SB167 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Shay ShelnuttSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Gerald H. AllenWill BarfootTom ButlerDonnie ChesteenChris ElliottGarlan GudgerJimmy HolleyAndrew JonesSteve LivingstonJim McClendonTim MelsonGreg J. ReedDavid SessionsLarry StuttsTom WhatleyJack W. Williams

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Occupational therapy, Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, occupational therapists authorized to practice on a limited basis among compact states

Summary

Alabama enacts the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact to allow occupational therapists and assistants to practice in multiple member states with a compact privilege while keeping state licensure authority.

What This Bill Does

The bill creates the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact Commission and a coordinated data system to share licensure and disciplinary information across member states. It allows practitioners to work in other member states through a compact privilege tied to their home state license, subject to background checks, jurisprudence requirements, and continuing competence rules. It preserves each state's control over licensure actions, enables joint investigations and adverse action processes, and supports telehealth and military-related relocation; active-duty military personnel and spouses have special home-state designation rules.

Who It Affects

• Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants who hold a home state license and want to practice in other member states under a compact privilege, including requirements like background checks, jurisprudence tests, continuing education, and supervision for assistants in remote states.
• Alabama residents seeking occupational therapy services, who may benefit from increased access and telehealth options from therapists licensed in other member states through the compact.

Key Provisions

• Adoption of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact to allow limited multi-state practice via a compact privilege, while preserving state licensure authority.
• Creation of the Occupational Therapy Compact Commission with delegated rulemaking power, a data system, and the authority to enforce rules and by-laws across member states.
• Establishment of a coordinated licensure data system to track license status, adverse actions, and investigative information with reporting requirements among member states.
• Definitions of key terms including home state, remote state, compact privilege, licensee, and single-state license, plus provisions for active duty military personnel and spouses.
• Requirements for member states to participate: license OT/OTAs, share data, conduct background checks (including FBI fingerprints when required), and apply jurisprudence and continuing competence standards for compact privileges.
• Compact privilege rules: validity tied to the home state license; needs no encumbrances, payment of fines, and compliance with remote state jurisprudence and background checks; privilege can be suspended or removed for public health or safety concerns.
• Adverse actions: home state holds primary licensing power; remote states can take action against compact privileges and conduct joint investigations; privileges deactivate in all member states during pendency of adverse actions.
• Implementation and withdrawal: the compact becomes effective after enactment in the 10th member state; states may withdraw with six months’ notice, with ongoing compliance obligations.
• Enforcement and dispute resolution: the commission can pursue enforcement in federal courts and mediate or conduct binding disputes; member states must comply with rules and by-laws.
• Public data and privacy: data shared among member states; some information may be restricted from public release as determined by contributing states; expungement rules apply per state law.
• Telehealth facilitation and increased inter-state cooperation to improve public access to occupational therapy services.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Occupational Therapists