LSBME occupational therapy advisory committee adopts minor rule edits, approves three licensure waivers

The Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME) Occupational Therapy Advisory Committee met via Zoom on Jan. 31, 2025 and moved forward on a series of technical changes to proposed occupational therapy rules and on three individual licensure waivers decided in executive session.

The committee reviewed public comments submitted during the rule-comment period and voted on several specific items raised by clinicians and organizations. Committee members approved adding the abbreviation "DROT" (doctor of occupational therapy) to the list of allowed written credentials. The committee also voted to remove the option for a licensed and registered occupational therapist to use "OTR" without an indication of licensure; licensed practitioners must indicate licensure in their credentialing (for example, "OTR/L" or the statutory equivalent). For occupational therapy assistants the committee agreed to allow both the statutory form ("LCOTA") and the alternative formatting "COTA/L." The committee also directed staff to propose corresponding statutory language changes to align the statute with the rules (including replacing references to AOTA with NBCOT where appropriate).

Why it matters: these edits clarify how practitioners may present professional credentials in written communications and prepare the…