The Role of the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board

The Role of the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and

Athletic Trainers Board

Cincinnati StateOTA Program

March 5, 2010 OTPTAT Board 2

Certification vs. Licensure The OT Section

of the Ohio OTPTAT Board issues licenses to practice as an OT/OTA in the State of Ohio.

The NBCOT certifies individuals as either OTR’s or COTA’s to people who meet their requirements for certification.


Certification vs. LicensureYou MUST hold a valid

license issued by the OT Section of the Ohio OTPTAT Board to legally practice occupational therapy in the State of Ohio.

Certification Licensure


Ohio Revised Code Requirements R.C. 4755.04 (C) states: An “occupational

therapy assistant” means a person who holds a license or limited permit to provide occupational therapy techniques under the general supervision of an occupational therapist.

R.C. 4755.05 states: “No person who does not hold a current license or limited permit … shall practice…”


Licensure vs. Certification Although you need a state license to

practice, as part of the initial application process, you will need to apply for NBCOT certification to take the NBCOT Exam.

Upon passing the NBCOT Exam, you will receive certification and may call yourself a COTA. This does not mean you can legally practice in Ohio without a license.


Licensure If you practice with

NBCOT Certification, but not Ohio licensure, you will be disciplined for practicing occupational therapy without a license!!


Licensure vs. Certification Once you receive your license to

practice in Ohio, NBCOT certification is not required to renew your license to practice.


OTPTAT v. NBCOT v. OOTAThe Alphabet Soup of the Profession OTPTAT is your state regulatory agency. It

licenses individuals and enforces the practice act.

NBCOT is a certification entity. Certification allows a practitioner to use the credentials OTR or COTA. It is not mandatory that you hold certification.


OTPTAT v. NBCOT v. OOTA OOTA is the state professional

association. Along with the AOTA, it advocates on the state/federal level for the profession.

The professional association the licensing board.

State licensure does not require OOTA membership.


Mission of the OT Section

The Mission of the OT Section is to Protect the Public, NOT the

Licensee


Composition of the Board Joint Board consisting of an

Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Section

Total of 8 full-time staff OT Section has 5 Section members


Board Members (Term Expires) Kimberly Lawler, OT, Frazeyburg (8/27/10)

OT Section Chair Jean Halpin, OT, Westerville (8/27/11)

OT Section Secretary Rebecca Finni, OT, Amelia (8/27/10) Nanette Shoemaker, OTA, Miamisburg

(8/27/12) Mary Stover, OT, Columbus (8/27/12)


OTPTAT Board Info Staff: 2 Administrative Staff, 3

Investigative Staff, and 3 Licensure Staff

Website - http://otptat.ohio.gov Any Board-related information you

need can be obtained from the website: e.g.: Applications, Laws and Rules, Newsletter, etc.


Licensure (cont’d)Limited Permit

Only for those who have not yet taken the NBCOT Exam

Allows applicant to work prior to passage of the NBCOT Exam

Full Licensure Applicant must

have already passed the NBCOT Exam


Limited Permit Prior to working on a Limited Permit, you

must:1. Have your completed application

approved by the OT Section;2. Pay the $100 application fee; and3. Pass the Ohio Laws and Rules Exam

Anyone who has failed the NBCOT Exam is NOT eligible to receive a Limited Permit


Limited Permit (cont’d) You may practice as an OT/OTA under the

supervision of a licensed OT Limited Permit valid for 4 months or until

results of NBCOT Exam are known, whichever comes first

If you fail the NBCOT Exam, your Limited Permit immediately expires and you must stop working


Limited Permit (cont’d) If you pass NBCOT Exam, you will

automatically be granted a full license without a new application.

If you fail the NBCOT Exam, you must immediately stop working and reapply for full licensure.


Limited Permit (cont’d) Board planning to eliminate limited

permits Public hearing on proposed rule change

occurred in January 2010 Planned effective date of amended rule

is May 1, 2011


Criminal Records Checks HB 104 requires the Board to receive the

results of a criminal records check before issuance of a license.

The law requires the applicant to submit the results of a criminal records check conducted by both the FBI and Ohio BCI.

Only applies to initial license applications. No fingerprints needed for renewal or reinstatement.

http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Services/Business/WebCheck







I Have My License. Now What? Your first renewal:

Check your authorization to practice letter to determine when your initial license expires.

All OTA licenses expire on June 30 of even numbered years.

If initial issue date is on or before April 1, 2010, your license will expire on 6/30/2010.

If initial issue date is after April 1, 2010, your license will expire on 6/30/2012.


I Have My License. Now What? OTA Licensees (OAC 4755-3-10):

Licenses expire on June 30 of even numbered years.

Must submit 20 contact hours of CE All CE must be completed in 24-month

period ending on June 30 of the even year. You are exempt from CE for first renewal if

you obtained an initial license by exam w/in 12 months of program completion of entry-level OTA program.


Continuing Education Rules 4755-9-01 and 9-02 of the

Administrative Code govern the continuing education requirements.

CE requirements for the Board may vary from those required by NBCOT.


Continuing Education (cont’d) Ohio law does not require pre-approval of

CE courses. According to rule 4755-9-01, a CE course

is usually considered an acceptable learning activity if it is directly related to the clinical practice, management, or education of occupational therapy practitioners.


Continuing Education (cont’d) The OT Section automatically accepts

courses that have been sponsored or approved by: OT Section; AOTA; OOTA; Offered by an AOTA Approved Provider.


I Have My License. Now What? What happens on July 1?

If you did not renew, your license automatically expires.

Renewal means the Board received AND processed your renewal application.

To return to active practice in Ohio, you must submit a reinstatement application.


Don’t Wait Until June 30 to Renew


Change of Address Ohio law requires all licensees to

notify the Board, in writing, of a change of address within THIRTY days of the change.

Failure to notify the Board, could result in the delay of the processing of your renewal application.


State Application Information

In this state: http://otptat.ohio.gov

If you’re applying in another state: http://www.nbcot.org to obtain a directory of State OT Boards


Submitting the Application Applicants for initial licensure can submit a

paper application or apply on-line Paper applications can be downloaded

from the Board’s website Apply on-line through the Ohio e-License

Center https://license.ohio.gov Select “Application Site” option





Contacting the Board You may contact the Board by any of the

following methods: Internet: http://otptat.ohio.gov Email: [email protected] Phone: 614-466-3774 Fax: 614-995-0816 OT Section

Ohio OTPTAT Board77 S. High Street, 16th FloorColumbus, OH 43215-6108

Documents

The Role of the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board