An occupational therapist is defined as a medical professional that assists patients with mental, physical, or social disabilities in order to help increase their quality of life. occupational therapists can expect patients of all types and ages who suffer from medical issues that stem from accidents, birth, illness, aging, or lifestyle. In order to get into occupational therapy (OT) in Washington, you must become aware of the licensing requirements. The Occupational Therapy Practice Board facilitates licensure. The Occupational Therapy Practice Board works alongside the Department of Health and the Health Systems Quality Assurance Division to mandate the competency and quality of professional healthcare providers. In order to become a licensed occupational therapist in the state of Washington you must go through the following steps:
- Enroll and graduate from an accredited program (typically spans 3 to 4 years) through the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) or the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE);
- Execute (at minimum) six months of on-the-job interning under a licensed Occupational Therapist;
- Pass a criminal background check;
- Complete seven hours of HIV & AIDS precautionary training;
- Pass the Washington Jurisprudence Examination;
- Pass the National Certification Exam;
- Apply for Washington licensure online.
All required initial application documentation and fees should be sent via mail to:
Washington Department of Public Health
P.O. Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099
All additional documentation not sent alongside initial application should be sent via mail to:
Occupational Therapy Credentialing
P.O. Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504-7877
For any additional issues that may arise:
Phone: (360) 236-4501
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In Washington, the average salary for an occupational therapist is $84,270, with a median hourly pay of $40.51. This is right on par with the average occupational therapy salary in the USA. OT pay in Washington is also notably higher than in neighboring Idaho, where the average hourly rate is only $32.50.
The job outlook for occupational therapy in Washington is 18%, which is much higher than the national average. In 2018, Washington had a total of 133,000 occupational therapists. That number is projected to grow 23,700 by 2028.
Accredited Occupational Therapy Programs in Washington
The importance of accreditation is to recognize and validate a program or institution that meets — or goes beyond — the minimum standards of quality. Accredited programs help create parallel standards to follow in order to ensure a high standard of education. In Washington, there are three accredited occupational therapy programs.
Eastern Washington University
Occupational Therapy
Health Sciences Building 225
310 N Riverpoint Blvd, Box R
Spokane, WA 99202-1675
[email protected]
Program: Master’s of Occupational Therapy
School: Public
City: Cheney, Washington
Contact: (509) 359-6200
Cost: $23,011/year
Requirements: Admissions Requirements
University of Puget Sound
Occupational Therapy
Health Sciences Building 225
310 N Riverpoint Blvd, Box R
Spokane, WA 99202-1675
[email protected]
Program: Master’s of Occupational Therapy
School: Public
City: Cheney, Washington
Contact: (509) 359-6200
Cost: $23,011/year
Requirements: Admissions Requirements
University of Washington
Division of Occupational Therapy
1410 NE Campus Parkway
Seattle, WA, 98195-5852
[email protected]
Program: Master of Occupational Therapy
School: Public
City: Seattle, Washington
Contact: (206) 543-5852
Cost: $38,316/year
Requirements: Admissions Requirements
Accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs in Washington
Becoming an occupational therapy assistant is an alternative to — or a stepping stone towards — occupational therapy that takes generally only takes two years of full-time academics and 16 weeks of fieldwork. There are five accredited occupational therapy assistant programs throughout the state of Washington.
Bates Technical College
Occupational Therapy Assistant
1101 S Yakima Ave
Tacoma, WA 98405
[email protected]
Program: Occupational Therapy Assistant
School: Public
City: Tacoma, Washington
Contact: (253) 680-7000
Cost: $17,734/year
Requirements: BatesTech Admissions
Green River Community College
Health Occupations Admissions
Career and Advising Center
Student Affairs & Success Building, 104
12401 SE 320th St
Auburn, WA 98092
[email protected]
Program: Occupational Therapy Assistant
School: Public
City: Auburn, Washington
Contact: (253) 833-9111
Cost: $18,492/year
Requirements: Admissions Requirements
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Occupational Therapy Assistant
11605 132nd Ave NE
Kirkland, WA 98034
[email protected]
Program: Occupational Therapy Assistant
School: Public
City: Kirkland, Washington
Contact: (425) 739-8100
Cost: $25,065/year
Requirements: Admissions Requirements
Pima Medical Institute-Renton
Occupational Therapy Assistant
55 S Renton Village Pl
Renton, WA 98057
[email protected]
Program: Occupational Therapy Assistant
School: Public
City: Renton, Washington
Contact: (800) 477-7462
Cost: $20,710/year
Requirements: Admissions Requirements
Spokane Falls Community College
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
2917 W Fort George Wright Drive
Spokane, WA 99224-5202
[email protected]
Program: Occupational Therapy Assistant
School: Public
City: Spokane, Washington
Contact: (509) 533-3500
Cost: $23,233/year
Requirements: Admissions Requirements