Chapter 4755-7 | Limited Permit Holders and Occupational Therapy Assistants; Conduct of Licensees

Rule 4755-7-01 | Occupational therapy practice defined.

• Effective: August 15, 2020
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

For the purpose of Chapters 4755-1 to 4755-9 of the Administrative Code, the following definitions must apply:

(A) "Occupational therapist" means a person who is licensed to practice occupational therapy and who offers such services to the public under any title incorporating the words "occupational therapy," "occupational therapist," or similar title or description of services.

(B) "Occupational therapy assistant" means a person who holds a license to provide occupational therapy techniques under the general supervision of an occupational therapist.

(C) "Student occupational therapist" means a student enrolled in an accredited or candidacy status entry-level occupational therapist education program or a student enrolled in a "World Federation of Occupational Therapy" accredited entry-level occupational therapist education program. Effective January 1, 2021, a student occupational therapist must be at least eighteen years old to participate in learning opportunities outside the classroom involving clients.

(D) "Student occupational therapy assistant" means a student enrolled in an accredited or candidacy status entry-level occupational therapy assistant education program. Effective January 1, 2021, a student occupational therapy assistant must be at least eighteen years old to participate in learning opportunities outside the classroom involving clients.

(E) "Level I fieldwork" means the introductory fieldwork experiences that are a component of an educational program in occupational therapy in which students develop a basic understanding of the needs of clients through directed observation and supervised participation in the occupational therapy process.

(F) "Level II fieldwork" means the in-depth fieldwork experiences that are a component of an educational program in occupational therapy that provide multiple occupational therapy services to a variety of clients in multiple settings.

(G) "Unlicensed personnel" means any person who is on the job trained and supports the delivery of occupational therapy services by personally assisting the occupational therapist, occupational therapy assistant, student occupational therapist, and/or student occupational therapy assistant while the occupational therapist, occupational therapy assistant, student occupational therapist, and/or student occupational therapy assistant is concurrently providing services to the same client.

(H) "Supervising occupational therapist" means the occupational therapist who is available to supervise the occupational therapy assistant, the student occupational therapist, student occupational therapy assistant, or unlicensed personnel. The supervising occupational therapist may be the occupational therapist who performed the initial evaluation or another occupational therapist with whom that occupational therapist has a documented agreement.

(I) "Supervising occupational therapy assistant" means the occupational therapy assistant who is appropriately available to supervise the student occupational therapy assistant, the student occupational therapist who is completing the level I fieldwork experience, or unlicensed personnel.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4755.06
Amplifies: 4755.04, 4755.06 , 4755.08, 4755.11
Five Year Review Date: 4/1/2025
Prior Effective Dates: 5/1/2007, 7/1/2010

Rule 4755-7-02 | Roles and responsibilities.

• Effective: August 15, 2020
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Occupational therapist.

The occupational therapist must assume professional responsibility for the provision of all occupational therapy services, of which the following activities must not be wholly delegated, regardless of the setting in which the services are provided:

(1) Interpretation of referrals or prescriptions for occupational therapy services;

(2) Interpretation and analysis for evaluation purposes;

(3) Development, interpretation, and modification of the treatment/intervention plan and the discharge plan.

(B) Occupational therapy assistant.

(1) The occupational therapy assistant may contribute to and collaborate in:

(a) The evaluation process by gathering data, administering standardized tests and/or objective measurement tools, and reporting observations.

(b) The preparation, implementation, and documentation of the treatment/intervention plan and the discharge plan.

(c) Choosing the appropriate treatment interventions.

(2) The occupational therapy assistant may independently:

(a) Select the daily modality of choice according to the established treatment/intervention plan.

(b) Document the progress and outcomes summary.

(3) The occupational therapy assistant may not evaluate independently or initiate treatment/intervention before the supervising occupational therapist performs an evaluation.

(C) Student occupational therapist and student occupational therapy assistant.

In accordance with section 4755.13 of the Revised Code, persons fulfilling the supervised fieldwork experience requirements pursuant to section 4755.07 of the Revised Code must, at the discretion of the supervising occupational therapist or supervising occupational therapy assistant, as appropriate, be assigned duties or functions commensurate with their education and training.

(D) Unlicensed personnel.

The primary function of unlicensed personnel functioning in an occupational therapy setting is to perform designated routine tasks related to the operation and delivery of occupational therapy services. Such tasks may include, but are not limited to:

(1) Routine department maintenance;

(2) Transportation of clients;

(3) Preparation or setting up of treatment equipment and work area;

(4) Taking care of clients' personal needs during treatments;

(5) Assisting in the construction of adaptive equipment and splints;

(6) Clerical, secretarial, and administrative activities; and

(7) Personally assisting the occupational therapist, occupational therapy assistant, student occupational therapist, or student occupational therapy assistant while the occupational therapist, occupational therapy assistant, student occupational therapist, or student occupational therapy assistant is concurrently providing services to the same client.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4755.06
Amplifies: 4755.04, 4755.06 , 4755.08, 4755.11
Five Year Review Date: 4/1/2025

Rule 4755-7-03 | Delegation.

• Effective: August 15, 2020
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Occupational therapy assistant.

The occupational therapy assistant may implement the occupational therapy treatment/intervention plan established by the supervising occupational therapist. The supervising occupational therapist must consider the following when delegating to the occupational therapy assistant:

(1) The clinical complexity of the client;

(2) The competency of the occupational therapy assistant;

(3) The occupational therapy assistant's level of training in the treatment/intervention technique; and

(4) Whether continual reassessment of the client's status is needed during treatment/intervention.

(5) Notwithstanding paragraphs (A)(1) to (A)(4) of this rule, the occupational therapy assistant may respond to acute changes in the client's condition that warrant immediate action.

(B) Student occupational therapist.

The student occupational therapist must demonstrate appropriate skill and knowledge in duties being delegated. The supervising occupational therapist must demonstrate knowledge and competency in any procedure or services delegated to a student occupational therapist.

(C) Student occupational therapy assistant.

The student occupational therapy assistant must demonstrate appropriate skill and knowledge in duties being delegated. The supervising occupational therapist or supervising occupational therapy assistant must demonstrate knowledge and competency in any procedure or services delegated to a student occupational therapy assistant.

(D) Unlicensed personnel.

(1) Unlicensed personnel may only perform specific tasks which are neither evaluative, task selective, nor recommending in nature. The occupational therapist, occupational therapy assistant, student occupational therapist, or student occupational therapy assistant may delegate such tasks only after ensuring that the unlicensed personnel has been appropriately trained for the performance of the tasks.

(2) The occupational therapist, occupational therapy assistant, student occupational therapist, and student occupational therapy assistant must not delegate the following to unlicensed personnel:

(a) Performance of occupational therapy evaluative services;

(b) Initiation, planning, adjustment, modification, or performance of occupational therapy services;

(c) Making occupational therapy entries directly in the client's official records; and

(3) The unlicensed personnel must not act independently on behalf of the occupational therapist, occupational therapy assistant, student occupational therapist, or student occupational therapy assistant in any matter related to occupational therapy treatment.

Last updated July 7, 2021 at 9:33 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4755.06
Amplifies: 4755.04, 4755.06 , 4755.08, 4755.11
Five Year Review Date: 4/1/2025
Prior Effective Dates: 5/1/2004

Rule 4755-7-04 | Supervision.

• Effective: July 8, 2022
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Supervision must ensure consumer protection. The supervising occupational therapist is ultimately responsible for all clients and is accountable and responsible at all times for the actions of persons supervised, including the:

(1) Occupational therapy assistant;

(2) Student occupational therapist;

(3) Student occupational therapy assistant; and

(4) Unlicensed personnel.

(B) The following factors must be considered by the supervising occupational therapist when determining the appropriate frequency, methods, and content of supervision:

(1) Complexity of the client needs;

(2) Number and diversity of clients;

(3) Skills of the occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant;

(4) Type and number of practice settings;

(5) Requirements of the practice setting; and

(6) Any other regulatory or administrative requirements.

(C) Occupational therapy assistant.

Supervision of the occupational therapy assistant, as defined in division (C) of section 4755.04 of the Revised Code, requires initial direction and periodic inspection of the service delivery and relevant in-service training. The supervising occupational therapist need not be on-site, but must be available for consultation with the occupational therapy assistant at all times.

(1) The supervising occupational therapist must provide supervision at least one time per week for all occupational therapy assistants who are in their first year of practice.

(2) The supervising occupational therapist must provide supervision at least one time per month for all occupational therapy assistants beyond their first year of practice.

(3) Supervision requires an interactive process between the supervising occupational therapist and the occupational therapy assistant. The interactive process must include, but is not limited to, review of the following:

(a) Client assessment;

(b) Client reassessment;

(c) Treatment/intervention plan;

(d) Intervention; and

(e) Discontinuation of treatment/intervention plan.

(4) Co-signing client documentation alone does not meet the minimum level of supervision.

(5) It is the responsibility of the occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant to establish evidence that the supervision occurred in accordance with the requirements of this rule. This evidence may include documentation in the client record, or it may exist as a separate document, such as a collaboration log.

(6) The supervising occupational therapy assistant is accountable and responsible at all times for the actions of all student occupational therapy assistants and unlicensed personnel supervised by the supervising occupational therapy assistant.

(D) Student occupational therapist.

(1) Fieldwork supervision.

(a) A student occupational therapist on level II fieldwork must be supervised by an occupational therapist who has completed at least one year of professional practice as a fully licensed occupational therapist.

(b) No minimum amount of experience is required to supervise a level I fieldwork student occupational therapist. Supervision should be in accordance with current standards set forth by the accreditation council for occupational therapy education (ACOTE).

(2) A student occupational therapist must be at least eighteen years old to be supervised by an occupational therapist licensed pursuant to Chapter 4755. of the Revised Code, effective January 1, 2021. This includes supervision for level I and level II fieldwork.

(3) The student occupational therapist, who is being supervised in accordance with the laws and rules governing the practice of occupational therapy, may supervise unlicensed personnel.

(E) Student occupational therapy assistant.

(1) Fieldwork supervision.

(a) A student occupational therapy assistant on level II fieldwork must be supervised by an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant who has completed at least one year of professional practice as a fully licensed occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant.

(b) No minimum amount of experience is required to supervise a level I fieldwork student occupational therapy assistant. Supervision should be in accordance with current standards set forth by ACOTE.

(2) A student occupational therapy assistant must be at least eighteen years old to be supervised by an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant pursuant to Chapter 4755. of the Revised Code, effective January 1, 2021. This includes supervision for level I and level II fieldwork.

(3) The student occupational therapy assistant, who is being supervised in accordance with the laws and rules governing the practice of occupational therapy, may supervise unlicensed personnel.

(F) Supervising occupational therapists must confirm that all occupational therapy assistants they supervise hold current, valid licenses to practice occupational therapy in this state prior to allowing the occupational therapy assistant to engage in the practice of occupational therapy.

(G) Occupational therapy assistants must confirm that all occupational therapists by whom they are supervised hold current, valid licenses to practice occupational therapy in this state prior to engaging in the practice of occupational therapy.

(H) Any documentation written by an occupational therapy assistant, student occupational therapist, or student occupational therapy assistant for inclusion in the client's official record must be co-signed by the supervising occupational therapist.

Last updated July 8, 2022 at 8:48 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4755.06
Amplifies: 4755.04, 4755.06 , 4755.08, 4755.11
Five Year Review Date: 4/1/2025
Prior Effective Dates: 1/26/1996, 7/1/2015

Rule 4755-7-05 | Telehealth.

• Effective: September 1, 2022
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) "Telehealth" means health care services provided through the use of information and communication technology by a health care professional, within the professional's scope of practice, who is located at a site other than the site where either of the following is located:

(1) The patient receiving the services;

(2) Another health care professional with whom the provider of the services is consulting regarding the patient.

(B) An occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant may provide telehealth services in accordance with section 4743.09 of the Revised Code.

(C) The standard of care for a patient treated through telehealth is equal to the standard of care for in-person services.

(D) The license holder must verify the identity and physical location of the patient or client at the beginning of each telehealth visit.

(E) With respect to the provision of telehealth services, all of the following apply:

(1) A license holder may use synchronous or asynchronous technology to provide telehealth services to a patient during an initial visit if the appropriate standard of care for an initial visit is satisfied.

(2) A license holder may deny a patient telehealth services and, instead, require the patient to undergo an in-person visit if care is continued with that license holder.

(3) When providing telehealth services in accordance with this rule, a license holder shall comply with all requirements under state and federal law regarding the protection of patient information. A license holder shall ensure that any username or password information and any electronic communications between the professional and a patient are securely transmitted and stored.

(4) A license holder may use synchronous or asynchronous technology to provide telehealth services to a patient during an annual visit if the appropriate standard of care for an annual visit is satisfied.

(F) In order to treat a patient or client located in Ohio, an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant must have either an Ohio license or a privilege to practice in Ohio via the occupational therapy compact.

Last updated September 1, 2022 at 8:23 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4743.09 4755.90
Amplifies: 4743.09, 4755.11
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2027

Rule 4755-7-08 | Code of ethical conduct.

• Effective: December 11, 2022
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Operations.

License holders must use the provisions contained in paragraphs (A)(1) to (A)(10) of this rule as guidelines for promoting ethical integrity and professionalism. Failure to comply with paragraphs (A)(1) to (A)(10) of this rule may be grounds for disciplinary action pursuant to section 4755.11 of the Revised Code and in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(1) License holders must familiarize themselves with, seek to understand, and comply with the laws and rules governing the practice of occupational therapy.

(2) License holders must remain abreast of revisions in the laws and rules governing the practice of occupational therapy and must inform employers, employees, and colleagues of those revisions.

(3) License holders must achieve and continually maintain high standards of competence by doing the following:

(a) Maintain and document competency by participating in professional development, continuing competence, and other educational activities.

(b) Critically examine and keep current with emerging knowledge relevant to the practice of occupational therapy. A license holder must not perform or attempt to perform techniques and/or procedures in which the license holder is untrained by education or experience.

(4) A person must not practice occupational therapy without a valid license, or without holding student status, including:

(a) Practicing occupational therapy while a person's license is suspended or revoked.

(b) Practicing occupational therapy with an expired license or when no longer enrolled as a student in an accredited occupational therapy educational program.

(5) License holders must ensure that a person supervised or directed by the license holder possesses a valid license or is a student occupational therapist or student occupational therapy assistant, as those terms are defined in rule 4755-7-01 of the Administrative Code.

(6) License holders must not aid, abet, authorize, condone, or allow the practice of occupational therapy by any person not legally authorized to provide services.

(7) An applicant or license holder must not cheat or assist others in conspiring to cheat on the written examination referenced in chapter 4755.07 of the Revised Code or the state jurisprudence examination.

(8) License holders must not permit another person to use a person's wall certificate, license number, or national provider identifier for any illegal purpose.

(9) License holders must report to the occupational therapy section any unprofessional, incompetent, or illegal behavior of an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant of which the license holder has knowledge.

(10) Where the alleged violation involves impairment issues and no other provisions of Chapter 4755. of the Revised Code or rules adopted under it, the reporting license holder may make a referral to the safe haven program in lieu of making report to the occupational therapy section.

(B) Professionalism of license holder.

Professionalism of the license holder includes conforming to the minimal standards of acceptable and prevailing occupational therapy practice, including practicing in a manner that is moral and honorable. Conduct may be considered unethical regardless of whether or not actual injury to a client occurred. Failure to comply with paragraphs (B)(1) to (B)(17) of this rule may be grounds for disciplinary action pursuant to section 4755.11 of the Revised Code and in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(1) A license holder must not:

(a) Forge the signature of other practitioners.

(b) Forge a wall certificate or any other proof of current licensure, including eLicense Ohio.

(2) An occupational therapy assistant must not provide occupational therapy services without a supervising occupational therapist.

(3) All occupational therapy documentation, including, but not limited to, evaluations, assessments, intervention plans, treatment notes, discharge summaries, and transfers of care must be in written or electronic format.

(4) A license holder must not falsify, alter, or destroy client records, medical records, or billing records without authorization. The license holder must maintain accurate client and/or billing records.

(5) A license holder must not deliver, obtain, or attempt to obtain medications through means of misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, and/or subterfuge.

(6) A license holder must not initiate, participate in, or encourage the filing of complaints against colleagues that are unwarranted or intended to harm another practitioner.

(7) A license holder must not practice occupational therapy while the ability to practice is impaired by alcohol, controlled substances, narcotic drugs, physical disability, mental disability, or emotional disability. If a license holder's or applicant's ability to practice is in question, and the license holder or applicant is not a participant in the board's safe haven program, the license holder or applicant must submit to a physical or mental examination or drug/alcohol screen as requested by the occupational therapy section to determine the applicant's or license holder's qualifications to practice occupational therapy.

(8) A license holder must preserve, respect, and safeguard confidential information about colleagues, staff, and students, unless otherwise mandated by national, state, or local laws.

(9) A license holder must exercise sound judgment and act in a trustworthy manner in all aspects of occupational therapy practice. Regardless of practice setting, the occupational therapy practitioner must maintain the ability to make independent judgments. A license holder must strive to effect changes that benefit the client.

(10) A license holder must accurately represent the qualifications, views, contributions, and findings of colleagues and students.

(11) A license holder must not misrepresent the credential, title, qualifications, education, experience, training, and/or specialty certifications held by the license holder.

(12) A person licensed by the occupational therapy section has a responsibility to report any organization or entity that holds itself out to deliver occupational therapy services that places the license holder in a position of compromise with this code of ethical conduct.

(13) A license holder must provide appropriate supervision to persons for whom the practitioner has supervisory responsibility.

(14) A license holder must only seek compensation that is reasonable for the occupational therapy services delivered. A license holder must never place the license holder's own financial interests above the welfare of the license holder's clients. A license holder, regardless of the practice setting, must safeguard the public from unethical and unlawful business practices.

(15) A license holder must adhere to the minimal standards of acceptable prevailing practice. Failure to adhere to minimal standards of practice, whether or not actual injury to a client occurred, includes, but is not limited to:

(a) Documenting or billing for services not actually performed.

(b) Performing techniques/procedures in which the license holder cannot demonstrate and document competency, either by experience or education.

(c) Practicing in a pattern of negligent conduct, which means a continued course of negligent conduct or of negligent conduct in performing the duties of the profession.

(d) Delegating occupational therapy functions or responsibilities to a person lacking the ability or knowledge to perform the function or responsibility in question.

(e) Failing to ensure that duties assumed by or assigned to other occupational therapy practitioners match credentials, qualifications, experience, and scope of practice.

(f) Violating confidentiality rights by failing to protect and keep confidential personal health information or other private information about clients, other facility care recipients, employees, colleagues, and students without authorization or consent unless otherwise mandated or permitted by relevant law.

(g) Failure to respect privacy rights by accessing personal health information or other private information about clients, other facility care recipients, employees, colleagues, and students without authorization or consent unless otherwise mandated or permitted by relevant law.

(16) A license holder must respect the rights, knowledge, and skills of colleagues and other health care professionals.

(17) A license holder must not use or participate in the use of any form of communication that contains false, fraudulent, deceptive, or unfair statements or claims.

(C) License holder and client interactions.

The license holder must demonstrate concern for the well-being of the client. Failure to comply with paragraphs (C)(1) to (C)(17) of this rule may be grounds for disciplinary action pursuant to section 4755.11 of the Revised Code and in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(1) A license holder must adhere to the minimal standards of acceptable prevailing practice. Failure to adhere to minimal standards of practice, whether or not actual injury to a client occurred, includes, but is not limited to:

(a) Failing to assess and evaluate a client's status or establishing an occupational therapy intervention plan prior to commencing treatment/intervention of an individual.

(b) Providing treatment interventions that are not warranted by the client's condition or continuing treatment beyond the point of reasonable benefit to the client.

(c) Providing substandard care as an occupational therapy assistant by exceeding the authority to perform components of interventions selected by the supervising occupational therapist.

(d) Abandoning the client by inappropriately terminating the practitioner-client relationship.

(e) Causing, or permitting another person to cause, physical or emotional injury to the client, or depriving the client of the person's dignity.

(2) A license holder must transfer the care of the client, as appropriate, to another health care provider in either of the following events:

(a) Elective termination of occupational therapy services by the client; or

(b) Elective termination of the practitioner-client relationship by the license holder.

(3) A license holder must ensure the client's rights to participate fully in the client's care, including the client's right to select the occupational therapy provider, regardless of the practice setting.

(4) A license holder must respect the person's right to refuse professional services or involvement in research or educational activities.

(5) A license holder must disclose any professional, personal, financial, business, research, or volunteer affiliations that may pose a conflict of interest to those with whom the license holder may establish a professional, contractual, or other working relationship.

(6) A license holder must not influence a client or the client's family to utilize, purchase, or rent any equipment based on direct or indirect financial interests of the license holder. Recommendations of equipment must be based solely on the therapeutic value of that equipment to the client. A license holder who owns or has a direct financial interest in an equipment or supply company must disclose the financial interest to the client if the license holder sells or rents, or intends to sell or rent, to that client.

(7) A license holder must not intentionally or knowingly offer to pay or agree to accept any compensation, directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind, to or from any person or entity for receiving or soliciting clients or patronage, regardless of the source of the compensation.

(8) A license holder must refer to or consult with other service providers whenever such a referral or consultation would be beneficial to care of the client. The referral or consultation process should be done in collaboration with the client.

(9) A license holder must not exploit a client, or the parent/guardian of a minor client, sexually, physically, emotionally, financially, socially, or in any other manner.

(10) A license holder must not engage in conduct that constitutes harassment or verbal or physical abuse of, or unlawful discrimination against, clients, the parent/guardian of a minor client, students, and/or colleagues.

(11) A license holder must not engage in any sexual relationship or conduct, including dating, with any client, or engage in any conduct that may reasonably be interpreted by the client to be sexual, whether consensual or nonconsensual, while a practitioner-client relationship exists and for six months immediately following the termination of the practitioner-client relationship. In the case of minors, the practitioner-client relationship extends to the minor's parent or guardian.

(a) A license holder must not intentionally expose or view a completely or partially disrobed client in the course of treatment if the exposure or viewing is not related to the client diagnosis or treatment under current practice standards.

(b) A license holder must not engage in a conversation with a client that is sexually explicit and unrelated to the occupational therapy intervention plan.

(12) A license holder must not engage in sexual harassment of clients, the parent/guardian of a minor client, students, and/or colleagues. Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, making unwelcome sexual advances, requesting sexual favors, and engaging in other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that results in:

(a) Withholding occupational therapy services to a client;

(b) Creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment; or

(c) Interfering with the client's ability to recover.

(13) A license holder must advocate for clients to obtain needed services through available means.

(14) A license holder must provide accurate and relevant information to clients about the clients' care and to the public about occupational therapy services.

(a) A license holder must not guarantee the results of any therapy, consultation, or therapeutic procedure. A guarantee of any sort, expressed or implied, oral or written, is contrary to professional ethics.

(b) A reasonable statement of prognosis is not improper, but successful results are dependent upon many uncontrollable factors. Hence, any warranty is deceptive and unethical.

(15) A license holder must obtain informed consent from the client.

(a) A license holder, unless otherwise allowed by law, must not provide care without disclosing to the client or the client's representative, the benefits, substantial risks, if any, or alternatives to the recommended evaluation or intervention.

(b) Information relating to the practitioner-client relationship is confidential and may not be communicated to a third party not involved in that client's care without the prior written consent of the client or the client's representative or unless otherwise allowed by law. Information must be disclosed when required by law for the protection of the client or the public.

(16) A license holder must safeguard the public from underutilization or overutilization of occupational therapy services.

(17) A license holder must respect the rights and dignity of all clients and provide care as described in paragraphs (C)(17)(a), (C)(17)(b), and (C)(17)(c) of this rule.

(a) A license holder must recognize individual differences with clients and must respect and be responsive to those differences.

(b) A license holder must be guided by concern for the physical, psychosocial, and socioeconomic welfare of clients.

(c) A license holder must recognize and understand the impact of the cultural components of age, economics, gender, geography, race, ethnicity, religious and political factors, marital status, sexual orientation, and disability of all clients.

(D) Cooperation.

In accordance with division (A)(19) of section 4755.11 of the Revised Code, license holders must cooperate with an investigation by the occupational therapy section. Failure to cooperate is conduct detrimental to the best interest of the public and grounds for disciplinary action. Cooperation includes responding fully and promptly to any questions raised by the occupational therapy section and providing copies of the medical records and other documents requested by the occupational therapy section. Failure to comply with paragraphs (D)(1) to (D)(7) of this rule may be grounds for disciplinary action pursuant to section 4755.11 of the Revised Code and in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(1) A license holder must respond fully and truthfully to a request for information from the occupational therapy section.

(2) A license holder must comply with a subpoena issued by the occupational therapy section.

(3) A license holder must provide information or documents within the time frame specified by the occupational therapy section.

(4) A license holder must appear and provide information at an interview requested by the occupational therapy section.

(5) A license holder must not deceive, or attempt to deceive, the occupational therapy section regarding any matter, including by altering or destroying any record or document.

(6) A license holder must not interfere with an investigation or disciplinary proceeding by willful misrepresentation of facts before the agency or the occupational therapy section, or by use of threats or harassment against any client or witness to prevent the client or witness from providing evidence in a disciplinary proceeding or any other legal action.

(7) A license holder must not refuse to provide testimony in an administrative hearing.

(E) A license holder must self report to the occupational therapy section, within thirty days, any of the items outlined in paragraphs (E)(1) to (E)(7) of this rule. Failure to comply with paragraphs (E)(1) to (E)(7) of this rule may be grounds for disciplinary action pursuant to section 4755.11 of the Revised Code and in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(1) Impairment due to abuse of or dependency on alcohol or drugs or other physical or mental illness that affects the applicant's or license holder's ability to practice with reasonable skill and safety. This reporting rquirement shall not be applicable where the applicant or license holder is a participant in the board's safe haven program and complies with the same.

(2) Conviction of a felony or invervention in lieu of a felony.

(3) Conviction of a misdemeanor when the act that constituted the misdemeanor occurred during the practice of occupational therapy.

(4) The termination, revocation, or suspension of membership by a state or national occupational therapy professional association.

(5) The termination, revocation, suspension, or sanctioning of a credential issued by a state or national professional credentialing organization.

(6) The termination, revocation, suspension, or sanctioning of a professional license in the state of Ohio or another state.

(7) A positive drug and/or alcohol screening.

(8) A finding of malpractice by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Last updated December 13, 2022 at 8:38 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4755.06
Amplifies: 4755.06 , 4755.11
Five Year Review Date: 4/1/2025
Prior Effective Dates: 10/17/1977, 5/1/2005, 8/15/2020

Rule 4755-7-10 | Required credential to indicate licensure or student status.

• Effective: May 1, 2014
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) All occupational therapists shall use the following credential following their signature to indicate licensure as an occupational therapist:

(1) "OT/L" if the occupational therapist does not hold current NBCOT certification; or

(2) "OTR/L" if the occupational therapist holds current NBCOT certification.

(B) All occupational therapy assistants shall use the following credential following their signature to indicate licensure as an occupational therapy assistant:

(1) "OTA/L" if the occupational therapy assistant does not hold current NBCOT certification; or

(2) "COTA/L" if the occupational therapy assistant holds current NBCOT certification.

(C) All student occupational therapists shall use one of the following to indicate student status:

(1) Student occupational therapist;

(2) Student OT; or

(3) S/OT.

(D) All student occupational therapy assistants shall use one of the following to indicate student status:

(1) Student occupational therapy assistant;

(2) Student OTA; or

(3) S/OTA.

Last updated October 16, 2023 at 11:07 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4755.06
Amplifies: 4755.06, 4755.11
Five Year Review Date: 4/1/2025
Prior Effective Dates: 7/1/2010