The state of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Professional and Vocational Licensing Division is responsible for issuing licenses for both occupational therapists, as well as occupational therapy assistants. Those seeking a license to work in occupational therapy must complete the educational requirements from a school that has been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). 

Nationally, an occupational therapist makes a median salary of $84,270 per year, or $40.51 an hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The annual median salary for occupational therapists in Hawaii is higher, at $92,339 per year, with a typical range of $84,586 and $100,602. There are no schools that offer accredited master or doctorate programs for eligibility to become an occupational therapist in Hawaii.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that occupational therapy assistants and aides make a median of $57,620 per year, or $27.70 an hour. The certified occupational therapy assistant salary in Hawaii is slightly higher, ranging from $55,718 to $67,946, with a median salary of $61,847. There is one accredited occupational therapy assistant program in the state of Hawaii, offered by The University of Hawai’i Kapi’olani community college.

Accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Program in Honolulu

There is one accredited occupational therapy program in the state of Hawaii, located in Honolulu. Certified occupational therapist assistants in Honolulu make above the national average wage at a median of $61,458 per year.

The University of Hawai’i Kapi’olani Community College

The University of Hawai’i Kapi’olani community college occupational therapy assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Students who graduate from the program are eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam, required for licensure with the state of Hawaii.

• Address:
  4303 Diamond Head Road
  Honolulu, Hawaii 96816
• Contact:
  Phone: (808)734-9000
• Degree Level:
  Associate in Science
• Tuition:
  The tuition for residents is $131 per credit, while the tuition for non-residents is $345 per credit. The total cost of the program for a resident is $10,021. The total cost of the program for a non-resident is $22,005.
• Application Due Dates:
  The application period is between April 1st and May 31st. Applicants must provide an application and any supporting documents to a Health Sciences Counselor during walk-in counseling hours. Applications must be submitted in person, during walk-in hours only.
• Prerequisites and Application Requirements:
  • Qualification for the program is based on meeting a minimum GPA of 2.75, and the completion of the following prerequisite courses:
    • English 100;
    • Math 100;
    • Human Anatomy & Physiology 1, with lab;
    • Human Anatomy & Physiology 2, with lab;
    • Therapeutic Interpersonal Skills;
      Kinesiology, with a lab.
    • A My Plan Self-Assessment.
    • Attendance of a mandatory OTA Program Information Session.