State updates: COVID-19
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, AOTA staff have been monitoring policies in the states related to telehealth, licensing, and insurance. Contact your state occupational therapy licensing or AOTA State Affairs staff at State@aota.org if you have any questions.
COVID-19 state updates: State-by-state summary of telehealth and licensure developments
State agencies, licensing boards, legislatures, and governors continue to take action on telehealth, coverage of services, and licensing requirements. Recent updates on actions taken affecting occupational therapy are highlighted and summarized in this chart.
While many states’ executive orders or guidance from state agencies that allow for flexibilities in licensure and telehealth are in effect for the duration of the public health emergency in the state, several have specific end dates. The majority have been extended several times. Furthermore, several states have enacted legislation to make permanent some of the telehealth or licensure flexibilities that were temporary during the COVID-19 pandemic permanent.
In all 50 states, D.C., Guam, and Puerto Rico, governors and state agencies issued orders declaring active emergencies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This chart also notes the date when the states of emergency and public health emergencies are currently set to end. These emergencies triggered different authorities and actions by state and local governments.