Occupational therapy applicants would use national certification for licenses

Applicants would show current NBCOT certification and meet the board’s licensing requirements. The rule covers people applying for Louisiana licenses as occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants. Applicants must complete the required education and supervised field work before taking the certification exam. The application must include proof of current NBCOT certification and the required fee. The board would use NBCOT examination standards as a minimum score and would allow a person who fails to reapply. The text does not state when these licensing rules would begin.

The licensing board would waive some education or examination requirements and issue licenses to specified qualified applicants. Eligible applicants include certain Louisiana residents with prior NBCOT certification, equivalent out-of-state licenses, qualifying state jobs, or graduation from a WFOT-member nation’s curriculum. Applicants must meet the listed residency, certification, employment, reciprocity, or education requirements. Applicants using the Louisiana residency, state employment, or WFOT waivers must apply within six months after the chapter takes effect. State employees in listed aide or therapist classifications would receive the license type tied to their job classification. The six-month application period begins when the chapter takes effect and applies to the specified waiver applicants.

Licensed professionals could use listed occupational therapy titles, while the board may establish a process to challenge a denied license. The title rules cover licensed occupational therapists and people certified or registered by NBCOT; the challenge process concerns denied licenses. A challenge to a denial would be heard in an open hearing with due process if the board establishes that process. The text says continuing education would not apply to occupational therapists working in state facilities or for a state agency. The text does not state when these provisions would begin.

The board would set licensing fees by rule, subject to maximum amounts listed in the enrolled text. The fee schedule covers occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant applications, licenses, renewals, reinstatements, late renewals, and reciprocity. Occupational therapy assistant license fees would be no more than two-thirds of occupational therapist license fees. The listed maximums include separate amounts for applications, initial licenses, temporary licenses, renewals, reinstatements, late renewals, and reciprocity. The text does not state when the fee provisions would begin.