Co-Sponsorship Memo Details

In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that would permit Pennsylvania to join the National Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact.  Like existing medical-related licensure compacts (Interstate Medical Compact, Nurse Compact, Psychology Compact and Physical Therapy Compact), the National Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact will increase licensure portability while preserving the Commonwealth’s authority to regulate the profession.   Pennsylvania would join 27 other states (including neighboring Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, and West Virginia) in becoming a member of the compact.

Occupational Therapists assess, plan, and organize rehabilitative programs that help build and restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills to provide more independence to persons with disabilities or developmental delays. They also use therapeutic techniques, adapt the individual’s environment, teach skills, and modify specific tasks that present a barrier to the individual.

The goal of the National Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact is to increase access to patients, facilitate continuity of care, enhance mobility for the occupational therapist, and preserve the current system of state licensure. Occupational Therapists in good standing with 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.