Approval of Continuing Education
Preapproval of continued competency:
Preapproval is not required but is suggested for uncertain topics or content. Licensees and continuing education providers may submit continuing education courses to the board for pre-approval. Please submit a request and a copy of the brochure or agenda by email or mail.
Continuing Education includes:
Board-approved continued competency may include but not be limited to workshops, conferences, seminars, or programs sponsored or presented by AOTA, NBCOT, NDOTA, or approved by NDSBOTP.
Presentations by licensees at inservices, conferences are eligible for continued competency and may only be counted once. There is no limited on hours that may be earned. Presentations for community organizations have a limit of 8 hours.
Formal academic coursework related to occupational therapy is acceptable for hours. One or two credit hour class is equal to five contact hours. A three or four credit hour class is equal to 10 contact hours. Submit a copy of transcript showing completion of courses with the renewal application. Those who graduated within the current two-year licensing period may use their academic coursework as continued competency for the upcoming renewal.
Authoring a professional publication such as a book, chapter, article, training manual or research may be approved by the Board. See Administrative Code 55.5-02-01-04(6d) for more information.
Formal self-study courses with a completion certificate. This includes homestudy and online courses. There is no limit on hours that may be earned.
Fieldwork supervision is now acceptable for hours. This must be direct supervision of an OT student doing level II fieldwork. The licensee must be the main supervisor and the supervision cannot be the primary responsibility of employment. A record of the students supervised and dates and times of supervision and a certification of the supervision from the OT program must be submitted to receive credit. No more than twelve hours may be earned.
Professional leadership, including Board or association position or item writing for NBCOT exam, may count for six hours.
Employer-based education programs with measurable learning outcomes at least one hour in length. No more than six hours may be earned.
The following will not be accepted for credit:
CPR/First Aid General Safety/Infection Control/Fire Safety
Committee meetings Word processing classes
General computer classes Volunteering
Entertainment & Recreation
