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Occupational Therapy Group Urges Committee to Eliminate Licensing Fees for Practitioners
Summary
The Connecticut Occupational Therapy Association asked lawmakers to remove licensing fees for occupational therapists and assistants under provisions of SB 1246, saying the fees create an unfair burden and deter workforce diversity.
The Connecticut Occupational Therapy Association urged the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee on Oct. 27 to eliminate licensing fees for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants, a change proposed in sections 39 and 40 of Senate Bill 1246.
Latasha Dionne, an occupational therapy educator and representative of the association, said the organization represents more than 4,500 practitioners and asked lawmakers to explicitly include occupational therapy assistants in any fee-elimination language. "Currently, despite significant pay differences between OTs and OT assistants, we both pay the same for licensing fees, which creates an unfair financial burden on our OT assistants," Dionne said.
Dionne said licensure-related costs are a worry for students and early-career professionals and that reducing or eliminating fees could improve workforce diversity and access. She also listed other priorities for the profession, including modernizing scope of practice language, addressing low insurance reimbursement rates, and improving school workload conditions for school-based occupational therapists.
Speakers
Latasha Dionne, Occupational Therapy Educator and Representative, Connecticut Occupational Therapy Association (nonprofit professional association)
Nut graf: The association argued that eliminating licensing fees could remove a financial barrier for entry and retention in the profession, particularly for OT assistants and students, and recommended additional licensing and reimbursement reforms.
Details: Dionne asked lawmakers to ensure OT assistants are explicitly covered by fee-elimination language and noted the profession's scope-of-practice statute dates to the 1970s. She tied fee elimination to recruitment, diversity, and the ability of students to afford licensure-related costs.
Ending: The committee thanked the witness and indicated continued consideration of SB 1246's numerous provisions; no vote was taken during the hearing.
