• 1972- Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association seeks support for occupational therapy licensure


• 1974- Original draft of the Occupational Therapy Act is created


• 1978-1979- Adjournment of legislative body without approval of licensure bill


• Early 1980’s- Bill resubmitted and approved by majority vote of the Government Operations Committee with licensing under the Board of Healing Arts


• 1984- Motion to pass bill was approved


• 1988- First occupational therapists licensed in the state of Tennessee

• Licensure is the process by which an agency or government grants permission to persons who meet established qualifications to engage in a given occupation and use a particular title.

• Licensure means that anyone who wishes to practice a given occupation must meet certain qualifications to be licensed. Also, only those persons who are licensed may use the title of that occupation.


• Certification is the process by which a private organization or association (like AOTA) grants recognition to individuals who meet certain qualifications.


• The principle difference between licensure and certification is that licensure is administered by a public body under the mandate of the law and certification is a voluntary undertaking administered by a private organization. Licensure mandates within a state that all practicing members of a profession meet certain qualifications whereas certification is voluntary. The voluntary organization has no power to insist that all persons practicing a profession be so certified.

• Licensure first and foremost protects the public from unqualified persons providing occupational therapy services and calling themselves occupational therapists. The public is generally not prepared to judge whether or not an occupational therapist is qualified.


• Licensure also provides a legal definition of the practice of occupational therapy which public and private agencies may use to determine what is and what is not occupational therapy. A legal definition promotes consistency in the description and use of occupational therapy in state and private programs.

• Prevent or stop non qualified individuals from practicing occupational therapy or calling themselves occupational therapists.


• Protect consumers of health services from unskilled or improperly trained practitioners by assuring minimum standards of competence.


• Establish a legal definition of occupational therapy in the state.


• Establish a government mandate for uniform occupational therapy standards for use in all public and private agencies throughout the state.

Section 1: Defines Occupational Therapy as the following: Occupational Therapy is the application of occupation, any activity in which one engages for evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of problems interfering with functional performance in persons impaired by physical illness or injury, emotional disorder, congenital or developmental disability, or the aging process in order to achieve optimum functioning and for prevention and health maintenance. Specific occupational therapy services include, but are not limited to, activities of daily living (ADL); the design, fabrication, and application of splints; sensorimotor activities; the use of specifically designed crafts; guidance in the selection and use of adaptive equipment; therapeutic activities to enhance functional performance; prevocational evaluation and training; and consultation concerning the adaptation of physical environments for the handicapped. These services are provided to individuals or groups through medical, health, educational, and social systems and for the maintenance of health through these systems.

This section also defines "Occupational Therapist", Occupational Therapy Assistant", "Board’, "Association", and "Person".

Section 2: States that one must be licensed according to this act in order to call themselves an Occupational Therapist in the state of Tennessee.

Section 3: Concerns the creation of the licensure board. The Board will be composed of 5 members appointed by the Governor. Three O.T.’s, 1 O.T.A., and 1 from the general public either a doctor or a person with interests in the rights of health service consumers.

The terms include: three year, staggered terms of office with vacancies appointed by the Governor. The board is attached to the division of health-related licensure, as defined in Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 53-101, for administrative purposes. Meetings of the board are open to the public except the executive sessions to approve exams and to respond to written requests of an exam failure.

Section 4: Rules and regulations by the board are according to Tennessee Code Annotated Title 4, Chapter 5.

Section 5: Further defines the powers and duties of the board including the following; make an annual report to the Governor or appropriate state agency, establish standards for examiners and to employ a national examination for O.T.’s and O.T.A.’s and to issue certificates of fitness to the State Licensing Board for the Healing Arts.

Section 6: Discusses the requirements of the applicant including the following: good moral character, completed academic requirements of an O.T. program recognized by the board, successfully completed fieldwork experience, and pass the examinations.

*AOTA will be drafting the new COTA provisions.

Section 7: The process of how to apply for licensure is provided including covering the knowledge necessary to practice O.T. and to approve the examination and establish an acceptable performance level for O.T.’s and O.T.A.’s.

Section 8: This section includes those excluded from the licensure; licensed therapists from other states, present practitioners, and the "Grandfather" clause.

Section 9: Outlines registration and renewal of the license.

Section 10: Assures that licensure of O.T.’s will not be used to keep people out.

Section 11: Outlines the conditions of suspending or denying a license including unprofessional conduct. A hearing must be conducted according to Tennessee Code Annotated. Also includes requirements for a reinstatement.

Section 12: Includes a description of the fees, stating that they shall be sufficient to provide for the total costs of this act.

Section 13: All fees and monies that are paid to the state treasurer will become part of a general fund. Members of the board are to receive compensation for travel expenses per state regulations via the general fund.

Section 14: Discussed prohibited acts persenvancy the profession of ‘Occupational Therapy". They are not allowed the use of titles, words, or abbreviations indicating that one is licensed to practice O.T.

Section 15: Unconstitutionality of any part and what will become of the valid parts.

Section 16: Effective date.