326-C:5 Eligibility for Licensure. –
I. An applicant shall possess the following qualifications to be licensed:
(a) Be at least 17 years of age.
(b) Be of good moral character.
(c) Successfully complete an academic program in occupational therapy accredited by the American Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or its successor organization or be certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc., or its successor organization.
(d) Successfully complete a period, as specified in paragraph II, of supervised field work experience approved by the educational institution where the applicant met his or her academic requirements, or be certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc., or its successor organization.
(e) Successfully complete the entry level certification examination for occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants approved by the board, such as the examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. or by another nationally recognized credentialing body.
(f) If passing the required examination more than one year before submitting the application for licensure, meet the continuing competency requirements established by the board in rules adopted pursuant to RSA 541-A.
II. A minimum of 6 months of supervised fieldwork experience is required for licensure as an occupational therapist, and a minimum of 2 months of supervised fieldwork experience is required for licensure as an occupational therapy assistant.
III. The board may, upon notice and opportunity for a hearing, deny an application for initial licensure or issue a conditional license. The board may, upon notice and opportunity for a hearing, deny an application for reinstatement of a license or reinstate the license with conditions. Conditions imposed may include a requirement for continuing education, practice under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist, or any other condition set forth in the section addressing conditional licenses in RSA 328-F.
IV. No person shall practice occupational therapy in this state unless licensed under this chapter, provided that nothing in this chapter shall be construed to restrict a person licensed under any law of this state from engaging in the profession or practice for which that person is licensed.
Source. 2003, 310:1, eff. July 1, 2003. 2023, 37:4, eff. July 18, 2023.