AB 959

Under current law, occupational therapists and occupational therapy

assistants are licensed by the Occupational Therapists Affiliated Credentialing

Board. An affiliated credentialing board is defined as a body that is attached to an

examining board to regulate a profession that does not practice independently of, or

that practices in collaboration with, the profession regulated by the examining

board.

The Occupational Therapists Affiliated Credentialing Board is attached to the

Medical Examining Board and, with the advice of the Medical Examining Board, sets

standards of professional competence and conduct for occupational therapists and

occupational therapy assistants, assesses qualifications and grants credentials, and

takes disciplinary actions.

This bill changes the Occupational Therapists Affiliated Credentialing Board

to the Occupational Therapy Examining Board. Except that the board will no longer

be attached to or advised by the Medical Examining Board, the Occupational

Therapy Examining Board's duties and responsibilities remain the same under the

bill.