Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Occupational Therapy

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Continuing Competency

Effective January 1, 2006, all occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants renewing a license or certificate in active status must certify that they completed the required number professional development units (PDU) through participation in professional development activities.

Because the Board is currently transitioning from annual to biennial renewal, some practitioners will need twelve (12) PDUs and some will need twenty-four (24). If your last renewal was one year ago, you will need 12 units. If you last renewal was two years ago, you will need 24 units. If you are unclear as to how many PDUs are need, please contact the Board.

PDUs must be earned during the renewal period. Your renewal period begins the day after your license expires and ends on your expiration date. For example, if your license expires on October 31, 2007, your renewal period is as follows:

Even Birth Year: November 1, 2007 – October 31, 2008 (12 units required)
Odd Birth Year: November 1, 2007 – October 31, 2009 (24 units required)

You do not need to submit documentation of your PDUs with your renewal form, however, you are required to maintain documentation for a period of four (4) years. You must submit the evidence of completion if you are audited by the Board. Failure to provide records documenting completion of the continued competency requirements is grounds for citation and fine or disciplinary action.

A list of activities that qualify can be found in the CCR Section 4181.

Half (1/2) of the required number of PDUs must be directly related to the delivery of occupational therapy services. The remaining units can be in other areas related to your practice. The Board does not require that you take courses from approved providers. You are also allowed to take online or home study courses, as long as a course completion certificate is provided.

If you earn more than the required number of PDUs within your renewal period, you can carry a maximum of one-quarter (1/4) of the required number of units (3 or 6) into the next renewal period.

Exemptions from the continued competency requirements can be found in the CCR Section 4163.