The Occupational Therapy program at the UTMB School of Health Professions is proud to announce a 100% pass rate on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam in 2025.

This achievement reflects the program’s strong commitment to academic excellence and student success. With a national average pass rate of 94% for new graduates in 2025, UTMB’s results underscore the strength of its curriculum and the readiness of its graduates as they enter the profession.

“This milestone represents the high quality of our program and the level of preparation our students receive,” said Karthik Mani, OTD, MSc, OTR, FACOT, Interim Program Director and Associate Professor. “For our students, it provides confidence that they are well-equipped to pass the NBCOT exam within their first year after graduation and begin their careers as licensed occupational therapists.”

Students benefit from a rigorous and comprehensive educational experience that blends classroom learning with hands-on clinical training. In addition to traditional coursework, the curriculum includes practical exams, skills and competency check-offs, standardized patient encounters, and pro bono and volunteer experiences that reinforce real-world application. A department-sponsored two-day NBCOT preparation workshop further supports student readiness prior to graduation.

This accomplishment builds on a strong tradition of success. The program has achieved a 100% NBCOT pass rate each year since the inception of its entry-level doctoral program, with the exception of 2024, when the pass rate was 98%.

Together, these results underscore the program’s mission to prepare highly competent, practice-ready occupational therapists equipped to meet the evolving needs of the communities they serve.

To learn more about the UTMB School of Health Professions Occupational Therapy program, visit:
https://www.utmb.edu/shp/academics/occt