43-40.1-01. Purpose

43-40.1-01. Purpose

1. The purpose of this compact is to facilitate interstate practice of occupational therapy

with the goal of improving public access to occupational therapy services. The practice

of occupational therapy occurs in the state where the patient is located at the time of

the patient encounter. The compact preserves the regulatory authority of states to

protect public health and safety through the current system of state licensure.

2. This compact is designed to:

a. Increase public access to occupational therapy services by providing for the

mutual recognition of other member state licenses;

b. Enhance the states' ability to protect the public's health and safety;

c. Encourage the cooperation of member states in regulating multistate

occupational therapy practice;

d. Support spouses of relocating military members;

e. Enhance the exchange of licensure, investigative, and disciplinary information

between member states;

f. Allow a remote state to hold a provider of services with a compact privilege in that

state accountable to that state's practice standards; and

g. Facilitate the use of telehealth technology to increase access to occupational

therapy services.