Continued Competency – What are the acceptable activities?

For OTs licensed in PA, there are 7 classes of acceptable activities. Each activity has certain guidelines and requirements.   

1. Distance and in-person education programs

Attending continuing education programming either in person or via online formats. Therapists can attend approved programs or seek approval for programs that are not already approved by the board. The proposed approved list is extensive, and employers may seek approval so that in-house education programs related to practice may be used for credit.

2.  Professional writing about occupational therapy and related topics

This includes writing articles in peer-reviewed journals such as the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, etc.  It also includes writing a book or a chapter in a book. Occupational therapists can receive credit (without spending any money) for writing an article in a non-peer-reviewed publications/journal such as Penn Point, OT Practice, an employer-generated newsletter, etc.  The only restriction is that the topic must be related to occupational therapy.

3.  Editing or reviewing articles and books

This includes editing or reviewing articles for peer-reviewed journals, such as the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, and non-peer reviewed writings. Alternatively, occupational therapists can receive credit for reviewing books or book chapters for publishers prior to a book’s publication.  Any editing or reviewing activities must be related to occupational therapy topics.  Documentation from the publisher is required to verify competence in this activity.

4. Unpaid service

The PA OT Board added a class for occupational therapy-related volunteering. An example of such service could include offering assistance to a day care related to increasing hand coordination, or serving on a board to enable a museum to better serve individuals with disabilities.

5. Fieldwork supervision

Therapists will receive credit for supervising both level I and level II fieldwork students — 1 contact hour for supervising a level I student and 3 contact hours for supervising a level II student.

6. Mentorships

Therapists earn credit toward competences by engaging in documented mentoring relationships  as either a mentor or a protégé and in professional study groups. Mentorship and study group participation is not limited to relationships between occupational therapists. Therapists can engage in mentorship relationships and study groups with physicians, psychologists, and other professionals who enhance competence in a specific related area.

7. Presentations and instruction

Therapists can provide presentations and instruction at both peer-reviewed and non-peer reviewed venues. Therapists can present at venues related to occupational therapy and outside of the discipline. Therapists are not able to receive credit toward competence when the presentation or instruction is a component of the therapist’s primary work role.