Board of Occupational Therapy Practice

Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation in Montana, all Montana Department of Labor & Industry offices are closed to the public to protect the health and safety of our clients and staff.  Our services are available through remote delivery.  We are available to assist customers through our online public portal at EBIZ.MT.GOV/POL (Professional and Occupational Licenses) and EBIZ.MT.GOV (for Permits). For other services, please contact us via email at DLIBSDWEBHELP@MT.GOV or by phone (406) 841-2300. 

Click here for information regarding the COVID-19 Emergency Healthcare Registration

Click here for the OTP Board Statement on Telehealth/Telepractice

Professional Activity During Covid-19

Please read and follow the Governor’s directives and if you have any questions regarding whether professional activity constitutes an “essential business” or whether the activity falls within an exception to the directive, please contact your local health agency or the Governor’s office for further clarification. 

If you have questions following your review of the 2 orders and two directives linked below or believe your business should be categorized differently, or want further clarity, we recommend you call the Governor’s help line at 1-800-755-6672.

EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 2-2020

EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 3-2020

Directive Implementing Executive Orders 2-2020 and 3-2020 providing measures to stay at   home and designating certain essential functions

Directive Implementing Executive Orders 2-2020 and 3-2020 and providing mandatory quarantine for certain travelers arriving in Montana from another state or country

FAQ Related to Covid19 Public Orders

Welcome to the Montana Board of Occupational Therapy Practice

An Important Message About the Application Process:

Any application requiring review by the Board of Occupational Therapy must be complete (all documents and required information received by the Board office) no later than 15 working days prior to the Board’s next meeting. Please click on the “Board Events” link on the left or check the upcoming dates in the right hand column under "Board Events" to see meeting dates and plan accordingly.

Attention Licensees - Administrative Suspensions

Per Montana Code Annotated § 37-1-321, the Board and the Department are allowed to suspend licenses of persons who:

You are cautioned to notify the board office of your current contact information or risk having correspondence not delivered to you and your license administratively suspended without further notice or hearing. More information may be found on the FAQ tab.

An Important Message About License Renewals:

The 2019 Renewal period has ended. The 2020 Renewal period will begin April 15, 2020 and will end June 15, 2020.

Late fees (after the June 15 renewal deadline) are 100% of the license renewal fee per A.R.M. 24.101.403

The preferred method is to renew online at https://ebiz.mt.gov/pol/
Online Instructions and Help

The online website is available 24/7 and you can print your license immediately after your renewal. It is recommended you do not wait until the last couple of days of the renewal period as unexpected technical difficulties with the website may delay your online renewal and you will be charged a late fee.

For questions regarding username and password information when renewing online, click on the "I've forgotten my password link" on the renewal website or contact DLI BSD Customer Service at DLIBSDHELP@MT.GOV (406) 444-6880.

Helpful Hint: The primary communication method for the division is e-mail. Make sure your e-mail address is current in the database. Also keep your preferred mailing address current. You can update your email and mailing address by clicking on the "Change Address" link under the "Quick Links" section on this Board of Occupational Therapy website.

A paper renewal form is available for download from this website by clicking on the "Forms" tab to the left, click on the renewal form link.

Thank you for your interest in contacting the Montana Board of Occupational Therapists.

If you are already licensed, have applied for a license, are about to apply for a license, or are renewing your license from the Board of Occupational Therapists:

Professional Licensing Customer Service:

(406) 444-6880

DLIBSDHELP@MT.GOV

If you have scope of practice questions or comments for the Board of Occupational Therapists:

Steve Gallus, Executive Officer

(406) 841-2370

DLIBSDOTP@MT.GOV

If you have questions about continuing education:

(406) 444-5696

AUDIT@MT.GOV

If you have questions about filing a complaint against a licensee:

(406) 841-2312

DLIBSDCOMPLAINTS@MT.GOV

Board meetings are usually held quarterly during the year.
Meeting minutes (audio) are posted to the website within 3 business days of board approval.

In general, Board meetings are open to the public.
There are certain meetings or parts of meetings (Screening Panel and Executive Session), which are closed to the public.

Scheduled and Proposed Meetings

Board members are appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation.
Members may serve two successive 4-year terms.

Individual Board Members can be contacted by email at dlibsdotp@mt.gov. In your message please specify which board member you would like to contact. For additional contact information and information on board member terms, please visit the Governor’s Office link for Board Members and Councils at http://boards.mt.gov/.

Fiscal Years 2016-2017: Professional and Occupational Licensing Report

Montana requires individuals engaged in the practice of Occupational Therapy to be licensed. Occupational Therapists enter the field with a master's or doctorate degree.  Occupational Therapy Assistants generally earn an associate degree. The practice of Occupational Therapy involves enabling people of all ages to prevent, cope with, or recover from illness, injury or disability through a variety of rehabilitative techniques.

Individuals who want to practice Occupational Therapy in Montana must apply to the Montana Board of Occupational Therapy Practice for licensure.  Applications are reviewed to assure the basic requirements are met. Educational and other requirements for licensure can be found in this section.

Public or Licensee Inquiries

Licensees can find license renewal information in this section and mailing lists of licensees may be purchased here.

You can learn who is a licensed as an Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapists Assistant in Montana by searching our Licensee Lookup system. 

The following outlines general licensing information. For specific information on filing an application, you will need to obtain the application which includes a detailed listing of the requirements including information on temporary practice permits.

Licensing Requirements & Application Submission 

A. Application and License Fee: All Fees are Non-Refundable $ 190.00

B. Education Requirements: The applicant must successfully complete the academic requirements of an educational program for Occupational Therapists or Occupational Therapy Assistants that is accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association's Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or predecessor organization.

C. Experience Requirements: An Occupational Therapist must complete a minimum of six months of supervised fieldwork experience or satisfy any generally recognized past standards that identified minimum fieldwork requirements at the time of graduation. An Occupational Therapy Assistant must complete supervised fieldwork experience of at least two months.

D. Examination Information: Please contact the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy for exam information.

E. Renewal Period: April 15 - June 15
Late Renew Online for 45 days until July 30

F. Renewal Fee: Active and Late: $110 / Inactive Fee: $50

G. Continuing Education Requirements: http://www.mtrules.org/gateway/Subchapterhome.asp?scn=24%2E165.21

The following outlines general licensing information. For specific information on filing an application, you will need to obtain the application which includes a detailed listing of the requirements including information on temporary permits.

Licensing Requirements & Application Submission 

A. Application and License Fee: All Fees are Non-Refundable $ 190.00

B. Education Requirements: The applicant must successfully complete the academic requirements of an educational program for Occupational Therapists or Occupational Therapy Assistants that is accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association's Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or predecessor organization.

C. Experience Requirements: An Occupational Therapy Assistant must complete a minimum of two months of supervised fieldwork experience or satisfy any generally recognized past standards that identified minimum fieldwork requirements at the time of graduation.

D. Examination Information: Please contact the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy for exam information.

E. Renewal Period: April 15 - June 15
Late Renew Online for 45 days until July 30

F. Renewal Fee:  Active and Late: $110 / Inactive Fee: $50

G. Continuing Education Requirements: http://www.mtrules.org/gateway/Subchapterhome.asp?scn=24%2E165.21

The Board of Occupational Therapy Practice regulates the profession by establishing standards for licensure and practice, and adopting administrative rules to strengthen the practice. Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants should be aware of their obligations under Montana law and administrative rule. 

The Montana Code Annotated (MCA) includes the laws passed by the Legislature that govern this profession. Professional and Occupational Licensing Laws can be found in Title 37, Chapter 1, Part 3.  Known as the Uniform Regulatory Act, these statutes were passed in 1995. 

The Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) are often referred to as regulations.  The Board adopts administrative rules in order to administer the laws over which the Legislature has given the Board authority. The Board follows a process defined in law, the Montana Administrative Procedures Act, when they are proposing new rules or making changes to existing rules to ensure public participation. The Board files a public notice in the Montana Administrative Register (MAR) on any proposed rule changes or new rules.  You can keep track of any rule changes by viewing MAR online.

The Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) at this site contain what should be the same text as the official version published by the Office of the Secretary of State. There is a possibility, however, that the content may vary from the official version. In addition, the format has been changed for viewing on this web site. A copy of the official ARM in official format can be obtained from the ARM Bureau of the Office of the Secretary of State, by contacting SOSARM@mt.gov. A web version of the ARM published by the Secretary of State can be viewed at Secretary of State's Administrative Rules of Montana. 

FAQ’s CONCERNING ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

• Chapter 165 - Board of Occupational Therapy Practice

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• Chapter 24 - Labor and Industry

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• Chapter 101 - Business Standards Division

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• Title 2 Chapter 15 Part 17 - Board of Occupational Therapy Practice
• Title 37 Chapter 24 - Occupational Therapy Practice
• Title 37 - Professions and Occupations
• Chapter 1 - General Provisions

Click here to find rules notices older than one year at the Montana Secretary of State website.

MONTANA ADMINISTRATIVE REGISTER (MAR) 24-101-309

In the matter of the amendment of ARM 24.101.402 definitions and the adoption of New Rule I applicants with criminal convictions

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT AND ADOPTION
(published October 9, 2020)

NOTICE OF AMENDMENT AND ADOPTION
(effective November 21,2020)

MONTANA ADMINISTRATIVE REGISTER (MAR) 24-101-308

In the matter of the amendment of ARM 24.101.417 registration for out-of-state volunteer professionals

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT
(published May 29, 2020)

NOTICE OF AMENDMENT
effective July 25, 2020

MONTANA ADMINISTRATIVE REGISTER (MAR) 24-165-24

In the matter of the amendment of ARM 24.165.302 definitions, 24.165.401 fees, 24.165.406 military training or experience, 24.165.407 examinations, 24.165.501 supervision, 24.165.505 deep modality endorsement, 24.165.506 recognized educational programs, 24.165.507 standards of practice, 24.165.509 approved modality instruction, 24.165.510 approved training, 24.164.514 endoresement to apply topical medications, 24.165.516 use of topical medications, 24.165.517 protocols for use of topical medications, 24.165.518 debriding agents protocols, 24.165.519 anesthetic agents protocols, 24.165.520 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents protocols, 24.165.521 antispasmodic agents protocols, 24.165.522 adrenocortico-steroid agent protocols, 24.165.524 protocol for use of an approved medication as a neuropathic pain agent, 24.165.601 temporary practice permit, 24.165.604 inactive status, 24.165.2101 continuing education, 24.165.2102 continuing education - exemption, 24.165.2301 unprofessional conduct, the adoption of New Rule I bactericidal agents protocols, and the repeal of 24.165.404 applications for licensure, 24.165.410 pass-fail criteria, 24.165.502 supervision - methods, 24.165.511 documentation of instruction and training, 24.165.513 approval to use sound and electrical physical agent modalities endorsement, 24.165.525 documenting education and competence to perform sound and electrical physical agent modalities - out-of-state practitioners

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON AMENDMENT, ADOPTION, AND REPEAL

NOTICE OF AMENDMENT, ADOPTION, AND REPEAL
Effective October 5, 2019

MONTANA ADMINISTRATIVE REGISTER (MAR) 24-165-23

In the matter of the amendment of ARM 24.165.401 fees, 24.165.2101 continuing education, 24.165.2301 unprofessional conduct, and the repeal of 24.165.411 board filing practices, 24.165.2115 renewals

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT AND REPEAL

NOTICE OF AMENDMENT AND REPEAL
Effective January 26, 2019

General Forms

• Modalities Application
• Inactive Status Form
• Inactive to Active Status Form
• Complaint Form
• Complaint Process Brochure

Renewal Forms

• License Renewal Form
• Renew Online

License Application Forms Requirements and Checklists

• Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant Application
• Requirements and Checklist for Occupational Therapist Application
• Requirements and Checklist for Occupational Therapy Assistant Application

Continuing Education Forms

• Licensee Continuing Education Approval Request Form
• Provider Continuing Education Approval Request Form

The Montana Department of Labor & Industry and Professional and Occupational Licensing Boards are charged with taking appropriate action for unprofessional, incompetent, or unlawful practice. To learn more about the complaint process or to file a complaint, please visit our Complaint Information page.

Filing a Complaint

The Board of Occupational Therapy provides a number of services to licensees and to the general public. Individuals or organizations may request an official license verification by submitting an official Montana license verification along with the required $20 fee. 

License verification can also be accomplished through our online Licensee Lookup service. Please see the current list of services to the left.

There are TWO types of Licensure Verification Requests:

1). Licensees for any profession can be verified by using LicenseLookup.mt.gov.
This website provides real-time connectivity to the Business Standards Licensing Database.  There is no charge for this service.

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2). To request an official Montana license verification be sent to another state licensing board, jurisdiction or individual for license confirmation status in the State of Montana. The fee for this is $20.00 per verification requested.

Once the fee and official license verification form are received, the request will be processed and mailed within 5 days.

• Health Care Employment with Montana State Government
• Health Care Employment in Montana (other than state government)
• Posted within last 24 hours
• Posted within the last 7 days
• Posted within the last 30 days

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy

Montana Occupational Therapy Association

American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc