{"id":7057,"date":"2023-06-27T18:58:30","date_gmt":"2023-06-27T18:58:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/?p=7057"},"modified":"2024-04-09T21:37:59","modified_gmt":"2024-04-09T21:37:59","slug":"what-the-occupational-therapy-licensure-compact-means-for-ots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/allied-health\/what-the-occupational-therapy-licensure-compact-means-for-ots\/","title":{"rendered":"What the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact Means for OTs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) who dream of practicing in multiple states may hesitate due to the cost and inconvenience of applying for licensure in each state of practice. The Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (OT Compact) may help them realize this dream more easily and especially benefit occupational therapists living on state lines or wanting to pursue<\/span> travel OT jobs<\/span><\/a>. However, not all states have embraced this relatively new interstate compact. This guide lets you know which states have, which ones are thinking about it, and what it means for OTs nationwide.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact?<\/b><\/h3>\n

The OT Compact is a formal agreement that creates an interstate compact allowing the practice of occupational therapy between states. The joint initiative between the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) utilizes a mutual recognition model in which the OT\/OTA\u2019s home state license is mutually recognized by other states that are members of the Compact.<\/span><\/p>\n

Previously, OTs and OTAs had to apply for individual state licenses to practice in multiple states and keep up with continuing education units (CEUs) and renewal requirements for each license. Holding multiple licenses was time-consuming and costly, making it challenging for OT\/OTAs to practice across states.<\/span><\/p>\n

Under the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, OTs and OTAs licensed in a Compact member state may practice in any other Compact member state under a<\/span> Compact Privilege<\/span><\/a>, the equivalent of a license. They must continue following standard licensure procedures in states that aren\u2019t part of the Compact. However, the Compact hasn\u2019t been fully launched.<\/span><\/p>\n

The OT Compact Commission (OTCC) convened for the first time in August 2022 to adopt initial rules and bylaws to implement the Compact. The OTCC will also create an interstate licensure data system that offers rapid verification of an OT\/OTA\u2019s licensure standing and the ability to share disciplinary information between member states.<\/span><\/p>\n

Compact Privilege applications weren\u2019t open as of April 2023, but the OTCC was working to develop the infrastructure necessary to get the OT Compact operational. The Commission tentatively estimates applications to be available by mid-2024. However, states can become members of the Compact now by having their legislature enact the OT Compact language into law. As of July 2023, more than half the states have already joined the OT Compact.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Do OT\/OTAs Qualify for a Compact License?<\/b><\/h3>\n

To qualify for an OT Compact license, you must have your <\/span>Occupational Therapists Registered (OTR) certification<\/span><\/a> if you\u2019re an occupational therapist or your <\/span>Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant<\/span><\/a> (COTA) certification if you\u2019re an occupational therapist assistant. You must also have an active license in your home state, which must participate in the Compact agreement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you already hold an active license and have previously met all the initial state license requirements, you won\u2019t need to complete additional fingerprinting or a background check. Your license must be in good standing, as most states require no disciplinary action against your license within the past two years. Once you\u2019ve established your eligibility, you can purchase Compact Privileges in other member states.<\/span><\/p>\n

Contact the OTCC to notify them of your intent to seek contact privilege in another member state and pay all fees required. Compact Privilege isn\u2019t a multistate license. You must pay for a Compact Privilege in every state where you want to provide occupational therapy services.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t hold a current, active OT or OTA license, you must complete all the initial state-specific licensure requirements before applying for a compact privilege.<\/span><\/p>\n

When it\u2019s time to renew your state license, you only complete continuing education (CE) requirements in your state of residence. You don\u2019t need to complete\u00a0<\/span>CE requirements in any Compact member state where you hold a Compact Privilege.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"OT
\nSource: Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/small><\/p>\n

Which States are Participating in the Occupational Therapy Compact?<\/b><\/h3>\n

States can participate in the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact by enacting and passing state legislation through House and Senate bills. Depending on the state\u2019s legislation and referral process, it can take several months or even years to enact legislation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The following table lists the <\/span>28 states<\/span><\/a> that have passed legislation to enact the OT Compact as of June 2023. Please note that some of the enactment dates are in the future, meaning legislation has passed, but the Compact hasn\u2019t been fully enacted yet.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
State<\/b><\/td>\nEnacted Legislation Date<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Alabama<\/span><\/td>\nMarch 8, 2022<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Arizona<\/span><\/td>\nApril 6, 2022<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Arkansas<\/span><\/td>\nMarch 13, 2023<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Colorado<\/span><\/td>\nJuly 12, 2021<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Delaware<\/span><\/td>\nAugust 4, 2022<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Georgia<\/span><\/td>\nMay 10, 2021<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Indiana<\/span><\/td>\nApril 20, 2023<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Iowa<\/span><\/td>\nMay 24, 2022<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kentucky\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nApril 8, 2022<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Louisiana<\/span><\/td>\nJanuary 1, 2024<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maine<\/span><\/td>\nJune 22, 2021<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maryland<\/span><\/td>\nApril 13, 2021<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mississippi<\/span><\/td>\nJuly 1, 2023<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Missouri<\/span><\/td>\nJune 22, 2021<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Montana<\/span><\/td>\nMay 2023<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nebraska<\/span><\/td>\nApril 19, 2022<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New Hampshire<\/span><\/td>\nAugust 18, 2022<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
North Carolina<\/span><\/td>\nJune 11, 2021<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ohio<\/span><\/td>\nApril 2, 2021<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
South Carolina<\/span><\/td>\nMay 13, 2022<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
South Dakota<\/span><\/td>\nMarch 17, 2023<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tennessee<\/span><\/td>\nApril 19, 2022<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Utah<\/span><\/td>\nMarch 23, 2022<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Virginia<\/span><\/td>\nMarch 18, 2021<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Washington<\/span><\/td>\nMarch 24, 2022<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
West Virginia<\/span><\/td>\nMarch 8, 2022<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wisconsin<\/span><\/td>\nFebruary 4, 2022<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wyoming<\/span><\/td>\nMarch 11, 2022<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

While the OT compact is relatively new, many other healthcare professions have adopted similar interstate compact licensure agreements. For example, 40 states or U.S. territories have enacted the <\/span>Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact<\/span><\/a> (eNLC) as of June 2023. The eNLC allows registered nurses to practice in multiple states using one interstate license.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other professions, such as physical therapists, physicians and counselors, are also moving towards compact licensure. Multistate licensure is a giant step forward for the healthcare community and licensed healthcare professionals who would no longer need to obtain and maintain multiple single-state licenses.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>What\u2019s the Difference Between the eNLC and the APRN Licensure Compacts?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

States with Pending Legislation<\/b><\/h3>\n

Six states had pending legislation that could allow them to join the OT Compact as of June 2023. Those states include the following:<\/span><\/p>\n