How to Get Your COTA License in Arkansas (2026)

How to Become a Licensed COTA in Arkansas

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants in Arkansas help patients build and restore daily living skills, improve fine motor function, participate in cognitive rehabilitation, and work through sensory integration challenges under the supervision of licensed occupational therapists. Arkansas has a diverse OTA employment landscape spanning large academic health systems in Little Rock, regional hospitals across the state, skilled nursing facilities, and public school special education programs. Here is a complete guide to earning your Arkansas COTA license in 2026.

Step 1: Complete an ACOTE-Accredited OTA Program

To qualify for the NBCOT exam and Arkansas licensure, you must graduate from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Arkansas has ACOTE-accredited OTA programs at community colleges including Arkansas State University-Mountain Home and other technical education centers. Most programs are two-year AAS in Occupational Therapy Assisting.

All ACOTE programs include:

• Level I Fieldwork: Introductory observation experiences woven into classroom coursework.
• Level II Fieldwork: A minimum of 16 weeks of supervised clinical practice in at least two different practice settings. This must be complete before NBCOT exam eligibility.

Step 2: Pass the NBCOT COTA Exam

The NBCOT COTA exam is the national certification exam you must pass before applying for Arkansas licensure.

• Format: 200 questions, 4 hours, computer-based at Prometric testing centers
• Fee: Approximately $555 (application plus exam) — one of the higher allied health certification fees
• Eligibility: All Level II fieldwork hours must be completed before submission
• Certification maintenance: 36 PDUs per 3-year NBCOT cycle

Step 3: Apply for Your Arkansas OTA License

Arkansas OTA licenses are issued through the Arkansas State Medical Board, which oversees occupational therapy licensing in the state. Required materials include:

• Completed Arkansas OTA application
• Verification of current NBCOT COTA certification
• Official transcripts from your ACOTE-accredited program
• Criminal background check
• Application fee of approximately $50–$75 — one of the lower state license fees in the country

Some applicants may be required to complete a jurisprudence review or attestation regarding the Arkansas Occupational Therapy Practice Act. Review the act carefully before applying.

OT Compact Membership

Arkansas has been involved in discussions around the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (OT Compact), which launched formally around 2023–2024. Confirm Arkansas's current compact membership status at the OT Compact's official website before you apply, as membership status can change. If Arkansas is a member, COTA license holders in good standing may be eligible for multistate practice privileges — useful for travel assignments in neighboring states like Tennessee, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

Continuing Education Requirements

Arkansas requires COTAs to complete 20 continuing education hours per two-year renewal cycle. Acceptable CE includes seminars, webinars, NBCOT PDU-approved activities, and relevant college coursework. Keep documentation of all activities in case of an audit.

Arkansas COTA Salary Ranges

COTAs in Arkansas typically earn between $40,000 and $55,000 per year, with the Little Rock metro generally offering higher wages than rural areas. Arkansas's lower cost of living means purchasing power can be solid even at moderate salary levels.

• SNF / LTAC: Highest demand and often the highest COTA wages in Arkansas
• School districts: Stable public sector employment; Arkansas school systems actively recruit COTAs for IDEA-mandated special education OT services
• Hospital outpatient: Steady demand at regional medical centers
• Travel COTA: Rural Arkansas has persistent shortages; travel contracts typically $28–$44/hr plus housing

Top Employers for COTAs in Arkansas

• UAMS (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences) — Arkansas's academic medical center; inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation
• CHI St. Vincent Health — Multi-site Catholic health system with facilities in Little Rock, Hot Springs, and Morrilton
• Baptist Health — Largest not-for-profit health system in Arkansas; multiple rehabilitation therapy positions
• Arkansas school districts — Little Rock School District, Pulaski County Special, Springdale, and others with special education OT needs
• Genesis Healthcare / Kindred / Brookdale — SNF and senior living operators with multiple Arkansas locations
• Home health agencies — Amedisys (headquartered in Baton Rouge with strong Arkansas presence) and regional home health networks