2016 Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 12 - Professions and Occupations
Health Care
Article 40.5 - Occupational Therapy Practice Act
§ 12-40.5-106. Licensure of occupational therapists - application - qualifications - rules

(1) Educational and experiential requirements. Every applicant for a license as an occupational therapist must have:

(a) Successfully completed the academic requirements of an educational program for occupational therapists that is offered by an institution of higher education and accredited by a national, regional, or state agency recognized by the United States secretary of education, or another such program accredited thereby and approved by the director.

(b) Successfully completed a minimum period of supervised fieldwork experience required by the recognized educational institution where the applicant met the academic requirements described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (1). The minimum period of fieldwork experience for an occupational therapist is twenty-four weeks of supervised fieldwork experience or satisfaction of any generally recognized past standards that identified minimum fieldwork requirements at the time of graduation.

(2) Application. (a) When an applicant has fulfilled the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, the applicant may apply for examination and licensure upon payment of a fee in an amount determined by the director. A person who fails an examination may apply for reexamination upon payment of a fee in an amount determined by the director.

(b) The application shall be in the form and manner designated by the director.

(3) Examination. Each applicant shall pass a nationally recognized examination approved by the director that measures the minimum level of competence necessary for public health, safety, and welfare.

(4) Licensure. When an applicant has fulfilled the requirements of subsections (1) to (3) of this section, the director shall issue a license to the applicant; except that the director may deny a license if the applicant has committed any act that would be grounds for disciplinary action under section 12-40.5-110.

(5) Licensure by endorsement. (a) An applicant for licensure by endorsement must file an application and pay a fee as prescribed by the director and must hold a current, valid license or registration in a jurisdiction that requires qualifications substantially equivalent to those required by subsection (1) of this section for licensure.

(b) An applicant for licensure by endorsement must submit with the application verification that the applicant has actively practiced for a period of time determined by rules of the director or otherwise maintained competency as determined by the director.

(c) Upon receipt of all documents required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection (5), the director shall review the application and make a determination of the applicant's qualification to be licensed by endorsement.

(d) The director may deny the application for licensure by endorsement if the applicant has committed an act that would be grounds for disciplinary action under section 12-40.5-110.

(6) License renewal. (a) An occupational therapist must renew his or her license issued under this article according to a schedule of renewal dates established by the director. The occupational therapist must submit an application in the form and manner designated by the director and shall pay a renewal fee in an amount determined by the director.

(b) Licenses are renewed or reinstated in accordance with the schedule established by the director, and the director shall grant a renewal or reinstatement pursuant to section 24-34-102 (8), C.R.S. The director may establish renewal fees and delinquency fees for reinstatement pursuant to section 24-34-105, C.R.S. If an occupational therapist fails to renew his or her license pursuant to the schedule established by the director, the license expires. Any person whose license expires is subject to the penalties provided in this article or section 24-34-102 (8), C.R.S., for reinstatement.

(7) Fees. All fees collected under this article shall be determined, collected, and appropriated in the same manner as set forth in section 24-34-105, C.R.S., and periodically adjusted in accordance with section 24-75-402, C.R.S.