.

Cabarrus College of Health Sciences

Occupational Therapy Program
401 Medical Park Dr.
Concord, NC 28025
704-403-1556

  • Degree Level:
    • Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) – 46 credit hours;
    • Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Health Studies/Master of Occupational Therapy (BSIHS/MOT) – 120 credit hours;
  • Tuition:
    • MOT: $54,990 (total tuition cost);
    • BSIHS/MOT:
      • 12-16 credit hours: $6,723/year;
      • 7-11 credit hours: $4,689/year;
      • $431/credit hour;
  • Application Due Dates:
    • February 1 for fall semester;
    • October 1 for spring semester;
  • Prerequisites/Application Requirements: Requirements can be found on Cabarrus College’s Admissions and Registrations page.

Accredited Occupational Therapy Programs in Greenville

Greenville is known as the health, entertainment, and educational hub of North Carolina’s Tidewater and Coastal Plain. In 2010, Greenville was named one of the nation’s 100 Best Communities for Young People by the America’s Promise Alliance. It is also home to East Carolina University. OTs in Greenville make $69,973 per year, based on 2020 reports.

East Carolina University

Department of Occupational Therapy
East Fifth Street
Greenville NC 27858
donicad@ecu.edu

  • Degree Level: Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) – 69-75 credit hours;
  • Tuition:
    • Resident: $2,374.50/year;
    • Non-resident: $8,949/year;
  • Application Due Dates: Jul 15 – Oct 15;
  • Prerequisites/Application Requirements: Requirements can be found on ECU’s Admissions and Registrations page.

Accredited Occupational Therapy Programs in Hickory

Hickory is a small city near Tennessee and South Carolina, and was named after the town’s founder built a log tavern under a hickory tree. Occupational therapists in Hickory make an average of $98,768 per year as of 2020, 13% higher than the national average.

Lenoir-Rhyne University

Occupational Therapy Degree
510 7th Avenue NE
Hickory NC 28603
Toni.Oakes@lr.edu

  • Degree Level: Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT);
  • Tuition: $930/credit hour;
  • Application Due Dates: Jul 15 – Oct 15;
  • Prerequisites/Application Requirements: Requirements can be found on LRU’s Admissions and Registrations page.

Accredited Occupational Therapy Programs in Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is the fifth most populous city in North Carolina and part of the fourth-largest metropolitan area. Besides being listed among the top ten places to live in 2012 by CBS MoneyWatch, it is also home to Winston-Salem State University, which offers a Master of Science in OT. Occupational therapists make $76,516 per year (as of 2020).

Winston-Salem State University

Department of Occupational Therapy
601 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Winston-Salem NC 27110

  • Degree Level: Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) – 74 credit hours;
  • Tuition:
    • In-state: $3,401;
    • Out-of-State: $13,648;
  • Application Due Dates: Jan 15;
  • Prerequisites/Application Requirements: Requirements can be found on Winston-Salem State University’s Admissions and Registrations page for health science students.

Accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs in Durham

Just in front of Winston-Salem, Durham is the fourth most populous city in North Carolina. While it is home to many great universities, there is only one that offers an accredited OTA program. Occupational therapy assistants in Durham make an average of $67,718 per year, based on 2020 data.

Durham Technical Community College

Occupational Therapy Assistant Curriculum
1637 East Lawson Street
Durham NC 27703
chengs@durhamtech.edu

  • Degree Level: Associate of Applied Science – 70 credit hours;
  • Tuition: $5,320/year;
  • Application Due Dates: Aug 15 – Oct 15;
  • Prerequisites/Application Requirements: Requirements can be found on Durham Tech’s Admissions and Registrations page.

Accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs in Wilmington

Cape Fear Community College

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
Cape Fear Community College
411 N. Front St.
Wilmington NC 28401
kbartlett@cfcc.edu

North Campus
4500 Blue Clay Road
Castle Hayne NC 28429

Burgaw Center
100 East Industrial Drive
Burgaw NC 28425

Alston W. Burke Center at Surf City
621 NC Hwy. 210 East
Hampstead, NC 28443

  • Degree Level: Associate of Applied Sciences – 75 credit hours;
  • Tuition:
    • In-State: $76/credit hour;
    • Out-of-State: $268/credit hour;
  • Application Due Dates: Feb 10 – May 6;
  • Prerequisites/Application Requirements: Requirements can be found on Cape Fear Community College’s Admissions and Registrations page for health science students.

Accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs in Concord

OTAs in Concord make an average of $59,362, based on data from 2020.

Cabarrus College of Health Sciences

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
401 Medical Park Dr.
Concord, NC 28025
704-403-1556

  • Degree Level: Associate of Applied Sciences;
  • Tuition: $32,318 (total tuition cost);
  • Application Due Dates:
    • February 1 for fall semester;
    • October 1 for spring semester;
  • Prerequisites/Application Requirements: Requirements can be found on Cabarrus College’s Admissions and Registrations page.

Accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs in Greenville

OTAs in Greenville make an average of $61,806 per year, based on 2020 data.

Pitt Community College

Occupational Therapy Assistant Curriculum
PO Drawer 7007
Greenville, NC 27835
wperrini@email.pittcc.edu

  • Degree Level: Associate of Applied Sciences;
  • Tuition:
    • Residents: $1,216/semester;
    • Non-residents: $4,288/semester;
  • Application Due Dates:
    • Fall Semester: Mid-July;
    • Spring Semester: Mid-November;
    • Summer Term: Mid-April;
  • Prerequisites/Application Requirements: Requirements can be found on Pitt College’s Admissions and Registrations page.