The bill amends and supplements existing legislation regarding occupational therapy licensure in New Jersey, introducing new definitions such as "client," "continuing competence and professional development," "LGBTQIA+," and "occupational performance." A significant change is the requirement for licensed occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to engage in continuing competence and professional development for licensure renewal, with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) overseeing the examination process. The bill also eliminates the need for applicants to provide evidence of supervised fieldwork experience, thereby streamlining the licensure process.

Additionally, the bill modifies the structure and responsibilities of the Occupational Therapy Advisory Council by 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 specific standards for continuing competence, including ethics and jurisprudence. Overall, these amendments aim to enhance the standards of practice in occupational therapy, ensuring practitioners are equipped to meet the diverse needs of their clients.

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