As of July 1st, 2024 the most recent Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses Rules for the Licensure of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants went into effect, after Governor Brad Little signed the updated rule chapter into law this past legislative session.
The goal of Zero Base Regulation was to streamline the rule chapter, with multiple updates, including updating the definition of supervision of occupational therapy assistants, as well as what constitutes accepted continuing education to meet the renewal cycle requirement.
The following is taken directly from personal email communication with Jan Arrasmith, Executive Office and Board Services Manager at DOPL including the Occupational Therapy Licensure Board, dated June 24th, 2024, as she outlines key updates regarding continuing education requirements and clarification for occupational therapy practitioners using DPAMS:
‘’As the rules have just went through the Zero Base Regulation review and were passed during the 2024 legislative session, they will be implemented on July 1, 2024. As licensees submit continuing education, there will be some enforcement discretion because of the rule changes and implementation date.
The revised section for continuing education says:
03. Continuing Education. Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants must complete and maintain proof of completion of ten (10) hours of germane continuing education each year during the licensee’s renewal cycle. Proof of completion must be provided to the board upon request and must include the licensee’s name, date of activity or when the course was completed, provider name, course title, description of course/activity, and number of contact hours.
Unless prohibited in law or rule, as to whether something falls within the scope of practice is whether the practitioner has the education, training, and experience necessary to perform the task.
If the act is not specifically prohibited, the licensee should consider whether:
- The act is consistent with the licensee’s education, training, or practice experience; and
- Performance of the act is within the accepted standard of care that would be provided in a similar setting by a reasonable and prudent licensee with similar education, training, and experience.
If DPAMS is a skill requiring extra education, training, and experience, a licensee would want to obtain the certificate to document their education and training for performing the skill, even though DOPL does not mandate submitting the certificate.’’
You can access the updated rule chapter at the link here.
As a reminder, it is not legally the role of the Idaho Occupational Therapy Association to provide interpretation of the Idaho Rules for the Licensure of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants, nor the Idaho Occupational Therapy Practice Act, as that is the strict role of the DOPL Occupational Therapy Licensure Board. All questions from licensees regarding the rule chapter or scope of practice can be directed to, email OCT@dopl.idaho.gov or phone (208) 334-3233.
The Idaho Occupational Therapy Association Executive Board continues a close relationship with the DOPL Occupational Therapy Licensure Board and will advocate for our scope of practice and to ensure that the licensure rules protect both the public of Idaho and promote best practice for occupational therapy.