Nebraska Administrative Code
Topic - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SYSTEM
Title 172 - PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE
Chapter 114 - LICENSURE OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Section 172-114-003 - LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS

Universal Citation: 172 NE Admin Rules and Regs ch 114 ยง 003

Current through September 17, 2024

To obtain a license, an individual must submit a complete application provided by the Department and provide documentation demonstrating that the applicant meets the licensing requirements of Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 38-2501, 38-2531, 172 NAC 10, and this chapter

003.01 DOCUMENTATION. The following documentation must be provided to the Department.

003.01(A) EDUCATION. An official transcript, sent directly from the issuing institution, verifying successful completion of an educational program in occupational therapy for an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant.

003.01(B) EXAMINATION. Documentation of passing the licensure examination sent directly to the Department from the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy. An applicant who passed the examination more than 3 years prior to the date of application and who is not practicing at the time of application for licensure must provide documentation to the Department of obtaining 50 hours of continuing education within the 3 years immediately preceding the date of application. The 50 hours of continuing education must show 30 hours related to the clinical practice of occupational therapy and 20 hours related to the practice of occupational therapy.

003.01(C) FIELD EXPERIENCE. Provide documentation of successful completion of a supervised fieldwork experience for an occupational therapy or for an occupational therapy assistant.

003.01(D) OTHER PROOF OF COMPETENCY. An applicant who holds an occupational therapy license in another jurisdiction and who is not currently practicing must provide documentation to the Department of having obtained 50 hours of continuing education within the 3 years immediately preceding the date of application. The 50 hours of continuing education must show 30 hours related to the clinical practice of occupational therapy and 20 hours related to the practice of occupational therapy.

003.02 TEMPORARY LICENSE. A temporary license may be issued to an applicant who has submitted documentation of meeting the educational and experience requirements for licensure under this chapter, except passing or failing the licensure examination. A temporary license allows the applicant to practice only in association with a licensed occupational therapist and is valid until the date the results of the licensure examination are available to the Department. A temporary license can be extended if the licensee was unable to take the licensure examination and can provide proof of good cause. A temporary license may not be extended beyond 1 year or if the licensee has taken the licensure examination. Documentation showing good cause, includes but is not limited to:

(A) Military Service: An applicant who has served in the regular armed forces of the United States during part of the credentialing period immediately or is actively engaged in military service as defined in 172 NAC 114-002. The applicant must document their military service by submitting to the Department:
(i) Military identification proving that they are in active service;

(ii) Military orders; or

(iii) A letter from the licensee's commanding officer indicating that they are on active duty;

(B) Illness: These circumstances may include proof that the credential holder was suffering from a serious or disabling illness or physical disability. The applicant must document their illness by submitting to the Department a statement from the treating physician stating that the individual was injured or ill, the duration of the illness or injury and of the recovery period; or

(C) Other circumstances: An applicant who suffered from circumstances beyond their control must submit documentation of the circumstances.

003.03 REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION TO APPLY PHYSICAL AGENT MODALITIES. In order to apply physical agent modalities, a licensed occupational therapist or licensed occupational therapy assistant must be certified by the Department. Any person who wishes to administer the modalities must obtain certification under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-2530. Physical agent modalities may be used by occupational therapy practitioners when used as an adjunct to, or in preparation for purposeful activity to enhance occupational therapy performance. Occupational therapy practitioners must have documented evidence of possessing the theoretical background and technical skills for safe and competent use.

003.03(A) SUPERFICIAL THERMAL AGENT MODALITIES DOCUMENTATION. The following documentation must be provided to the Department.
003.03(A)(i) BOARD APPROVED TRAINING. Provide a transcript or certification showing successful completion of a minimum of 6 hours of Board approved training or its equivalent and passing an end-of-course written or computer-based examination approved by the Board which tests competency in the use of superficial thermal agent modalities. The training must include the following:
(1) Biophysical and bio-physiological changes which occur with cryotherapy;

(2) Indications, contraindications and precautions for the application of cold agents;

(3) Clinical reasoning involved in the application of cold agents;

(4) Commonly used types of cold agents;

(5) Application procedures for each cold modality;

(6) Definition of the term superficial thermal agent;

(7) Differentiation between the two commonly used methods of heat transfer: conduction and convection;

(8) The four biophysical effects of heat;

(9) The physiologic response to tissue secondary to temperature elevation;

(10) Differentiation between mild, moderate and vigorous dosages of heat;

(11) Indications, precautions, and contraindications that should be considered when using superficial thermal agents;

(12) Proper clinical applications for hot packs, paraffin bath, fluidotherapy, whirlpool, and contrast bath;

(13) Guidelines for educating the client and family in the purpose, benefits and potential risks of the modality; and

(14) Universal precautions, sterile techniques, infection control, and the use of modalities; or

003.03(A)(ii) HAND THERAPY CERTIFICATION. Provide documentation of being certified as a hand therapist by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission or other equivalent entity recognized by the Board. Any occupational therapist who bases their certificate on their hand therapist certification will receive certification for all 3 levels of physical agent modalities; or

003.03(A)(iii) EXPERIENCE. Provide documentation showing a minimum of 5 years of experience in the use of the superficial thermal agent modalities and documentation of passing the Nebraska Physical Agent Modalities Testing Service Examination titled Superficial Thermal Agents Test sent directly to the Department; or

003.03(A)(iv) BASIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM. Submit an application provided by the Department as documentation of successfully completing education during a basic educational program which includes demonstration of competencies for application of the superficial thermal agent modalities.

003.03(B) DEEP THERMAL AGENT MODALITIES DOCUMENTATION. The following documentation must be provided to the Department.
003.03(B)(i) BOARD APPROVED TRAINING. Provide a transcript or certification showing successful completion of a minimum of 12 hours of Board approved training or its equivalent and passing an end-of-course written or computer-based examination and a practical examination approved by the Board which tests competency in the use of deep thermal agent modalities. The training must include the following:
(1) Theory and rationale for the application of therapeutic ultrasound;

(2) Differentiation between the parameters for therapeutic ultrasound;

(3) Current research trends in the utilization of ultrasound;

(4) Clinical decision making in the determination of the appropriate treatment parameters for ultrasound;

(5) Clinical procedures for the application of ultrasound;

(6) Safe use of ultrasound, contraindications and precautions for treatment; and

(7) Methods for maximizing therapeutic effect in the use of phonophoresis as a physical agent modality; or

003.03(B)(ii) HAND THERAPY CERTIFICATION. Provide documentation of being certified as a hand therapist by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission or other equivalent entity recognized by the Board. Any occupational therapist who bases their certificate on their hand therapist certification will receive certification for all 3 levels of physical agent modalities; or

003.03(B)(iii) EXPERIENCE. Provide documentation showing a minimum of 5 years of experience in the use of the deep thermal agent modalities and documentation of passing the Nebraska Physical Agent Modalities Testing Service Examination titled Deep Thermal Agents sent directly to the Department; or

003.03(B)(iv) BASIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM. Submit an application provided by the Department as documentation of successfully completing education during a basic educational program which includes demonstration of competencies for application of the deep thermal agent modalities.

003.03(C) ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC AGENT MODALITIES DOCUMENTATION. The following documentation must be provided to the Department.
003.03(C)(i) BOARD APPROVED TRAINING. Provide a transcript or certification showing successful completion of a minimum of 22 hours of Board approved training or its equivalent and passing an end-of-course written or computer-based examination and a practical examination approved by the Board which tests competency in the use of electrotherapeutic agent modalities. The training must include the following:
(1) Available parameters of electrical stimulation devices and the principles and concepts of electricity;

(2) Physiological effects of electrical stimulation;

(3) Therapeutic goals of electrical therapy;

(4) Physiological events associated with electrical stimulation;

(5) Distinguishing characteristic and indications and contraindications of electrical stimulation;

(6) Physiological effects of various parameters of electrical stimulation, such as voltage, type, dosage, or duty cycle;

(7) Therapeutic relationship of electrotherapy with other therapeutic procedures;

(8) Clinical application of electrical stimulation in rehabilitation;

(9) Clinical reasoning process used to determine selection of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) and appropriate parameters;

(10) Parameters of therapeutic electrical currents;

(11) Bio physiological responses to electrical currents;

(12) Indications and contraindications for neuromuscular electrical stimulation use;

(13) Appropriate electrode placement for treatment protocols;

(14) Clinical applications for iontophoresis;

(15) Definition and differentiation of the clinical application of iontophoresis from phonophoresis;

(16) Bio physiology and mechanism related to transdermal delivery of medication;

(17) Common medications used in iontophoresis and their pharmacology;

(18) Clinical decision making regarding iontophoresis, indications and precautions;

(19) The processes in pharmacokinetics: absorption, distribution, and metabolism;

(20) The processes of pharmacodynamics as it pertains to routine drugs used in phonophoresis and iontophoresis;

(21) Effects of physical agents, exercise, and manual techniques on pharmacokinetics;

(22) The aging process as it relates to pharmacokinetics; and

(23) Other nationally recognized commercially available technologies; or

003.03(C)(ii) HAND THERAPY CERTIFICATION. Provide documentation of being certified as a hand therapist by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission or other equivalent entity recognized by the Board. Any occupational therapist who bases their certificate on their hand therapist certification will receive certification for all 3 levels of physical agent modalities; or

003.03(C)(iii) EXPERIENCE. Provide documentation showing a minimum of 5 years of experience in the use of the electrotherapeutic agent modalities and documentation of passing the Nebraska Physical Agent Modalities Testing Service Examination titled Electrotherapeutic Agents Test sent directly to the Department; or

003.03(C)(iv) BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAM. Submit an application provided by the Department as documentation of successfully completing education during a basic educational program which includes demonstration of competencies for application of the electrotherapeutic agent modalities.

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