Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants by the Board of Occupational Therapy. (Chapter 640A of NRS) Existing law requires a person to meet certain requirements to obtain a license as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, including the satisfaction of certain educational requirements in a program approved by the Board, the successful completion of a certain amount of fieldwork experience approved by the Board and the passage of an examination approved by the Board. (NRS 640A.120) Section 8 of this bill revises those requirements to instead require, with certain exceptions, a person who wishes to obtain a license as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant to: (1) pass an examination on the laws and regulations governing the practice of occupational therapy in this State approved by the Board pursuant to section 10 of this bill; and (2) hold a current certification as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, as applicable, with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, or its successor organization. Section 5 of this bill revises a reference to the educational program required for licensure to reflect the changes made by section 8. Section 19 of this bill repeals provisions concerning the issuance of certain licenses to conform to the changes made by section 8. Existing law authorizes the issuance of a license by endorsement as an occupational therapist to an applicant who holds a valid and unrestricted license as an occupational therapist in the District of Columbia or any state or territory of the United States and who meets certain other requirements. (NRS 640A.165, 640A.166) Section 2 of this bill authorizes the Board to issue a license by reciprocity as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant to a person who holds a valid and unrestricted license as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, as applicable, in any state that is a member of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact and who meets certain other requirements. Sections 2, 11 and 12 of this bill require an applicant for a licensure by endorsement or by reciprocity to meet the requirements set forth in section 8. Existing law authorizes the Board to issue a temporary license to a person who meets the qualifications for licensure as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant other than the passage of the examination approved by the Board. If the person to whom a temporary license does not hold a license in another State and is not certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, existing law authorizes the person to practice occupational therapy under the temporary license only under the general supervision of a licensed occupational therapist. (NRS 640A.170) Section 13 of this bill requires a temporary license to be issued only to a person who is licensed in another state and who meets the requirements set forth in section 8. Section 3 of this bill provides for the issuance of a provisional license to a person who: (1) has passed the examination approved by the Board pursuant to section 10; (2) has completed certain educational requirements; and (3) is eligible to take the national examination required for certification. Under section 3, a person to whom a provisional license is issued is authorized to practice occupational therapy under the temporary license only under the general supervision of a licensed occupational therapist. Existing law exempts a person enrolled in an educational program approved by the Board from the provisions of existing law governing occupational therapy under certain circumstances. (NRS 640A.070) Section 6 of this bill revises the type of educational program in which a person must be enrolled to qualify for the exemption. Section 9 of this bill revises certain requirements concerning an application for a license. Section 15 of this bill authorizes the Board to establish fees for the issuance of a license by reciprocity and a provisional license. Existing law authorizes the Board to adopt regulations imposing continuing education requirements for the renewal of a license. (NRS 640A.180) Section 14 of this bill provides that such requirements may require a licensee to take and pass the examination approved by the Board pursuant to section 10 at intervals set by the Board. Existing law provides that the members of the Board serve without compensation while engaged in the business of the Board. (NRS 640A.100) Section 7 of this bill provides that each member of the Board is entitled to a salary of not more than $150 per day, as fixed by the Board, while engaged in the business of the Board. Existing law authorizes the Board to impose certain penalties against a licensee who commits certain violations of the provisions of existing law governing occupational therapy or who engages in certain other conduct. (NRS 640A.200) Section 4 of this bill authorizes the Board to issue a citation to a licensee who commits certain specified violations of certain regulations adopted by the Board. Sections 16-18 of this bill make technical changes to existing provisions which exempt persons licensed as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant from certain provisions governing other professions.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 640A.050, 640A.070, 640A.100, 640A.120, 640A.140, 640A.150, 640A.165, 640A.166, 640A.170, 640A.180, 640A.190, 641.029, 641B.040, 641D.110
Reprint 1: 640A.050, 640A.070, 640A.100, 640A.120, 640A.140, 640A.150, 640A.165, 640A.166, 640A.170, 640A.180, 640A.190, 641.029, 641B.040, 641D.110
As Enrolled: 640A.050, 640A.070, 640A.100, 640A.120, 640A.140, 640A.150, 640A.165, 640A.166, 640A.170, 640A.180, 640A.190, 641.029, 641B.040, 641D.110
BDR: 640A.050, 640A.070, 640A.100, 640A.120, 640A.140, 640A.150, 640A.165, 640A.166, 640A.170, 640A.180, 640A.190, 641.029, 641B.040, 641D.110