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Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact
The Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (OT Compact) is a joint initiative of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®). The OT Compact is an interstate professional licensing compact for occupational therapy which will address licensure portability. This is a multi-year initiative which requires legislation to be passed in each state where the OT Compact will apply.
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Why the OT Compact matters
An interstate licensing compact would:
- Allow licensed occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to practice across state lines (e.g., telehealth) via a "compact privilege" which is equivalent to a license
- Improve consumer access to occupational therapy
- Enhance mobility of occupational therapy practitioners (e.g., spouses of relocating military families, staff of travel therapy companies)
- Improve continuity of care
- Address competition issues raised by the Federal Trade Commission and others
- Preserve and strengthen the state licensure system
- Enhance the exchange of licensure, investigatory, and disciplinary information between member states.
An interstate licensing compact does not change state licensure processes, the authority of the regulatory agency, or alter the scope of practice.
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OT Compact grows to 30 states
Vermont and Minnesota became the 29th and 30th states to join the OT Compact in May 2024.
For more information
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Compact website
For more information on the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact please visit the Compact website at OTcompact.org.
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Listen now
Listen to our AOTA podcast to learn more about the process of creating the Compact, how it will work, and what legislation is needed to enact the initiative.