Ethics
Occupational therapy personnel, including occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and students, have an obligation to demonstrate ethical conduct that reflects professional values when working with clients, families, caregivers, administrators, colleagues, policymakers, payers, and other health care professionals.
Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics
How to file an ethics complaint
Read instructions for filing an ethics complaint, including completion of a complaint form and submission of supporting documentation.
Formal complaint form
Open and download the Ethics Commission's formal complaint form.
Enforcement procedures for the AOTA OT code of ethics
This public document articulates the procedures followed by members of the Ethics Commission as they carry out duties to enforce the Code. These Enforcement Procedures help ensure compliance with the Code, objectivity, and fundamental fairness to all persons who may be parties in an ethics complaint.
Ethics Commission disciplinary action
Public ethics sanctions by the Ethics Commission or Appeal Panel are publicized as outlined in the Enforcement Procedures for the AOTA 2020 Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics.
Ethics complaint cycle
Download the infographic which explains the cycle of ethics complaint received by the Ethics Commission.
Know when your state license expires
Do you know when your state license expires? Our resources explain how you can avoid unnecessary ethical and legal problems by staying on top of your state license renewal.
Ethics resources for educators
Host: Maurice Bernstein, MD
Internet Bioethics Project at the University of Pennsylvania Center for Bioethics
Georgetown University/Kennedy Institute on Bioethics
Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University
The Ethics Center's goal is to heighten ethical awareness and improve ethical decision making. Topics cover student issues, character development, diversity, hospice, and other clinical issues.