How to Get Your COTA License in Georgia (2026)

How to Become a Licensed COTA in Georgia

Georgia is one of the fastest-growing states in the Southeast, and the demand for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants has grown alongside it. COTAs in Georgia help patients restore daily living skills, improve fine motor function, engage in cognitive rehabilitation, and address sensory integration challenges across a diverse employment landscape — from the large hospital networks of the Atlanta metro to rural Critical Access Hospitals in South Georgia, school systems throughout the state, and pediatric therapy clinics serving rapidly growing suburban communities. Here is the complete guide to earning your Georgia COTA license in 2026.

Step 1: Complete an ACOTE-Accredited OTA Program

Georgia has several ACOTE-accredited OTA programs, including at Athens Technical College, Darton State College, and other technical college system institutions. Programs are typically two-year AAS degrees in Occupational Therapy Assisting.

Every ACOTE program includes:

• Level I Fieldwork: Observation-based clinical experiences integrated into coursework throughout the program.
• Level II Fieldwork: At least 16 weeks of supervised clinical practice across a minimum of two settings. Level II must be complete before NBCOT exam eligibility.

The Atlanta metro's dense healthcare ecosystem provides strong fieldwork placement opportunities; rural Georgia programs often have strong SNF and home health placement networks.

Step 2: Pass the NBCOT COTA Exam

The NBCOT COTA exam is required before applying for Georgia licensure.

• Format: 200 questions, 4 hours, computer-based at Prometric testing centers
• Fee: Approximately $555 (combined application and exam fee)
• Eligibility: All Level II fieldwork must be complete before applying
• Certification renewal: 36 PDUs per 3-year NBCOT cycle

Step 3: Apply for Your Georgia OTA License

Georgia OTA licenses are issued by the Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy, which operates under the Secretary of State's Professional Licensing Boards Division. You will need:

• Completed Georgia OTA license application
• Verification of current NBCOT COTA certification
• Official transcripts from your ACOTE-accredited program
• Criminal background check
• Application fee of approximately $50–$100 — among the lower state fees

Georgia's online licensing portal streamlines submission. Note that Georgia requires criminal background checks through the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) for licensed healthcare professionals.

OT Compact Membership

Georgia is a member of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (OT Compact). Georgia-licensed COTAs in good standing can apply for a multistate practice privilege allowing them to work in other compact member states without a separate license. This is useful for COTAs considering travel assignments or positions near the Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, or North Carolina borders. Verify the current compact member list at the OT Compact's official website.

Continuing Education Requirements

Georgia requires COTAs to complete 20 continuing education hours per two-year renewal cycle. CE activities can include NBCOT PDU-approved courses, professional seminars, webinars, and relevant college coursework. Keep records for at least five years in case of a board audit.

Georgia COTA Salary Ranges

COTAs in Georgia typically earn between $42,000 and $60,000 per year. The Atlanta metro offers the highest wages; Savannah, Augusta, and Columbus represent mid-range markets; rural Georgia generally pays at the lower end but often offers significant travel contract premiums.

• SNF / LTAC: Highest demand; consistent pay at the upper end of the range
• School-based: Georgia school systems, particularly in growing suburban counties (Forsyth, Cherokee, Gwinnett), actively recruit COTAs
• Hospital outpatient: Strong demand at the major Atlanta systems
• Travel COTA: Rural Georgia has persistent shortages; contracts typically $30–$46/hr plus housing

Top Employers for COTAs in Georgia

• Northside Hospital — Atlanta's highest-volume birth hospital; outpatient rehabilitation and specialty OT programs across multiple campuses
• Wellstar Health System — One of Georgia's largest health systems; inpatient and outpatient OT positions across the Atlanta metro and West Georgia
• Emory Healthcare — Academic medical system; strong rehabilitation programs and research-affiliated OT positions
• Georgia school districts — Gwinnett County, Cobb County, Fulton County, DeKalb County, and others with large special education OT programs under IDEA
• Encompass Health — Inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in Atlanta and other Georgia markets; significant COTA employer
• Kindred Healthcare / Genesis Healthcare / Brookdale — SNF and senior living chains with numerous Georgia locations