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HB 1182

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS: Provides relative to the rules governing Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Peter Egan

Louisiana license for OTs/OTAs requires NBCOT exams, sets fees, adds waivers, and aligns terminology, with two annual exam offerings and new renewal rules.

Sent to the Governor for executive approval.
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Bill Summary · HB 1182

Summary of HB 1182 (2026) – Louisiana Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants

Purpose and Intent

HB 1182 seeks to modify Louisiana law governing licensure for occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs). The bill clarifies the licensure process, eligibility examinations, waiver options, license issuance, renewal, and related fee structures. It aligns licensure with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and updates terminology and requirements accordingly.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Licensing and Certification Pathway

    • Applicants for OT or OTA licensure must file a board-approved written application and demonstrate:
    • Completion of required academic work and supervised field work, and
    • Passage of NBCOT certification examinations (replacing prior AOTA-based reference).
    • The board shall administer examinations through an independent agency contracted with NBCOT (replacing the prior AOTA-based framework). Examinations shall be offered at least twice annually in Louisiana.

  • Examination Eligibility and Review

    • In addition to meeting general eligibility, applicants must apply to the board for review of NBCOT certification status.
    • The board sets criteria for satisfactory examination performance, using NBCOT criteria as a minimum standard.
    • Applicants who fail may reapply.

  • Waiver and Grandfather Provisions

    • Several waiver pathways are proposed:
    • Prior licensees (OTR/COTA) certified before the effective date can receive a waiver if domiciled in Louisiana and apply within 6 months.
    • Licenses may be waived for applicants licensed in other states, D.C., or U.S. territories with equivalent licensure standards, provided those jurisdictions offer similar privileges without examination.
    • A waiver path for individuals employed in Louisiana state service as Occupational Therapy Aides or OT/OT I-III on the effective date, recognizing current job classifications and waiving educational/examination requirements on a six-month filing window.
    • A waiver for Louisiana-domiciled WFOT curriculum graduates (six-month filing window).

  • License Issuance and Use of Titles

    • Licensed OTs may use “occupational therapist,” “licensed occupational therapist,” and abbreviations such as LOT or OT.
    • NBCOT-certified individuals may use “licensed occupational therapist, registered,” “occupational therapist, registered,” LOTR, or OTR.

  • Renewal and Continuing Education

    • The bill renames “continuing requirements” to “continuing education requirements,” with ongoing applicability for state facility or state-agency employment (subject to existing exemptions).

  • Fees and Financial Provisions

    • Replaces the previous two-thirds-of-OT fees rule with a clear fee schedule:
    • Initial OT license application: $150
    • Initial OTA license application: $100
    • Temporary OT/OTA license: $50
    • OT renewal: $100
    • OTA renewal: $75
    • OT reinstatement: $150
    • OTA reinstatement: $100
    • Late renewal: OT $100; OTA $75
    • Reciprocity: $75
    • The bill notes that OTA licensure fees shall be no more than two-thirds of OT licensure fees in current law, but the new schedule supersedes that provision.

Who Is Affected

  • Prospective and current occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants in Louisiana.
  • Licensed professionals seeking renewal, reinstatement, or waivers.
  • State agencies and facilities, due to ongoing continuing education and exemption provisions for state employment.
  • Out-of-state and WFOT-affiliated graduates seeking licensure through waiver pathways.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Examinations to be administered at least twice per year within Louisiana.
  • Several waiver options require filing within six months after the bill’s effective date.
  • The bill includes open hearing rights for contested license denial.
  • Effective dates are tied to the act’s passage; waivers require timely applications (typically six months after effective date).

Note: This summary focuses on substantive changes to licensure, examination, waivers, title usage, renewal, and fees.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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