Join Us: Scope of Practice Revision Efforts |
Virginia’s OT scope of practice hasn’t been updated in over 10 years. That means important areas of practice, like mental health, prevention, and population health aren’t clearly represented in our professional regulations. When our scope is outdated, policymakers and insurers may overlook the vital services we provide.
The proposed updates are focused on:
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Updating to our modern practice language (OTPF 4)
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Create language that provides broad opportunity, while being specific enough to avoid overlooked areas of practice
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Improve representation of group and population health as well as prevention and health promotion
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Ensure strong mental health language
We are currently focused on the financial feasibility of running a bill to update the scope of practice. In order to successfully introduce a bill in the 2026 legislative assembly, we need to raise $24,000. This is daunting, especially when VOTA membership dues revenue in recent years has been around $21,000 which does not cover our projected $36,000 in admin costs for the fiscal year.
VOTA membership represents only 4% of OTPs in Virginia. If all 7092 OTPs in VA were VOTA members, we would generate $528,380 annually. Membership costs are no more than the cost of a monthly craft latte at your favorite coffee shop. Imagine the impact our collective voices and funds could have!
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Even if you’re unable to give financially, you can help by using our fact sheet to share about our efforts with your friends and coworkers! |
Scope of Practice Information and Listening SessionVOTA hosted a scope of practice listening session in April 2026 for members and non-members to share about our progress toward scope of practice revisions and to hear from OT practitioners about the needs they have in practice. The presentation recording can be found here as well as the presentation slides. We will continue hosting these events to solicit additional feedback prior to moving forward with finalizing the language in collaboration with our lobbying team. |
Current Scope
“"Practice of occupational therapy" means the therapeutic use of occupations for habilitation and rehabilitation to enhance physical health, mental health, and cognitive functioning. It and includes the evaluation, analysis, assessment, and delivery of education and training in basic and instrumental activities of daily living; the design, fabrication, and application of orthoses (splints); the design, selection, and use of adaptive equipment and assistive technologies; therapeutic activities to enhance functional performance; vocational evaluation and training; and consultation concerning the adaptation of physical, sensory, and social environments.”
Proposed Scope
“Practice of Occupational Therapy” means the therapeutic use of evaluation and interventions to support health, well-being, and participation in life through engagement in occupation. Occupational therapy addresses physical, sensory, psychological, and cognitive functions, as well as body structures in connection with activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), health management, rest and sleep, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation.
Intervention approaches for individuals, groups, and populations may include establishing, restoring, or maintaining motor, process, and social interaction skills; modifying activities and environments; preventing barriers to participation; promoting optimal performance within habits, roles, routines, and rituals; and advocating.
Intervention types may include the use of occupations and activities, physical agent and mechanical modalities and therapeutic procedures including wound care, orthotics and prosthetics, assistive and mobility technology, environmental modification, self-regulation, education and training, and advocacy, as well as other interventions within the therapist’s demonstrated competencies consistent with professional standards and supported by evidence-based practice.
