Continued Competency – what does it all mean?

By now, occupational therapists in PA are well aware that in order to renew their license in 2015, occupational therapists will have to certify on their renewal applications that they have completed 24 contact hours in a minimum of two acceptable continued competency activities.

The regulations were many, many years in the making and have been strongly supported by the American Occupational Therapy Association with many states and other professions in PA looking to follow our lead. The regulations encourage engagement in the profession and enable therapists to tailor their continued competence profile to their unique experience as an Occupational Therapist. Watch the Pennsylvania Bulletin for more information as these proposed regulations move through their legislative journey.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Why 24?
• Why isn’t continuing education alone sufficient?
• What are the acceptable activities?
• What about activities that are not acceptable, like independent readings, watching tapes/CDs, and learning without assessment, is there no way to receive credit for the information learned in these activities?
• How does the Board’s requirements differ from National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy’s (NBCOT) 36 professional development units (PDUs)?

Stay tuned for answers to these questions!