Massachusetts Occupational Therapy Licensure Information & Updates |
Support for the OT Interstate Licensure CompactClick here to view the most recent (1/8/2024) update on the OT Interstate Licensure Compact from MAOT Government Relations Co-Representatives Mary O'Donnell and Karen Hefler |
Continuing Competency Regulations enacted April 29, 2022
Regulations were enacted requiring licensees to complete continuing education activities. This will take effect in September 2022 and will provide for a graduated/incremental implementation over the next two years.
According to 259 CMR 7.01
7.01: Continuing Competence Requirements
(1) Licensed physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, and occupational therapy assistants (hereinafter collectively "physical therapy and occupational therapy professionals") are required, as a condition of license renewal, to complete a minimum of 24 points of Board recognized activities for maintaining continuing competence during the preceding biennial renewal period. For each renewal period, each physical and occupational therapy professional's continuing competency points must include two points in ethics, laws and regulations governing practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or some combination thereof.
Click here to view the full Code of Massachusetts Regulations regarding Continuing Competence for occupational
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Occupational Therapy Practitioner Continuing Education Competency Requirements in Massachusetts 24 units per licensure cycle (2 units must be Law and Ethics) Until August 2024, licensees renewing their occupational therapy license will only be required to complete 1 - 23 units of depending on the month of their license renewal. Not sure how many CEU's you are required to complete? Use this Continuing Competency Compliance chart from www.mass.gov to find out! |
Occupational Therapy Practitioner Signature Update
According to 259 CMR 3.06:
3.06: Designations
(1) Occupational therapists shall use the initials OT after their name.
(3) Occupational therapy assistants shall use the initials OTA after their name.
Click here to view Code of Massachusetts Regulations regarding Occupational Therapists, updated August 2020
Of particular note, the designation for OTR/L and COTA/L no longer exist in Massachusetts
(and should not not have been used since November 2016).
All occupational therapy practitioners should be signing their documentation and appropriately using the appropriate professional designation immediately following your name. Massachusetts law requires an OT or an OTA signing any medical record, or any other professional documentation, with the licensee’s name, professional designation, and license number.
An example of correct signature would be: Mary Smith, OT, xxxx, / John Doe, OTA, xxxx
Occupational Therapy Assistants can now participate in screenings
According to 259 CMR 3.02:
(2) Responsibility of Occupational Therapy Assistants.
(a) Occupational therapy assistants may contribute to the Screening process by collecting data with Service Competency and shall communicate the information gathered to the supervising occupational therapist.
Click here to view the Code of Massachusetts Regulations regarding Occupational Therapists, updated August 2020
Massachusetts Department of Public Health eLicensing System
Practitioners should use the Massachusetts Department of Public Health eLicensing System portal for licensing-related matters including applications and renewals.
If you have questions or issues about setting up your new account you can:
- use the Health Professions Licensing System User Guide
- email the Massachusetts Board of Allied Health at alliedhealth@mass.gov