OT Scope of Practice
AKOTA has been involved with updating our scope of practice language via a working group. This working group has had consistent presence from AOTA, the AK PT OT Licensing Board, AKOTA, and several OTPs around the state. This advocacy was originally birthed out of a threat to our scope of practice in 2023. Thanks to the quick communication and advocacy of Cary Moore, Jean Keckhut, others, and our AKOTA lobbyist this issue was addressed in the short-term. However, long-term plans to protect our scope of practice and to protect our ability to continue operating at the top of our license include updating the language in our Practice Act. Now that proposed language changes are nearing their final stage, we are working with our lobbyist, AOTA, and our AKOTA legislative committee members to take appropriate next steps. Reach out to vpres@akota.org to volunteer for the legislative committee and/or with questions
Occupational Therapy Compact
Successful efforts in the last legislature regarding the physical therapy and speech and hearing compacts have led us to actively discuss pursuing the occupational therapy compact this session. Conversations with legislative sponsors and AKOTA are ongoing, and this will be a top priority for the upcoming session.