0636 - Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant Series

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Federal Occupation Description

Federal Occupation Description

This series includes positions which involve treating, instructing or working with patients in carrying out therapeutic activities prescribed for their physical or mental rehabilitation. Rehabilitation therapy assistants work in such fields of therapy as occupational, physical, kinesiotherapy, manual arts, and educational. The work requires the ability to apply a practical knowledge of therapeutic methods and techniques but does not require a full professional knowledge of the concepts, principles, and practices of the specialized field of therapy.

For job opportunities in this series, go to the Office of Personnel Management USAJOBS website.

Other Federal Occupations

It is not uncommon for individuals in one federal occupational series to perform duties related to another series within the same federal occupational group. To find out about the certifications for another series in the MEDICAL, HOSPITAL, DENTAL, AND PUBLIC HEALTH GROUP, click on that series below. Note that credentials have not yet been identified for all series – links are provided only to those series for which the identification of credentials has been completed. Additional series will be added over time.

  • 0601 - General Health Science Series
  • 0602 - Physician
  • 0603 - Physician Assistant Series
  • 0610 - Nurse Series
  • 0620 - Practical Nurse
  • 0621 - Nursing Assistant Series
  • 0622 - Medical Supply Aide and Technician Series
  • 0625 - Autopsy Assistant Series
  • 0630 - Dietitian and Nutritionist Series
  • 0631 - Occupational Therapist Series
  • 0633 - Physical Therapist Series
  • 0635 - Kinesiotherapy Series
  • 0637 - Manual Arts Therapist Series
  • 0638 - Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist Series
  • 0639 - Educational Therapist Series
  • 0640 - Health Aid and Technician Series
  • 0642 - Nuclear Medicine Technician Series
  • 0644 - Medical Technologist Series
  • 0645 - Medical Technician Series
  • 0646 - Pathology Technician Series
  • 0647 - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Series
  • 0648 - Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist Series
  • 0649 - Medical Instrument Technician Series
  • 0650 - Medical Technical Assistant Series
  • 0651 - Respiratory Therapist Series
  • 0660 - Pharmacist Series
  • 0661 - Pharmacy Technician Series
  • 0662 - Optometrist Series
  • 0665 - Speech Pathology and Audiology Series
  • 0667 - Orthotist and Prosthetist Series
  • 0668 - Podiatrist Series
  • 0669 - Medical Records Administration Series
  • 0670 - Health System Administration Series
  • 0671 - Health System Specialist
  • 0672 - Prosthetic Representative Series
  • 0673 - Hospital Housekeeping Management Series
  • 0675 - Medical Records Technician
  • 0679 - Medical Support Assistance
  • 0680 - Dental Officer Series
  • 0681 - Dental Assistant
  • 0682 - Dental Hygiene Series
  • 0683 - Dental Laboratory Aid and Technician Series
  • 0685 - Public Health Program Specialist Series
  • 0688 - Sanitarian Series
  • 0690 - Industrial Hygiene Series
  • 0696 - Consumer Safety Series
  • 0698 - Environmental Health Technician Series
  • 0699 - Medical and Health Student Trainee Series

The following certifications have been identified as most relevant to the broad duties of this federal occupational series. Please note that these credentials may not reflect all of the unique job functions that you perform within your organization. Also these credentials may require additional education, training or experience. For more information about any credential, click on the credential title below.

Compare Credential Agency Related As GI Bill® Accreditation ID
IPA - Personal Fitness Trainer Is Not In Demand International Fitness Professionals Association (IFPA) someSome GI BillGI Bill AccreditationAccreditation
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) In DemandIs In Demand National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) mostMost GI BillGI Bill AccreditationAccreditation
Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) In DemandIs In Demand National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) otherOther GI BillGI Bill AccreditationAccreditation
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) Is Not In Demand National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) otherOther GI BillGI Bill AccreditationAccreditation
Certified Diabetes Educator In DemandIs In Demand National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE) otherOther GI BillGI Bill AccreditationAccreditation
National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination (NPTAE) Is Not In Demand Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) mostMost GI BillGI Bill  
Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) In DemandIs In Demand Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) otherOther GI BillGI Bill AccreditationAccreditation
Certified Personal Fitness Trainer-Exercise and Fitness Specialist (CPT-EFS) Is Not In Demand Academy of Applied Personal Training Education (AAPTE) someSome    
Certified Wound Care Associate (CWCA) Is Not In Demand American Board of Wound Management (ABWM) someSome   AccreditationAccreditation
Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) Is Not In Demand Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) someSome   AccreditationAccreditation
Certified Asthma Educator (AE-C) In DemandIs In Demand National Asthma Educator Certification Board (NAECB) otherOther    
Certified Adapted Physical Educators (CAPE) Is Not In Demand Adapted Physical Education National Standards (APENS) otherOther    
Certified Sports & Fitness Nutrition Specialist Is Not In Demand American Education Certification Association (AECA) someSome    
Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC) In DemandIs In Demand Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa) someSome   AccreditationAccreditation
Tactical Strength and Conditioning-Facilitator (TSAC-F) Is Not In Demand National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) someSome   AccreditationAccreditation
Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/Health Education Is Not In Demand National Board for Professional Teaching Standards otherOther    
Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) Is Not In Demand Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) someSome GI BillGI Bill AccreditationAccreditation

State Licenses

Some states have specific licensing requirements for the following related civilian occupations. These state licenses may require additional education, training or experience. Click on the occupation below to get more information on state requirements from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Related Civilian Private Sector Occupations

The following civilian private sector occupations are similar to the duties performed by 0636 - Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant Series. These occupations may require additional education, training or experience. For more information about these occupations, click on the civilian occupation below.

Civilian Job Duties Matched Bright Outlook Registered Apprenticeship Local Salary Info
Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors someSome Bright OutlookBright Outlook    find local salaryfind local salary
Occupational Therapy Aides someSome Bright OutlookBright Outlook    find local salaryfind local salary
Occupational Therapy Assistants mostMost Bright OutlookBright Outlook    find local salaryfind local salary
Physical Therapist Aides someSome Bright OutlookBright Outlook  Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Physical Therapist Assistants mostMost Bright OutlookBright Outlook    find local salaryfind local salary
Psychiatric Aides someSome     find local salaryfind local salary
Psychiatric Technicians someSome     find local salaryfind local salary
Social and Human Service Assistants someSome Bright OutlookBright Outlook  Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Speech-Language Pathology Assistants someSome Bright OutlookBright Outlook    find local salaryfind local salary
Teacher Assistants someSome Bright OutlookBright Outlook  Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
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This is an official U.S. Navy websiteUpdated: October 16, 2019
Click here to go to IPA - Personal Fitness Trainer COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 1 year

The International Fitness Professionals Association (IFPA), IPA - Personal Fitness Trainer credential is an entry-level certification for individuals interested in leading clients toward healthy lifestyle options through physical activity, training, and education. Candidates must have CPR/First Aid certification prior to taking the written exam.

Click here to go to Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) validates individuals ability to provide services for people suffering from mental, physical, emotional or developmental impairments. Occupational therapist assistants work under the direction of occupational therapists in a variety of healthcare settings, including outpatient treatment centers and clinics. They monitor patients' activities, record progress and document billing. This is a mid level certification. Applicants must hold an associate degree from an accredited occupational therapy program recognized by NBCOT and complete all fieldwork requirements to qualify to sit for the exam.

Click here to go to National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination (NPTAE) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: Varies by State

The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) develops, maintains, and administers the National Physical Therapy Examinations (NPTE) for Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA). The NPTE program provides examination services to the regulatory authorities charged with the regulation of physical therapist assistants and offers a common element in the evaluation of candidates so that standards will be comparable from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Each licensing authority has established its own criteria for eligibility to sit for the PTA examinations. Applicants should review the materials distributed by the licensing authority to which they intend to apply for licensure or certification, in order to determine if they have met that authority's eligibility requirements. In some jurisdictions, national examination is accepted by state licensing authorities as a part of the evaluation process for licensing PTAs along with jurisprudence exam. The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) examination is intended to assess basic entry-level competence of the candidate who has graduated from an accredited program for physical therapist assistants or has met equivalent requirements set by a licensing authority for physical therapist assistants. FSBPT administers the computer-based examinations through Prometric.

Click here to go to Certified Personal Fitness Trainer-Exercise and Fitness Specialist (CPT-EFS) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

Academy of Applied Personal Training Education (AAPTE) Certified Personal Fitness Trainers-Exercise and Fitness Specialists (CPT-EFS) are fitness professionals proficient in the understanding of client assessment, exercise program design, physiology of human performance, biomechanics, nutrition, medical considerations and terminology, effective communication, and personal training ethics. The CFT-EFS exam assesses a candidate's essential knowledge in the exercise sciences and the application of the sciences in training the general population. Candidates must be at least 18 years old or a high school graduate, complete a human anatomy course or have active status NCCA accredited Personal Training Certification, and hold current CPR/AED certification.

Click here to go to Certified Wound Care Associate (CWCA) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 1 year

The American Board of Wound Management (ABWM), Certified Wound Care Associate (CWCA) certification demonstrates specialized knowledge in wound management. Candidates must have a minimum of three years of wound care related experience. The CWCA is available to associate degree RNs, LPNs, LVNs, PTAs, all certified healthcare assistants, healthcare administrators, dieticians, sales and marketing professionals, and academic researchers. Candidates must possess a full and unrestricted professional license in at least one state, and in all states in which the candidate currently practices. Candidates must successfully complete the eligibility review and pass a written exam.

Click here to go to Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA), Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) is a professional credential which recognizes demonstrated competence in analyzing the needs of consumers with disabilities, assisting in the selection of appropriate assistive technology for the consumers' needs, and providing training in the use of the selected devices. To be considered eligible for certification, applicants must have an acceptable combination of education and experience. Applicant's must also pass a written exam.

Click here to go to Certified Sports & Fitness Nutrition Specialist COOL Snapshot page.

The AECA Certified Sports & Fitness Nutrition Specialist (CSFNS) credential is recommended for entry-level to mid-level sports nutritionists. Sports nutritionists focus on the effects of nutrition on exercise and sports performance; they analyze the costs to the athlete when training, competing or exercising in terms of calories, nutrients and fluids. Nutritionists then develop a dietary plan that may include nutritional supplements. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or its equivalent, and must be graduates of an approved training program, or have a valid personal trainer specialist certification.

Click here to go to Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa), Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC) is an advanced credential for individuals who possess the knowledge, skills, techniques, and expertise necessary to be an effective strength and conditioning coach on the collegiate and professional level. The SCCC is for individuals who desire to be appropropriately credentialed to work with student-athletes as required by the NCAA. The SCCC requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree in exercise science or a related field. Candidates must also pass an exam.

Click here to go to Tactical Strength and Conditioning-Facilitator (TSAC-F) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator (TSAC-F) is an intermediate-level health and fitness credential for professionals who work with emergency personnel to improve performance, promote wellness, and decrease injury risk. TSAC-Fs conduct needs analyses and physical testing sessions, design and implement safe and effective strength training and conditioning programs, and provide general information regarding nutrition. TSAC-Fs work with military, fire and rescue, law enforcement, protective services, and other emergency personnel. TSAC-Fs focus on tactical strength and conditioning to assist their clients whose objectives are to pass their fitness exams and improve their fitness abilities to perform their jobs better and more safely.

Click here to go to Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 1 year

The Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) is an entry-level behavior-analytic certification. The RBT is recommended for paraprofessionals who practice under the close, ongoing supervision of an individual who has earned an advanced Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) credential (such as the BCBA or BCaBA). The RBT is primarily responsible for the direct implementation of behavior-analytic services.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

Click here to go to the GI Bill site.

ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the rating (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the rating (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Most – Tasks in these careers match most duties of the military job or specialty (approximately 80% or greater)
Some – Tasks in these careers match some duties of the military job or specialty (greater than 20% but less than 80%)
Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors
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Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Occupational Therapy Aides
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