Establishes requirements for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants

BILL NUMBER:S2935B

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to mandatory continuing competency requirements for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants

Purpose or general idea of bill

To require all licensed occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to complete 36 hours of continuing competency every 3 years.

Summary of specific provisions

This bill adds a new section 7908 to the education law to require occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to complete 36 hours of continuing competency every 3 years in order to qualify for re-registration.

Justification

Initial education and clinical training in occupational therapy provides occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants with the basic foundation of competency as a practitioner. The field of occupational therapy, as in most health care professions, became specialized in the second half of the twentieth century. Today's occupational therapists provide services in the areas of mental health, orthopedics, neurology, neonatal intensive care, geriatrics, visually impaired, ergonomics, special education, bums, cognitive rehabilitation and others. Each one of these specialty areas requires skills sets that are different from other specialty areas. The development of competency in a selected specialty area is an ongoing process that must proceed far beyond the entry level competence first achieved. Furthermore, due to shifts in the health care market and career opportunities, many practitioners in occupational therapy change their specialty during their career. These changes require occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to actively pursue training and educational experiences to foster further development of their competency.

Prior legislative history

2009-10 A.4289/S.l618 Referred to Higher Education/ Reported to Senate Codes 2007-08 A.4819/S.2515 Referred to Higher Education 2005-06 A.5160/S.1388 Referred to Higher Education 2003-04 A.9888/S.6256 Referred to Higher Education

Fiscal implications

The fees associated with mandatory continuing competency ($45 for occupational therapists and $25 for occupational therapy assistants and $900 for sponsors of continuing education programs) will support the State Education Department in enforcing this new requirement.

Effective date

180 days after it shall have become law.