Rhode Island · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Schools in Rhode Island
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
Rhode Island has 2 occupational therapy assistant programs listed by ACOTE (2 associate, 0 bachelor's). Graduates take the NBCOT COTA exam and then apply for a state license. OTAs in Rhode Island earn a median $66,710 a year.
Compare OTA programs in Rhode Island
NBCOT COTA results, length and published cost side by side. Accredited programs first, sorted by 2025 pass rate.
| Program | Degree | NBCOT 2025 | Length | Starts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich | Associate | 80% | — | — |
| Community College of Rhode Island Newport | Associate | 78% | — | — |
— = 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 Rhode Island
| Program | City | Length | Format | NBCOT | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community College of Rhode Island Associate in Applied Science (AAS) | Newport | See program | Evening/weekend program (fieldwork on weekdays) | 78% ’25 | Accredited |
| New England Institute of Technology OTA associate degree | East Greenwich | See program | See program | 80% ’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 Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island programs offer the most flexibility, based on the school’s own description or ACOTE’s distance-education figure:
- Community College of Rhode Island (Newport) — format: Evening/weekend program (fieldwork on weekdays)
Pay in Rhode Island
U.S. median for occupational therapy assistants: $72,300. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Compare all states.
OTAs in Rhode Island are licensed by the Rhode Island Board of Occupational Therapy (Department of Health). How to get licensed in Rhode Island → · How to become an OTA · OTA salary by state
Frequently asked questions
How many OTA programs are in Rhode Island?
ACOTE lists 2 occupational therapy assistant programs at 2 schools in Rhode Island: 2 associate-degree and 0 bachelor's-degree.
How long is OTA school in Rhode Island?
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 Rhode Island?
The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants in Rhode Island was $66,710 (BLS, May 2025).
How do I become a COTA in Rhode Island?
Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited OTA program, pass the NBCOT COTA exam, then apply for a license from the Rhode Island 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. Rhode Island has 2 OT programs; see OT schools in Rhode Island and bridge programs.
Sources: ACOTE school directory (retrieved October 9, 2026); each program’s website; BLS OEWS (May 2025). Found an error? Tell us.