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LouisianaHB 11822026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS: Provides relative to the rules governing Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants

Sponsored By: Peter F. Egan Sr. (Republican)

Became Law

Health and Welfare

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

State therapists lose waiver, gain training exemption

Covered Louisiana state employees can no longer use their classified occupational therapy jobs to bypass licensing education and exam requirements. The law removes that employment-based waiver for therapist and assistant licenses. Separately, occupational therapists working in state facilities or employed by a state agency are exempt from continuing education requirements.

Occupational therapy license appeals become optional

The Louisiana board is no longer required to create policies for challenging occupational therapy license denials. It can choose to create them. Challenges heard under those policies must have an open hearing and follow fair legal procedures.

New licensing rules for occupational therapy

Louisiana occupational therapist and assistant applicants must submit a board application, complete required schooling and supervised fieldwork, and pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam unless a waiver applies. The board reviews NBCOT certification and sets passing standards at least as high as NBCOT's; exams must be offered in Louisiana at least twice yearly. The board can waive the exam for applicants licensed elsewhere with equivalent standards, when that jurisdiction offers similar exam-free licensing privileges. Two other waiver paths cover people domiciled in Louisiana on the chapter's effective date: those certified by NBCOT before that date and WFOT graduates. Both paths require applications within six months of that date. Licensed therapists can use “occupational therapist,” “licensed occupational therapist,” OT, or LOT; NBCOT-certified therapists can also use the registered titles and OTR or LOTR.

Occupational therapy fees get new caps

The board sets licensing fees by rule and can charge less than these maximum amounts. Initial applications are capped at $150 for occupational therapists and $100 for assistants; temporary licenses are capped at $50. Renewals are capped at $100 for therapists and $75 for assistants. Late renewal fees have those same caps, and reinstatement is capped at $100 for either license. Reciprocity fees are capped at $75. The law removes the rule limiting assistant licensing fees to two-thirds of therapist fees.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Peter F. Egan Sr.

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 138 • No: 5

Senate vote • 5/26/2026

Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 2 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 36 • No: 2

House vote • 4/22/2026

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 92, nays 3. The bill, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, was finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 92 • No: 3

House vote • 4/15/2026

Reported favorably

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Becomes Act No. 933 without the Governor's signature.

    6/23/2026House

  2. Effective date: 08/01/2026.

    6/23/2026House

  3. Sent to the Governor for executive approval.

    5/28/2026House

  4. Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.

    5/27/2026House

  5. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    5/27/2026Senate

  6. Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 2 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    5/26/2026Senate

  7. Received from the Senate without amendments.

    5/26/2026House

  8. Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.

    5/25/2026Senate

  9. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    5/21/2026Senate

  10. Reported favorably.

    5/20/2026Senate

  11. Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.

    4/27/2026Senate

  12. Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 92, nays 3. The bill, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, was finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

    4/22/2026House

  13. Received in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.

    4/22/2026Senate

  14. Scheduled for floor debate on 04/22/2026.

    4/21/2026House

  15. Read by title, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.

    4/16/2026House

  16. Reported favorably (10-0).

    4/15/2026House

  17. Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.

    4/1/2026House

  18. Read by title. Lies over under the rules.

    3/31/2026House

Bill Text

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