South Carolina § 40-36-230 - Applications for licensure as occupational therapist or assistant; license requirements.

§ 40-36-230. Applications for licensure as occupational therapist or assistant; license requirements.

(A)(1) An applicant for licensure as an occupational therapist shall file a written application on forms provided by the board showing to the satisfaction of the board that the applicant:

(a) has graduated from an occupational therapy educational program approved by ACOTE or other AOTA endorsed accrediting body for occupational therapy or other educational program which the board considers to be substantially equivalent;

(b) has completed successfully a minimum of six months of supervised field work experience at an educational institution approved by the educational institution where the applicant met the academic requirements;

(c) has passed a board approved certification exam for the occupational therapist; and

(d) is in good standing with NBCOT or other board approved certification program.

(2) In addition to other requirements established by law and for the purpose of determining an applicant's eligibility for an initial compact privilege, the department shall require a national criminal records check, supported by fingerprints, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The results of this criminal records check must be reported to the department. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is authorized to retain the fingerprints for certification purposes and for notification of the department regarding criminal charges. Costs of conducting a criminal history background check must be borne by the applicant. The department shall keep information received pursuant to this section confidential, except that information relied upon in denying licensure may be disclosed as may be necessary to support the administrative action. The results of this criminal records check must not be shared outside the department.

(B)(1) An applicant for licensure as an occupational therapy assistant shall file a written application on a form approved by the board showing to the satisfaction of the board that the applicant:

(a) has graduated from an occupational therapy assistant educational program approved by ACOTE or other AOTA endorsed accrediting body for occupational therapy or other educational program which the board considers to be substantially equivalent;

(b) has completed successfully a minimum of two months of supervised field work experience at a recognized educational institution or a training program approved by the educational institution where the applicant met the academic requirements;

(c) has passed a board approved certification exam for the occupational therapy assistant; and

(d) is in good standing with NBCOT or other board approved certification program.

(2) In addition to other requirements established by law and for the purpose of determining an applicant's eligibility for a compact privilege, the department shall require a national criminal records check, supported by fingerprints, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The results of this criminal records check must be reported to the department. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is authorized to retain the fingerprints for certification purposes and for notification of the department regarding criminal charges. Costs of conducting a criminal history background check must be borne by the applicant. The department shall keep information received pursuant to this section confidential, except that information relied upon in denying licensure may be disclosed as may be necessary to support the administrative action. The results of this criminal records check must not be shared outside the department.

HISTORY: 1998 Act No. 356, SECTION 1; 2022 Act No. 158 (H.3599), SECTION 2, eff May 13, 2022.

Effect of Amendment

2022 Act No. 158, SECTION 2, redesignated (A) as (A)(1) and (1) to (4) as (a) to (d) and inserted (2); and redesignated (B) as (B)(1) and (1) to (4) as (a) to (d) and inserted (2).