The bill amends New Jersey's occupational therapy licensure requirements by introducing new definitions, including "client," "continuing competence and professional development," "LGBTQIA+," and "occupational performance," which clarify the scope of practice for licensed professionals. It mandates that continuing competence and professional development be required for licensure renewal, ensuring practitioners stay current in their field. The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) will oversee the examination process for licensure. Additionally, the bill removes the previous requirement for supervised fieldwork experience for applicants, streamlining the licensure process while maintaining competency through examinations.

The bill also modifies the Occupational Therapy Advisory Council's structure, increasing the number of required meetings from two to four annually and extending council members' term limits from two to three consecutive terms. It establishes that the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, in consultation with the council, will create standards for continuing competence and professional development, including specific credits for ethics and jurisprudence. Overall, the bill aims to enhance occupational therapy standards and practices, promoting better service delivery and professional growth within the field.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 45:9-37.53, 45:9-37.54, 45:9-37.55, 45:9-37.57, 45:9-37.61, 45:9-37.62, 45:9-37.63, 45:9-37-64, 45:9-37.68