Here is a common question that comes fairly often to the state of Michigan Board of Occupational Therapy. Please read this, and spread the word to others in similar situations.
Question:
I received my BS degree in OT as well as NBCOT certification in 19----, I practiced for two years, but have been out of the field for about eight years. I now want to resume my practice. Am I correct that I need to complete 30 credits of continuing education for NBCOT certification before I begin practicing again? Returning OT
Answer:
Hello, Returning OT. Thanks for asking. First, let me correct some misinformation, and then I can answer your question.
State registration (or licensure in another state) is not the same as NBCOT certification. Here is the difference. Only occupational therapy practitioners (therapists and assistants) who are registered in the state of Michigan may LEGALLY practice in the state. The agency of the state government that regulates health professions is the Bureau of Health Professions. The law that governs the practice of all health professions is the Michigan Public Health Code. This Code establishes a partnership between the Bureau of Health Professionals and professional boards. The professional board, in consultation with the Bureau, sets standards for the profession and enforces standards. The website for the State of Michigan is http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/ . Click on Licensing for Health Care Professionals for more information.
Successfully passing the initial certification exam is one of the requirements to be registered by the State of Michigan; ongoing participation with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) is VOLUNTARY. The website (www.NBCOT.org ) states that "NBCOT® serves the public interest by developing, administering, and continually reviewing a certification process that reflects current standards of competent practice in occupational therapy”. This is the organization through which you were initially certified. Ongoing NBCOT certification is required to use the titles OTR and COTA. (OTR and COTA are registered certification marks owned by NBCOT.) To maintain NBCOT certification, which also affirms the continuing competency of the practitioner, 36 professional development units must be completed in each three-year cycle.
A person who is registered by the state of Michigan to practice occupational therapy, but who has not maintain NBCOT certification may legally practice, using the titles of "occupational therapist" or "OT", "occupational therapy assistant" or “OTA”, or similar words. Thus it is a personal decision whether you want to be certified by NBCOT. Nevertheless, you must be registered by the state to legally practice the profession.
If your registration with the State of Michigan is not renewed within 60 days after your expiration date, your registration is lapsed. When your registration is lapsed, you can no longer practice your profession nor can you identify yourself as a registered OT practitioner. Practicing without a valid registration is a felony under the Public Health Code and can result in legal proceedings as well as disciplinary actions.
IF YOUR REGISTRATION IS LAPSED FOR MORE THAN THREE YEARS, THE NBCOT OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY CERTIFICATION EXAM MUST BE RETAKEN, according to the Michigan Public Health Code. Please be aware that this exam now reflects graduate-level knowledge, which you may never have received.
SO, finally to answer your question! To resume practice as an occupational therapist in the state of Michigan, you must satisfactorily pass again the NBCOT Occupational Therapy Certification exam and then apply for State registration. If you choose to practice without State registration, you are legally responsible for all consequences, including fines and jail. If you bill for OT services as an unregistered OT practitioner, you are also open to charges of fraud.
To all: please MAINTAIN your State registration! It is much less painful to the long run! Please pass the word on!
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