HB 1182 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

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

This bill updates the rules for licensing occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants in Louisiana. It requires applicants to pass a national certification exam administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and establishes specific fees for applying for and renewing licenses. The legislation also creates several pathways to waive the exam requirement, including for those already certified before the law takes effect, those licensed in other states with equivalent standards, state employees in specific therapy roles, and graduates of member nations of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists. Additionally, it exempts therapists working in state facilities or agencies from continuing education requirements and clarifies the professional titles and abbreviations that licensed individuals may use.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Mar 31, 2026 Signed Jun 23, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB1182 Original HB1182 Act 933 · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates the licensure process for occupational therapists and assistants by mandating the use of a specific national certification exam administered by the American Occupational Therapy Association. It also expands who can get a license without taking the exam, including state employees and graduates from international programs, while clarifying the application process for existing certified professionals.
Scope change
The bill applies to the licensing of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants in Louisiana, specifically updating the rules for examinations and waivers.
REQUIREMENT

Changed the examination requirement to mandate the use of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam administered by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

Reorganized the application process to require applicants to submit proof of current NBCOT certification to the board for review.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new waiver allowing individuals certified in other states or territories with equivalent licensure standards to obtain a license without taking the exam.

Added a new waiver for state employees classified as Occupational Therapy Aides or Therapists to receive a license without an exam.

Added a new waiver for graduates of curricula from member nations of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists to receive a license without an exam.

Floor votes · Senate May 26, 2026 · House Apr 22, 2026

How they voted

372
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 40
May 26, 2026
D Democratic12
11 Yea 1
91% Yea
R Republican28
26 Yea 2 Nay
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
18
Key actions
4
Committee
4
May 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
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.
upper
May 21, 2026
Committee
Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
upper
May 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably.
upper
Apr 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
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.
lower
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably (10-0).
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Peter Egan
Peter Egan
RRepublican
LA
74