SB215 Alabama 2013 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: J.T. WaggonerSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2013
Title: Occupational Therapy, definition of occupational therapy, expand referrals for treatment, certain occupational therapists exempt from referral requirement, deletes requirement that Board of Medical Examiners jointly approve certain rules, executive director provided for, Secs. 34-39-3, 34-39-4, 34-39-5, 34-39-6, 34-39-7, 34-39-8, 34-39-11, 34-39-16 am'd.
Summary: SB215 expands who can refer to occupational therapy, broadens exemptions for wellness settings, and updates the regulatory framework governing the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy.
What This Bill Does
It broadens referral sources for occupational therapy to include licensed assistants to physicians under supervision, licensed certified registered nurse practitioners in collaborative practice with a physician, and licensed psychologists. It exempts occupational therapists working in wellness or community settings from the referral requirement and allows licensees to display academic credentials alongside license acronyms. It also makes regulatory changes, including longer board member terms, creation of an executive director position, removal of the joint rule-approval requirement between two boards, and updates to licensure, limited permits, complaint handling, and budget/administrative provisions.

Who It Affects
Occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and occupational therapy aides: face expanded referral sources, potential changes to licensure-related requirements, and new disciplinary and permit rules applicable to practice.
Physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, licensed psychologists, licensed dentists, chiropractors, optometrists, and other referral sources: gain expanded authority to refer patients for occupational therapy under the bill, and interact with a restructured board and its oversight mechanisms.

Key Provisions
Expands who may refer a patient for occupational therapy to include licensed assistants to a physician under supervision, licensed nurse practitioners in a collaborative practice, and licensed psychologists.
Exempts occupational therapists providing wellness or community-based services from the mandatory referral requirement.
Allows licensees to include academic credentials (e.g., MS, OTR/L, OTD) with their licensure acronyms.
Increases the number of consecutive terms a board member may serve from two to three.
Deletes the requirement that the State Board of Medical Examiners and the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy jointly approve certain rules.
Provides for the employment and compensation of an executive director for the board.
Deletes certain unspecified requirements for degree or certificate conferral for licensure.
Provides for revocation of an active limited permit if the permit holder fails the qualifying examination.
Allows the executive director, at the secretary's request, to mail complaints to licensees.
Creates a separate Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy Fund (special revenue) to account for receipts and expenditures related to the board's activities.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Occupational Therapy Practice Act