Important Information from Your VOTA President
March 27, 2017

There is a lot happening in the profession of occupational therapy as we celebrate 100 years!

I have great news to report on the House Bill that our lobbyists have been working tirelessly on for VOTA.  The Governor has signed HB 1484 into law!  The Virginia Board of Medicine will amend its regulations accordingly.  This has been an exciting legislative session for our profession in Virginia this year!   Below is a summary of the bill as it passed. 

Board of Medicine to amend regulations governing licensure of occupational therapists to specify Type 1 continuous learning activities. Directs the Board of Medicine to amend regulations governing licensure of occupational therapists to provide that Type 1 continuing learning activities that shall be completed by the practitioner prior to renewal of a license 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: the Virginia Occupational Therapy Association; the American Occupational Therapy Association; the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy; a local, state, or federal government agency; a regionally accredited college or university; or a 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. Such regulations shall also provide that Type 1 continuing learning activities may also include an American Medical Association Category 1 Continuing Medical Education program. The bill further provides that the Board of Medicine shall not deem maintenance of any certification provided by such organization as sufficient to fulfill continuing learning requirements for occupational therapists.

Thank you to everyone who contacted their representatives as we worked to get both bills passed. Stay tuned this week for more email updates as many of head to the AOTA Annual Conference in Philadelphia!  We will be having some meet-ups, so stay tuned!  I hope to see many of you there!

Sincerely,

Erin Clemens, OTR/L, BCP, CIMI
President, Virginia Occupational Therapy Association

erin@pediatricachievements.com