Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

The standards and benchmarks for this program were updated for the 2026-27 academic year.

Program Title: 	Occupational Therapy Assistant 
Career Cluster: 	Health Science

Associate in Science	
CIP Number	1351080303	
Program Type	College Credit	
Program Length	74 credit hours	
CTSO	HOSA	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	For program SOC codes, please see the Program and Course Tables section of the CTE Program Resources page linked below.	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml	

Purpose

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Health Science career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of Health Science career cluster. 

The purpose of this program is to prepare students for employment as occupational therapy assistants or to provide supplemental training for persons previously or currently employed in this occupation. The program has been developed to prepare graduates as entry-level generalists and to offer a broad exposure to delivery model systems through academic and fieldwork education including preparation to assist an occupational therapist in implementing the plan of therapy for a patient prescribed by a physician. 

The content includes but is not limited to communication and interpersonal skills, health-illness-health concepts, specific life tasks and skills, the study and application of occupational therapy principles, cultural competencies, professional behaviors, and employability skills, health and safety including CPR, anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, psychology, sociology, and gerontology.  

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Program Structure

This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of 74 credit hours.
When developing the course sequence for the local implementation of this program, select courses that:
•	Meet the skill development requirements of the standards and benchmarks of this program.
•	Meet the general education core course requirements of Rule 6A-14.0303, Florida Administrative Code.
•	Where reasonable and practicable, align with programs offered by your institution or other postsecondary institutions in Florida, including: 
o	Related CCC and ATD credentials.
o	Baccalaureate degrees within the same career pathway and/or Federal CIP code.

Visit FloridaShines’ Discover Programs website to identify other institutions that offer similar programs to review their course sequencing. Where appropriate, course alignment between institutions offering related programs can facilitate interagency student articulation.

Visit FloridaShines’ Common Prerequisites Manual to identify courses that are prerequisites for admission into an upper division program.  When sub-baccalaureate courses are aligned to the course admissions requirements of baccalaureate programs with the same career pathway, students can enter upper division coursework seamlessly.   

Regulated Programs

The program should meet the guidelines of the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), 4720 Montgomery Lane Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449, (301) 352-2682, of the American Occupational Therapy Association so that students who complete the program will be eligible to take the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).   Florida requires licensing of graduates by the Florida Department of Health through the Florida Board of Occupational Therapy Practice for persons completing programs approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association. This program must be in accordance with the Florida Department of Health’s Occupational Therapy Board, Chapter 468, Part III, F.S. and Rule Chapter 64B11, F.A.C.

This program meets the Department of Health’s education requirements for HIV/AIDS, Domestic Violence and Prevention of Medical Errors.  Although not a requirement for initial licensure, it is a requirement for renewal, therefore the instructor may provide a certificate for renewal purposes to the student verifying these requirements have been met.

If students in this program are seeking a licensure, certificate or registration through the Department of Health, please refer to 456.0635, F.S. for more information on disqualification for a license, certificate, or registration through the Department of Health. 

Florida’s Career Readiness Skills for CTE Programs

Employability Skills	
01.0	Apply academic skills to workplace scenarios.	
01.01	Use reading skills.	
01.02	Use writing skills.	
01.03	Use mathematical strategies and procedures.	
01.04	Use scientific principles and procedures.	
02.0	Design a solution to an industry problem.	
02.01	Use critical thinking.	
02.02	Use creativity.	
02.03	Make sound decisions.	
02.04	Solve problems.	
02.05	Reason. 	
02.06	Plan and organize.	
03.0	Manage resources within an industry project	
03.01	Manage time.	
03.02	Manage money or resources.	
03.03	Manage materials.	
03.04	Manage personnel.	
04.0	Oversee the subcomponents, operations and output of a technical or organizational system.	
04.01	Manage systems.	
04.02	Monitor systems.	
04.03	Improve systems.	
05.0	Use information for decision making.	
05.01	Locate information.	
05.02	Organize information.	
05.03	Use information.	
05.04	Analyze information.	
05.05	Communicate information.	
06.0	Apply relevant technology to workplace scenarios to aid productivity.	
06.01	Use technology.	
07.0	Interpret and express interpersonal communication.	
07.01	Communicate verbally.	
07.02	Listen actively.	
07.03	Comprehend written material.	
07.04	Convey information in writing.	
07.05	Communicate nonverbally.	
07.06	Interpret nonverbal communication.	
08.0	Interact with others to accomplish workplace goals.	
08.01	Collaborate with others in a team.	
08.02	Respond to customer needs.	
08.03	Exercise leadership.	
08.04	Negotiate to resolve conflict.	
08.05	Respect others.	
09.0	Manage personal behavior to maximize productivity and professional growth.	
09.01	Demonstrate responsibility and self-discipline.	
09.02	Adapt and show flexibility.	
09.03	Work independently.	
09.04	Demonstrate a willingness to learn.	
09.05	Demonstrate integrity.	
09.06	Demonstrate professionalism.	
09.07	Take initiative.	
09.08	Display positive attitude.	
09.09	Take responsibility for professional growth.	
Job Attainment	
10.0	Find, assess and apply to job opportunities.	
10.01	Identify online job posts relevant to his or her career aspirations.	
10.02	Compare and contrast the job posts’ required qualifications, job duties, compensation, benefits and employers. 	
10.03	Define what information, documentation and writing prompts are required for the positions.	
11.0	Communicate personal competence, character and fit for a job opportunity.	
11.01	Develop a resume.	
11.02	Write a cover letter.	
11.03	Curate a professional portfolio that includes work products.	
11.04	Prepare for and experience a mock job interview.	
12.0	Cultivate and leverage relationships to professionally advance.	
12.01	Request a signed reference letter, letter of recommendation and/or an online skill/professionalism endorsement. 	
12.02	Develop a plan to cultivate a professional digital footprint.	
12.03	Develop a networking plan for a specific industry of interest.	

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the healthcare delivery system and health occupations.
02.0	Demonstrate the ability to communicate and use interpersonal skills effectively.
03.0	Demonstrate legal and ethical responsibilities.
04.0	Demonstrate an understanding of and apply wellness and disease concepts.
05.0	Recognize and practice safety and security procedures.
06.0	Recognize and respond to emergency situations.
07.0	Recognize and practice infection control procedures.
08.0	Demonstrate an understanding of information technology applications in healthcare.
09.0	Demonstrate employability skills.
10.0	Demonstrate knowledge of blood borne diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
11.0	Apply basic math and science skills. 
12.0	Demonstrate ability to communicate and use interpersonal skills effectively for the occupation.
13.0	Demonstrate an understanding of and apply health-illness-health concepts.
14.0	Analyze and apply learned skills in occupations and activities.
15.0	Apply occupational therapy assistant role in the OT service delivery process. 
16.0	Demonstrate knowledge of ethics and safety related to occupational therapy assistants.
17.0	Demonstrate knowledge of client mobility.
18.0	Demonstrate an understanding of stress/ stressors and stress reactions as well as mediating factors and its influence on health and human functioning. 
19.0	Explain the role of the OTA in the management of occupational therapy services.
20.0	Provide client, family and caregiver education and training.

Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title: 	Occupational Therapy Assistant 
CIP Number: 		1351080303 
Program Length: 	74 credit hours

Standards 1-11 are referred to as the Health Science Core and are required standards in this program. Secondary and Postsecondary students completing the health science core will not have to repeat the core in any other health science program in which it is a part.  When the recommended sequence is followed, the structure allows students to complete at specified points for employment or remain for advanced training or cross-training.  

To ensure consistency whenever these courses are offered, the health science core standards (1-11) and benchmarks have been placed in a separate document. To access this document, visit this link: 
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/20569/urlt/health-sci-core-psav-cc-2324.rtf

At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:	
12.0	Demonstrate ability to communicate and use interpersonal skills effectively for the occupation.  The student will be able to:	
12.01	 Demonstrate understanding of “therapeutic use of self” in relationship to working with the client and other allied health professionals. 	
12.02	Develop and conduct therapeutic didactic and group discussions.	
12.03	 Record/report clinically relevant observations.	
12.04	Demonstrate the ability to contribute to and participate in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary team meetings using a client-centered, evidence-based approach participating in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary group meetings.  	
12.05	Accurately document the provision of OT services in accordance with third party payer requirements. 	
12.06	Articulate the importance of applies statistics, tests and measurements for the purpose of delivering evidence-based practice.	
12.07	Use sound judgement maintaining professionalism when communicating with the client, family, significant others and providers using effective written, oral and nonverbal communication. Models socially appropriate behaviors.	
13.0	Demonstrate an understanding of and apply health-illness-health concepts.  The student will be able to:	
13.01	Explain occupation as a health determinant.	
13.02	Describe the basic function of the human body with particular emphasis on the neurological, sensory, musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary systems.	
13.03	Describe the basic development of personality and learning.	
13.04	Describe human occupation across the lifespan as related to the developmental process from birth to death.	
13.05	Identify and describe disabling conditions commonly referred to occupational therapy.	
13.06	Demonstrate how the use of occupations supports positive health outcomes and influences health and well-being throughout the lifespan.	
13.07	Explain the role of the occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant in the assessment and intervention process identifying the collaborative roles and rationale for supervision.	
13.08	 Apply the concepts of occupational therapy to a variety of service delivery models and systems where OT is both currently practiced and emerging.	
13.09	Analyze how theory, political climate, history, culture, socioeconomics and demographics influence practice and engagement in activities across the lifespan. 	
13.10	Demonstrate sound judgment in regard to safety of self and others and adhere to safety regulations throughout the occupational therapy practice. 	
13.11	Demonstrate the ability to assess and monitor vital sign to ensure that the client is stable for intervention. 	
14.0	Analyze and apply learned skills in occupations and activities.  The student will be able to:	
14.01	Demonstrate skill in analyzing, developing and implementing intervention strategies utilizing occupations and activities.	
14.02	Demonstrate skill in instructing and adapting occupations and activities.	
14.03	Demonstrate the ability to analyze occupations and activities to implement the intervention plan.	
14.04	Grade and adapt activities and occupations to promote independent performance.	
14.05	Demonstrate proper care and maintenance of equipment and supplies used in occupational therapy.	
14.06	Demonstrate an understanding of the use of technology and adaptive equipment to support performance, participation, health and well-being.	
14.07	Demonstrate understanding and apply principles of environmental adaptations addressing ergonomics in school, home and work environments. 	
15.0	Apply occupational therapy assistant role in the OT service delivery process.  The student will be able to:	
15.01	Contribute to initial screening to determine the need for OT services, including data collection for clients’ occupational profiles. 	
15.02	Contribute to evaluation of occupations, client factors, performance skills, performance patterns, contexts/environments and activity demands, and implement assessments delegated by OT.	
15.03	Contribute to development of occupation-based intervention plans and strategies based on client needs and priorities and occupational therapy goals, in collaboration with OT and client.	
15.04	Implement occupational therapy interventions selected to promote, establish, restore, maintain, modify, or prevent deterioration in occupational performance.  	
15.05	Contribute to implementation of occupational therapy intervention for development, remediation and restoration of client factors and performance skills (physical, cognitive, perceptual, neuromuscular, behavioral skills and sensory functions).	
15.06	Implement occupational therapy intervention through the use of therapeutic occupations and activities, preparatory methods and tasks, education and training, advocacy, and group interventions.  	
15.07	Contribute to the ongoing review and modification of occupational therapy interventions, and compare progress toward established outcomes.	
15.08	 Implement outcome measurements and participate in the discharge planning process including client discharge resources.  Recommend appropriate levels of care needed for safe discharge based on the discharge destination. Provide needed client discharge resources.	
15.09	Complete timely documentation along each step of the service delivery process which communicates the need and rationale for occupational therapy services and meets standards for accountability and reimbursement. 	
15.10	Implement patient safety goals according to appropriate accrediting and regulatory agency guidelines. 	
16.0	Demonstrate knowledge of ethics and safety related to occupational therapy assistants.  The student will be able to:	
16.01	Describe the relationship of the occupational therapy assistant to:
•	Physician
•	The occupational therapist
•	The employer
•	Other allied health personnel	
16.02	Explain the term "risk management".	
16.03	Describe to client current treatment objectives and techniques with the client prior to initiation of treatment or service.  	
16.04	Describe the principles of ethics as outlined in the AOTA Code of Ethics. 	
16.05	Adhere to safety regulations throughout the occupational therapy process as appropriate to the setting and scope of practice.	
16.06	Explain the process of applying and maintaining a Florida license and national certification.	
16.07	Identify requirements to obtain and maintain the Florida license including disqualifying felonies.	
16.08	 Assumes the responsibility for professional growth and development.	
17.0	 Demonstrate knowledge of client mobility.  The student will be able to:	
17.01	Transfer client safely and correctly using proper body mechanics from any surface to another such as (i.e., bedside commode, wheelchair, toilet, chair or car. 	
17.02	 Identify wheelchair parts and demonstrate proper wheelchair management in various environments. 	
17.03	Provide information to client as needed. 	
17.04	Demonstrate the understanding of the use of other assistive devices utilized for mobility of clients, i.e., walker, cane, crutches, gait belt, mechanical lifts.	
18.0	Demonstrate an understanding of stress/ stressors and stress reactions as well as mediating factors and its influence on health and human functioning.  The student will be able to:	
18.01	Evaluate psychological stressors and their positive and negative effect on physical and mental health. 	
18.02	Understand the relationship between stress and psychological disorders. 	
18.03	Understand stress mediators including perception of stressors, predictability and control of stress, physical and psychological effects and coping resources and methods.	
18.04	Promote health of the client by utilizing meaningful occupation-based treatments health belief models, self-efficacy and coping strategies. 	
19.0	Explain the role of the OTA in the management of occupational therapy services.  The student will be able to:	
19.01	Perform program administration and support responsibilities.	
19.02	Function in the role of supervisee and assist with supervision of aides and volunteers and fieldwork students.	
19.03	Describe the impact of federal and state legislation and practice acts on the practice of occupational therapy. 	
19.04	Demonstrate knowledge of various reimbursement systems and documentation requirements. 	
19.05	Describe the ongoing professional responsibility for providing fieldwork education and the criteria for becoming a fieldwork educator.	
19.06	Demonstrate the ability to participate in the development, marketing and management of service delivery options.	
19.07	Cooperate, collaborate and communicate to integrate care and ensure care is continuous and reliable as part of an interdisciplinary team.	
19.08	Employ evidenced based practice: integrate research, clinical expertise and patient values for optimal care.	
19.09	Participate in learning and research activities. 	
19.10	Explain the role of the practitioner to advocate for changes in service delivery policies, effect changes in the system, recognize opportunities for emerging practice areas, and advocate for opportunities to expand the Occupational Therapy Assistant’s role.	
20.0	Provide client, family and caregiver education and training.  The student will be able to:	
20.01	Identify resources necessary for clients, family and caregivers for the discharge planning process.	
20.02	Educate the client, family and caregivers on the community resources available and their importance. 	
20.03	Educate the client, family and caregiver on the referral process. 	
20.04	Provide client, family and caregivers with comprehensive discharge resources. 	
20.05	Educate client, family and caregivers on home programs.	
20.06	Provide training in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) in and out of the home utilizing adapted methods and teaching strategies.	
20.07	Provide training in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (I-ADL) in and out of the home utilizing adapted methods and teaching strategies.  	
20.08	Provide training for safe bed positioning and functional transfers in the living environment according to the diagnosis of the client and their limitations. 	
20.09	Utilize the concept of health literacy while educating clients in order to facilitate skills in areas of occupation as well as prevention, health maintenance, health promotion and safety.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.

Special Notes

This program focuses on broad, transferable skills and stresses understanding and demonstration of the following elements of the health care industry; planning, management, finance, technical and production skills, underlying principles of technology, labor issues, community issues and health, safety, and environmental issues.

Cooperative training - OJT is appropriate for this program.  Whenever cooperative training is offered, the following are required for each student:  a training plan, signed by the student, teacher, and the employer, which includes instructional objectives and a list of on-the-job and in-school learning experiences; a workstation which reflects equipment, skills and tasks which are relevant to the occupation which the student has chosen as a career goal.  The student must receive compensation for work performed.

The CORE must be taken first in the program.  Following the successful completion of the core, the student is eligible to take the National Health Care Foundation Skill Standards Assessment with instructor approval and the completion of a portfolio.

General Education Course Requirements for AS and AAS Degrees

State Board of Education Rule 6A-14.030(4), F.A.C., identifies 15 credit hours as the minimum amount of general education coursework required in the Associate of Science (AS) degree and the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.  In addition, Rule 6A-14.0303, F.A.C., implements s. 1007.25, F.S., and requires students entering a technical education degree program in the 2022-2023 academic year, and thereafter, to complete at least one identified core course in each subject area as part of the general education course requirements (15 credit hours total) before a degree is awarded) The core subject areas include: 
•	Communication. 
•	Humanities.
•	Mathematics. 
•	Natural Sciences.
•	Social Sciences.

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

CTSOs are co-curricular career and technical student organizations providing leadership training and reinforcing specific career and technical skills. Career and Technical Student Organizations provide activities for students as an integral part of the instruction offered. Other CTSOs not listed in this curriculum framework or recognized by the Florida Department of Education are permissible provided they support student mastery over the standards and benchmarks of this curriculum framework.

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors. Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.