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2004 SESSION

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HB 309 Occupational therapy; certification requirements.

Introduced by: Harry R. Purkey | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED:

Occupational therapy. Requires persons who practice or advertise as occupational therapy assistants or use the designation "O.T.A." or any variation thereof to obtain initial certification from a credentialing organization approved in regulation by the Board of Medicine. This provision also makes it unlawful to practice occupational therapy without licensure from the Board. The Board is also given clear authority to require licensure of occupational therapists and certification of occupational therapy assistants. The occupational therapist members of the Advisory Board are required to be licensed. Further, the Advisory Board's powers are revised to include recommendations to the Board of credentialing organizations to be approved for initial certification of occupational therapy assistants.

Current law authorizes the practice of occupational therapy assistants without certification as long as the person is supervised by an occupational therapist in compliance with Board requirements. The current law also restricts the use of titles such as "occupational therapist" to individuals who hold licensure from the Board. Under this bill, applicants for licensure will continue to use titles such as "occupational therapist, license applicant." Individuals who do not claim to be occupational therapy assistants may continue to assist in the provision of occupational therapy services under the supervision of an occupational therapist in accordance with Board requirements. Two enactment clauses require the Board to promulgate emergency regulations and condition initial compliance with the licensure and certification requirements of this provision on the timelines, etc., set forth in the Board's regulations.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Occupational therapy. Requires persons who practice or advertise as occupational therapy assistants or use the designation "O.T.A." or any variation thereof to obtain certification from a credentialing organization approved in regulation by the Board of Medicine. This provision also makes it unlawful to practice occupational therapy without licensure from the Board. Further, the Board is given clear authority to require licensure of occupational therapists and certification of occupational therapy assistants, the occupational therapist members of the Advisory Board are required to be licensed, and the Advisory Board's powers are revised to include recommendations to the Board of credentialing organizations to be approved for certification of occupational therapy assistants. Current law authorizes the practice of occupational therapy assistants without certification as long as the person is supervised by an occupational therapist in compliance with Board requirements and restricts the use of titles such as "occupational therapist" to individuals who hold licensure from the Board. Applicants for licensure will continue to use titles such as "occupational therapist, license applicant." Individuals who do not claim to be occupational therapy assistants may continue to assist in the provision of occupational therapy services under the supervision of an occupational therapist in accordance with Board requirements. Two enactment clauses require the Board to promulgate emergency regulations and condition initial compliance with the licensure and certification requirements of this provision on the timelines, etc. set forth in the Board's regulations.