School-Based Occupational Therapy, Interstate Policy Variability, and the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2026

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Course Description

Background: Ohio is one of six states that began accepting Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (OTLC) applications in 2026.(1)  34 additional states have filed or enacted OTLC legislation. The OTLC allows occupational therapy practitioners (OTP) licensed in a Compact state to provide services in other Compact states via a “compact privilege.”(2) While the OTLC expands opportunities for Ohio OTPs to fill service gaps across state lines, differences in state-level interpretation (3,4) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)(5) create potential challenges for school-based practitioners.

Purpose: To investigate interstate variability in educational identification policy among OTLC member states and potential impact on school-based occupational therapy services using autism as a model and Ohio’s IDEA interpretation as a reference point.

Methods: We analyzed special education autism definitions, eligibility criteria, assessment requirements, and team member mandates using state education agency and legislative sources for OTLC member states. We also surveyed OTPs regarding knowledge of IDEA and state-level special education policies.

Results: We identified meaningful differences between federal IDEA requirements and state-level policies for autism identification. Ohio aligns verbatim with IDEA, whereas the other five states currently accepting OTLC applications do not. While 25/25 OTPs reported learning foundational IDEA concepts, 0/25 OTPs were aware of differences between IDEA and state policies.

Conclusion: Interstate variability in IDEA interpretation has important implications for school-based OTPs. Limited awareness of state-level differences may increase risk for noncompliant service provision as OTLC participation expands. Targeted efforts are needed to promote policy literacy and support OTP preparedness for compliant cross-state practice.

Speakers

Content Level

Introductory: This level assumes the audience has little or no information regarding the content area.

Intermediate: This level assumes the audience has general familiarity with the literature and professional practice. The focus of the presentation is on increased understanding and application by the participants.

Advanced: This level focuses on recent advances, future directions and practical application of research.

Practice Areas

Children and Youth; Professional Issues