OCI-R: Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised

HiBoop automates OCI-R delivery, scoring, and longitudinal symptom tracking. Monitor OCD severity alongside depression and anxiety in a single session.

The OCI-R (Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised) is a validated 18-item self-report measure of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptom severity and distress. Developed clinical practice and research. The OCI-R measures distress across six OCD symptom subscales: washing, obsessing, hoarding, ordering, checking, and neutralizing. Each item is rated 0–4 ("Not at all" to "Extremely"); the total score ranges from 0 to 72.

This interactive OCI-R online test calculates your total score and subscale profiles. A total score of 21 or above indicates clinically significant OCD symptom severity (sensitivity 85%, specificity 90%; Foa et al., 2002). Elevated subscale scores help identify the predominant OCD symptom dimension. A high OCI-R score warrants clinical evaluation, it does not constitute a diagnosis. For related tools, see our assessment library and measurement-based care resources.

HiBoop supports automated OCI-R delivery with integrated scoring, subscale profiling, and longitudinal OCD symptom tracking for mental health practices.

The Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) is the most widely used brief self-report measure for OCD symptom severity. It assesses the degree of distress caused by 18 obsessive and compulsive symptoms across six subscales. Developed by Foa et al. (2002) as a shorter version of the original 42-item OCI, it is the standard outcome measure in OCD clinical trials and evidence-based practice.

Instructions: Rate how much the following experiences have distressed or bothered you during the past month.

Use the scale: 0 = Not at all, 1 = A little, 2 = Moderately, 3 = Quite a bit, 4 = Extremely

OCI-R Scoring and Interpretation

OCI-R Six Subscales

Distress about contamination and excessive washing/cleaning compulsions

Distress from intrusive, unwanted thoughts (taboo, aggressive, or harm-related)

Difficulty discarding possessions; distress about throwing things away

Need for symmetry, order, or exactness; distress when things are out of place

Repeated checking of appliances, doors, or feared having done something wrong

Mental acts to neutralize or "undo" intrusive thoughts; counting or praying rituals

OCI-R Psychometric Properties

Good to excellent across clinical and community samples (Foa et al., 2002)

Sensitivity 85%, specificity 90% for distinguishing OCD from anxiety disorders in the original validation (Foa et al., 2002)

Good stability over 2-week intervals in OCD outpatient samples

Widely used as a primary outcome measure in ERP and CBT randomized controlled trials for OCD

OCI-R vs Y-BOCS: Self-Report vs Clinician-Rated

The OCI-R is a self-report screening and outcome measure, efficient for routine monitoring and initial screening. The Y-BOCS (Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale) is a structured clinician-administered interview that remains the criterion standard for OCD severity assessment and treatment planning.

Best practice: screen with OCI-R, then administer Y-BOCS for patients scoring ≥21 to obtain a detailed symptom checklist and severity rating before initiating ERP treatment.

Documenting OCI-R results in clinical notes?

OCI-R total score, severity band, and dominant subscale(s) belong in the Objective section of your clinical note. See our SOAP notes guide for templates and documentation examples.

Copyright: The OCI-R is available for free use in clinical practice and research. Cite Foa et al. (2002) in research publications.