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Practice-related Information

Physical Agent Modalities (Dry Needling)

The Board does not regulate or require certification for OT's performing specific modalities, including dry needling. It is the responsibility of the OT to be proficient in the specific modality he/she is practicing. Should a complaint or lawsuit arise involving an OT's application of a specific modality, the OT would be responsible for proving his/her proficiency and appropriateness of application of the modality.

Telehealth

Telehealth, also known as Telemedicine, is the use of medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications to improve a patient’s clinical health status.
(1) AOTA defines Telehealth as the application of evaluative, consultative, preventative, and therapeutic services delivered through telecommunication and information technologies.
(2) North Dakota uses federal definitions for "internet" and "practice of telemedicine" set in the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008.
(3) Telemedicine means the practice of medicine by a practitioner, other than a pharmacist, who is at a location remote from the patient, and is communicating with the patient, or health care professional who is treating the patient, using a telecommunications system.
(4) Telehealth is a service delivery model that allows an occupational therapy practitioner to deliver evaluation, treatment, and consultation through telecommunication and information technologies overcoming distance, transportation expenses, and patient access barriers.

Telehealth is not a separate service. It is a medium to deliver care. Occupational Therapy practitioners must adhere to the same standards as expected for on-site service delivery. An occupational therapy practitioner is required to be licensed in North Dakota if the practitioner provides occupational therapy services to a client who is in North Dakota. The location of the patient at the time of the patient service encounter determines the location of the service. If the patient is located in North Dakota at the time of the patient service, the therapist/assistant must be licensed in North Dakota. If the therapists/assistant is connecting with a patient located in another State at the time of the patient encounter, the therapist must be licensed in that State.

For more information, you may review the full Telehealth for OT practice statement from the ND Board. 

Resources Updated: 1/30/2017 2:45:55 PM
Page Updated: 3/21/2022 11:40:01 AM