Minnesota Agencies

The board shall: adopt and enforce rules and laws necessary for licensing occupational therapy practitioners; adopt and enforce rules for regulating the professional conduct of the practice of occupational therapy; issue licenses to qualified individuals in accordance with Minn. Stat. 148.6401 to 148.645; assess and collect fees for the issuance and renewal of licenses; educate the public about the requirements for licensing occupational therapy practitioners, educate occupational therapy practitioners about the rules of conduct, and enable the public to file complaints against applicants and licensees who may have violated Minn. Stat. 148.6401 to 148.645; and investigate individuals engaging in practices that violate Minn. Stat. 148.6401 to 148.645 and take necessary disciplinary, corrective, or other action according to Minn. Stat. 148.6448. The board may adopt rules necessary to define standards or carry out the provisions of Minn. Stat. 148.6401 to 148.645. Rules shall be adopted according to chapter 14.

In 2017, the Minnesota Occupational Therapy Association (MOTA) worked with the Minnesota Legislature to move the licensing of occupational therapy practitioners out of the Minnesota Department of Health and into a newly created Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. The Board is to have its first meeting on October 30, 2017.

The Board of Occupational Therapy Practice consists of 11 members appointed by the governor. The members are:

• five occupational therapists licensed under sections 148.6401 to 148.645;
• three occupational therapy assistants licensed under sections 148.6401 to 148.645; and
• three public members, including two members who have received occupational therapy services or have a family member who has received occupational therapy services, and one member who is a health care professional or health care provider licensed in Minnesota.

The occupational therapy practitioners appointed to the board must represent a variety of practice areas and settings. At least three members of the board must be employed or reside outside the seven-county metropolitan area. Board members must not serve for more than two full consecutive terms. Interstate licensure compact privilege holders are not eligible to serve on the board.