TITLE 40.SOCIAL SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE

Part 12. TEXAS BOARD OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY EXAMINERS

Chapter 362. DEFINITIONS

40 TAC §362.1

The Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners proposes an amendment to §362.1, concerning Definitions. The amendment will add definitions for terms which are used in the rules, but which are not defined. The new definition is added for Endorsement, a term used in licensing.

John P. Maline, Executive Director of the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and 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 the rule.

Mr. Maline also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be clarification of terms used in the OT rules. 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 rule may be submitted to Augusta Gelfand, OT Coordinator, Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-510, Austin, Texas, 78701.

The amendment is proposed under the Occupational Therapy Practice Act, Title 3, Subchapter H, Chapter 454, Occupations Code, which provides the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners with the authority to adopt rules consistent with this Act to carry out its duties in administering this Act.

Title 3, Subchapter H, Chapter 454 of the Occupations Code is affected by this amended section.

§362.1.Definitions.

The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this part, shall have the following meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1)

Act--The Occupational Therapy Practice Act, Texas Civil Statutes, Article 8851.

(2)

AOTA--American Occupational Therapy Association.

(3)

Applicant--A person who applies for a license to the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners.

(4)

Application Review Committee--Reviews and makes recommendations to the board concerning applications which require special consideration.

(5)

Board--The Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners (TBOTE).

(6)

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)--An alternate term for a Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant. An individual who uses this term must hold a regular or provisional license to practice or represent self as an occupational therapy assistant in Texas and must practice under the general supervision of an OTR or LOT. An individual who uses this term is responsible for ensuring that he or she is otherwise qualified to use it.

(7)

Class A Misdemeanor--An individual adjudged guilty of a Class A misdemeanor shall be punished by:

(A)

a fine not to exceed $3,000;

(B)

confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year; or

(C)

both such fine and imprisonment (Vernon's Texas Codes Annotated, Penal Code, §12.21).

(8)

Close Personal Supervision--Implies direct, on-site contact whereby the supervising OTR, LOT, COTA or LOTA is able to respond immediately to the needs of the patient.

(9)

Complete Application--Notarized application form with photograph, license fee, jurisprudence examination with at least 70% of questions answered correctly and all other required documents.

(10)

Complete Renewal--Contains renewal fee, home/work address(es) and phone number(s), jurisprudence examination with at least 70% of questions answered correctly and supervision log (if applicable).

(11)

Consultation--The provision of occupational therapy expertise to an individual or institution. This service may be provided on a one time only basis or on an ongoing basis.

(12)

Continuing Education Committee--Reviews and makes recommendations to the board concerning continuing education requirements and special consideration requests.

(13)

Continuing Supervision, OT--Includes, at a minimum, the following:

(A)

Frequent communication between the supervising OTR or LOT and the temporary licensee by telephone, written report or conference, including the review of progress of patients/clients assigned to the OT.

(B)

Face-to-face encounters twice a month where the OTR or LOT directly observes the temporary licensee providing OT services to one or more patients/clients.

(14)

Continuing Supervision, OTA--Includes, at a minimum, the following:

(A)

Frequent communication between the supervising OTR or LOT and the temporary licensee by telephone, written report or conference, including the review of progress of patients/clients assigned to the OTA.

(B)

Face-to-face encounters twice a month where the OTR or LOT directly observes the temporary licensee providing OT services to one or more patients/clients.

(C)

Sixteen hours of supervision per month must be documented for a full-time OTA. A part-time OTA may prorate the documented supervision, but shall document no less than eight hours per month.

(15)

Coordinator of Occupational Therapy Program--The employee of the Executive Council who carries out the functions of the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners.

(16)

Direct Service--Refers to the provision of occupational therapy services to individuals to develop, improve, and/or restore occupational functioning.

(17)

Endorsement--The process by which the board issues a license to a person currently licensed in another state, the District of Columbia, or territory of the United States that maintains professional standards considered by the board to be substantially equivalent to those set forth in the Act, and is applying for a Texas license for the first time.

(18)

[ (17) ] Evaluation--Refers to a process of determining an individual's status for the purpose of determining the need for occupational therapy services or for implementing a treatment program.

(19)

[ (18) ] Examination--The Examination as provided for in Section 17 of the Act. The current Examination is the initial certification Examination given by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

(20)

[ (19) ] Executive Council--The Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners.

(21)

[ (20) ] Executive Director--The employee of the Executive Council who functions as its agent. The Executive Council delegates implementation of certain functions to the Executive Director.

(22)

[ (21) ] First Available Examination--Refers to the first scheduled Examination after successful completion of all educational requirements.

(23)

[ (22) ] General Supervision--Includes, at a minimum, the following:

(A)

Frequent communication between the supervising OTR or LOT and the regular or provisional COTA or LOTA by telephone, written report or conference, including the review of progress of patients/clients assigned to the COTA or LOTA.

(B)

Eight hours of supervision per month must be documented for a full-time COTA or LOTA. Twenty-five percent of the required documented supervision time must consist of face-to-face encounters where the OTR or LOT directly observes the COTA or LOTA providing OT services to one or more patients/clients.

(C)

A part-time COTA or LOTA may prorate the documented supervision.

(24)

[ (23) ] Health Care Condition-See Medical Condition.

(25)

[ (24) ]Investigation Committee--Reviews and makes recommendations to the board concerning complaints and disciplinary actions regarding licensees and facilities.

(26)

[ (25) ] Investigator--The employee of the Executive Council who conducts all phases of an investigation into a complaint filed against a licensee, an applicant, or an entity regulated by the board.

(27)

[ (26) ] Jurisprudence Examination--An examination covering information contained in the Texas Occupational Therapy Practice Act and Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners rules. This test is an open book examination made up of multiple choice and/or true-false questions. The passing score is 70%.

(28)

[ (27) ] License--Document issued by the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners which authorizes the practice of occupational therapy in Texas.

(29)

[ (28) ] Licensed Occupational Therapist (LOT)--A person who holds a valid regular or provisional license to practice or represent self as an occupational therapist in Texas.

(30)

[ (29) ] Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (LOTA)--A person who holds a valid regular or provisional license to practice or represent self as an occupational therapy assistant in Texas and who is required to practice under the general supervision of an OTR or LOT.

(31)

[ (30) ] Medical Condition--A condition of acute trauma, infection, disease process, psychiatric disorders, addictive disorders, or post surgical status. Synonymous with the term health care condition.

(32)

[ (31) ] Monitored Services--The checking on the status/condition of students, patients, clients, equipment, programs, services, and staff in order to make appropriate adjustments and recommendations. Minimum contact for the purpose of monitoring will be one time a month.

(33)

[ (32) ] NBCOT (formerly AOTCB)--National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (formerly American Occupational Therapy Certification Board).

(34)

[ (33) ] Non-Medical Condition--A condition where the ability to perform occupational roles is impaired by developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, the aging process, sensory impairment, psychosocial dysfunction, or other such conditions which does not require the routine intervention of a physician.

(35)

[ (34) ] Occupational Therapist (OT)--A person who holds a Temporary License to practice as an occupational therapist in the state of Texas, who is waiting to receive results of taking the first available Examination, and who is required to be under continuing supervision of an OTR or LOT.

(36)

[ (35) ] Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR)--An alternate term for a Licensed Occupational Therapist. An individual who uses this term must hold a regular or provisional license to practice or represent self as an occupational therapist in Texas. An individual who uses this term is responsible for ensuring that he or she is otherwise qualified to use it.

(37)

[ (36) ] Occupational Therapy--The use of purposeful activity or intervention to achieve functional outcomes. Achieving functional outcomes means to develop or facilitate restoration of the highest possible level of independence in interaction with the environment. Occupational Therapy provides services to individuals limited by physical injury or illness, a dysfunctional condition, cognitive impairment, psychosocial dysfunction, mental illness, a developmental or learning disability or an adverse environmental condition, whether due to trauma, illness or condition present at birth. Occupational therapy services include but are not limited to:

(A)

the evaluation/assessment, treatment and education of or consultation with the individual, family or other persons;

(B)

interventions directed toward developing, improving or restoring daily living skills, work readiness or work performance, play skills or leisure capacities;

(C)

intervention methodologies to develop restore or maintain sensorimotor, oral-motor, perceptual or neuromuscular functioning; joint range of motion; emotional, motivational, cognitive or psychosocial components of performance.

(38)

[ (37) ] Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)--A person who holds a Temporary License to practice as an occupational therapy assistant in the state of Texas, who is waiting to receive results of taking the first available Examination, and who is required to be under continuing supervision of an OTR or LOT.

(39)

[ (38) ] Occupational Therapy Plan of Care--A written statement of the planned course of Occupational Therapy intervention for a patient/client. It must include goals, objectives and/or strategies, recommended frequency and duration, and may also include methodologies and/or recommended activities.

(40)

[ (39) ] OT Aide or OT Orderly--A person who aids in the practice of occupational therapy and whose activities require on-the-job training and close personal supervision by an OTR, LOT, COTA or LOTA.

(41)

[ (40) ] Place(s) of Business--Any facility in which a licensee practices.

(42)

[ (41) ] Practice--Providing occupational therapy as a clinician, practitioner, educator, or consultant. Only a person holding a license from TBOTE may practice occupational therapy in Texas.

(43)

[ (42) ] Provisional License--A license issued by TBOTE to an applicant who holds a valid license in good standing from another state, District of Columbia, or territory of the United States requesting licensure; or a license issued to an applicant who has passed the Examination and who 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.

(44)

[ (43) ] Recognized Educational Institution--An educational institution offering a course of study in occupational therapy that has been accredited or approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association.

(45)

[ (44) ] Regular License--A license issued by TBOTE to an applicant who has met the academic requirements and who has passed the Examination.

(46)

[ (45) ] Rules--Refers to the TBOTE Rules.

(47)

[ (46) ] Screening--A process or tool used to determine a potential need for occupational therapy interventions. This information may be compiled using observation, medical or other records, the interview process, self-reporting, and/or other documentation.

(48)

[ (47) ]Temporary License--A license issued by TBOTE to an applicant who meets all the qualifications for a license except taking the first available Examination after completion of all education requirements; or a license issued to an applicant who has passed the Examination but 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.

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 August 7, 2000.

TRD-200005448

John P. Maline

Executive Director

Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 17, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6900


Chapter 364. REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE

The Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners proposes the repeal of §364.1 and proposes new §§364.1-364.4, concerning Requirements for Licensure.

The repealed section is being replaced by new sections §364.1 Requirements for Licensure, §364.2 Initial License by Examination, §364.3 Temporary License, and §364.4 License by Endorsement. The repeal of this section and the adoption of the replacement will restructure licensing procedure rules and update description of the requirements for licensure, reflecting changes to the procedures. They also make administrative procedures for OT and PT application and licensure as uniform as possible to achieve greater administrative efficiency.

John P. Maline, Executive Director of the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners, has determined that for the first five-year period the rules are in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the sections as proposed.

Mr. Maline also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rules are in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rules will be clarification of easier comprehension of the application and licensure process, and greater administrative efficiency. There will be no effect on small businesses. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the rules as proposed.

Comments on the proposed rules may be submitted to Augusta Gelfand, OT Coordinator, Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-510, Austin, Texas, 78701; email: augusta.gelfand@mail.capnet.state.tx.us

40 TAC §364.1

(Editor's note: The text of the following section proposed for repeal will not be published. The section may be examined in the offices of the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The repeal is proposed under the Occupational Therapy Act, Title 3, Subchapter H, Chapter 454, Occupations Code, which provides the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners with the authority to adopt rules consistent with this Act to carry out its duties in administering this Act.

Title 3, Subchapter H, Chapter 454 of the Occupations Code is affected by this repeal.

§364.1.Requirements for Licensure

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 August 7, 2000.

TRD-200005447

John P. Maline

Executive Director

Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 17, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6900


40 TAC §§364.1 - 364.4

The new rules are proposed under the Occupational Therapy Practice Act, Title 3, Subchapter H, Chapter 454, Occupations Code, which provides the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners with the authority to adopt rules consistent with this Act to carry out its duties in administering this Act.

Title 3, Subchapter H, Chapter 454 of the Occupations Code is affected by these new rules.

§364.1.Requirements for Licensure

(a)

All applicants shall:

(1)

submit a complete, notarized application form with a recent passport-type color photograph of the applicant;

(2)

submit a non-refundable application fee as set by the Executive Council;

(3)

submit a successfully completed board jurisprudence examination on the Texas Occupational Therapy Practice Act and board rules;

(4)

Have completed an accredited OT/OTA program;

(5)

Have completed supervised fieldwork experience, a minimum of 6 months for OT and 2 months for OTA.

(b)

If an applicant has not passed the national licensure examination, the applicant must also meet the requirement in §364.2 of this title (relating to License by Examination).

(c)

If the applicant is licensed as an OTR or COTA in another state or jurisdiction of the U.S., the applicant must also meet the requirements as stated in §364.4 of this title (relating to License by Endorsement)

(d)

An application for license is valid for one year after the date it is received by the board.

(e)

An applicant who submits an application containing false information may be denied a license by the board.

(f)

Should the board reject an application for a license, the reasons for the rejection will be communicated in writing to the applicant. The applicant may submit additional information and request reconsideration by the Board. If the applicant remains dissatisfied, a hearing may be requested as specified in the Act.

(g)

Applicants and licensees must notify the board in writing of changes in name, residential address, and work address within 30 days of the change.

(h)

The Board will issue a replacement copy of a license to replace one lost or destroyed upon receipt of a written request and the appropriate fee from the licensee. For a name change, the appropriate fee and a copy of the legal document (marriage certificate, divorce decree) enacting the name change must accompany the request.

(i)

The first 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 birth month in the following year. An initial license will be valid no less than 4 months, no longer than 15 months.

§364.2.Initial License by Examination

(a)

An applicant applying for license by examination must:

(1)

meet all provisions for §364.1 of this title (relating to Requirements for a License); and

(2)

pass the NBCOT certification examination for occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants with a score set by NBCOT. Score reports must be sent to the Board by NBCOT or their score reporting service.

(b)

Upon receiving the test scores from NBCOT the Board will automatically issue a regular license to the applicant with a passing score.

(c)

An applicant who fails an examination may take a second examination by submitting a new application and fee.

(1)

An applicant who fails the second examination may take a third examination after a specific period of not longer than one year if the applicant meets the requirements prescribed for a previous examination.

(2)

An applicant who fails the third examination may take an additional test at the board's discretion.

§364.3.Temporary License.

(a)

The Board will issue a temporary license to an applicant who is taking the exam for the first time. An applicant who has received a license from another state is not eligible for a temporary license.

(b)

To be issued a temporary license, the applicant must:

(1)

meet all provisions of §364.1 of this title (relating to Requirements for a License);

(2)

meet all provision of §364.2 of this title (relating to License by Examination);

(3)

submit the Confirmation of Examination Registration and Eligibility to Examine form from NBCOT, which must be sent directly to the board by NBCOT;

(4)

submit a signed Verification of Supervision form as provided by the board;

(5)

send the board the application fee as set by the Executive Council.

(c)

If the applicant fails to take the first available examination, or fails to have the scores reported, the temporary license will be revoked.

(d)

If the applicant fails the examination, the temporary license is void and must be returned. No second temporary licenses are issued after failure of the examination.

§364.4.License by Endorsement

(a)

The board may issue a license by endorsement to applicants currently licensed in another state, District of Columbia or territory of the United States. Previous Texas licensees are not eligible for License by Endorsement. An applicant seeking endorsement must:

(1)

meet all provisions for §364.1 of this title (relating to Requirements for License);

(2)

arrange to have NBCOT's Verification of Certification form sent directly to the board;

(3)

submit verification of license in good standing from the state(s) in which the applicant is currently licensed. This must be an original verification sent directly by the licensing board in that state, or,

(4)

if applying from a non-licensing state, submit a Verification of Employment form showing the two most recent years of employment.

(b)

Provisional License: The Board may grant a Provisional License prior to an applicant who is applying for License by endorsement if there is an unwarranted delay in the submission of required documentation outside the applicant control. All other requirements for requirements for a license by endorsement must be met. The applicant must also submit the Provisional License fee as set by the Executive Council, and notarized proof of sponsorship by a licensee of this board, before the license may be issued. The Board may not grant a provisional license to an applicant with disciplinary action in their license history, or to an applicant with pending disciplinary action.

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 August 7, 2000.

TRD-200005446

John P. Maline

Executive Director

Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 17, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6900


Chapter 365. TYPES OF LICENSES

40 TAC §365.1

(Editor's note: The text of the following section proposed for repeal will not be published. The section may be examined in the offices of the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners proposes the repeal of §365.1, concerning Types of Licenses. The language of this chapter will be contained in Chapter 364.

John P. Maline, Executive Director of the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and 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 the rule.

Mr. Maline also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be clarification of the OT rules. 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 rule may be submitted to Augusta Gelfand, OT Coordinator, Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-510, Austin, Texas, 78701.

The repeal is proposed under the Occupational Therapy Practice Act, Title 3, Subchapter H, Chapter 454, Occupations Code, which provides the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners with the authority to adopt rules consistent with this Act to carry out its duties in administering this Act.

Title 3, Subchapter H, Chapter 454 of the Occupations Code is affected by this repeal.

§365.1.Types of Licenses

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 August 7, 2000.

TRD-200005450

John P. Maline

Executive Director

Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 17, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6900


Chapter 366. APPLICATION FOR LICENSE

40 TAC §366.1

(Editor's note: The text of the following section proposed for repeal will not be published. The section may be examined in the offices of the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners proposes the repeal of §366.1, concerning Types of Licenses. The language of this chapter will be contained in Chapter 364.

John P. Maline, Executive Director of the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and 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 the rule.

Mr. Maline also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be clarification of the OT rules. 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 rule may be submitted to Augusta Gelfand, OT Coordinator, Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-510, Austin, Texas, 78701.

The repeal is proposed under the Occupational Therapy Practice Act, Title 3, Subchapter H, Chapter 454, Occupations Code, which provides the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners with the authority to adopt rules consistent with this Act to carry out its duties in administering this Act.

Title 3, Subchapter H, Chapter 454 of the Occupations Code is affected by this repeal.

§366.1.Application For 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 August 7, 2000.

TRD-200005449

John P. Maline

Executive Director

Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 17, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6900