OTH 520 Week 5 Ticket to Class
Choose Your Advocacy Adventure
Name:__Joshua Wilson_________________________ Date:__09/24/2023__________
Instructions: Access the AOTA Advocacy: Issues webpage and follow the prompts below. Make sure you
write responses in your own words and do not copy/paste.
Select one of the following issues to explore (pick your adventure):
Behavioral Health
Health Care Reform
Medicaid Advocacy
Medicare Part B Advocacy
OTA Payment Advocacy
Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact
Post-acute Care Payment Advocacy
Private Insurance advocacy
Schools and Early Intervention
Scope of Practice
Telehealth
Workforce Diversity
What did you pick? _Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact
Why?
I feel it is valuable to have our licensure be applicable in all the states that have agreed to the compact.
It will allow a new dynamic to collaboration in the Occupational Therapy domain. It will reduce costs and
complexity of requiring separate state licensure requirements.
Describe what this advocacy issue is about.
This initiative was started by AOTA and has been going on for 40 years for all 50 states and 3 territories.
Currently, there are 20 states that have signed the compact to allow one Occupational therapy license to
be applicable in those states. The compact will help increase the availability of Occupational services,
collaboration of therapeutic practice, and allow the progression of Occupational Therapy.
Why does it matter?
The compact will help increase the availability of Occupational services, collaboration of therapeutic
practice, and allow the progression of Occupational Therapy. It will strengthen our recognition in the
healthcare system and establish a collaborative framework in a world encompassing approach.
What are the latest two articles and/or news releases? What is the take home messages from those
articles/news releases?
i.) Article #1: Willmarth, C., & Conway, S. (2021, January 12). Aota–NBCOT® joint initiative:
Developing the occupational therapy licensure compact. American Occupational Therapy Association.
https://research.aota.org/ajot/article/76/1/7601070010/23148/AOTA-NBCOTR-Joint-Initiative-
Developing-the
The take-home message I gathered was the importance of establishing a unified Occupational therapy
system across the states. This will be accomplished as the article discusses increasing opportunities for
OT service in the community, maintaining and improving client safety, and movability for OT practioners.
Article #2: Barshinger, A. (2023, April 5). OT Compact States 2023. Allied Travel Careers.
https://www.alliedtravelcareers.com/blog/ot-compact-states-2023/
The take home message I obtained from this article is how Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact will
benefit clinicians, clients, and the community. I also found out what states have not joined the compact
and what stipulations of OT licensure are mandated for all OT clinicians under the compact. Lastly, I
found out the ability for OTs to travel from state to state.
How may these advocacy issues impact you and your community?
The act is establishing awareness and availability of occupational services to all community members.
The impact will spread our intervention of Occupational Therapy practice framework to healthcare
teams in the community. The cost for OT services would be reduced for populations that are in the
states compact.
