Whether helping a child reach a developmental milestone their parents once thought unattainable, or guiding a stroke patient back toward their favorite hobby, occupational therapists give people the tools and confidence they need to reclaim their independence. Occupational therapy is a field built on meaningful victories, complex problem-solving, and human connection.
If you’ve ever thought about how to become an occupational therapist, Virginia is a great place to start. Below, we’ll explain what this hands-on role involves, what to expect from the career outlook, and the steps to becoming a licensed occupational therapist in Virginia.
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Key Takeaways:
- Occupational therapists help people recovering from injuries, living with disabilities, navigating behavior challenges, or managing chronic conditions regain skills through personalized treatment plans.
- Becoming a licensed OT in Virginia typically takes six to seven years and includes graduate education, fieldwork, certification, and state licensure.
- Virginia offers strong job opportunities for occupational therapists thanks to growing demand across hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, and other healthcare settings.
What Is an Occupational Therapist and What Do They Do?
What is an occupational therapist, exactly? At its core, OT is about empowering people to build (or rebuild) the skills they need to navigate daily life. This could mean helping a toddler with a developmental delay learn to hold a spoon, or supporting a construction worker in safely returning to work after a shoulder injury.
Most OTs work alongside other care providers in outpatient clinics and hospital settings. However, occupational therapist employment opportunities are abundant in settings like schools, home healthcare services, and nursing facilities as well.
Many patients see an OT while recovering from an injury or trauma, such as bone fractures, strokes, or traumatic brain injuries. Others turn to occupational therapy for ongoing support with chronic conditions like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or cancer. OTs also support the everyday functioning of people with certain disabilities like Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder, or with behavior challenges or difficulties navigating new routines or settings.
Key responsibilities of occupational therapists include:
- Evaluating how a person’s condition affects everyday tasks like dressing, cooking, bathing, or writing
- Working with patients to identify specific areas where support is needed, set achievable goals, and track progress
- Designing customized therapy treatment plans to help patients rebuild strength, coordination, and independence
- Showing new ways to complete everyday tasks, often using specialized tools or equipment
- Supporting patients as they regain motor skills, memory, focus, and other abilities through targeted exercises and activities
The common thread is that OTs offer a variety of treatments and resources to assist patients of all ages in overcoming physical, mental, and social challenges so they can lead fulfilling lives.
How Much Does an Occupational Therapist Make? (Salary & Job Outlook)
The average occupational therapist salary in Virginia is $108,557 in 2026, making it one of the higher paying states for OTs in the country. However, salary ranges will vary depending on location, experience, and specialty. The pay also reflects the fast-growing demand for occupational therapy in general.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects occupational therapist employment opportunities to grow 14% between 2024 and 2034 — much faster than average. It also projects that over 10,000 new job openings will be added each year throughout the decade.
Some of that growth comes from retirements or experienced OTs moving into new roles and leaving positions to fill. But most of it is new demand: behavioral health and rehabilitation services are expanding, and Virginia’s population is aging quickly. By 2030, Virginia residents over age 60 are expected to reach 2.2 million, or almost a quarter of the state. Many will need OTs to recover from injury and illness, and to stay independent.
Besides professional growth and earning potential, what tends to matter most to people entering this field is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of their patients every single day. Many OTs describe their work as a rare career where they get to watch progress happen in real time.
Together, these trends make occupational therapy an appealing career path for people wanting long-term stability and opportunities to support patients throughout every stage of life.
8 Steps to Becoming an Occupational Therapist in Virginia
So, how long does it take to become an occupational therapist? The path takes an average of six to seven years to complete. Below, you can explore what the educational and training paths typically look like, broken into eight clear steps.
1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
After graduating from high school, you’ll need to earn a college degree as you work toward becoming a licensed occupational therapist. No specific major is required, but you will need to complete prerequisite coursework spanning subjects like anatomy, physiology, and statistics. Popular majors for students interested in OT include psychology, biology, kinesiology, and health science.
2. Complete Required Prerequisites
Some occupational therapy schools require you to have logged observation or volunteer hours. As you work toward obtaining your undergraduate degree, start shadowing practicing OTs and volunteering in healthcare or community health settings. Jobs that provide access to clinical work alongside seasoned healthcare professionals can boost your graduate application as well. Many occupational therapy programs want to see that you understand what the profession involves before beginning graduate-level training.
3. Pass the Graduate Record Examination
Depending on the school you’re interested in, you may need to pass the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). This is a standardized, computer-based test administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Many graduate programs require a passing score as part of the admissions process.
4. Decide Between a MOT and OTD
Before you apply to graduate school, you’ll have to decide whether to pursue a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) or Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD).
- Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT): This path typically takes around 2.5 years to complete, which is less time-consuming than earning an OTD. It also tends to be more affordable. With a MOT and proper licensing, you’ll be able to evaluate and treat patients within a clinical setting.
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD): This path takes approximately 3.5 years to complete. In general, it costs more than earning an MOT due to the additional training in education, research, and clinical leadership involved.
Most OT jobs in the U.S. are open to individuals with either degree. For students who wish to practice in a traditional clinical setting, a MOT is often the more cost-effective choice. On the other hand, students who plan to begin specializing sooner, and those who know they want to pursue a role in academia or leadership, should consider pursuing an OTD.
5. Earn a Graduate Degree in Occupational Therapy
Once you’ve chosen your graduate degree type, you’ll apply to a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). These programs include both classroom instruction and hands-on lab work in areas like anatomy, clinical reasoning, and therapeutic techniques. Virginia offers several ACOTE-accredited OT programs for students hoping to train close to home.
6. Complete Supervised Fieldwork
Every occupational therapy program includes supervised fieldwork, which is often split into two placements:
- Level 1 Placements: These happen early on. You’ll observe practicing OTs, interact with clients, and start connecting classroom concepts to real practice experience across a variety of settings.
- Level 2 Placements: These come later and involve a much deeper commitment, usually two full-time rotations of around 12 weeks each. You’ll take on a more active clinical role under the supervision of a licensed OT, manage caseloads, and develop the practical skills needed to be a working therapist.
Many graduate students find that their placements shape the setting they decide to pursue.
7. Pass the NBCOT Certification Exam
After graduating from your occupational therapy program, you must pass the national certification exam administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Upon passing this exam, you’ll earn your Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR) credential.
8. Obtain Virginia State Licensure
The last step is applying for Virginia licensure through the Virginia Occupational Therapy Advisory Board. The Board encourages students to apply when they’re near graduation or upon NBCOT registration. Virginia doesn’t issue a temporary license while your license is processed, but new graduates can practice under a temporary “OT-License Applicant” designation for up to six months after graduation. Once your state license is active, you’re ready to begin legally practicing occupational therapy.
Begin Your OT Career Today in Virginia
Few healthcare jobs allow practitioners to witness patient progress as directly as occupational therapy. Watching a client learn to feed himself after a stroke, or seeing a child with sensory processing issues settle comfortably into a classroom, is exactly the kind of reward that keeps OTs passionate about their work year after year.
In Virginia, demand for skilled occupational therapists continues to grow. Between the state’s network of accredited programs and expanding OT departments within hospitals, schools, and rehabilitation centers, the resources to support your career are already in place. Now that you know how to become an occupational therapist in Virginia, you can begin planning the educational path that aligns with your goals.
Ready to take the next step toward a meaningful career? Search Virginia healthcare degree programs spanning occupational therapy, physical therapy, and more.
