What is the AOTA Code of Ethics?

The AOTA Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics, updated in 2025, is the American Occupational Therapy Association's official ethics document. It sets out aspirational Core Values and enforceable Standards of Conduct for occupational therapy personnel, organized under principles including Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, Autonomy, Justice, Veracity, and Fidelity.

What are the core values of the 2025 AOTA Code of Ethics?

Eight core values: Altruism, Equity, Freedom, Justice, Dignity, Truth, Prudence, and Advocacy. The 2025 revision added emphasis on equity, emerging technology, and advocacy for occupational rights.

What is the difference between AOTA and NBCOT ethics requirements?

AOTA's Code of Ethics applies to AOTA members and is enforced by the AOTA Ethics Commission. NBCOT's Code of Conduct applies to everyone holding or seeking OTR or COTA certification, and violations can lead to certification sanctions. State licensure boards add a third, legally binding layer. Many practitioners are accountable to all three.

Who enforces the AOTA Code of Ethics?

The AOTA Ethics Commission reviews complaints against AOTA members. Sanctions range from reprimand and censure to probation, suspension, or revocation of membership. Separately, NBCOT and state boards can act against certification or licensure.

Does the AOTA Code of Ethics address telehealth?

Yes. The same standards apply to virtual services: practitioners must hold required credentials in all settings, obtain informed consent specific to telehealth, protect privacy across technology, and confirm telehealth is appropriate for the client and intervention.

What happened to the 2020 AOTA Code of Ethics?

The 2020 edition was superseded by the 2025 Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics. Practitioners and students should rely on the 2025 document, available from AOTA.

Ethics Guides › Occupational Therapy / AOTA

What Is the AOTA Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics?

By the Ask Ethyl team · Reviewed against the official AOTA 2025 Code of Ethics · Updated July 2026

The AOTA Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics, updated in 2025, is the American Occupational Therapy Association's official ethics document. It pairs eight aspirational Core Values — including Equity and Advocacy, added prominence in 2025 — with enforceable Standards of Conduct organized under principles such as Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, Autonomy, Justice, Veracity, and Fidelity.

8 Core Values: Altruism, Equity, Freedom, Justice, Dignity, Truth, Prudence, Advocacy.
The 2025 revision replaced the 2020 edition and added focus on emerging technology, equity, and occupational rights.
OT practitioners answer to up to three bodies: AOTA (membership), NBCOT (OTR/COTA certification), and their state licensure board.

How is the 2025 Code organized?

The Code serves two purposes: aspirational Core Values that guide judgment, and enforceable Standards of Conduct that apply to AOTA members. The Standards are grouped under ethical principles — Beneficence (act for clients' good), Nonmaleficence (avoid harm and exploitation, including through multiple relationships), Autonomy (informed consent and confidentiality), Justice (fair, equitable access and lawful practice), Veracity (truthful representation, documentation, and billing), and Fidelity (integrity toward colleagues and organizations).

AOTA vs. NBCOT vs. state boards: who actually enforces OT ethics?

Body	Applies to	Can impose
AOTA Ethics Commission	AOTA members	Reprimand, censure, probation, suspension, or revocation of membership
NBCOT	All OTR® and COTA® certificants and candidates	Certification sanctions up to revocation of the credential
State licensure board	Everyone licensed in the state	Legally binding license discipline, fines, practice restrictions

Because jurisdiction differs, an ethics concern about a non-AOTA-member goes to NBCOT or the state board — not AOTA. See NBCOT's Practice Standards and enforcement procedures.

Common questions

What is the AOTA Code of Ethics?: The AOTA Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics, updated in 2025, is the American Occupational Therapy Association's official ethics document. It sets out aspirational Core Values and enforceable Standards of Conduct for occupational therapy personnel, organized under principles including Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, Autonomy, Justice, Veracity, and Fidelity.
What are the core values of the 2025 AOTA Code of Ethics?: Eight core values: Altruism, Equity, Freedom, Justice, Dignity, Truth, Prudence, and Advocacy. The 2025 revision added emphasis on equity, emerging technology, and advocacy for occupational rights.
What is the difference between AOTA and NBCOT ethics requirements?: AOTA's Code of Ethics applies to AOTA members and is enforced by the AOTA Ethics Commission. NBCOT's Code of Conduct applies to everyone holding or seeking OTR or COTA certification, and violations can lead to certification sanctions. State licensure boards add a third, legally binding layer. Many practitioners are accountable to all three.
Who enforces the AOTA Code of Ethics?: The AOTA Ethics Commission reviews complaints against AOTA members. Sanctions range from reprimand and censure to probation, suspension, or revocation of membership. Separately, NBCOT and state boards can act against certification or licensure.
Does the AOTA Code of Ethics address telehealth?: Yes. The same standards apply to virtual services: practitioners must hold required credentials in all settings, obtain informed consent specific to telehealth, protect privacy across technology, and confirm telehealth is appropriate for the client and intervention.
What happened to the 2020 AOTA Code of Ethics?: The 2020 edition was superseded by the 2025 Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics. Practitioners and students should rely on the 2025 document, available from AOTA.

Sources

Browse the OT ethics reference

Browse every AOTA principle and standard in plain language.

Have a specific ethics question?

Ask Ethyl gives instant, cited answers from the official BACB, ASHA, and AOTA codes — trained only on evidence-based, official sources.

Ask Ethyl now