Overview

The North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy was Established by the 1984 session of the N. C. General Assembly.   The first Board meeting was held in September 1985 and licenses began being issued in 1986.

"The North Carolina Occupational Therapy Practice Act is enacted to safeguard the public health, safety and welfare, to protect the public from being harmed by unqualified persons, to assure the highest degree of professional care and conduct on the part of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants, to provide for the establishment of standards of education, and to insure the availability of Occupational Therapy services of high quality to persons in need of such services. It is the purpose of this law to provide for the regulation of persons offering Occupational Therapy services to the public."

Board Composition:

Members are appointed by the Governor for four year staggered terms. Members are chosen to represent different practice settings and experience.  There are:

• Three (3) OT/Ls
• One (1) OTA/L
• One (1) Public Member
• One (1) Medical Doctor
• One (1) Counselor, Educator or School-Based Professional Member

The Board has an administrative staff that consists of a Legal Advisor, an Administrator and other Administrative Assistants. 

Licenses Issued: 

•  6685 (OT/L and OTA/L) licenses have been issued through 10/12/07.

The Board meets at least 6 times a year. The meetings are held on the 3rd Monday every other month. The Meeting schedule is posted in the Directory of Licensed Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants in North Carolina. The schedule is subject to change with proper notification made to the Secretary of State. The meetings are open to the public.

1. Supervision of Occupational Therapy Assistants
2. Supervision of unlicensed personnel 

1. Licensing Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants
2. Renewing the licenses of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants
3. Reviewing continuing education requirements and submittals
4. Reviewing and updating documents and procedures to implement the Occupational Therapy Practice Act, Rules and Guidelines
5. Answering practice questions
6. Responding to and investigating complaints involving Occupational Therapy personnel
7. Reviewing and investigating various infractions by Occupational Therapy personnel
8. Disciplinary actions