Occupational Therapy practitioners in the state of CT must meet the continuing education requirements of state licensure law.  In addition, those who are registered by NBCOT must meet their requirements for the maintenance of registration.  These requirements have been closely aligned in the new regulations but are not identical and practitioners need to be aware of their responsibilities for establishing continuing competence.
Please see link the DPH website for overview and RSA link to actual regulations. The revised regulations for the mandatory continuing education requirements as well as information pertaining to license renewal can be found on the Department of Public Health's website at www.ct.gov/dph/plis. 

Occupational Therapists/Occupational Therapy Assistants
FACT SHEET ON 2009 REVISIONS TO MANDATORY CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

For licenses that are renewed on and after January 1, 2011, occupational therapists must attest that they have completed a minimum of 24 contact hours of qualifying continuing education during the preceding registration period and occupational therapy assistants must attest that they have completed a minimum of 18 contact hours of qualifying continuing education during the preceding registration period. 

• The continuing education shall be in areas related to the individual's practice. Subject matter for qualifying continued competency activities shall reflect the professional needs of the licensee in order to meet the health care needs of the public. Only those continued competency activities which provide significant theoretical and/or practical content directly related to the clinical practice of occupational therapy or the development, administration, and supervision of clinical practice or service delivery programs by occupational therapists shall qualify to meet the requirements of the continuing education regulations. Activities which provide content related to organization and design of occupational therapy treatment facilities; practice development, business management, or marketing; investments or financial management; personnel management; personal health or development; and similar topics of professional concern shall not qualify.
• Internet-based and distance learning opportunities are acceptable provided they are offered or sponsored by qualifying continuing education providers. The Department does not approve continuing education courses or pre-approve specific coursework for individual licensees, nor does the Department maintain a list of continuing education courses.
• Each licensee must obtain a certificate of completion from the provider of the continuing education for all continuing education hours that are successfully completed and shall retain such certificate for a minimum of three years following the license renewal date for which the activity satisfies the continuing education requirement. Upon request by the department, the licensee shall submit the certificate to the department. A licensee, who fails to comply with the continuing education requirements, including failure to maintain proof of course completion, shall be subject to disciplinary action.
• Each licensee applying for license renewal will be asked to attest that the licensee satisfies the continuing education requirements. Certificates of completion should not be mailed to the Department unless a licensee is specifically directed to do so.
• Continuing education requirements are waived for licensees applying for license renewal for the first time.
• The Department may now grant a waiver of the continuing education requirements for a specific period of time or may grant the licensee an extension of time in which to fulfill the requirements for a licensee who has a medical disability or illness. Waivers must be requested annually, at the time of license renewal.
• The Department may also grant a waiver of the continuing education requirements for a licensee who is not engaged in the practice of occupational therapy provided the licensee submits a request to the Department prior to the license expiration date. A licensee who is granted a waiver must submit documentation to the Department of successful completion of continuing education activities as outlined in the regulations within 6 months of returning to active practice.

The revised regulations for the mandatory continuing education requirements as well as information pertaining to license renewal can be found on the Department of Public Health's website at www.ct.gov/dph/plis.  Should you have any questions or wish to request a waiver of the continuing education requirements, please contact the Practitioner Licensing and Investigations Section at oplc.dph@ct.gov.

DPH Rev.  3/12/2010/ Regs. Review 11_24_2009