FLORIDA LAWS AND RULES FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Course overview

Presently, most of the United States, including Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Guam, require that occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants be licensed to provide occupational therapy services. The remaining states require that these practitioners be certified or registered except for states that have trademark laws and for states (i.e., Colorado and Hawaii) that do not currently regulate OTAs.1 Licensure is the strongest form of regulation, while trademark law remains the weakest form of regulation. The purpose of these types of regulations is to provide the public with quality occupational therapy services. Understanding how and when these regulations apply to practitioners in Florida is crucial to ensuring that all OTs and OTAs are up-to-date with CE and licensing requirements.