Pennsylvania OT Insurance Requirement

Professional Liability Insurance Requirement

Effective July 1, 2013, an occupational therapist shall obtain and maintain professional liability insurance coverage in the minimum amount of $1 million per occurrence or claims made.

Proof of professional liability insurance coverage may include:

• A certificate of insurance or copy of the declaration page from the insurance policy setting forth the effective date, expiration date and dollar amounts of coverage.
• Evidence of a plan of self-insurance approved by the Insurance Commissioner of the Commonwealth under regulations of the Insurance Department in 31 Pa. Code Chapter 243 (relating to medical malpractice and health-related self-insurance plans).

An occupational therapist who does not maintain the professional liability insurance required may not practice occupational therapy in this Commonwealth.

Notifications

An occupational therapist shall notify the Board within 30 days of a failure to maintain the required professional liability insurance.

An occupational therapist whose license was issued in reliance on a letter or certificate as permitted under section 8(5)(iv)(A) and (B) of the act (63 P.S. §  1508(5)(iv)(A) and (B)) and in accordance with § §  42.13(b) (2) or (3), 42.14(c)(2) or (3), or 42.15(d)(2) or (3) (relating to application for licensure; foreign-educated applicants; and application for temporary license) shall provide the Board with proof of professional liability insurance coverage within 30 days after the date of issuance of the license or beginning of employment, as applicable.

Failure to notify the Board within 30 days as required constitutes unprofessional conduct and subjects the occupational therapist to disciplinary action.

Automatic suspension.

An occupational therapist’s license will be automatically suspended during any period in which the occupational therapist fails to maintain professional liability insurance.

A license that has been automatically suspended will be reinstated only upon receipt of a copy of documentation demonstrating that the occupational therapist has the required professional liability insurance.

Citation

49 Pa. Code § 42.60