Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts has issued Executive Order 22-04 - Criminal Background Checks
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts recently signed Executive Order No. 22-04 to avoid a healthcare workforce shortage emergency. This Executive Order 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.
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts has issued Executive Order 22-05
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts has issued Executive Order 22-05, to expire on December 31, 2022. Executive Order 22-02, which is currently scheduled to expire on September 30, 2022, shall remain in effect through December 31, 2022 and the identical statutory waivers and conditions contained within Executive Orders 21-12 and 21-15 that were extended by Executive Order 22-02 shall remain in effect through December 31, 2022, except that Medication Aide renewals will no longer be deferred after March 31, 2022. You can view the Executive Order here. See all Governor's Executive Orders here.
Pearson Vue Testing Centers
Please visit the Pearson Vue coronavirus update page
here for updated information.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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