N.J. Admin. Code § 13:44K-3.1

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 13:44K-3.1 - Licensing procedure: occupational therapist

(a) An applicant for licensure as an occupational therapist shall submit the following to the Council:

1. A completed application form, which contains the following:

i. Documentation of the applicant's education, including official transcripts, which indicate that the applicant received a master's degree or its equivalent in occupational therapy from an accredited college or university approved by the Commission on Higher Education or its successor, which shall be forwarded to the Council directly by the college or university. If the applicant has completed all academic and administrative requirements necessary for the degree, but has not had the degree conferred by the university or college, the applicant may apply for a temporary license pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:44K-4.1(b);

ii. If the applicant has received a master's degree or its equivalent in any field other than occupational therapy, documentation of the applicant's education, including official transcripts, which indicate that the applicant has completed the academic requirements of an educational program in occupational therapy accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association (ACOTE), the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT), or other nationally recognized programmatic accrediting agency, which shall be forwarded to the Council directly by the educational program. If the applicant has completed all academic and administrative requirements necessary for completion of an educational program in occupational therapy, but has not had the program certificate conferred by the educational institution, the applicant may apply for a temporary license pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:44K-4.1(b);

iii. If the applicant is a foreign-trained applicant who did not attend an education program that was accredited by ACOTE or WFOT at the time of the applicant's graduation, documentation demonstrating that he or she has completed educational and fieldwork requirements substantially equivalent to those in this State. To demonstrate substantial equivalence to the education requirements, a foreign-trained applicant shall provide the Council with a letter from the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) verifying that it has assessed the applicant's academic credentials and permitted the applicant to sit for the certification examination for occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistants, as applicable. An applicant may request from NBCOT a credential evaluation letter at http://www.nbcot.org.

iv. For applicants who, prior to January 1, 2007, successfully completed a bachelor's degree or its equivalent, documentation of the applicant's education, including official transcripts, which indicate that the applicant received:

(1) A bachelor's degree or its equivalent in occupational therapy from an accredited college or university approved by the Commission on Higher Education or its successor; or

(2) A bachelor's degree or its equivalent in any field other than occupational therapy from an accredited college or university approved by the Commission on Higher Education or its successor and have fulfilled the academic requirements of an educational program in occupational therapy accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association, the World Federation of Occupational Therapy or other nationally recognized programmatic accrediting agency;

v. Documentation that the applicant has successfully completed at least 24 weeks of supervised field-work experience, with a minimum of 720 hours, approved by the educational institution at which the applicant completed the occupational therapy education program in accordance with (a)1i or ii, or, if applicable, iv above, which shall be submitted to the Council directly by the educational institution. The applicant shall have completed the 24 weeks of supervised fieldwork experience within 24 months of completing the academic requirements of the educational institution;

vi. For applicants who have taken the certification examination prior to January 1, 2003, a "Verification of Certification" letter from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) indicating that the candidate has successfully passed the certification examination for occupational therapists;

vii. For applicants who have taken the certification examination on or after January 1, 2003, a score transfer from NBCOT indicating that the candidate has successfully passed the certification examination for occupational therapists;

viii. An applicant for initial licensure shall submit evidence of good moral character, as set forth in (b) below, which shall be an ongoing requirement for licensure; Recodify existing

ix. A "Verification of State License" form from any state in which the applicant is now or has ever been licensed to practice as an occupational therapist which shall be forwarded to the Council directly by the state in which the license is or was held; and

x. A certified verification of name change, if applicable;

2. The application fee set forth in 13:44K-11.1;

3. A two inch by two inch, recent head and shoulder photo of the applicant, certified by a Notary Public, and signed by the applicant; and

4. The applicant's name, address and fingerprints for purposes of a criminal history background check to be conducted by the State of New Jersey pursuant to 45:1-28 et seq., to determine whether criminal history record information exists, which may be considered by the Council in determining whether the applicant shall be licensed in the State.

(b) In determining whether the applicant shall be licensed in the State, the Council shall consider evidence, whether the applicant:

1. Is presently engaged in drug or alcohol use that is likely to impair the ability to practice occupational therapy with reasonable skill and safety. For purposes of this section, the term "presently" means at the time of application or any time within the 365 days prior to the time of application;

2. Has been convicted of violating any law of this State or any other state of the United States relating to controlled dangerous substances or other habit-forming drugs;

3. Has been convicted of violating any law relating to the practice of occupational therapy consistent with N.J.S.A. 45:1-21(f);

4. Has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude; and/or

5. Has had disciplinary action taken against his or her license by any licensing board.

(c) An applicant shall complete the New Jersey Jurisprudence Orientation.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:44K-3.1

Amended by 51 N.J.R. 769(b), effective 5/20/2019