Occupational Therapy Licensing

NOTICE OF DELIVERY SERVICE DELAYS

DC Health is experiencing delays in mail availability due to the impact of COVID-19 on the US postal service.

We appreciate your patience as we continue to process all mail in as timely a manner as possible.

ANNOUNCEMENT

DC Health’s online licensing application system is now LIVE. (See link below.)

The District of Columbia Department of Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA) is excited to announce the opening of our new online licensing system. Effective immediately, any healthcare provider who is interested in applying for a new health professional license, or to renew, reinstate, or reactivate an existing license, may do so by going to the below link and submitting an online application. All users are strongly encouraged to review the instructions prior to beginning the process.

https://doh.force.com/dchealthrenewals/s/portal-page

COVID-19 UPDATES

COVID-19 Guidance and Best Practices

For the most up to date information on the District's response to COVID-19, including information on best practices, licensure waivers, and recommended guidelines, please go to coronavirus.dc.gov.

Due to ongoing efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19, effective immediately, the Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA) is implementing a 100% telework policy and will be available for mail services only.

Walk In Services

UPDATED: The Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA) Processing Center will fully reopen its public service counter Monday through Friday starting on July 12, 2021, from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm.

Scheduled Appointments:

Masks are required. Customers must wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth before entering the building.
Only the appointment holder and one additional guest will be allowed into the Processing Center.
Appointment holders will be given a 15 minute grace period. If you arrive after the grace period, you may be asked to reschedule your appointment in consideration of other scheduled customers.
If you cannot select highlighted days on the calendar, all appointments have been booked for this month. Please check the next month.
If the calendar does not advance to the next month, there are no future appointments available at this time. Please check back later.

All HRLA related applications should be mailed to one of the lockboxes listed here. Individuals may also call the Processing Center at 1 (877) 672-2174 to get an update on their pending applications.

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all Health Professional Board meetings are currently held virtually. Please check each board's respective website for information on when the next meeting will take place. If you are already in contact with a Health Licensing Specialist (HLS), please forward any documents to said HLS via email.

If you require assistance from the Board of Occupational Therapy, please contact [email protected].

Licensure Waivers

In response to COVID-19, DC Health has waived all licensure requirements for practitioners who are licensed in good standing in another jurisdiction. You can read more about the waiver process HERE.

The Board of Occupational Therapy regulates occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants in DC. The Board also advises the Mayor. The Board evaluates applicants' qualifications, recommends standards and procedures, and issues licenses. The Board also receives and reviews complaints; requests investigations, conducts hearings, and issues subpoenas; examines witnesses and administers oaths; and issues an annual report. Members must file personal financial disclosure statements.

The Mayor appoints the board members, including the chair. The Board consists of five DC residents: three licensed occupational therapists, one occupational therapy assistant, and one consumer. The therapists must have been engaged in practice for at least three years preceding appointment. The consumer must be at least 18 years old, not be a health professional or in training to become one, and may have no household member who is involved in providing health care. Licenses expire on September 30 of odd years.Board of Occupational Therapy Meeting Repeats Every Month on March, June, September, December on the third Monday.

The Board meets quarterly on the third Monday. Please note that meeting dates can change. In 2021, the Board plans to meet on the following dates: