ArizOTA Legislative Action
11/16/21 OT Compact Town Hall – Recording Available
On Tuesday, November 16, 2021, ArizOTA’s Legislative Affairs Committee hosted a virtual town hall with representatives from AOTA, NBCOT, and the Councils of State Governments (CSG) to explain the benefit of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, which, if passed, provides license reciprocity across participating states. Watch the recording by clicking below.
The OT Compact is a joint initiative of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®). The Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact legislation must be passed into law in each state where it will apply. The goal for this multi-year initiative is to begin state participation by 2024. An interstate licensing compact would:
- Allow licensed occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to practice across state lines (e.g., telehealth)
- Improve consumer access to occupational therapy
- Enhance mobility of occupational therapy practitioners (e.g., spouses of relocating military families, staff of travel therapy companies)
- Improve continuity of care
- Address competition issues raised by the Federal Trade Commission and others
- Preserve and strengthen the state licensure system
- Enhance the exchange of licensure, investigatory, and disciplinary information between member states.
See the OT Licensure Compact FAQ and visit https://otcompact.org/ for more resources and information.
What is Lobbying?
Lobbying provides education and an opportunity to build relationships with local branches of power in the house, senate, and governors office.
Purpose of Legislative Efforts
As a member of ArizOTA your best interests are being advocated for at the Legislature. Our legislative committee, in collaboration with our lobbyist (Triadvocates), is monitoring each and every bill introduced and, when necessary, engages with decisionmakers to ensure that OTs have a voice at the Capitol.
Legislative Successes
– HB2569: acception of out-of-state occupational licenses
– ARS 36-2907: coverage for outpatient occupational therapy services regardless of the age of the patient, thus including adult coverage for the first timeRecognition of Occupational Therapy to provide Outpatient services for adults over 21.
-Annual OT Hill Day
Legislative Updates
To find out the latest legislative updates affecting OT’s in the state of Arizona click below. Member content only.
ArizOTA hires a lobbying group to assist with legislative affairs. Tri-advocates is the lobbying group that is used. For more information on Tri-Advocates, please visit their website at http://triadvocates.com
