Occupational Therapy

 
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What you need to know

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Guidance: Health Care Workforce Executive Orders Expired June 30, 2023

Executive Orders pertaining to Health Care Workforce expired on June 30, 2023. Click here for more information. ​
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Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has issued Executive Order 23-18 - Criminal Background Checks - replacing the previous Executive Order 23-13.

New: Executive Order 23-18, effective 12/22/23, replaces Executive Order 23-13 and will expire on July 1, 2024.

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen recently signed Executive Order 23-18 to avoid a healthcare workforce shortage emergency. This Executive Order replaces Executive Order 23-13 and relates to criminal background checks by fingerprint and only affects licensing for audiologists, speech-language pathologists, licensed independent mental health practitioners, occupational therapists, and occupational therapy assistants.   

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Occupational therapy is skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives. Occupational Therapy gives people the "skills for the job of living" they need to live satisfying lives. Services typically include: 

  • Customized treatment programs to improve abilities to carry out the activities of daily living
  • Comprehensive evaluation of home and job environments and recommendations on necessary adaptation
  • Assessments and treatment for performance skills​
  • Recommendations and training in the use of adaptive equipment to replace lost function
  • Guidance to family members and attendants on safe and effective methods of caring for individuals.

Occupational therapy practitioners are skilled professionals whose education includes the study of human growth and development with specific emphasis on the social, emotional, and physiological effects of illness and injury.

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Nebraska regulations require Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants to obtain certification to administer physical agent modalities (PAMs). If you want to administer Superficial Thermal, Deep Thermal, or Electrotherapeutic Agent Modalities, you must obtain a certification.

Applications, Fees & Requirements

The following forms may be completed online. They must be printed and physically signed. Mail completed, signed forms to the address on the form.

Applications

Fee Information

Requirements: Regulations relating to licensure of Occupational Therapy in the State of Nebraska 172 NAC 114​​

Compact Information

The Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact allows eligible licensed occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants an alternative method for providing services in other member states.

If you are interested in learning more about the OT Compact please click here​​​.​ ​​

The OTCC invites you to provide public comments regarding the Data System Rules and the Rule on Definitions​. The public comment period is for 30 days from November 8 – December 8, 2023. Anyone interested in reviewing and/or providing public comment can click the link to each document and follow the instructions for submitting comments. After considering public comments, the OTCC will hold a special meeting on January 11, 2024 to vote each of these rules. You can find a list of upcoming OTCC and OTCC Committee meetings on the OT Compact meetings page. ​

Continuing Education & Renewal Information

Continuing Education Requirements for Renewal/Reinstatement
  • Each Occupational Therapist must complete 20 hours of continuing education within the 24-month renewal period, beginning August 1 each even-numbered year through August 1 the following even-numbered year.
  • Each Occupational Therapy Assistant must complete 15 hours of continuing education within the 24-month renewal period, beginning August 1 each even-numbered year through August 1 the following even-numbered year.

Please see the regulations for additional criteria for continuing education.

Renewal Information

Occupational Therapist and Occupational Therapy Assistant licenses expire August 1 of each even-numbered year. The Licensure Unit will send the license holder a renewal notice and affidavit of continuing education at least 30 days before August 1 of each even-numbered year to the license holder's last address of record.

Please see the regulations governing licensure of Occupational Therapists​ for more information. 

Physical Agent Modality (PAM) Certification

Nebraska regulations​ require Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants to obtain certification to administer physical agent modalities (PAMs). If you want to administer Superficial Thermal, Deep Thermal, or Electrotherapeutic Agent Modalities you must obtain a certification.

Occupational Therapy Assistants may only be certified to set up and implement superficial thermal agent modalities. Occupational Therapists can be certified in one, a combination, or all three types of physical modality certifications.  

Physical Agent Modality (PAM) Certification - Board-Approved Training Courses

Certification for Superficial Thermal Agents
  • Physical Agent Modalities: Occupation-Based Implementation of Thermal Agents (deep and superficial) provided by Exploring Hand Therapy d/b/a Treatment2Go
  • Superficial Thermal Physical Agent Modality use for the Occupational Therapy Assistant provided by Physical Agent Modalities Practitioner Credentialing Agency (PAMPCA)
Certification for Deep Thermal Agents
  • Physical Agent Modalities: Occupation Based Implementation of Thermal Agents (deep and superficial) provided by Exploring Hand Therapy d/b/a Treatment2Go
Certification for Electrotherapeutic Agents
  • Physical Agent Modalities: Occupation Based Implementation of Electrical Agents provided by Exploring Hand Therapy d/b/a Treatment2Go
Certification of All 3 Modalities (Superficial Thermal, Deep Thermal & Electrotherapeutic Agents)
  • Physical Agent Modalities Practitioner Credentialing Course provided by Physical Agent Modalities Practitioner Credentialing Agency (PAMPCA)
  • OTH 621 Physical Agent Modalities provided by College of St. Mary
  • OTH 730 Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Physical Agent Modalities provided by Nebraska Methodist College

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Contact Information for Board-approved Training Courses:

Physical Agent Modalities Practitioner Credentialing Agency, LLC

Register online: www.pampca.org
Nebraska Physical Agent
Modalities Testing Service
4010 Ivy Drive
Nashville TN 37216-2918
Phone: (615) 414-8473
Fax: (615) 460-6475
E-mail: info@pampca.org      

Exploring Hand Therapy dba Treatment2Go

1184 79th Street South
St. Petersburg FL 33707
Phone: (727) 341-1674
E-mail: susan@handtherapy.com
Web: www.liveconferences.com
Direct links to PAMS     

College of St. Mary 

7000 Mercy Road
Omaha NE 68106
Phone: (402- 399-2314
E-mail: Truppert@csm.edu     

Advisory opinion: Board Opinion on the Use of OTAs as Patient Care Technicians​

Office of Rehabilitation & Community Services
Department of Health & Human Services/Division of Public Health/Licensure Unit
Phone Number
(402) 471-2299
 
Fax Number
(402) 742-1152
Mailing & Physical Addresses

DHHS Licensure Unit
Attn: Occupational Therapy

PO Box 94986
Lincoln NE 68509-4986

 

Nebraska State Office Building
301 Centennial Mall South
14th & M Streets, 3rd Floor
Lincoln NE 68508

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed federal holidays.