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Courtesy of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Information
Update, April 2003
Changes in occupational therapy licensing rules
The Wisconsin Administrative Code that implements state licensure for occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) changed recently. Effective January 1, 2003, § OT 1 through OT 5 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code replaced the repealed § MED 19. All OTs and OTAs who practice in Wisconsin, regardless of the type of setting, must be licensed by the Department of Regulation and Licensing, Occupational Therapy Affiliated Credentialing Board, and practice in accordance with these rules. Changes of significance to school occupational therapy services include an increase in continuing education requirements, an increase in occupational therapy assistant supervision requirements, confirmation that a medical referral is not required, and guidance for delegation of occupational therapy services to personnel who are not licensed under this chapter.
Continuing education requirements
An OT or OTA who is granted a license must maintain current registration of that license. Registration occurs every two years on November 1 of odd-numbered years. To keep registration current, OTs must complete 18 points of continuing education and OTAs must complete 12 points of continuing education between November 1, 2001, and November 1, 2003. Between November 1, 2003, and November 1, 2005, all licensed OTs and OTAs are required to complete 24 points of continuing education. The new requirement will continue in subsequent years. At least 12 of the points must be professional development activities related to occupational therapy. § OT 3 includes a table of acceptable activities and their point values. OTs and OTAs must certify that they have completed this requirement and must keep evidence of activities, such as certificates of completion, in case of audit.
Occupational therapy assistant supervision requirements
Prior to January 1, 2003, OTA supervision requirements in special education rules were more restrictive than rules in § Med 19 and provided appropriate guidance for school occupational therapy services (see § PI 11.24 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code). § OT 4.04 includes some provisions that now are more restrictive and must be followed by school systems.
Physician or other health care provider referral not required
DPI
Information Update Bulletin No. 00.05 included information that a
medical referral from a licensed physician no longer is required for school
occupational therapy. The new rules clarify that position.
Physician order or referral from another health care provider is not required for evaluation or intervention if an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant provides services in an educational environment, including the child's home, for children and youth with disabilities pursuant to rules promulgated by the federal individuals with disabilities education act, the department of public instruction and the department of health and family services, or provides services in an educational environment for children and youth with disabilities pursuant to the code of federal regulations. (§ OT 4.03 (1)(e))
Supervision of non-licensed personnel and therapy aides
Requirements for delegating occupational therapy services to non-licensed personnel were not addressed previously in state law. In § OT 4.05, "non-licensed personnel" refers to personnel who are not licensed as occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants.
These requirements for delegation of occupational therapy may be contrasted with the revised definition of "Consultation" in § OT 1.02.
"Consultation" means a work-centered, problem-solving helping relationship in which knowledge, experience, abilities, and skills are shared with client, family, caregivers, and other professionals, including physicians, in the process of helping to habilitate or rehabilitate through the use of occupational therapy.
Many of the provisions that were in § MED 19 have not changed. School OTs, OTA, and their supervisors are advised to read the full text of the rules. Copies of § OT 1 through OT 5 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code can be downloaded from the Wisconsin Legislature Web site.
For more information about school occupational therapy, see: http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/dpi/dlsea/een/occ_ther.html
Questions regarding this information update can be addressed to Patricia Bober at 608-266-5194.
Posted May 6, 2003