The Role of the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board Sinclair Community College OTA Program

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board2 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.

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board3 Certification vs. Licensure  You 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

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board4 Ohio Revised Code Requirements  R.C (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 states: “No person who does not hold a current license or limited permit … shall practice…”

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board5 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.

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board6 Licensure  If you practice with NBCOT Certification, but not Ohio licensure, you will be disciplined for practicing occupational therapy without a license!!

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board7 Licensure vs. Certification  Once you receive your license to practice in Ohio, NBCOT certification is not required to renew your license to practice.

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board8 OTPTAT v. NBCOT v. OOTA The 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.

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board9 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.

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board10 Mission of the OT Section The Mission of the OT Section is to Protect the Public, NOT the Licensee

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board11 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

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board12 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 (8/27/09)  Mary Stover, OT, Columbus (8/27/09)

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board13 OTPTAT Board Info  Staff: 2 Administrative Staff, 3 Investigative Staff, and 3 Licensure Staff  Website -  Any Board-related information you need can be obtained from the website: e.g.: Applications, Laws and Rules, Newsletter, etc.

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board14 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

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board15 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; and 3. Pass the Ohio Laws and Rules Exam  Anyone who has failed the NBCOT Exam is NOT eligible to receive a Limited Permit

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board16 Limited Permit (cont’d)  You may practice as an OT 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

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board17 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.  Note: The OT Section has recently discussed the potential elimination of limited permits.

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board18 Criminal Records Checks  ORC 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. 

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July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board22 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.

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board23 I Have My License. Now What?  OTA Licensees (OAC ): 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 odd 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.

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board24 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.

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board25 Don’t Wait Until June 30 to Renew!

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board26 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.

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board27 Continuing Education  Rules and 9-02 of the Administrative Code govern the continuing education requirements.  CE requirements for the Board may vary from those required by NBCOT.  New graduates do not need to report continuing education on first renewal.

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board28 Continuing Education (cont’d)  Ohio law does not require pre-approval of CE courses.  According to rule , 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.

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board29 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.

July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board30 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 and select “Application Site” option; or Go to “Applications” menu on Board’s website

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July 20, 2009OTPTAT Board33 Contacting the Board  You may contact the Board by any of the following methods: Internet: Phone: Fax: OT Section Ohio OTPTAT Board 77 S. High Street, 16th Floor Columbus, OH