Current through all regulations passed and filed through March 18, 2024
(A)
To receive a
license to practice as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy
assistant, an applicant shall be at least eighteen years of
age.
(B)
All applications for initial licensure as an
occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant shall be submitted to
the occupational therapy section on the forms provided by the section. All
applications, statements, and other documents submitted are retained by the
section.
(C)
Applications are:
(1)
Submitted
electronically via eLicense Ohio or its successor electronic licensing
system;
(2)
Electronically signed via eLicense Ohio or its
successor electronic licensing system;
(3)
Accompanied by
the fee prescribed by Chapter 4755. of the Administrative Code;
and
(4)
Accompanied by such evidence, statements, or documents
as specified on the application including viewing a required presentation about
the board's safe haven program.
(D)
An applicant for
initial licensure by examination shall:
(1)
Have completed an
occupational therapy program accredited by the accreditation council for
occupational therapy education (ACOTE) of the American occupational therapy
association (AOTA) or submit evidence satisfactory to the section that the
applicant completed an educational program substantially equivalent to the
requirements established in Chapter 4755. of the Administrative
Code;
(2)
Have passed the certification examination administered
by the national board for certification in occupational therapy, inc. (NBCOT);
and
(3)
Not be licensed or ever been licensed in any state or
territory of the United States as an:
(a)
Occupational
therapist to apply for initial licensure by examination as an occupational
therapist; or
(b)
Occupational therapy assistant to apply for initial
licensure by examination as an occupational therapy assistant.
(E)
In addition to the requirements contained in paragraph
(D) of this rule, applicants for an initial license by examination who
graduated from their entry-level occupational therapy program five or more
years prior to the date they apply to the section for licensure by examination
may be subject to additional requirements including:
(1)
Submission of
proof of completion of twenty hours of continuing education within the two year
period immediately preceding the date the application is
submitted;
(2)
Competency-based performance
appraisals;
(3)
Mentorship;
(4)
Professional
development plan;
(5)
Extended coursework; and
(6)
Retaking and
passing the NBCOT certification examination.
(F)
An applicant for
initial licensure by endorsement shall:
(1)
Meet the
requirements established in paragraphs (D)(1) and (D)(2) of this rule;
and
(2)
Hold a current, valid license to practice as an
occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant in another state or
United States territory or possess current, valid certification from
NBCOT.
(G)
In addition to the requirements contained in paragraph
(F) of this rule, applicants for an initial license by endorsement who have not
engaged in the practice of occupational therapy for more than five years prior
to the date they apply to the section for licensure by endorsement may be
subject to additional requirements including:
(1)
Submission of
proof of completion of twenty hours of continuing education within the two year
period immediately preceding the date the application is
submitted;
(2)
Professional development plan;
(3)
Extended
coursework;
(4)
Retaking and passing the NBCOT certification
examination;
(5)
Mentorship; and
(6)
Competency-based
performance appraisals.
(H)
In addition to
the other requirements of this rule, an internationally educated applicant
shall:
(1)
Complete an education credentials review from an entity
approved by the section to be used by the section to determine if the
applicant's international education was substantially equivalent to an
accredited occupational therapy program in the United States, Puerto Rico,
territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia. People whose
initial certification by NBCOT is on or after January 1, 2004 are not required
to meet this provision;
(2)
Demonstrate that the person met the requirements to
practice occupational therapy in the country of education and evidence of
eligible licensure and/or certification credentialing in that country;
and
(3)
Demonstrate a working knowledge of English by
obtaining:
(a)
Scores on the test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL)
iBT of at least:
(i)
Twenty -six on the speaking section;
(ii)
Eighty-nine on
the overall examination.
(b)
The TOEFL is not
required for graduates of occupational therapy programs in Australia, Canada
(except Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and United
States.
(I)
For the purposes
of filing an electronic application via eLicense Ohio or its successor
licensing system, the applicant will create log-in credentials. The use of
these credentials is solely the responsibility of the person who created it.
The credentials constitute the legally recognized signature for the purposes of
this rule and may not be transferred, distributed, or shared with any other
person.
(J)
Any application received in accordance with this rule
that remains incomplete one year after the initial application filing is
considered to be abandoned and no further processing will be undertaken with
respect to that application.
(1)
If the application process extends for a period longer
than one year, the board may require updated information as it deems
necessary.
(2)
No application for licensure may be withdrawn without
approval of the board.
Replaces: 4755-3-01
