A REMINDER …
As of September 30, 2005, the grandfather clause that allowed New Hampshire licensed OT’s and OTA’s to continue to practice occupational therapy using Physical Agent Modalities (PAMs) expired.
Beginning OCTOBER 1, 2005, every OT/OTA will need to have Governing Board Certificate in possession to continue to practice using PAMs. There are NO EXCEPTIONS.
Failure to obtain Governing Board Certification by September 30, 2005 will result in the OT/OTA having to discontinue to use PAM’s as part of their occupational therapy practice. Any OT/OTA who continues to use PAMs in their practice without Governing Board Certification will be in violation of the New Hampshire Occupational Therapy Practice Act Chapter 326-C:8 and subject to disciplinary action.
General Instructions: it will be helpful to download the specific Administrative Rule Occ 305 Physical Agent Modalities (PAMs) and refer to those sections as identified in these instructions.
Every OT/OTA will need to apply for board certification in PAMs to continue to use PAMs in the course of practice to clients or patients. This includes individuals who have been using PAMs under the grandfather clause that was effective on July 1, 2003.
Education see 305.05for Required Professional Education.
A total of 21 hours is required. You will need to document 6 hours of duration for ultrasound modalities and 15 hours relating to electrical stimulation modalities.
Documentation of Courses for the mandatory 21 hours of PAM's education:
When turning in the listing of courses you must also provide the number of hours of each portion of instruction or clinical application. Place the breakdown of hours near each course listing.
Qualifications of the Supervisor of Clinical Application:
Any licensed OT INCLUDING LICENSED CHT WHO MET THE JULY 1, 2003 PAMS GRANDFATHER CLAUSE CRITERIA is currently authorized to supervise the clinical applications until September 30, 2005. After this date, you must be in possession of the Board’s Certification to continue the supervision of clinical application OF PAMS FOR CERTIFICATON.
WAIVERS OF EDUCATION. The board is authorized to grant waivers of education to those who request it along with their application to:
individuals holding currently valid certificate issued by the Hand Therapy Commission or
individuals who are licensed OTs/OTAs and also are licensed as PTs/PTAs
WAIVER OF SUPERVISED CLINICAL APPLICATION (SCA). If a individual holds both a OT/PT or OTA/PTA New Hampshire license they may apply for a waiver of the SCA requirements. Those individuals will still be required to complete the application and document their licensure with their request for a waiver to the board.
SUPERVISED CLINICAL APPLICATION (SCA). See Occ 305.07 for a full description.
Supervision of the clinical applications can be performed by:
- An individual authorized by the regulatory body of another state to apply ultrasound and electrical stimulation modalities;
- An individual currently licensed in this state as a physical therapist; or
- An individual who is currently licensed in this state as an occupational therapist; and meets one of the following descriptions:
- Provides the supervision before September 30, 2005 and on July 3, 2003 had been trained on the job in the use of physical agent modalities and been using them for 3 consecutive years; or
- Provides the supervision on any date and holds a PAM certificate.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. 305.11 for full descriptions for validation by formal, online and individual courses. A completed application form with supportive documentation in the form of transcripts, certificates or reports, a statement signed by the sponsor or provider, full course outline location, duration in hours of training, the date of completion and results.
If applicable validation of current CHT certification received from a direct source.
FEES. None.
DEADLINE: Certificates must be in hand for all NH licensed OTs/OTAs by September 30, 2005 in order to continue to practice PAMs.