Board of Occupational Therapy
Licenses and regulates those qualified to practice occupational therapy in Tennessee.About
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- NEW Tennessee Occupational Therapy Supervision Template
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About
About the Board of Occupational Therapy
Pursuant to Public Chapter 115 of the Public Acts of 2007, The Board of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Examiners and its two (2) Committees ( Committee of Occupational Therapy and Committee of Physical Therapy ) has been replaced by the Board of Occupational Therapy and the Board of Physical Therapy.
The Board of Occupational Therapy is responsible for safeguarding the health, safety, and welfare of Tennesseans, by requiring that all who practice occupational therapy within the state be qualified to practice. The Board interprets the laws, rules, and regulations to determine the appropriate standards of practice in an effort to ensure the highest degree of professional conduct. The Board is responsible for the investigation of alleged violations of the Practice Act and rules and is responsible for the discipline of licensees who are found guilty of such violation.
The Board of Occupational Therapy consists of five(5) members to be appointed by the Governor for terms of three (3) years. Three (3) members shall be occupational therapists, and one (1) occupational therapy assistant, who may be from a list of nominees supplied by the Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association. One (1) member shall be a person who is not engaged in the practice of occupational therapy and who is not professionally or commercially associated with the health care industry. Members may be appointed from a list of three nominees submitted to the Governor by the respective organization for each profession.
The Board meets four (4) times per year. A quorum of the Board consists of three (3) members. The meetings are open to the public.
The administrative staff of the Division of Health Related Boards supports the Board by issuing licenses to those who meet the requirements of the law and rules. Occupational therapists may be granted licensure by examination or reciprocity from other states. Renewal notices are mailed from the Board's administrative office forty-five (45) days prior to the expiration of the license to the current address on record. Licensees are responsible for renewing their license on time and keeping the Board apprised of current information. Licenses can be renewed on-line one hundred twenty (120) days prior to expiration at https://apps.tn.gov/hlrs/. It is a violation of the law and of the board’s rules to practice on an expired license. Licensees are responsible for renewing their license on time and keeping the Board apprised of current information.
Contact
Contact the Board of Occupational Therapy
615-741-3807 local
Unit2HRB.Health@tn.gov
665 Mainstream Drive, 2nd Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
When completing the application process below, you will be required to submit an official transcript from the institution where you completed your education. The transcript must be mailed directly from the educational institution to the board office located at 665 Mainstream Drive, Nashville, TN 37243.
Applications
Before you apply, make sure you have everything you need for the process to run smoothly. Please review this checklist whe applying online for the additional items you will need. Click the link
Support documents checklist
► Applying for initial licensure from your professional licensing board has become a bit easier. For the past year, the Department of Health has been working on an online application process that will allow all health care professionals to apply online for an initial license and complete (and update as necessary) a practitioner profile mandatory for certain professions. The process is user friendly and convenient and even allows you to pay for your initial application utilizing a credit card, debit card or e-check. You will also be able to upload many of the documents required to complete your initial application! Please go to the initial application link below to begin the online process.
Portability Act for Military and Military Spouse with transfer Orders to Tennessee
Please fill out the application below and email to Unit2HRB.Health@tn.gov with a copy of the military orders
- Application and Instructions for Licensure as an Occupational Therapist & Occupational Therapy Assistant (PH-3123 , Paper application click here)
- Application for Dry Needling of the Upper Limb
- Mandatory Practitioner Profile Questionnaire for Licensed Health Care Providers (PH-3585 , Paper application click here)
- Tennessee Occupational Therapy Supervision Template
- Declaration of Citizenship (PH-4183 Paper application click here)
- Declaration of Eligibility for Expedited Licensure Process for a Military Member (PH-4279 , paper application click here)
- Expedited Licensure for Military Spouses Form (PH-4280 , paper application click here )
- Application for Certification to Use Physical Agent Modalities( revised form)
- OT/OTA Limited Permit Request Form
- Name and Address Change Request (PH-3619 , papper application click here)
- Reinstatement Application (PH-4049 , paper applciation click here)
- Affidavit of Retirement From Practice in Tennessee (PH-3460, paper application click here)
- Criminal Background Checks
Applying for Licensure
Meetings, Members, & Minutes
Meeting Schedule
Public Notices will remain online until the minutes are ratified and posted on the Meeting Minutes page.
Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at 665 Mainstream Drive, MetroCenter.
Members
Board Members
| Members | Representation | Term Expires |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah Cline | Occupational Therapist | 06-30-2026 |
| Vacant | Occupational Therapy Assistant | 06-30-20XX |
| Allan M. Adriaanse |
Board Chair | 06-30-2027 |
| James Claxton | Occupational Therapist | 06-30-2026 |
| Callon Baggett | Citizen | 06-30-2027 |
Meeting Minutes
Meeting Minutes
Copies of all minutes are maintained in the official record section of the administrative office.
Please contact the board administrator to make arrangements to review minutes of meetings held prior to 2004.
- July 24, 2025
- April 21, 2025
- February 6, 2025
- October 24th, 2024
- August 22nd, 2024
- February 8, 2024
- October 26, 2023
- August 10th, 2023
- July 26th, 2023 TASK FORCE Meeting
- March 14th, 2023 TASK FORCE Meeting
- February 9th, 2023
- November 7th,2022
- July 7th, 2022
- April 14th, 2022
- January 13 2022
- October 7, 2021
- July 29, 2021
- April 29, 2021
- January 14, 2021
- October 22, 2020
- July 30, 2020
- April 30, 2020
- January 9, 2020
- October 24, 2019 - Task Force
- October 24, 2019
- July 25, 2019
- March 21, 2019
- October 25, 2018
- July 26, 2018
- March 22, 2018
- January 26, 2018 – Special Meeting
- October 26, 2017
- January 26, 2018 – Special Meeting
- July 27, 2017
- April 17, 2017 - Special Meeting
- March 16, 2017
- December 15, 2016
- September 22, 2016
- June 16, 2016
- March 17, 2016
- December 4, 2015
- November 20, 2015 CANCELED
- August 20, 2015
- June 25, 2015 CANCELED
- April 30, 2015
- March 5, 2015 CANCELED
- November 13, 2014
- July 10, 2014
- March 6, 2014
Continuing Competence
Failure to comply with continuing competence requirements may result in disciplinary action against the licensee. The disciplinary action will be reported on the Department of Health license verification web site and will not be removed.
Continuing Education
Failure to comply with continuing education requirements may result in disciplinary action against the licensee or registrant. The disciplinary action will be reported on the Department of Health license verification web site.
Requirements
Educational Programs
Occupational Therapy Educational Programs
Tennessee State University
3500 John A. Merritt Boulevard
Campus Box 9639
Nashville, TN 37209-1561
Phone: (615) 963-5871
Belmont University
1800 Church Street
Nashville, TN
Phone: (615) 460-6700
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
930 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38163
Phone: (901) 448-8393
Milligan College
P.O. Box 500
Milligan College, TN 37682
Phone: (423) 461-8730
Phone: (800) 262-8337
University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Department 3103
615 McCallie Avenue
Chattanooga, TN 37403
Phone: (423) 785-2357
Phone: (423) 785-2380
Lincoln Memorial University
9731 Cogdill Road
Knoxville, TN 37932
Phone: (800) 325-0900
Occupational Therapy Assistant Educational Programs
Walter State Community College
Niswonger Campus
221 North College Street
Greeneville, TN 37745
Phone: (423) 585-6981
South College-Nashville
616 Marriott Drive
Nashville, TN 37214
Phone: (629)802-3130
Phone: (865) 288-5740
Nashville State Community College
120 White Bridge Road
Nashville, TN 37209
Phone: (615) 353-3708
Roane State Community College
276 Patton Lane
Harriman, TN 37748
Phone: (865) 354-3000
Phone: (865) 343-9104
Fax: (865) 882-4562
South College
3904 Lonas Drive
Knoxville, TN 37909
Phone: (865) 251-1800
Phone: (865) 251-1852
Fax: (865) 584-9816
Concorde Career College
5100 Poplar Avenue, Suite 132
Memphis, TN 38137
Phone: (901) 761-9494
Fax: (901) 761-3293
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions
Q:How do I renew my Occupational Therapy/ Occupational Therapy Assistant License?
A: To renew online, please visit https://apps.tn.gov/hlrs/
Q: How do I change my name?
A: Please complete the application and follow instructions found at: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/healthprofboards/PH-3619.pdf
Q: How do I change my address?
A: Login at https://lars.tn.gov/datamart/login.do.
Q: How do I verify the status of a Tennessee license?
A: You may verify the license of any health care practitioner or facility in Tennessee via our website at: Individual: https://apps.health.tn.gov/Licensure/default.aspx
Facility: https://dhlrapps.health.tn.gov/FacilityListings
Q: How do I complete the background check process and what is my OCA number?
A: Follow this link for instructions on how to complete your background check.
For applicants living out of state, please note that results are typically received sooner when fingerprints are electronically scanned; therefore, if you are going to be in Tennessee anytime during the application process, it may be to your benefit to schedule a fingerprint scan rather than submitting a fingerprint card.
Q: I would prefer to receive all information from the Board electronically. Can I change my contact preferences?
A: Yes, you can “opt in” to receive all information from the Board electronically by. Even if you opt in, you must always maintain a current mailing and practice address on file with the Board. You are required to notify the Board of any change to the information maintained in your licensure file within thirty (30) days of any such change.
Q: How do I file a complaint against a physician?
A: If you believe a practitioner’s performance or behavior is unprofessional, unlawful or unacceptable, you may file a complaint through the Health-Related Boards’ Office of Investigations.
You can call that office directly at 1-800-852-2187 or you can access the Allegation Report form through the Office of Investigation webpage using this link.
Q: How do I obtain a listing of all Licensed Occupational Therapy healthcare professionals in Tennessee?
A:Follow this link and fill in your required criteria
Policies, Rules, & Statutes
Policies
Rules
Click here for Rules and Regulations pertaining to the Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy
OT Compact Commission Notices
The OTCC invites you to provide public comments regarding the Data System Rules and the Rule on Definitions. The public comment period is for 30 days from November 8 – December 8, 2023. Anyone interested in reviewing and/or providing public comment can click the link to each document and follow the instructions for submitting comments. After considering public comments, the OTCC will hold a special meeting on January 11, 2024 to vote each of these rules. You can find a list of upcoming OTCC and OTCC Committee meetings on the OTCompact meetings page.
Draft Rules:
Statutes
Statutes are proposed and made law by the Tennessee State General Assembly (Legislature). The Board, following specific notice requirements and hearings, adopts rules. Both have the force of law and may be used in the regulation of a profession. The statutes pertaining to this Board are found at T. C. A. 63-1 (Division of Health Related Boards) and T.C.A. 63-13 (Occupational Therapy).
Click here to review the Tennessee Code Annotated. (This link will take you to a website that is not maintained by the Tennessee Department of Health).
This Page Last Updated: January 20, 2026 at 9:54 AM