Occupational Therapy Board Exam Reviewer
PRC Occupational Therapist Licensure Examination
About the Occupational Therapy Board Exam
Exam Coverage
- Anatomy and Kinesiology
- OT Foundations and Theories
- Therapeutic Activities and Interventions
- Clinical Practice and Evaluation
- Professional Ethics and Laws
Key References
- RA 10517 (Occupational Therapy Act of 2013)
- PRC Code of Ethics for Occupational Therapists
- Major OT Textbooks and References
- OT Practice Framework (AOTA)
- International OT Standards
Anatomy & Kinesiology
Musculoskeletal anatomy, biomechanics, and human movement analysis
Topics Covered (6)
- Musculoskeletal Anatomy
- Joint Structure and Function
- Muscle Actions and Innervations
- Biomechanics and Kinesiology
- Range of Motion
- Anatomical Landmarks
OT Foundations & Theories
Occupational therapy models, frames of reference, and theoretical foundations
Topics Covered (6)
- OT Models (MOHO, PEOP, CMOP-E)
- Frames of Reference (Biomechanical, Cognitive)
- Sensory Integration Theory
- Occupation-Based Practice
- Activity Analysis Fundamentals
- Theoretical Foundations
Therapeutic Activities & Interventions
Activity analysis, adaptive techniques, assistive technology, and therapeutic interventions
Topics Covered (6)
- Activity Analysis
- Therapeutic Activities
- Adaptive Techniques
- Compensatory Strategies
- Assistive Technology
- ADL Training
Clinical Practice & Evaluation
Assessment tools, treatment planning, clinical reasoning, and patient management
Topics Covered (6)
- OT Process and Documentation
- Assessment Tools (COPM, FIM, AMPS)
- Treatment Planning
- Clinical Reasoning
- Pediatric/Adult/Geriatric Conditions
- Hand Therapy and Neurorehabilitation
Professional Ethics & Laws
RA 10517, PRC regulations, ethical standards, and professional practice
Topics Covered (6)
- RA 10517 (Occupational Therapy Act of 2013)
- PRC Code of Ethics for Occupational Therapists
- Scope of Practice and Limitations
- Patient Rights and Confidentiality
- Professional Standards and Conduct
- Legal and Ethical Decision-Making
Occupational Therapy Board Exam Preparation Tips
📅 3-Month Study Timeline
Month 1: Foundations
- • Anatomy & Kinesiology review
- • OT models (MOHO, PEOP, CMOP-E)
- • Frames of reference
- • Sensory integration theory
- • Activity analysis fundamentals
Month 2: Clinical Practice
- • Assessment tools (COPM, FIM, AMPS)
- • Therapeutic activities
- • Adaptive techniques & assistive tech
- • Pediatric/adult/geriatric conditions
- • Hand therapy & neurorehabilitation
Month 3: Integration & Ethics
- • RA 10517 provisions
- • PRC Code of Ethics for OTs
- • Clinical reasoning practice
- • Case study analysis
- • Practice tests & review
🧠 Major OT Models & Theories
| Model/Theory | Focus | Key Components |
|---|---|---|
| MOHO (Model of Human Occupation) | Occupation as central to human experience | Volition, Habituation, Performance Capacity, Environment |
| PEOP (Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance) | Dynamic interaction of person, environment, occupation | Person factors, Environment, Occupation, Performance outcomes |
| CMOP-E (Canadian Model of Occupational Performance & Engagement) | Client-centered practice and occupational engagement | Person (Spirituality core), Environment, Occupation (Self-care, Productivity, Leisure) |
| Biomechanical Frame | Physical functioning, ROM, strength | Joint ROM, Muscle strength, Endurance, Postural alignment |
| Cognitive Frame | Information processing, problem-solving | Attention, Memory, Executive function, Cognitive strategies |
| Sensory Integration Theory | Processing sensory information for adaptive responses | Vestibular, Proprioceptive, Tactile systems, Modulation, Discrimination |
📋 Essential OT Assessment Tools
Occupation-Based Assessments
COPM (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure)
• Client-centered assessment of self-perception
• Measures performance and satisfaction (1-10 scale)
• Identifies client priorities in self-care, productivity, leisure
FIM (Functional Independence Measure)
• 18 items across 6 domains
• 7-point scale (1=total assist to 7=complete independence)
• Measures self-care, sphincter control, transfers, locomotion, communication, social cognition
AMPS (Assessment of Motor and Process Skills)
• Observation-based assessment during ADL tasks
• 16 motor skills + 20 process skills
• Identifies need for assistance in daily living
Component-Based Assessments
Manual Muscle Testing (MMT)
• 0-5 grading scale
• 0=No contraction, 3=Against gravity, 5=Normal strength
Goniometry
• Measures joint range of motion (ROM)
• Active ROM (AROM) vs Passive ROM (PROM)
Sensory Testing
• Light touch, pressure, temperature
• Proprioception, stereognosis, two-point discrimination
Cognitive Assessments
• Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE)
• Allen Cognitive Level Screen
• Executive function tests
🎯 Activity Analysis Framework
Performance Skills Required
- • Motor skills (posture, mobility, coordination)
- • Process skills (energy, knowledge, organization)
- • Social interaction skills (communication)
Activity Demands
- • Objects/tools required
- • Space and social demands
- • Sequencing and timing
- • Required actions and body functions
Context Considerations
- • Cultural context
- • Physical environment
- • Social environment
- • Temporal aspects
🔧 Adaptive Techniques & Assistive Technology
Common Adaptive Equipment
Adaptive Strategies
Compensatory Strategies
• Use unaffected body parts
• Modify task/environment
• Use assistive devices
Remediation Strategies
• Restore lost skills
• Strengthen weak areas
• Practice and repetition
Environmental Modifications
• Remove barriers
• Install safety features
• Improve accessibility
👶 Common Pediatric OT Conditions
Cerebral Palsy
• Spastic, athetoid, ataxic types
• Focus: positioning, ADL, play skills
Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Sensory processing difficulties
• Focus: social skills, sensory integration
Developmental Delay
• Fine/gross motor delays
• Focus: developmental milestones, play
Down Syndrome
• Hypotonia, joint laxity
• Focus: strengthening, ADL training
ADHD
• Attention and impulse control issues
• Focus: self-regulation, executive function
Sensory Processing Disorder
• Over/under-responsiveness
• Focus: sensory integration therapy
🧓 Common Adult & Geriatric OT Conditions
Neurological Conditions
Stroke (CVA)
• Hemiplegia/hemiparesis
• Focus: ADL retraining, compensatory strategies, splinting
Spinal Cord Injury
• Level-specific functional outcomes
• Focus: adaptive equipment, wheelchair skills, IADL
Traumatic Brain Injury
• Cognitive and physical impairments
• Focus: cognitive retraining, safety awareness, community reintegration
Parkinson's Disease
• Tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia
• Focus: energy conservation, fall prevention, ADL modifications
Orthopedic/Hand Conditions
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Median nerve compression
• Focus: wrist splinting, ergonomics, nerve gliding exercises
Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Joint inflammation and deformity
• Focus: joint protection, energy conservation, adaptive equipment
Fractures (Hand/Wrist)
• Post-surgical or post-cast
• Focus: ROM exercises, strengthening, edema control
Tendon Injuries
• Flexor/extensor tendon repairs
• Focus: protocol-based splinting, controlled motion exercises
⚖️ RA 10517: Philippine Occupational Therapy Act of 2013
Scope of Practice
• Evaluate clients' functional abilities and limitations
• Design and implement therapeutic interventions
• Use purposeful and meaningful activities
• Recommend and train on assistive devices
• Modify environments to enhance participation
• Provide consultation and education
• Conduct research in occupational therapy
Professional Requirements
• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy
• Pass PRC Occupational Therapist Licensure Exam
• Register with PRC
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD) units required
• Adhere to Code of Ethics
• Maintain professional liability insurance
PRC Code of Ethics - Key Principles
Beneficence
Act in client's best interest
Non-maleficence
Do no harm
Autonomy
Respect client's right to choose
Justice
Fair and equitable treatment
Veracity
Truthfulness in practice
Fidelity
Faithfulness to professional duties
✋ Hand Therapy Essentials
Common Hand Splints
Hand Therapy Interventions
Edema Control:
• Elevation, compression, retrograde massage, active ROM
Scar Management:
• Massage, silicone gel sheets, pressure garments, desensitization
Strengthening Progression:
• Isometric → Resistive exercises → Functional activities
Sensory Re-education:
• Localization, moving/constant touch, texture discrimination
📝 Exam Day Strategies
Before the Exam
- • Review RA 10517 provisions
- • Memorize OT model components
- • Practice clinical scenarios
- • Get adequate sleep (7-8 hours)
- • Prepare exam materials the night before
During the Exam
- • Read each question carefully
- • Identify keywords (MOHO, PEOP, CMOP-E)
- • Consider client-centered approach
- • Eliminate obviously wrong answers
- • Manage time: ~1 minute per question
Answer Selection Tips
- • Choose occupation-based interventions
- • Prioritize safety and ethical practice
- • Consider Filipino cultural context
- • Think about functional outcomes
- • Apply evidence-based practice principles
Complete Occupational Therapy Board Exam Coverage
5 comprehensive categories with 250+ practice questions covering all major subjects in the PRC Occupational Therapist Licensure Examination. Questions based on RA 10517, PRC standards, and professional practice.