Title of Regulation: 18VAC85-80. Regulations Governing the Licensure of Occupational Therapists (amending 18VAC85-80-71).

Statutory Authority: § 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: October 4, 2017.

Agency Contact: William L. Harp, M.D., Executive Director, Board of Medicine, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4558, FAX (804) 527-4429, or email william.harp@dhp.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments conform requirements for continuing education to Chapter 411 of the 2017 Acts of the Assembly, which specifies requirements for Type 1 continuing education learning activities for occupational therapists and identifies entities from which continuing education can be attained so that continuing education complies with Medicare conditions of participation.

18VAC85-80-71. Continued competency requirements for renewal of an active license.

A. In order to renew an active license biennially, a practitioner shall complete the Continued Competency Activity and Assessment Form that is provided by the board and that shall indicate completion of at least 20 contact hours of continuing learning activities as follows:

1. A minimum of 10 of the 20 hours shall be in Type 1 activities offered by a sponsor or organization recognized by the profession and may include in-service training, self-study courses, continuing education courses, specialty certification, or professional workshops, which shall consist of an organized program of study, classroom experience, or similar educational experience that is related to a licensee's current or anticipated roles and responsibilities in occupational therapy and approved or provided by one of the following organizations or any of its components:

a. Virginia Occupational Therapy Association;

b. American Occupational Therapy Association;

c. National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy;

d. Local, state, or federal government agency;

e. Regionally accredited college or university;

f. Health care organization accredited by a national accrediting organization granted authority by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to assure compliance with Medicare conditions of participation; or

g. An American Medical Association Category 1 Continuing Medical Education program.

2. No more than 10 of the 20 hours may be Type 2 activities, which may include consultation with another therapist, independent reading or research, preparation for a presentation, or other such experiences that promote continued learning. Up to two of the Type 2 continuing education hours may be satisfied through delivery of occupational therapy services, without compensation, to low-income individuals receiving services through a local health department or a free clinic organized in whole or primarily for the delivery of health services. One hour of continuing education may be credited for three hours of providing such volunteer services as documented by the health department or free clinic.

B. A practitioner shall be exempt from the continuing competency requirements for the first biennial renewal following the date of initial licensure in Virginia.

C. The practitioner shall retain in his records the completed form with all supporting documentation for a period of six years following the renewal of an active license.

D. The board shall periodically conduct a random audit of at least one to two percent of its active licensees to determine compliance. The practitioners selected for the audit shall provide the completed Continued Competency Activity and Assessment Form and all supporting documentation within 30 days of receiving notification of the audit.

E. Failure to comply with these requirements may subject the licensee to disciplinary action by the board.

F. The board may grant an extension of the deadline for continuing competency requirements for up to one year for good cause shown upon a written request from the licensee prior to the renewal date.

G. The board may grant an exemption for all or part of the requirements for circumstances beyond the control of the licensee, such as temporary disability, mandatory military service, or officially declared disasters.