New Mexico · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Schools in New Mexico
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
New Mexico has 3 occupational therapy assistant programs listed by ACOTE (3 associate, 0 bachelor's). Graduates take the NBCOT COTA exam and then apply for a state license. OTAs in New Mexico earn a median $77,020 a year.
Compare OTA programs in New Mexico
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookline College-Albuquerque Campus Albuquerque | Associate | 100% | — | $49,082* | — |
| San Juan College Farmington | Associate | 89% | 2 years | — | — |
| Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Roswell | Associate | 80% | — | — | January |
— = 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 New Mexico
| Program | City | Length | Format | NBCOT | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookline College-Albuquerque Campus OTA associate degree | Albuquerque | See program | Blended (online + on-campus labs) | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Associate of Applied Science (AAS) | Roswell | About 2 years after prerequisites (about 3 years from scratch) | Hybrid (from the Spring 2027 cohort) | 80% ’25 | Accredited |
| San Juan College Occupational Therapy Assistant Degree, AAS | Farmington | 2 years | See program | 89% ’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.
Online and hybrid OTA programs in New Mexico
No OTA program is fully online: every accredited program includes in-person labs and at least 16 weeks of full-time Level II fieldwork. These New Mexico programs offer the most flexibility, based on the school’s own description or ACOTE’s distance-education figure:
- Brookline College-Albuquerque Campus (Albuquerque) — format: Blended (online + on-campus labs)
- Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell (Roswell) — format: Hybrid (from the Spring 2027 cohort)
Pay in New Mexico
U.S. median for occupational therapy assistants: $72,300. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Compare all states.
OTAs in New Mexico are licensed by the New Mexico Board of Examiners for Occupational Therapy (Regulation and Licensing Department). How to get licensed in New Mexico → · How to become an OTA · OTA salary by state
Frequently asked questions
How many OTA programs are in New Mexico?
ACOTE lists 3 occupational therapy assistant programs at 3 schools in New Mexico: 3 associate-degree and 0 bachelor's-degree.
How long is OTA school in New Mexico?
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 New Mexico?
The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants in New Mexico was $77,020 (BLS, May 2025).
How do I become a COTA in New Mexico?
Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited OTA program, pass the NBCOT COTA exam, then apply for a license from the New Mexico 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. New Mexico has 1 OT program; see OT schools in New Mexico and bridge programs.
Sources: ACOTE school directory (retrieved October 9, 2026); each program’s website; BLS OEWS (May 2025). Found an error? Tell us.