Board of Occupational Therapy Practice

Welcome to the website of the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR), an agency within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. We appreciate your visit to our site and we look forward to assisting you. OPOR’s Gardiner office is open to the public from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. While you are welcome to visit our offices, for faster service, we encourage you to take advantage of our many online services.

To ensure that someone is available to assist you, we recommend that you schedule an appointment in advance.Please contact us by email or by phone or through our other online services, and we will assist you. After making an appointment, click on this link for directions.

 

You may follow this link to the Secretary of State's office to view a list of board members. Members of the public should not contact board members with questions or comments.  All questions, comments or any other board-related matters must be directed to the Board Staff; (207) 624-8624

Purpose

The Board of Occupational Therapy Practice was established to protect the public through the regulation of the practice of occupational therapy in Maine.

The primary responsibilities of the Board is to examine and license qualified applicants, to promulgate rules defining qualifications and professional standards of practitioners, to investigate complaints against licensees and to take appropriate disciplinary action against noncompliance with its statute and rules.

 

Notice Regarding License Verification Requests (PDF)

Note: Correspondence from the Board of Occupational Therapy will be sent to you by email, so please be sure to keep your contact information current. Follow this link to verify your contact information.

Are You a Mandated Reporter?

Maine law requires that medical, mental health and social services personnel immediately report or cause a report to be made to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) when the provider knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that an incapacitated or dependent adult has been or is likely to be abused or neglected or that a suspicious incapacitated or dependent adult death has occurred - MRS § 22 c 958-A 

Public Law 2023 c. 36 LD 35 which was signed into law April 23, 2023, "An Act to Establish Adult Protective Services Training Requirements for Professionals Mandated to report Suspected Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation to Enhance Protection of Incapacitated and Dependent Adults" now requires mandated reporter training at least once every four years.

DHHS Mandated Reporter for Adult Protective Services (APS) Training Module Website

 

 

What's New

Rulemaking Information

Adopted Board Rules Chapter 4, License Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements; Reinstatement (PDF) Effective April 3, 2023.

The amended version of Chapter 3: Licensure by Endorsement (PDF) became effective January 25, 2023. 

The amended version of Chapter 7: Code of Ethics (PDF) became effective January 25, 2023.

 

TELEHEALTH: On June 21, 2021, the Governor signed LD 791, An Act Regarding Telehealth Regulations, into law as P.L. 2021, c. 291.  This emergency legislation became effective immediately and authorizes licensees of the board to provide services via telehealth, subject to all applicable laws and rules governing confidentiality, professional responsibility and standards of practice.  The board will be adopting more specific rules governing telehealth services.  Please use the “GET NOTIFIED” link below if you would like to be notified of proposed rulemaking and other board news, information and updates.  Notice of proposed rules will also be advertised in the Maine Secretary of State weekly rulemaking notice and in newspapers in the state, as well as posted on the board’s webpage. 

AMENDMENT TO OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY STATUTES:  On October 18, 2021, LD 1646, “An Act to Amend the Occupational Therapy Licensing Statutes,” became effective as P.L. 2021, c. 278.  This legislation amends the definition of “occupational therapy” such that it is similar to the American Occupational Therapy Association’s (“AOTA”) model act definition, adopted in 2011.  The legislation also provides that as a condition of renewal of a license, the board shall prescribe by rule continuing education requirements as authorized under Title 10, section 8003, subsection 5-A, paragraph D.  The board will be adopting more specific rules governing continuing education requirements.  Please use the “GET NOTIFIED” link if you would like to be notified of proposed rulemaking and other board news, information and updates.  Notice of proposed rules will also be advertised in the Maine Secretary of State weekly rulemaking notice and in newspapers in the state, as well as posted on the board’s webpage.

Laws/Statutory

2021 Public Law Chapter 324 (LD 31) "An Act to Adopt the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact" (PDF)

           The Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact allows eligible licensed occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants an alternative method for providing services in other member states. If you are interested in learning more about the OT Compact please use the following link: https://otcompact.org/ot-compact-commission/

For information on rulemaking efforts involving The Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact please use the following link: https://otcompact.org/ot-compact-commission/rulemaking/

The OTCC Executive and Rules Committees (otcompact.orgwould like to thank everyone who provided comments during the public comment period (closed Dec. 8, 2023) regarding the draft Rule on Definitions and draft Rule on Data System. The Rule on Definition public comments were reviewed during the December 19, 2023 Rules Committee meeting, at which time this response was drafted and approved. The Rules Committee reviewed the public comments received regarding the Rule on Data System. That discussion will resume during the January 16, 2024 Rules Committee meeting, at which time an official response will be approved.

The OTCC would like to invite the public to provide feedback regarding the draft OTCC Bylaws (linked here) which were updated in December 2023. The public comment period for the draft OTCC Bylaws is from December 26, 2023 – January 26, 2024. Please send an email toAmanda@asmii.net with your feedback.

Board Notices

NOTICE CONCERNING DELIVERY OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY LICENSES
Occupational Therapy licenses are now delivered to licensees via email. The email sender is displayed as "noreply@maine.gov" and the subject as "YOUR OFFICIAL (license type) LICENSE IS ATTACHED". Paper licenses will NOT be mailed to licensees with an email address on file with the Board.
You have the opportunity to update your contact information when you renew your license online or you may update your email address and other contact information anytime here.