House approves Occupational Therapy compact package to ease licensing across states

The Michigan House on May 13 approved two bills that enable the state to enter the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, measures supporters said will ease licensing barriers for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants across state lines.

"These bills enable Michigan to enter into the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact and will allow Occupational Therapists and occupational therapy assistants who are licensed in any state in the compact to practice as if licensed in every state in the compact," Representative Rogers said while urging members to vote for House Bills 4103 and 4104.

Proponents framed the package as a workforce tool. Representative Rogers, who said she practices as a physical therapist part-time, told colleagues the state faces shortages of occupational therapists that can delay patient discharges and increase hospital costs. The bills were described as already adopted by about 30 other states, and supporters said the compact can assist military families and residents in border or underserved areas, including Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Both bills were placed on immediate passage and passed on recorded roll-call votes. The clerk announced a final tally of 104 ayes and 2 nays on House Bill 4103; House Bill 4104 passed by the same reported margin.

Discussion vs. decision: the floor debate focused on workforce shortages and the compact’s benefits for licensure portability; formal action consisted of motions to place the bills on immediate passage and recorded roll-call votes approving both measures.

The transcript did not specify implementation timelines or the administrative steps required for Michigan to join the interstate compact; supporters said compact privileges begin once the compact’s activation thresholds are met in member states.