The purpose and intent of continuing education in occupational therapy is to assure the public of the expectation and obligation that practitioners maintain currency, knowledge levels and professional competence. Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants shall complete continuing education as follows:
- (1) Each holder of a license as an occupational therapist shall, at the time of applying for renewal of the license, certify that the licensee has completed at least 24 points of acceptable continuing education during the 2-year period immediately preceding the renewal date under s. 440.08 (2) (a) 52., Stats.
- (2) Each holder of a license as an occupational therapy assistant shall, at the time of applying for renewal of the license, certify that the licensee has completed at least 24 points of acceptable continuing education during the 2-year period immediately preceding the renewal date under s. 440.08 (2) (a) 53., Stats.
(3) At least 12 points of the continuing education required under subs. (1) and (2) shall be accumulated through 2 or more professional development activities listed under Table OT 3.06 that are related to occupational therapy. The remainder of the continuing education required under subs. (1) and (2) shall be accumulated through courses, programs, or other educational activities related to the licensee’s practice. In Table OT 3.06, “contact hour” means not less than 50 minutes of actual professional activity.
- See PDF for table
- (4) Certificates of completion or other evidence of compliance with this section shall be retained by each license holder for at least 2 years following the biennium in which the continuing education was completed.
- (5) The board shall audit any licensee who is under investigation by the board for alleged misconduct for compliance with this section.
- (6) During the time between initial licensure and commencement of a full 2-year licensure period, new licensees shall not be required to meet continuing education requirements.
- (7) A licensee may apply to the board for a postponement or waiver of the requirements of this section on the grounds of prolonged illness, disability, or other grounds constituting hardship. The board shall consider each request individually on its merits and may grant a postponement, partial waiver, or total waiver of the requirements.
History
History: CR 02-026: cr. Register December 2002 No. 564, eff. 1-1-03; CR 06-115: cr. (6) and (7) Register May 2007 No. 617, eff. 6-1-07; CR 13-109: cr. (r) Table Register September 2014 No. 705, eff. 10-1-14; correction in (1) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register August 2016 No. 728; CR 20-016: am. (1) to (3), cr. Table (title), am. Table rows (c), (d), (f), (n), (p), (q), (4), (5) Register July 2021 No. 787, eff. 8-1-21; CR 22-028: am. (3), Table rows (b), (f), cr. Table row (fm) Register July 2023 No. 811, eff. 8-1-23.