Section 1508 - Requirements for licensureAn applicant applying for a license as an occupational therapist or as an occupational therapy assistant shall submit a written application on forms provided by the board evidencing and showing to the satisfaction of the board that he or she:
(1) Is of good moral character.(2) Has completed the academic requirements of an approved educational program in occupational therapy recognized by the board with the advice and consultation of recognized national accrediting agencies and professional organizations including the American Occupational Therapy Association as follows: (i) For an occupational therapist, a four-year program, or its equivalent as established by the board.(ii) For an occupational therapy assistant, a two- year program, or its equivalent as established by the board.(3) Has successfully completed a period of supervised fieldwork experience at a recognized educational institute or a training program approved by the educational institution where the academic requirements met were as follows: (i) For an occupational therapist a minimum of six months of supervised fieldwork experience.(ii) For an occupational therapy assistant, a minimum of two months of supervised fieldwork.(4) Has passed an examination approved by the board.(5) Has professional liability insurance in accordance with the following provisions:(i) Effective by the next biennial period for license renewal following the effective date of this paragraph, an occupational therapist shall obtain and maintain professional liability insurance as specified in subparagraphs (ii) and (iii). The occupational therapist shall notify the board within 30 days of the occupational therapist's failure to be covered by the required insurance. Failure to notify the board shall be actionable under section 16. Further, the license of the occupational therapist shall automatically be suspended upon failure to be covered by the required insurance and shall not be restored until submission to the board of satisfactory evidence that the occupational therapist has the required professional liability insurance coverage.(ii) The board shall accept from an occupational therapist as satisfactory evidence of insurance coverage under this paragraph any or all of the following: self- insurance, personally purchased professional liability insurance, professional liability insurance coverage provided by the occupational therapist's employer or any similar type of coverage acceptable to the board.(iii) The level of professional liability insurance coverage shall be in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence or claims made. Failure to maintain the required insurance coverage shall subject the occupational therapist to disciplinary proceedings.(iv) The applicant for an occupational therapist's license shall provide proof that the applicant has obtained professional liability insurance in accordance with subparagraph (iii). It is sufficient if: (A) the applicant files with the application a copy of a letter from the applicant's professional liability insurance carrier indicating that the applicant will be covered against professional liability in the required amounts effective upon the issuance of the applicant's license to practice occupational therapy in this Commonwealth; or(B) the applicant certifies that the applicant will be covered by an employer against professional liability in required amounts upon the commencement of employment as an occupational therapist, provided that the applicant does not practice occupational therapy prior to the commencement of such employment.(v) Within 30 days after the issuance of a license or within 30 days after the commencement of employment as described in subparagraph (iv), the occupational therapist shall submit to the board the certificate of insurance or a copy of the policy declaration page.(vi) The board shall adopt, by regulation, standards and procedures established by the Insurance Commissioner for self-insurance. In the absence of these standards and procedures, the board, after consultation with the Insurance Commissioner, shall establish standards and procedures by regulation for self-insurance under this paragraph.Amended by P.L. 1132 2012 No. 138, § 3, eff. 9/3/2012.1982, June 15, P.L. 502, No. 140, § 8, effective in 90 days.