Lifestyle Redesign®
Getting Certified
This page provides an overview of the requirements for earning a Lifestyle Redesign Certification (LRC). Candidates have a total of 7 years to complete all requirements outlined below, beginning when a prospective candidate completes their first didactic requirement towards certification. The 7-year deadline must not have passed at the time of applying to take the Lifestyle Redesign Certification Exam. This extended window of time is meant to provide ample time for candidates to complete all requirements on a flexible timeline. For more information about the certification timeline, visit Section 3.1 of the Certification Handbook.
1. Active Occupational Therapy Practitioner (OTP) Licensure
- U.S.-based OTPs must provide proof of state licensure.
- International OTPs must provide proof of graduation from a WFOT-accredited occupational therapy program. Additionally, to maintain the public’s awareness that Lifestyle Redesign is an occupational therapy service, they must describe their services as occupational therapy and/or notify consumers that they hold a degree from an occupational therapy educational program.
2. Education: Complete Didactic Coursework
There are two pathways to completing the didactic education requirement; a visual representation of these pathways can be found below.
Continuing Education Pathway - for licensed OTPs and other prospective candidates
In this pathway, prospective certificants will complete the following didactic requirements:
- Foundations of Lifestyle Redesign Course Series
- THREE (3) Core Courses
- FOUR (4) Special Topics courses
- A Mentored Practicum in Lifestyle Redesign (OT 638)
Motivational Interviewing (MI) training - minimum of 12 hours, must be facilitated by a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Training (MINT)
- Note that this requirement is not a part of the Course Series; practitioners are encouraged to independently seek out training via the MINT training website or join one of the online, interactive MI trainings hosted by USC Chan. To be notified of upcoming trainings hosted by USC Chan, subscribe to the Latest in Lifestyle Redesig newsletter.
For more information about course schedules, description, costs, and registration information, visit the Course Series page.
Graduate Certificate Pathway - for current and prospective USC Chan graduate students
In this pathway, prospective candidates will obtain a Foundations of Lifestyle Redesign Graduate Certificate, which fulfills all didactic education requirements. Typically, this pathway will be pursued by current USC Chan graduate students, or occupational therapists who wish to obtain advanced training in Lifestyle Redesign by enrolling in a Chan graduate program. Obtaining the Foundations of Lifestyle Redesign Graduate Certificate is not equivalent to earning a Lifestyle Redesign Certification. Graduate Certificate holders must complete the experience and evaluation requirements outlined below in order to earn their LRC.
Applicants for the Graduate Certificate in Foundations of Lifestyle Redesign who are currently enrolled in a Chan graduate program at USC and are in good standing with a 3.0 GPA need only complete the online application form. Applicants who have not matriculated at USC must submit a formal application on the USC Graduate Admission website. Please visit the USC Chan website for more information.
3. Experience: Accrue Practice Hours
Required Total Practice Hours
- For OTPs licensed more than 2 years, a minimum of 250 hours is required.
- For OTPs licensed 2 years or less, a minimum of 500 hours is required.
Practice Hours Accrual Timeline
Practice hours begin accruing while enrolled in the OT 638 Mentored Practicum in Lifestyle Redesign course. Candidates must be enrolled in the Mentored Practicum before accruing any/direct patient care practice hours to ensure they are accurately implementing the Lifestyle Redesign intervention framework within the context of direct patient care.
All practice hours must be completed no later than 7 years after starting the first Lifestyle Redesign course or other certification activity.
Practice Hours Categories
- Direct Patient Care Hours
- One-on-one patient sessions
- Group sessions
- Treatment planning and documentation
- No more than 20 hours will count for OTPs licensed more than 2 years
- No more than 40 hours will count for OTPs licensed 2 years or less
- Other Lifestyle Redesign-focused activities
- No more than 50 hours will count for all OTPs
Practice Hours Attestation
Before taking the Lifestyle Redesign Certification (LRC) exam, candidates will be required to attest that all Lifestyle Redesign practice hours have been completed, which will require:
- Submitting a Practice Hours Tracking Sheet outlining the total number of hours accrued
- Electronic signature
For further details about this certification requirement, please refer to Section 2.3 of the Certification Handbook.
4. Evaluation: successfully complete the certification exam
All OTPs seeking to earn a Lifestyle Redesign Certification (LRC) must successfully complete the Lifestyle Redesign Certification (LRC) Exam, which covers content related to the foundations, care processes, implementation, and core domains of Lifestyle Redesign. The exam is offered in two cycles per year, as outlined below. Exam cycles can also be found on the Lifestyle Redesign calendar, located on the Upcoming Events page.
- April 1st through May 15th
- October 1st through November 15th
For further details about this certification requirement, please refer to Section 4 of the Certification Handbook.