Washington · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Schools in Washington
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
Washington has 4 occupational therapy assistant programs listed by ACOTE (4 associate, 0 bachelor's). Graduates take the NBCOT COTA exam and then apply for a state license. OTAs in Washington earn a median $77,590 a year.
Compare OTA programs in Washington
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Washington Institute of Technology Kirkland | Associate | 100% | — | $19,694* | Fall |
| Spokane Falls Community College Spokane | Associate | 100% | 6 quarters | $9,870 | Fall |
| Green River College Auburn | Associate | 92% | — | $15,728* | — |
| Bates Technical College Tacoma | Associate | 71% | 16 months (6 quarters) | $16,621* | — |
— = 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 Washington
| Program | City | Length | Format | NBCOT | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bates Technical College Associate of Applied Science (AAS) | Tacoma | 16 months (6 quarters) | Hands-on + hybrid + online courses | 71% ’25 | Accredited |
| Green River College Associate of Applied Science (AAS) | Auburn | See program | See program | 92% ’25 | Accredited |
| Lake Washington Institute of Technology Associate in Applied Science – Transfer (AAS-T) | Kirkland | See program | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| Spokane Falls Community College Associate in Applied Science (AAS) | Spokane | 6 quarters | See program | 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.
Online and hybrid OTA programs in Washington
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 Washington programs offer the most flexibility, based on the school’s own description or ACOTE’s distance-education figure:
- Bates Technical College (Tacoma) — format: Hands-on + hybrid + online courses
Pay in Washington
U.S. median for occupational therapy assistants: $72,300. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Compare all states.
OTAs in Washington are licensed by the Washington Occupational Therapy Practice Board (Department of Health). How to get licensed in Washington → · How to become an OTA · OTA salary by state
Frequently asked questions
How many OTA programs are in Washington?
ACOTE lists 4 occupational therapy assistant programs at 4 schools in Washington: 4 associate-degree and 0 bachelor's-degree.
How long is OTA school in Washington?
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 Washington?
The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants in Washington was $77,590 (BLS, May 2025).
How do I become a COTA in Washington?
Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited OTA program, pass the NBCOT COTA exam, then apply for a license from the Washington 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. Washington has 8 OT programs; see OT schools in Washington and bridge programs.
Sources: ACOTE school directory (retrieved October 9, 2026); each program’s website; BLS OEWS (May 2025). Found an error? Tell us.