House Bill No. [insert bill number] amends and reenacts several sections of the Louisiana Revised Statutes concerning the licensure of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants. Key changes include the requirement for applicants to pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification examination instead of the previous examinations administered by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). The bill also establishes new waiver provisions for licensure, allowing individuals certified by the NBCOT prior to the bill's effective date to obtain a license without examination, provided they meet other criteria.

Additionally, the bill revises the fee structure for licensure, significantly increasing application and renewal fees for both occupational therapists and assistants. For instance, the initial application fee for occupational therapists is raised from $50 to $150, while the renewal fee increases from $25 to $100. The bill eliminates the previous provision that limited occupational therapy assistant fees to two-thirds of those for occupational therapists, establishing a new fee schedule that reflects the updated costs. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the licensure process while ensuring that standards for certification and practice remain high.

Statutes affected:
HB1182 Original: 37:3006, 37:3009(B), 37:3012(B)(3), 37:3013(A)