Notice of Intended Action

Occupational therapists—occupational therapy licensure compact, 804.2, 804.4 to 804.410

Untitled document

ARC 9393C

INSPECTIONS AND APPEALS DEPARTMENT[481]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rulemaking related to occupational therapy licensure compact
and providing an opportunity for public comment

The Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing hereby proposes to amend Chapter 804, “Licensure of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants,” Iowa Administrative Code.

Legal Authority for Rulemaking

This rulemaking is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code chapter 148B and sections 147E.1, 272C.3 and 272C.10.

State or Federal Law Implemented

This rulemaking implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code chapters 17A, 147, 148B and 272C and section 147E.1.

Purpose and Summary

The proposed amendments define the requirements for participation in the OccupationalTherapy Licensure Compact, add background check requirements for initial licensure and licensure by endorsement for all occupational therapist (OT) and occupational therapist assistant (OTA) applicants, add a fee for the issuance of a compact privilege to practice in Iowa, and waive the compact privilege fee for an active duty military member or spouse.

Regulatory Analysis

A Regulatory Analysis for this rulemaking was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on March 19, 2025. A public hearing was held on the following date(s):

●April 9, 2025

Fiscal Impact

This rulemaking has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

After analysis and review of this rulemaking, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rulemaking would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 481—Chapter 6.

Public Comment

Any interested person may submit written or oral comments concerning this proposed rulemaking, which must be received by the Board no later than 4:30 p.m. on July 29, 2025. Comments should be directed to:

Venus Vendoures Walsh
Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing
6200 Park Avenue, Suite 100
Des Moines, Iowa 50321
Phone: 515.242.6529
Fax: 515.281.7969
Email: venus.vendoures-walsh@dia.iowa.gov

Public Hearing

A public hearing at which persons may present their views orally or in writing will be held as follows:

August 11, 2025
11 to 11:30 a.m.

6200 Park Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa
And via Google Meet:
meet.google.com/mjt-afhh-drh
Or dial: ‪(US) +1 513.373.4084
PIN: 733 482 841#
More phone numbers: tel.meet/mjt-afhh-drh?pin=2594041957103

Persons who wish to make oral comments at the public hearing may be asked to state their names for the record and to confine their remarks to the subject of this proposed rulemaking.

Any persons who intend to attend the public hearing and have special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should contact the Board and advise of specific needs.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rulemaking by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rulemaking at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee’s meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

The following rulemaking action is proposed:

ITEM 1.Renumber subrules 804.2(3) and 804.2(4) as 804.2(4) and 804.2(5).

ITEM 2.Adopt the following new subrule 804.2(3):

804.2(3) Submit a completed fingerprint card and a signed waiver form to facilitate a national criminal history background check by the Iowa division of criminal investigation (DCI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The cost of the criminal history background check by the DCI and the FBI shall be assessed to the applicant.

ITEM 3.Renumber rules 481—804.4(147) through 481—804.9(17A,147,272C) as 481—804.5(147) through 481—804.10(17A,147,272C).

ITEM 4.Adopt the following new rule 481—804.4(147E):

481—804.4(147E) Occupational therapy licensure compact. The rules of the occupational therapy compact commission are incorporated by reference. An occupational therapist or occupational therapist assistant may engage in the practice of occupational therapy in Iowa without a license issued by the board if the individual has a current compact privilege to practice in Iowa issued by the occupational therapy compact commission. The state fee for issuance of a compact privilege to practice in Iowa shall be $60, which will be collected by the occupational therapy compact commission. The state fee for issuance of a compact privilege to practice in Iowa shall be waived for an active duty military member or spouse of an individual who is an active duty military member. An occupational therapist or occupational therapist assistant who practices occupational therapy in Iowa using a compact privilege is subject to the rules governing licensees in this chapter and in 481—Chapters 806 and 807. Complaints, investigations, and disciplinary proceedings involving a compact privilege shall be handled in accordance with Iowa Code chapters 17A and 272C; Iowa Code section 147E.1; and 481—Chapters 503, 504, and 506.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 147E.1.

ITEM 5.Amend renumbered rule 481—804.10(17A,147,272C) as follows:

481—804.10(17A,147,272C) License reinstatement. A licensee whose license has been revoked, suspended, or voluntarily surrendered must apply for and receive reinstatement of the license in accordance with rule 481—506.31(272C) and must apply for and be granted reactivation of the license in accordance with rule 481—804.8(17A,147,272C)481—804.9(17A,147,272C) prior to practicing occupational therapy in this state.

Open For Comments

This notice is open for comments for 20 more day(s). If you'd like to comment, select or click the text you wish to comment on in the document, or click the button below to make a general comment about the document. Comments will be collected through 7/29/2025

NOTE: You can also click the text in the document to make comments about specific sections.

Public Hearing

Official Document

  • Occupational therapists—occupational therapy licensure compact, 804.2, 804.4 to 804.410
  • Published on 7/9/2025
  • 6 Views , 0 Comments
  • Notice of Intended Action

The official published PDF of this document is available from the Iowa General Assembly’s Administrative Rules page.

View Official PDF

View the Iowa Administrative Bulletin for 7/9/2025.

View Bulletin

Administrative Rule References

The following administrative rule references were added to this document. You may click a reference to view related notices.

Rule 481-506.31 Rule 481-804.10 Rule 481-804.2(3) Rule 481-804.2(4) Rule 481-804.2(5) Rule 481-804.4 Rule 481-804.5 Rule 481-804.8 Rule 481-804.9

Iowa Code References

The following Iowa code references were added to this document. You may click a reference to view related notices.

Iowa Code 147E.1 Iowa Code 17A Iowa Code 272C

Keywords

The following keywords and tags were added to this document. You may click a keyword to view related notices.

License reinstatement Occupational therapy licensure compact
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