§7900. Introduction.
This article applies to the profession of occupational therapy. The general provisions for all professions contained in article one hundred thirty of this title apply to this article.
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This article applies to the profession of occupational therapy. The general provisions for all professions contained in article one hundred thirty of this title apply to this article.
The practice of the profession of occupational therapy is defined as the functional evaluation of the client, the planning and utilization of a program of purposeful activities, the development and utilization of a treatment program, and/or consultation with the client, family, caregiver or organization in order to restore, develop or maintain adaptive skills, and/or performance abilities designed to achieve maximal physical, cognitive and mental functioning of the client associated with his or her activities of daily living and daily life tasks. A treatment program designed to restore function, shall be rendered on the prescription or referral of a physician, nurse practitioner or other health care provider acting within his or her scope of practice pursuant to this title. However, nothing contained in this article shall be construed to permit any licensee hereunder to practice medicine or psychology, including psychotherapy or to otherwise expand such licensee's scope of practice beyond what is authorized by this chapter.
Only a person licensed or otherwise authorized under this title shall participate in the practice of occupational therapy as an occupational therapy assistant or use the title "occupational therapy assistant." Practice as an occupational therapy assistant shall include the providing of occupational therapy and client related services under the direction and supervision of an occupational therapist or licensed physician in accordance with the commissioner's regulations.
Only a person licensed or otherwise authorized to practice under this article shall practice occupational therapy or use the title "occupational therapist".
A state board for occupational therapy shall be appointed by the board of regents on the recommendation of the commissioner for the purpose of assisting the board of regents and the department on matters of professional licensing and professional conduct in accordance with section sixty-five hundred eight of this title. The board shall be composed of not less than six licensed occupational therapists, one licensed occupational therapy assistant, one physician, and two members of the public who are not licensed under this title. An executive secretary to the board shall be appointed by the board of regents on recommendation of the commissioner.
To qualify for a license as an occupational therapy assistant an applicant shall fulfill the following requirements:
To qualify for a license as an occupational therapist, an applicant shall fulfill the following requirements:
Permits limited as to eligibility, practice, and duration, shall be issued by the department to eligible applicants, as follows:
This article shall not be construed to affect or prevent the following, provided that no title, sign, card or device shall be used in such manner as to tend to convey the impression that the person rendering such service is a licensed occupational therapist: