Posted: | December 21, 2021 02:03 PM |
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From: | Representative Mindy Fee |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Pennsylvania Joining the National Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact |
In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that would permit Pennsylvania to join the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact. Much like existing medical-related licensure compacts (Interstate Medical Compact, Nurse Compact, Psychology Compact and Physical Therapy Compact), the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact will increase licensure portability while preserving the Commonwealth’s authority to regulate the profession. Pennsylvania would join the neighboring states of Maryland and Ohio, as well as Colorado, Missouri, Maine, New Hampshire, Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia in becoming a member of the compact. By way of background, Occupational Therapists assess, plan, and organize rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, daily living skills, and general independence to persons with disabilities or developmental delays. They also use therapeutic techniques, adapt individual’s environment, teach skills, and modify specific tasks that present barriers to the individual. The goal of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact is to increase access to patients, facilitate continuity of care, enhance mobility for occupational therapists, and to preserve the current system of state licensure. Occupational therapists in good standing in a compact member state would be able to practice in other compact member states through a compact privilege. Please join me in cosponsoring this piece of legislation. |
Introduced as HB2603