TITLE social-services-and-assistance

Part XII. Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners

Chapter 365. Types of Licenses

40 TAC §365.1

The Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners proposes the following amendments to §365.1 of its rules concerning Types of Licenses. The proposed amendments eliminate superfluous cross-reference language and reflect changes currently proposed for §367.1, Continuing Education.

John P. Maline, executive director, Executive Council of Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Examiners, has determined that for the first five-year period the rule is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering this rule.

Mr. Maline has also determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be greater administrative efficiency and a reduction in confusing terminology. There will be no effect on small businesses. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposed amendments may be submitted to Kathy Fiorillo, coordinator of OT program licensing, Executive Council of Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Examiners, 333 Guadalupe Street, Suite 2-510, Austin, Texas 78701

These amendments are proposed under the Occupational Therapy Practice Act (Article 8851, Texas Revised Civil Statutes Annotated), which provides the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners with authority to adopt rules consistent with the Act.

No other statute, article or code will be affected by these proposed amendments.

§365.1.Types of Licenses

(a)

The board issues three types of licenses: a regular license, a temporary license, and a provisional license.

(b)

Regular License:

(1)

A regular license may be issued to an applicant who has met the academic requirements and passed the Examination, submitted a complete application with the required fees and now meets at least one of the following criteria:

(A)

The applicant passed the Examination within the 12 months immediately before the receipt date of current, complete application for licensure with TBOTE; or

(B)

The applicant has a current, valid license to practice as an OTR, LOT, COTA or LOTA in another state, the District of Columbia, or a territory of the United States that has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements of the Texas Occupational Therapy Practice Act, and has been employed as an OTR, LOT, COTA or LOTA in that jurisdiction within five years from the receipt date of current, complete application for licensure with TBOTE; or

(C)

The applicant has been employed as an OTR, LOT, COTA or LOTA within the past six months of the receipt date of current, complete application for licensure with TBOTE in a non-licensing state, foreign country, or state or federal government facility which does not require a license or other form of registration; or

(D)

The applicant has been employed as an OTR, LOT, COTA or LOTA within five years of the receipt date of current, complete application for licensure with TBOTE.

(i)

Previous OT employment may be in Texas, another state, a foreign country, or state or federal government facility which does not require a license or other form of registration.

(ii)

Applicants returning to practice shall complete extra hours of continuing education within a specified period of time as determined by the Coordinator of the Occupational Therapy Program. [ Such hours are in addition to those required by Chapter 367 of this title (relating to Continuing Education). ]

(2)

The regular license is valid from the date of issuance until the last day of the applicant's next birth month. If the applicant's birth month is within 90 days after the license is issued, the license will be valid until the last day of the following birth month[ in the next year. For example: If the license is issued in January 1997, and the applicant's birthday is in March, the license will be valid until March 1998. On the other hand, if the license is issued in January 1997 and the applicant's birthday is in July, the license will be valid until July 1997 ].

(c)

Temporary License.

(1)

There are two types of temporary licenses.

(A)

Temporary License Pending Examination--The applicant meets all the qualifications for a license except taking the first available Examination after completion of all educational requirements. Continuing supervision by a licensed OTR or LOT is required while holding this type of license. The temporary license expires upon notification to the board of failure to pass the Examination and must be returned to the board. No second temporary licenses are issued after failure of the Examination. The Application Review Committee may allow a second temporary license to an individual who failed to take the Examination for which he or she was registered, if there are documented extraordinary circumstances that prevented the individual from taking the Examination.

(B)

[ Temporary ] Extended Temporary License --The applicant has passed the Examination and has not been employed as an OTR, LOT, COTA or LOTA for five years or more from the receipt date of current, complete application for licensure with TBOTE. A temporary license is issued for a maximum of 12 months, during which time the Examination must be taken. The temporary license will be canceled if the applicant fails the Examination and must be returned to the board. The continuing supervision by a licensed OTR or LOT is required, and the licensee shall complete additional hours of continuing education within a specified period of time as determined by the Coordinator of the Occupational Therapy Program.

(2)

The board may issue a regular license upon receipt of satisfactory evidence that the applicant has passed the Examination. The regular license will be valid until the end of the licensee's first birth month after the expiration of the temporary license. The exception for licenses issued within 90 days of the licensee's birth month (described in subsection (b)(2) of this section) does not apply in this case.

(d)

Provisional License.

(1)

If an applicant for a regular license under subsection (b)(1)(B), (C) or (D) of this section is unable to provide complete documentation that he or she meets the qualification for a regular license, the board may issue a provisional license.

(A)

The applicant must provide satisfactory interim documentation, including evidence of having passed the Examination.

(B)

The provisional license will be valid for not more than 120 days.

(2)

Upon receipt of full documentation the board may issue a regular license. In that case, the regular license will be valid until the end of the licensee's first birth month after the expiration of the provisional license. The exception for licenses issued within 90 days of the licensee's birth month (described in subsection (b)(2) of this section) does not apply in this case.

(3)

The applicant must be sponsored by and practice with a person licensed by the board under this Act.

(4)

An applicant may be excused from paragraph (3) of this subsection if it constitutes a hardship to the applicant. A request for hardship exemption must be submitted in writing to the board.

(e)

An application for a regular, temporary, or provisional license will be referred to the Application Review Committee whenever additional information, investigation, or study of the application is warranted.

(f)

An applicant educated in Occupational Therapy outside the United States of America or its territories may be issued a temporary license, not to exceed a duration of nine months, upon approval from NBCOT that the applicant has met all the requirements to sit for the next available Examination.

(g)

An applicant who passed the Examination more than 12 months before the receipt date of current, complete application for licensure with TBOTE and who has not practiced as an OTR, LOT, COTA or LOTA during that time will be referred to the Application Review Committee.

(h)

Any licensee holding a temporary, provisional, or regular license who continues to practice as an OT, OTA, OTR, LOT, COTA or LOTA after the expiration of his or her license will be subject to disciplinary action [ (refer to §374.1 of this title (relating to Disciplinary Actions)) ].

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on July 16, 1999.

TRD-9904292

John P. Maline

Executive Director

Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: August 29, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6962


Chapter 366. Application for License

40 TAC §366.1

The Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners proposes the following amendments to §366.1, concerning Application for License. The proposed amendments eliminate superfluous cross-reference language.

John P. Maline, executive director, Executive Council of Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Examiners, has determined that for the first five-year period the rule is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering this rule.

Mr. Maline has also determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be greater administrative efficiency and a reduction in confusing terminology. There will be no effect on small businesses. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposed amendments may be submitted to Kathy Fiorillo, coordinator of OT program licensing, Executive Council of Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Examiners, 333 Guadalupe St., Suite 2-510, Austin, TX 78701

These amendments are proposed under the Occupational Therapy Practice Act (Article 8851, Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann.), which provides the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners with authority to adopt rules consistent with the Act.

No other statute, article or code will be affected by these proposed amendments.

§366.1.Application for License

(a)

Individuals wishing to obtain an application for licensure can phone, fax, write or e-mail the board.

(b)

Upon receipt of a request for application, the applicant will be sent a complete application packet containing an instruction sheet, application form, and any other information required by the board.

(c)

An individual who makes application to the board later than one year [ in excess of 12 months ] after passing the NBCOT certification examination may need to meet additional continuing education requirements during the first year of licensure.

(d)

A license may be issued upon receipt of a complete application , payment of the required fee, and demonstration of compliance with all applicable state laws and board rules. [ (refer to §362.1 of this title (relating to Definitions)) and payment of the prescribed fee (refer to §375.1 of this title (relating to Fees)) and §651.1 of the rules of the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners, Title 22, Part XXVIII (concerning Fees) and upon meeting applicable requirements (refer to §364.1 of this title (relating to Requirements for Licensure)). ]

(e)

Licensees are responsible for knowledge of Texas Civil Statutes, Article 8851, the Occupational Therapy Practice Act, and the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners' rules.

(f)

All applicants must complete and return a board-prepared jurisprudence examination [ (as defined in §362.1 of this title (relating to Definitions)) ]. The test will be scored by TBOTE staff. At least 70% of questions must be answered correctly in order to achieve a passing score .

(1)

A passing score on the jurisprudence examination will be noted in the application file, and the test will be returned to the applicant upon issuance of a license.

(2)

A failing score on the jurisprudence examination will be noted in the application file and a new test will be sent to the applicant to complete. Once a passing score on the jurisprudence examination is achieved, that will be noted in the application file and the test will be returned to the applicant upon issuance of a license.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 16, 1999.

TRD-9904293

John P. Maline

Executive Director

Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: August 29, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6962


Chapter 367. Continuing Education

40 TAC §367.1

The Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners proposes the following amendments to §367.1, concerning Continuing Education. The proposed amendments add an audit procedure to test compliance with the rules, clarify the kinds of activities/courses accepted by the Board, simplify the calculation of credits, and eliminate superfluous cross-reference language.

John P. Maline, executive director, Executive Council of Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Examiners, has determined that for the first five-year period the rule is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering this rule.

Mr. Maline has also determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be greater administrative efficiency and a reduction in confusing terminology. There will be no effect on small businesses. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposed amendments may be submitted to Kathy Fiorillo, coordinator of OT program licensing, Executive Council of Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Examiners, 333 Guadalupe St., Suite 2-510, Austin, TX 78701

These amendments are proposed under the Occupational Therapy Practice Act (Article 8851, Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann.), which provides the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners with authority to adopt rules consistent with the Act.

No other statute, article or code will be affected by these proposed amendments.

§367.1.Continuing Education.

(a)

The Act, §5(A), mandates licensee participation in a continuing education program for license renewal. All continuing education must be directly relevant to the profession of occupational therapy. The licensee is solely responsible for keeping accurate documentation of all continuing education requirements. The Executive Council staff will conduct, at least yearly, an audit of a randomly drawn sample of licensees to determine compliance with continuing education rules. Failure to maintain accurate documentation, or failure to respond to a request to submit documentation for an audit, may result in disciplinary action by the board. The audit results will be reported to the board.

(b)

Licensees must complete 30 [ contact ] hours of continuing education every two years. These requirements must be met before the month the license is expected to be renewed. [ each biennial renewal. Thirty contact hours of continuing education must be obtained in the 24 months immediately preceding the renewal month. ]

(c)

A minimum of 15 hours of continuing education must be in skills relevant to occupational therapy practice with patients or clients. This requirement is effective beginning with licenses due for renewal in January 2000.

[ (d)

Record of attendance/verification for all continuing education must be submitted to the board, on the board approved Continuing Education Record Card, with the biennial annual application for license renewal.]

(d)

[ (e) ] Continuing education credit [ hours ] may be earned in the following manner:

(1)

Attendance at workshops, refresher courses, in-services, professional conferences, seminars, or facility based continuing education programs. Hour for hour credit on program content only. No maximum;

(2)

Presentations by Licensee:

(A)

Professional presentations, e.g., in-services, workshops, institutes (any presentation counted only one time). Hour for hour credit. 10 hours maximum [ No maximum ];

(B)

Community/service organization presentations (any presentation counted only one time). Hour for hour credit. Four hours maximum;

(3)

Formal academic coursework:

(A)

one or two [ one-two ] credit hour class - 2 continuing education hours [ 7.5 contact hours ];

(B)

three or four [ three-four ] credit hour class - 4 continuing education hours [ 15 contact hours ];

(4)

AOTA Self Study Series: Hour for hour credit based on the number of hours awarded by AOTA for each course. (Any course can be counted only once per licensee.) No maximum; [ A copy of the self study completion certificate must accompany the Continuing Education Record Card at renewal; ]

(5)

Development of publications, media materials or research/grant activities. A request to receive credit for this category must be submitted in writing to the Coordinator of Occupational Therapy no later than 60 days before the current license expiration date. (Any publication, media materials, or research or grant activities can be counted only once per licensee). 10 hours;

[ (5)

Other continuing education: Publications/Media; or research/grant activities. A request to receive credit for this category must be submitted in writing for approval to the Coordinator of Occupational Therapy a minimum of 60 days prior to the expiration of the license. If warranted, the request may be reviewed by the Continuing Education Committee for final approval.]

(6)

First Aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training , either initial instruction or refresher training, can only be submitted for continuing education once per licensee; [ Journal reading is not acceptable for continuing education credit. ]

(7)

Home study courses, Internet-based courses, and videotape instruction: A request to receive credit for this category must be submitted in writing to the Coordinator of Occupational Therapy no later than 60 days before the current license expiration date. The request must include the course title, the number of hours required for completion, the sponsoring group, and a description of its direct relevance to the occupational therapy profession. (Any course or videotape can be counted only once per licensee). No maximum;

(e)

[ (f) ] Any deviation from the above continuing education categories will be reviewed on a case by case basis by the Coordinator of Occupational Therapy or by the Continuing Education Committee. A request for special consideration must be submitted in writing a minimum of 60 days prior to expiration of the license. The request must include a description of the activity/course, the sponsoring group, its direct relevance to the occupational therapy profession, and the number of hours to complete it.

(f)

[ (g) ] Definitions for continuing education rules. Continuing education documentation includes, but is not limited to, final official transcripts, AOTA self-study completion certificates, copies of official sign-in or attendance sheets, and official correspondence from the Executive Council or board approving requested credits.

[ (1)

Record of Attendance/Verification - actual proof of participation in, the continuing education activity(ies)shall be documented by submission of a Continuing Education Record Card.]

[ (A)

The Continuing Education Record Card must contain the title of the presentation, the presenter(s), the dates attended, the number of contact hours received, and a signature by the presenter, workshop coordinator, supervisor, or training coordinator verifying attendance at the stated continuing education activity(ies) for the renewal year.]

[ (B)

A licensee listing himself/herself as the presenter of a continuing education program must obtain the signature of the workshop coordinator, supervisor, or training coordinator.]

[ (C)

For formal academic coursework, an official transcript or grade report must be submitted at renewal.]

[ (2)

Contact hour - equals one clock hour of attendance.]

[ (3)

CEU - formal Continuing Education Unit. Usually one (1.0) CEU equals ten contact hours.]

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 16, 1999.

TRD-9904294

John P. Maline

Executive Director

Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: August 29, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6962


Chapter 371. Inactive/Retiree Status

40 TAC §471.1

The Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners proposes the following amendments to §371.1, concerning Inactive Status. The proposed amendments allow inactive licensees to use a professional designation, and eliminate superfluous cross-reference language.

John P. Maline, executive director, Executive Council of Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Examiners, has determined that for the first five-year period the rule is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering this rule.

Mr. Maline has also determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be greater administrative efficiency and a reduction in confusing terminology. There will be no effect on small businesses. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposed amendments may be submitted to Kathy Fiorillo, coordinator of OT program licensing, Executive Council of Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Examiners, 333 Guadalupe St., Suite 2-510, Austin, TX 78701

These amendments are proposed under the Occupational Therapy Practice Act (Article 8851, Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann.), which provides the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners with authority to adopt rules consistent with the Act.

No other statute, article or code will be affected by these proposed amendments.

§371.1.Inactive Status.

A request for a change to inactive status, in accordance with §25A of the Act, may only be made at renewal date.

(1)

A written request to change a regular license in good standing from active to inactive status must be postmarked prior to the expiration date of the license. The request must include the appropriate fee. [ and proof of having met the continuing education renewal requirements for that renewal cycle. ]

(2)

A licensee may remain on inactive status for a period of no more than six consecutive years. A licensee must submit a written petition to the board requesting an extension of inactive status for more than six years.

(3)

A licensee requesting to re-enter active status after more than six consecutive years without the prior approval of the board may not renew his/her license. In order to obtain licensure, the individual must again pass the Examination and comply with the requirements and procedures for obtaining an extended temporary license.

(4)

A licensee on inactive status shall be required to complete the continuing education renewal requirements of licensees on active status .

(5)

A licensee on inactive status must complete and return a board prepared jurisprudence examination [ (as defined in §362.1 of this title (relating to Definitions)) at the time of renewal for either inactive or active status ]. The test will be scored by TBOTE staff. At least 70% of questions must be answered correctly in order to achieve a passing score .

(6)

A licensee on inactive status will not have to pay a renewal fee but will have to pay an appropriate late fee if he/she does not notify the board prior to the expiration of the license of his/her intent to remain on inactive status. A licensee will have to pay a fee to change to active status.

(7)

A licensee may not represent himself/herself as an OTR, LOT, COTA or LOTA while on inactive status. A licensee retains the right to represent himself/herself as having an inactive license .

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 16, 1999.

TRD-9904295

John P. Maline

Executive Director

Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: August 29, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6962