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Committee advances occupational therapy compact to ease licensing delays for practitioners and military families
Summary
House Bill 81 would adopt the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact to let occupational therapists and assistants obtain multistate practice privileges. Supporters said the compact reduces licensing delays, helps military spouses and improves access in rural areas; the committee gave the bill a due pass.
The House Health & Human Services Committee approved House Bill 81, which would adopt the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact and permit occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in member states to practice across state lines through a compact privilege.
Testimony came from practicing occupational therapists, educators and the Department of Defense, which told the committee the compact supports military families by reducing licensing and employment interruptions after relocations. Occupational therapists described the administrative burden of obtaining separate state licenses and maintaining differing continuing-education requirements.
Supporters also said the compact would help address statewide workforce needs by allowing telepractice and rapid deployment of practitioners to underserved areas. The New Mexico Occupational Therapy Association presented the compact as a mutual-recognition model that includes criminal-background checks and primary-source license verification.
Representative Eleanor Chavez moved and Representative Sena Cortez seconded a motion to recommend a due pass; on roll call the committee recorded affirmative votes and advanced the bill.
