10.46.04.04
A. Time Frame.
(1) Licensure Time Frame. A license to practice occupational therapy or limited occupational therapy is valid for 1 year extending from July 1 to June 30 of the next year.
(2) Continuing Competency Time Frame. The period for completing continuing competency requirements for licensure renewal extends from January 1 to December 31 of the year before renewal.
(3) The licensee may not carry over contact hours from one continuing competency time frame to another without written consent from the Board.
B. Requirements Regarding Contact Hours.
(1) The occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant shall certify a minimum of 12 contact hours of competency activities obtained within the 1-year period preceding the application for licensure, reactivation, or reinstatement.
(2) The 12 contact hours referred to in §B(1) of this regulation shall consist of:
(a) A minimum of 8 contact hours related to occupational therapy principles and procedures; and
(b) A maximum of 4 contact hours through occupational therapy role-related activities.
(3) The occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant shall provide the necessary documentation to the Board upon request.
C. Exceptions.
(1) Licensed Less Than 1 Year. An occupational therapist or an occupational therapy assistant who becomes licensed between July 1 and June 30, that is, has had a license less than 1 year before renewal, is exempt from continuing competency requirements for the first renewal period.
(2) Maintenance of Current Certification with the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
(a) The Board recognizes the maintenance of current NBCOT certification as fulfilling the requirements of §B(1) and (2) of this regulation.
(b) Documentation. The licensee shall provide a photocopy of the front and back of the certificate of maintenance of current NBCOT certification.
(3) Requesting Licensure with 3 or More Years Lapse in Practice.
(a) When an applicant applies for licensure, renewal, reactivation, or reinstatement, and meets all requirements for licensure, renewal, reactivation, or reinstatement, but has not graduated from an accredited occupational therapy program or practiced occupational therapy within the past 3 years or more, the Board shall require verification of the applicant's efforts toward maintaining and updating occupational therapy clinical competency.
(b) If an individual has been out of practice for between 3 and 8 years, the individual shall:
(i) Complete a Board-approved self-assessment;
(ii) Complete a Board-approved professional development plan;
(iii) Attend a minimum of 24 contact hours related to occupational therapy principles and procedures within the 24 months preceding application for licensure, renewal, reactivation, or reinstatement;
(iv) Provide verification of a minimum of 30 hours of observation of service delivery, receipt of mentoring, or a combination of both with an actively licensed occupational therapist within the 24 months preceding application for licensure, renewal, reactivation, or reinstatement; and
(v) Document completion of established goals and activities in occupational therapy with an actively licensed occupational therapist within the 24 months preceding application for licensure renewal, reactivation, or reinstatement.
(c) If an individual has been out of practice for longer than 8 years, the individual shall:
(i) Complete the requirements in §C(2)(b) of this regulation; and
(ii) Provide verification of 6 additional contact hours related to occupational therapy principles and procedures.
(4) Before the deadline to complete continuing competency, a licensee may request an extension to the specified time frame for completing continuing competency requirements by submitting:
(a) A letter of request;
(b) Documentation substantiating the basis of the request, for example, medical documentation; and
(c) A plan for completing the requirement.