State of Oregon: Occupational Therapy Licensing Board

339-020-0010 CE Requirements for Current Licensees

(1) All current licensees shall obtain a minimum of 30 points of CE from Board approved categories during the two years immediately preceding the date of the license renewal;

(2) Maintenance of current NBCOT Certification (National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy) may be used to satisfy the requirements for CE under subsection (1) of this rule but may not be used to satisfy the cultural competency CE requirements of OAR 339-020-0025 or the <(1 hour)> pain management CE requirements of OAR 339-020-0015.

Check to see if your NBCOT certification is current:

https://www.nbcot.org/

There is also a mandatory legislative 1 hour Cultural Competency CE requirement (see Cultural Competency tab) for due for ALL licensees.

CE Category and Points

339-020-0020 CE Categories and Points

These numbers refer to a two year total of 30 points. Credit for CE shall be calculated on a point basis in the following categories and must relate to occupational therapy services. It is the responsibility of the licensee to demonstrate how specific classes contribute to the development of the occupational therapy skills. "Application to OT Services" (CE Log) must be included for credit. Unless stated otherwise, one point equals one contact hour. Sixteen to 30 required CE points must come from categories 1-10. A limit of 14 of the required CE points may be accrued from categories 11-18, unless noted otherwise.

(1) Attendance at university, college or vocational technical adult education courses at or above practice level: Four points per credit hour. Documentation of successful completion required.

(2) Attendance at seminars, workshops, or institutes: One point per direct hour of content.

(3) Completion of online educational courses: Points as awarded by certificate or per credit, see (1). Certificate of successful completion required.

(4) Satisfactory completion of educational activities relating to occupational therapy approved by the AOTA Approved Provider Program, sponsored by OTAO, AOTA and NBCOT or professional academic institutions relating to occupational therapy: One point per hour of attendance. Certificate of attendance required.

(5) Publication -- Copy of publications required.

(a) Publication of article in non-peer reviewed publication (e.g. OT Practice, SIS Quarterly, Advance, etc.): Five points per article.

(b) Publication of article in peer-reviewed professional publication (e.g. journals, book chapter, research paper): Ten points per article.

(d) Authoring a book related to the practice of occupational therapy. 14 points.

(6) Professional presentation (person presenting): Presentation must be at practice level for credit, e.g. CNA training would not be acceptable: Two points per hour with no additional points for subsequent presentation of same content. Course outline must be provided.

(7) Development of alternative media (computer software, video or app): Three points/hr of finished product. Outline required.

(8) Completing requirements for occupational therapy specialty certification (initial or recertification one time only for each specialty): 12 points. Copy of certificate required.

(9) Research, provided an abstract of the research is retained to prove participation: Principal -- Eight points. Associate -- Six points.

(10) Development and implementation of a school approved Level II student program (one time only and completed within a year): Four points. Copy of program must be provided.

(11) In-service training: One point per hour of attendance.

(12) Attendance at videotaped presentations of educational courses, seminars, workshops or institutes (group viewing with discussion): One-half point per direct hour of viewing with additional points for discussion, not to exceed seven points.

(13) Student supervision, Level I: One point per student. (Up to 4 points).

(14) Level II Fieldwork and Doctorate student supervision, OT Experiential level work: One point for 8 hours of supervision. (Up to 14 points).

(15) Mentoring; as defined in OAR-339-010-0005(5): One point for every eight hours contract mentoring with documentation. Points may be obtained for both the mentor and the mentee.

(16) Professional leadership on a Board or Commission relating to OT -- Volunteer services to organizations, populations, and individuals that advance the reliance on and use of one's occupational therapy skills and experiences to the volunteer setting or experience: 10 hours equal two points. Up to four points a year with documentation.

(17) Re-Entry Supervisors: Therapists providing supervision under OAR 339-010-0016: One point for 8 hours.

(18) Personal Development/Self Care: Up to four points.

CE Audits / CE Log Forms

CE Audits:

Per OAR 339-020-0080 (2), the Board has the authority to audit license renewals for compliance with the Division 20 Continuing Education requirement.

Starting with 2022 renewals, Licensees will be required to upload their 30 points of CE into their renewal and describe how the course relates to their practice. If you are selected for the random audit,you will be notified and your CE that has been uploaded will be reviewed by the board.

The Board will send you a return email verifying the review and acceptance of your CE.

Note: Failure to timely respond to the board request or those found to be not in compliance will be subject to disciplinary action by the Board.

You are required to retain your original CE certificates for 4 years from the date of the certificate.

CE Terminology - CEU / PDU / Points

CE TERMINOLOGY:

10 contact hours is 1 CEU. **

**AOTA refers to CEUs and NBCOT refers to PDUs. PDUs weigh classes higher with education provided by AOTA or an AOTA approved provider.

The Oregon Licensing Board requires 30 CE points.

In the Administrative Rules: 1 contact hour is equal to 1 point, but can vary based on the category of CE.

If it's an online course, points as awarded by the certificate. .2 contact hours would equal 2 points, etc.

Mentorship

Mentorship

Under OAR 339-020-0020(16) in order to receive mentorship CE credit, a written mentorship agreement must be signed by both parties, the mentor and the mentee, including a description of the planned and collaborative experience and the goals to be achieved under the plan. Points may be obtained for both the mentor and the mentee. One point is give for each eight hours of contract mentoring with the documentation.

OTLB DOCUMENTATION OF MENTORSHIP.pdf

The definition of mentorship is found under OAR 339-010-0005(5) which states:

339-010-0005 Definitions (see (5) below)
(1) "Supervision," is a process in which two or more people participate in a joint effort to promote, establish, maintain and/or evaluate a level of performance. The occupational therapist is responsible for the practice outcomes and documentation to accomplish the goals and objectives. Levels of supervision:
(a) "Close supervision" requires daily, direct contact in person at the work site;
(b) "Routine supervision" requires the supervisor to have direct contact in person at least every two weeks at the work site with interim supervision occurring by other methods, such as telephone or written communication.
(c) "General supervision" requires the supervisor to have at least monthly direct contact in person with the supervisee at the work site with supervision available as needed by other methods.
(2) "Leisure," as it is used in ORS 675.210(3) means occupational behavior that is developed as part of an individual occupational therapy evaluation and treatment process. This process is goal oriented toward the maximum health of the patient by the interaction of self-care, work and leisure, and is not used as an isolated recreation activity. The use in this way does not include leisure activities as used by therapeutic recreation specialists.
(3) "Licensed occupational therapy practitioner," for purposes of these rules, means an individual who holds a current occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant license.
(4) "Occupational therapy aide," as it is used in OAR 339-010-0055, means an unlicensed worker who is assigned by the licensed occupational therapy practitioner to perform selected tasks.
(5) "Mentorship," as it is used in these rules, is a collaborative experience of direct contact between currently licensed occupational therapy practitioners for the purpose of updating professional skills. Mentorship may include, but is not limited to, mentee observation of the mentor's practice, classroom work, case review and discussion, and review and discussion of professional literature.

Under Oregon CE rules you can obtain credit. If you are NBCOT certified you automatically met the state CE requirement, so you may want to check the NBCOT guidelines at their website: www.nbcot.org.

Since the Oregon board adopted Telehealth rules, they can also be used to help with mentoring situations in distance situations when there are no local therapists available.

No Pre-approval of CE

No Pre-approval of CE

The Board does not pre-approve CE. Licensees should look to the CE definition and determine whether the courses relate to OT practice and be prepared to demonstrate how the credit relates if requested.

You will have no problem if your continuing education comes from educational sessions relating to occupational therapy sponsored by OTAO, AOTA, AOTA approved providers, and NBCOT or professional academic institutions relating to occupational therapy. You can receive one point per hour of attendance, with documentation.

Waivers / Extension for CE

Waiver / Extension for CE

The Board may, in individual cases involving physical disability or illness, or undue hardship, grant waivers of the minimum CE requirements or extensions of time within which to fulfill the same or make required reports. Applications for waivers shall be made to the Board in writing at least two months prior to license expiration. If you are requesting a waiver for medical reasons, you must provide letter from treating physician.

Some requests approved by the Board:

Extended illness
Death in the family
Pregnancy complications

Some requests not approved:

High cost of CE
Inconvenience
Isolation, difficult to obtain CE

Advice on CE

Advice on Continuing Education

All licensees current on their NBCOT certification automatically meet the CE requirement in Oregon. If you are not current on your NBCOT certification, you must have 30 points of CE within 2 years of your date of renewal.

Information on the 30 points of CE:

NEW: All Licensees who are not current on their NBCOT certification will now be required to upload your 30 points of completion certificates into the renewal.
Do not leave it for the last minute. Most practitioners get more than the required 30 points.
If you have over the required 30 points in the last licensing period and obtained it in March, April or May, you can use these points for the next renewal period. You cannot use CE from March, April, May twice, so if you used these CE points for the previous renewal, you cannot use them again.
CE must be specifically related to your OT practice and be at practice level.
NEW: Licenses are required to explain how the CE course relates to your practice on the renewal.
Any annual training for your job, universal precautions common health care safety training (CPR) is not accepted as CE for your OT/OTA license.
CE on emerging practice: must have evidence-based support in addition to the completion certificates to count.
Management: The Board recognizes that enhancing professional skills, although not clinically based in terms of patient care, demands more in terms of management so educational management courses will be approved.
Medicare training may be approved depending on documentation and how it is related to OT.
In services: Keep track of the information required, the date, who provided it and how it specifically related to OT at the practice level. If your facility does not do this then you must obtain the documentation.
CE for an in-service given by an OT Assistant at a facility on testing is not approved for an OT. Why? The OT Assistant's scope of practice in gather testing information and the in-service on this may be appropriate CE for an OT Assistant. However, an OT cannot get CE for the Assistant's in-service since it is not at practice level for the OT. The OT Assistant cannot interpret data since this would be beyond the OT Assistant's scope of practice
CE on self-care is now accepted. 339-020-0020 (18)
You are required by rule to keep your CE information for four years. 339-020-0080 (2)
You will notified by the Board if you are selected for a random CE audit.
For the full list of CE Category and points: click here
Contact us if you have questions. Otlb.info@otlb.oregon.gov

CE Courses

In order to provide a service to applicants and occupational therapists, the board will give information on some upcoming CE events. We try to let you know of any free events that are coming up. Always confirm with the facility putting on the event.

Occupational Therapy Association of Oregon (OTAO): For events and CE put on by your state Association go to their web site at www.otao.com The OTAO Annual Conference is held annually in October.

You can find listings by going to: www.otao.com and clicking on: Calendar.

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Pacific University:

Pacific University School of Occupational Therapy invites you to check periodically for Continuing Education events sponsored exclusively by the School of Occupational Therapy at Pacific University College of Health Professions.

Pacific University offers an online program to earn a Graduate Certificate in Gerontology. You may also earn a MHA along with the Gerontology certificate. The two programs are now combined for this option. In addition, you may take a Gerontology course as an elective for continuing education. Options include:
1. GERO 625 Aging and Health Disparity (fall)
2. GERO 550 Aging Brain and Body (fall)
3. GERO 525 Health Literacy and Communication (spring)
4. GERO 575 Dementia and Memory (spring)

Each course is 7 weeks.

Please visit: https://www.pacificu.edu/future-graduate-professional/colleges/college-health-professions/areas-study/gerontology

Contact Linda Hunt 503 803 3963 or lhunt@pacificu.edu for more information

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FREE 1 CEU-OTLB Ethics and Law Exam. If you have not already taken the Ethics and Law Exam and you are already licensed in Oregon, you can earn 1 free CEU. See Law/Ethics exam under Applicants. The Board will receive your score automatically. Take the exam and then send an email to OTLB.Info@state.or.us and confirm with the Board.

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Providence Rehabilitation Continuing Education: A wide range of continuing education classes are available to all physical and occupational therapists. You need to check if there is a charge.

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AOTA FREE CE - COVID 19 - Available to non-members and members.

https://www.aota.org/Conference-Events/Coronavirus-COVID19.aspx

Check AOTA's COVID-19 & OT Online CE series page to register and see all available programs. Earn up to 1.5 contact hours per session. Webinars will be live-tweeted using #COVID19andOT and available on the AOTA Store within 24 hours of the live event.

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FREE CE for SCHOOL THERAPISTS - through RSOI:

https://www.smore.com/aeb94-echo-ties-2019-2020

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American Society of Agency: inexpensive and free online CE:

https://www.asaging.org/web-seminars

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OccupationalTherapy.com; Unlimited CE for $99, AOTA approved provider: http://www.occupationaltherapy.com/general/welcome-oregon-occupational-therapists

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Aspire OT is a continuing education company exclusively for occupational therapy practitioners. AOTA Approved Provider.

https://www.aspireoted.com

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OSU College of Pharmacy: Cultural Competence and Preventing Health Disparaties - 2 hrs of CC CE

Visit: https://oregon-state-pharmacy-ce.catalog.instructure.com/browse/cultural-competence/courses/

cultural-competence

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Professional development related to telehealth ethics is of particular interest given the number of OT practitioners who transitioned quickly to a telehealth service delivery model in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the importance of this topic, we are offering a one-hour webinar on Monday, June 29 from 7:00 – 8:00 PM EDT to share our expertise on this topic. The webinar, Telehealth in OT: Balancing Opportunity with Ethical Considerations, will be presented by Drs. Jana Cason and Melanie Criss, who have over 23 years of combined telehealth experience and are internationally recognized telehealth experts.

We would like to extend a special discount code for licensees who register for TelehealthShare's telehealth ethics course. During the registration process, individuals who use the code ETHICS10 will receive a 10% discount on their registration. For more information: (https://telehealthshare.com/telehealthethics-brochure) and registration link (https://telehealthshare.com/telehealth-ethics-webinar-1)

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Building Foundations "Cross Cultural Care: A Person-Centered Approach":

A person-centered approach to cross-cultural care. Interactive exercises and case-vignettes create an engaging course that covers: core cultural competency concepts; common issues, such as mistrust and communication styles; language and interpreters; health literacy; health beliefs; and cross-cultural negotiation.

1 CEU point

Cost: $55

Access via the web-24 hours a day, 7 days a week

http://www.qualityinteractions.com/course-catalog

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Free 1 hour course offering on www.OnlineCE.com. The course is 1 hour, audiovisual format, and titled “An Overview of CTS".

OnlineCE.com is offering a 36 hour course bundle of CE for $136.80 which is less than $4.00 a credit hour. OnlineCE.com is an AOTA Approved Provider and CE can be used for state license renewal and NBCOT renewal.

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Diversity in Healthcare For OT: https://myaota.aota.org/shop_aota/prodview.aspx?PID=321678717&SKU=OL4986&TYPE=D

Earn .3 AOTA CEU (3.75 NBCOT PDU/3 contact hours)

Description:
The changing demographics and economics of our growing multicultural world, and the long-standing disparities in the health status of people from culturally diverse backgrounds has challenged health care providers including OT's and OTAs as well as organizations to consider cultural diversity as a priority. Care is not a "one size fits all" approach, each client presents unique care giving needs, symptomology and background. In addition, each client presents unique cultural needs that can profoundly impact health care decisions. Practitioners must consider: Are there certain types of interventions that are prohibited based on spiritual beliefs? Are there education barriers that might impede a patient's understanding of his/her health care needs? Are there any misunderstandings or myths based on cultural histories that might impact an individual's choice to seek health care?

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Board does not endorse any specific CE classes, though the CE approved by AOTA is automatically accepted.