Professional Service
Professional Development Activity
Assessing professional skills using the NBCOT Self-Assessment tool(s) (available online at www.nbcot.org) or similar professional skills assessment tool, (e.g., AOTA or employer-based professional development tool).
PDU Value
1 unit per tool
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
7 (for completing a maximum of 7 NBCOT self-assessment tools)
Verification Documentation
Print off score report from NBCOT online self-assessment; or provide copy of completed tool from other providers
Professional Development Activity
Developing a Professional Development Plan based on the results of a professional skills assessment.
PDU Value
1 unit
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
1 unit
Verification Documentation
Use results of self-assessment tool(s) (see above) to develop goals relating to competence/skills.
Professional Development Activity
Volunteering for an organization, population, or individual that adds to the overall development of one's practice roles.
PDU Value
5 hours = 1 unit
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
18 units
Verification Documentation
Verification of hours via letter from organization and a report describing the hours and outcomes of volunteer service. Volunteer Service form is available online at www.nbcot.org.
Professional Development Activity
Peer review of a professional manuscript or textbook.
PDU Value
2 hours = 1 unit
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
18 units
Verification Documentation
Letter from publishing organization.
Professional Development Activity
Mentoring an OT colleague or other professional to improve skills of the protégé, including role as a disciplinary monitor (mentor must be currently certified with NBCOT).
PDU Value
2 hours = 1 unit
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
18 units
Verification Documentation
Goals, objectives, and analysis of mentee performance (see NBCOT Mentoring form, at www.nbcot.org).
Professional Development Activity
Attending employer-provided, workplace continuing education (this may include CPR training). Does not include new staff orientation activities. The same workshop may be claimed one-time only for PDU.
PDU Value
1 hour = 1 unit
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
36 units
Verification Documentation
A certificate of attendance or letter from sponsor/employer verifying contact hours or CEU, dates, event title, attendee name and workshop agenda (if available).
Professional Development Activity
Attending workshops, seminars, lectures, professional conferences approved by one of the following (same workshop may be claimed one-time only for PDU):
1) Regionally accredited college or university;
2) State regulatory board for licensure renewal;
3) Continuing education providers (e.g., state associations, continuing education companies);
4) Third-party entity.
PDU Value
1 hour = 1 unit
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
36 units
Verification Documentation
A certificate of attendance or letter from sponsor/employer verifying contact hours or CEU, dates, event title, attendee name and workshop agenda (if available).
Professional Development Activity
Successfully completing education (e.g., workshops, seminars, lectures, online courses or conferences) with an assessment component at the end of the program (e.g., scored test, project, paper) provided by:
AOTA
AOTA approved providers
IACET authorized providers
Regionally accredited colleges or universities
PDU Value
1.25 PDU (see page 9 for conversion chart)
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
36 units
Verification Documentation
Certificate of attendance or letter from education provider (AOTA, AOTA approved providers, IACET authorized providers or regionally accredited college or university) verifying dates, event title, attendee name, agenda, and successful completion of assessment component at the end of the program (e.g., scored test, project, paper).
Professional Development Activity
Reading peer-reviewed, role-related professional journal article and/or textbook chapter, and writing a report describing the implications for improving skills in one's specific role (Cannot claim for PDU purposes if textbook is required reading for academic coursework/audited course).
PDU Value
2 articles or 2 chapters = 1 unit
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
36 units
Verification Documentation
Annotated bibliography AND a report with analysis of how articles have assisted with improving skills in one's role (see Journal/Text Book Reading form, at www.nbcot.org).
Professional Development Activity
Successfully completing academic coursework. Course must relate to practice area.
PDU Value
1 credit hour/per semester = 10 units
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
36 units
Verification Documentation
Official transcript from accredited college/university with registrar's seal. This should be placed in a sealed envelope, with "RENEWAL" noted on the exterior. Send this envelope with your renewal application. DO NOT SEND TRANSCRIPT SEPARATELY.
Professional Development Activity
Independent learning with assessment component (e.g., online courses, CE articles, self-study series, etc.).
PDU Value
1 hour = 1 unit
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
36 units
Verification Documentation
Certificate of completion verifying contact hours or CEU.
Professional Development Activity
Independent learning without assessment component (e.g., audited coursework, multimedia courses, etc.).
PDU Value
2 hours = 1 unit
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
18 units
Verification Documentation
Summary report of learning with notation of hours spent.
Professional Development Activity
Receiving mentoring from a currently certified occupational therapy practitioner or other professional in good standing to improve the skills of the protégé.
PDU Value
2 hours = 1 unit
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
18 units
Verification Documentation
Goals and objectives established in collaboration with the mentor and self-analysis of performance (see NBCOT Mentoring form, at www.nbcot.org).
Professional Development Activity
Participating in professional study group/online study group designed to advance knowledge through active participation.
PDU Value
2 hours = 1 unit
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
18 units
Verification Documentation
Group attendance records verifying time spent, study group goals, and analysis of goal attainment and learning (see Study Group Report form, at www.nbcot.org).
Professional Development Activity
Primary or co-presenter making a professional presentation at state, national or international workshop, seminar, or conference (one-time presentation per topic; time spent on preparation cannot be included).
PDU Value
1 hour = 2 units
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
36 units
Verification Documentation
Copy of presentation OR copy of program listing. Presenter name and times (or length of session) and title of presentation must be indicated on documentation.
Professional Development Activity
Primary or co-presenter making a poster presentation for state, national, or international workshop, seminar, or conference (one-time presentation per topic; time spent on preparation cannot be included).
PDU Value
2 units per poster
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
18 units
Verification Documentation
Copy of presentation OR program listing. Presenter name and times (or length of session) and title of presentation must be indicated on documentation.
Professional Development Activity
Serving as adjunct faculty, teaching practice area-related academic course per semester (must not be one's primary role; one-time per course title; time spent on preparation cannot be included) Note: For a one-time lecture, use PDU ID#18.
PDU Value
1 credit hour = 6 units
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
36 units
Verification Documentation
Letter of verification from school that includes dates, lecture/course title, length of session and course/lecture goals and objectives or copy of course syllabi.
Professional Development Activity
Primary or co-presenter providing professional in-service training, instruction, or guest lecturer for occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, or related professionals (one-time presentation per topic; time spent on preparation cannot be included).
PDU Value
1 hour = 1 unit
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
18 units
Verification Documentation
Copy of attendance record and outline of presentation or letter from supervisor on letterhead verifying: presenter's name, date/time/length of presentation.
Professional Development Activity
Primary or co-presenter providing presentation for local organization/association/ group on practice area-related topic; e.g., energy conservation, back care and prevention of injury (one-time presentation per topic; time spent on preparation cannot be included).
PDU Value
1 hour = 1 unit
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
18 units
Verification Documentation
Copy of presentation or program listing that includes: presenter's name; date, time, and location of presentation; and contact person for organization.
Professional Development Activity
Level I fieldwork direct supervision (must not be one's primary role).
PDU Value
1 unit per student
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
18 units
Verification Documentation
Letter of verification or certificate from school including dates of fieldwork and name of fieldwork student.
Professional Development Activity
Level II fieldwork direct supervision (must not be one's primary role).
PDU Value
1 unit per 1 week of supervision per student supervised
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
18 units
Verification Documentation
Letter of verification or certificate from school that includes the dates of fieldwork. DO NOT submit student evaluation form as verification. Co-supervision is acceptable; record dates and times when acting as primary student supervisor. Supervision of more than one student at a time is acceptable; record dates and times of supervision provided to each student. Apply appropriate PDU number based on time spent supervising.
Professional Development Activity
Entry-level or post-doctoral advanced fieldwork direct supervision (must not be one's primary role).
PDU Value
1 unit per 1 week of supervision per student supervised
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
18 units
Verification Documentation
Letter of verification or certificate from school that includes the dates of fieldwork. DO NOT submit student evaluation form as verification. Co-supervision is acceptable; record dates and times when acting as primary student supervisor. Supervision of more than one student at a time is acceptable; record dates and times of supervision provided to each student. Apply appropriate PDU number based on time spent supervising.
Professional Development Activity
Primary or co-author of practice-area related article in non-peer-reviewed professional publication (e.g., OT Practice, SIS Quarterly, Advance).
PDU Value
1 article = 5 units
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
36 units
Verification Documentation
Copy of published article.
Professional Development Activity
Primary or co-author of practice-area related article in peer-reviewed professional publication (e.g., journal, book chapter, or research paper).
PDU Value
1 article = 10 units
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
36 units
Verification Documentation
Copy of published article.
Professional Development Activity
Primary or co-author of practice-area related article in lay publication (e.g., community newspaper or newsletter).
PDU Value
1 article = 2 units
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
36 units
Verification Documentation
Copy of published article.
Professional Development Activity
Primary or co-author of chapter in practice-area related professional textbook.
PDU Value
1 chapter = 10 units
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
36 units
Verification Documentation
Copy of published chapter OR letter from editor.
Professional Development Activity
Primary or co-primary investigator in extensive scholarly research activities or outcome studies, or externally funded service/training projects associated with grants or post-graduate studies.
PDU Value
10 units per study
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
18 units
Verification Documentation
Grant funding number OR abstract/executive summary OR copy of the completed research/study that indicates certificant as primary/co-primary investigator.
Professional Development Activity
Developing instructional materials—training manuals, multimedia, or software programs—that advance the professional skills of others (not for proprietary use; must not be part of one's primary role).
PDU Value
5 units
Max units allowed per 3 year cycle
18 units
Verification Documentation
Program description (Note: Media and software materials may be requested by NBCOT).