As used in this Chapter, the following words have the meanings hereinafter ascribed to each:

            (1) “Association” means the Louisiana Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (LOTA).

            (2) “Board” means the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners established in La. Rev. Stat. 37:1263.

            (3) “Occupational therapist” means a person who is certified as an occupational therapist, registered (OTR) by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA), and licensed to practice occupational therapy, as defined in this Chapter, and whose license is in good standing.

            (4)(a) “Occupational therapy” means the application of any activity in which one engages for the purposes of evaluation, interpretation, treatment planning, and treatment of problems interfering with functional performance in persons impaired by physical illness or injury, emotional disorders, congenital or developmental disabilities, or the aging process, in order to achieve optimum functioning and prevention and health maintenance. The occupational therapist may enter a case for the purposes of providing consultation and indirect services and evaluating an individual for the need of services. Prevention, wellness, and education-related services shall not require a referral; however, in workers’ compensation injuries, preauthorization shall be required by the employer or workers’ compensation insurer or provider. Implementation of direct occupational therapy to individuals for their specific medical condition or conditions shall be based on a referral or order from a physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, dentist, podiatrist, or optometrist licensed to practice. Practice shall be in accordance with published standards of practice established by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc., and the essentials of accreditation established by the agencies recognized to accredit specific facilities and programs.

            (b) Specific occupational therapy services include, but are not limited to activities of daily living (ADL); the design, fabrication, and application of prescribed temporary splints; sensorimotor activities; the use of specifically designed crafts; guidance in the selection and use of adaptive equipment; therapeutic activities to enhance functional performance; prevocational evaluation and training and consultation concerning the adaptation of physical environments for persons with disabilities. These services are provided to individuals or groups through medical, health, educational, and social systems.

            (c) “Occupational therapy” shall not include the administration of massages by employees of the Hot Wells Rehabilitation Center.

            (5) “Occupational therapy assistant” means a person who is certified as a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA) by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA), and is licensed to assist in the practice of occupational therapy under the supervision of, and in activity programs with the consultation of, an occupational therapist licensed under this Act.

            (6) “Person” means any individual, partnership, unincorporated association, or corporate body, except that only an individual may be licensed under this Chapter.

            Added by Acts 1979, No. 566, §1. Acts 1988, No. 326, §2, eff. July 7, 1988; Acts 2001, No. 599, §1; Acts 2003, No. 839, §1, eff. July 1, 2003; Acts 2014, No. 811, §19, eff. June 23, 2014; Acts 2019, No. 276, §1; Acts 2022, No. 271, §2; Acts 2023, No. 263, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2024.