Thanks Chuck. You sort of "hit" on what I was thinking as to why OT
uses the "L" and "R" in their credentials. You said:
"I think as state OT laws were enacted, language was included
to highlight the licensure status of OTs."
With the VAST majority of States now having OT licensure and with
registration being an option, does anyone think it's time for OT to
"move on" and stop using the "L" and "R"?
Frankly, I see the continuing use of these letters as a sign of an
immature profession, rather than one that as obtained status. As Chuck
pointed out, there may be state laws requiring the use of "L", but I'm
not sure about that.
On an interesting side note, I see many Florida OT's sign their name,
"OTR/L". However, this is not listed as an "approved" credential.
Ron
--
Ron Carson MHS, OT
----- Original Message -----
From: Chuck Willmarth <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2008
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subj: [OTlist] Discontinuing The "R/L" in "OTR/L"
CW> Ron,
CW> State OT practice act address the use of
CW> titles/credentials/initials. Some states authorize the use of
CW> "OT" "OT/L" or other initials to indicate that someone is a
CW> licensed occupational therapist. Depending on the state,
CW> therapists have more or less flexibility in the initials they can use.
CW> For example this is the language from the FL OT practice act:
CW> http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/occupational/info_laws.pdf
CW> 468.215 Issuance of license.-
CW> (1)The board shall issue a license to any person who meets the
CW> requirements of this act upon payment of the license fee prescribed.
CW> (2)Any person who is issued a license as an occupational
CW> therapist under the terms of this act may use the words
CW> "occupational therapist," "licensed occupational therapist," or
CW> "occupational therapist registered," or he or she may use the
CW> letters "O.T.," "L.O.T.," or "O.T.R.," in connection with his or
CW> her name or place of business to denote his or her registration hereunder.
CW> (3)Any person who is issued a license as an occupational therapy
CW> assistant under the terms of this act may use the words
CW> "occupational therapy assistant," "licensed occupational therapy
CW> assistant," or "certified occupational therapy assistant," or he
CW> or she may use the letters, "O.T.A.," "L.O.T.A.," or "C.O.T.A.,"
CW> in connection with his or her name or place of business to denote
CW> his or her registration hereunder.
CW> In terms of "why," I think as state OT laws were enacted,
CW> language was included to highlight the licensure status of OTs.
CW> Chuck Willmarth
CW> Director, State Affairs
CW> AOTA
CW> -----Original Message-----
CW> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ron Carson
CW> Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2008 1:47 PM
CW> To: Audra Ray
CW> Subject: Re: [OTlist] Discontinuing The "R/L" in "OTR/L"
CW> Hello All:
CW> Thanks for everyone's reply.
CW> I think there is some confusion about my original inquiry.
CW> I'm not questioning if OT should be a licensed profession, I'm
CW> questioning the use of "L" in our credential. Other licensed
CW> professions don't include an "L", so why does OT?
CW> Thanks,
CW> Ron
CW> --
CW> Ron Carson MHS, OT
CW> ----- Original Message -----
CW> From: Audra Ray <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
CW> Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2008
CW> To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
CW> Subj: [OTlist] Discontinuing The "R/L" in "OTR/L"
AR>> We don't have the option here whether or not to use L. If we want to
AR>> practice as an OT, we have to have a license.
AR>>
AR>> Audra Ray
AR>> --- On Sat, 10/25/08, Ron Carson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
AR>> From: Ron Carson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
AR>> Subject: [OTlist] Discontinuing The "R/L" in "OTR/L"
AR>> To: [email protected]
AR>> Date: Saturday, October 25, 2008, 3:12 AM
AR>> When I decided to not renenw my NBCOT registration I lost the "R"
AR>> in my credential. For professional reasons I also stopped using the
AR>> "L".
AR>> Now, I just sign "Ron Carson MHS, OT". While not all states
AR>> require licensure, I still don't understand the need or even the
AR>> desire to put the "L" in our signature. Maybe years ago when
AR>> the profession was first getting licensed, but surely there is no
AR>> good reason today. To me, it's confusing and detracts from our
AR>> title of "OT". So, why does our profession put "R/L", "R", or "L"
AR>> in our credential? Does anyone else not use the "L"?
AR>> Ron
CW> --
CW> Options?
CW> www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com
CW> Archive?
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CW> --
CW> Options?
CW> www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com
CW> Archive?
CW> www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
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