Houston · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Schools in Houston, TX
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
Houston, TX has 5 occupational therapy assistant programs listed by ACOTE (5 associate, 0 bachelor's). Graduates take the NBCOT COTA exam and then apply for a state license. OTAs in Texas earn a median $81,500 a year.
Houston here means programs in Houston, Kingwood, Tomball, Galveston. See all Texas OTA programs.
Compare OTA programs in Houston, TX
NBCOT COTA results, length and published cost side by side. Accredited programs first, sorted by 2025 pass rate.
| Program | Degree | NBCOT 2025 | Length | Published cost | Starts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jacinto College-South Campus Houston | Associate | 100% | 2 years (5 terms) | — | — |
| Pima Medical Institute-Houston Houston | Associate | 94% | About 20 months | — | — |
| Houston City College Houston | Associate | 86% | — | — | — |
| Lone Star College-Tomball Tomball | Associate | 86% | 5 semesters | — | — |
| Lone Star College-Kingwood Kingwood | Associate | 84% | 2 years | $11,635* | Spring |
— = not published or not yet verified. Costs are as each school publishes them (full-program tuition; * = all-in total). NBCOT = share of new graduates passing in 2025. Click a program for sources and quotes.
All OTA programs in Houston, TX
| Program | City | Length | Format | NBCOT | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston City College OTA associate degree | Houston | See program | See program | 86% ’25 | Accredited |
| Lone Star College-Kingwood Associate degree, Occupational Therapy Assistant | Kingwood | 2 years | Daytime | 84% ’25 | Accredited |
| Lone Star College-Tomball OTA associate degree | Tomball | 5 semesters | See program | 86% ’25 | Accredited |
| Pima Medical Institute-Houston Associate of Applied Science (AAS) | Houston | About 20 months | See program | 94% ’25 | Accredited |
| San Jacinto College-South Campus Associate of Applied Science (AAS) | Houston | 2 years (5 terms) | On-campus, full-time only | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
Status and degree level from the ACOTE directory. Length and format only where confirmed on the program’s own website. NBCOT = share of the program’s new graduates who passed the NBCOT exam in the latest year reported (NBCOT school performance data, retrieved 2026-10-08); new programs have no results yet.
More OTA programs in Texas
Online and hybrid OTA programs in Houston, TX
None of the OTA programs in Houston, TX reports 50% or more distance education to ACOTE or describes a hybrid format on its website. Every accredited OTA program includes in-person labs and fieldwork.
Pay in Texas
U.S. median for occupational therapy assistants: $72,300. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Compare all states.
OTAs in Texas are licensed by the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners (Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners). How to get licensed in Texas → · How to become an OTA · OTA salary by state
Frequently asked questions
How many OTA programs are in Houston, TX?
ACOTE lists 5 occupational therapy assistant programs at 5 schools in Houston, TX: 5 associate-degree and 0 bachelor's-degree.
How long is OTA school in Houston, TX?
Most OTA associate programs take about two years including fieldwork, and every accredited OTA program includes at least 16 weeks of full-time Level II fieldwork. Check the length we confirmed for each program in the table above; some schools also require prerequisite courses before you start.
How much do OTAs make in Texas?
The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants in Texas was $81,500 (BLS, May 2025).
How do I become a COTA in Texas?
Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited OTA program, pass the NBCOT COTA exam, then apply for a license from the Texas occupational therapy licensing board. See how licensing works.
Can I become an occupational therapist later?
Yes. Many OTAs later complete an OTA-to-OT bridge program. Houston, TX has 2 OT programs; see OT schools in Houston, TX and bridge programs.
Sources: ACOTE school directory (retrieved October 9, 2026); each program’s website; BLS OEWS (May 2025). Found an error? Tell us.