Texas Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners (ECPTOTE)

The board meeting involved the presentation of reports from the Executive Director, Investigation Committee, Education Committee, and Rules & Practice Committee. Key agenda items included the approval of various agreed orders for disciplinary cases, discussions on performance measures and fiscal updates, and review of applications for accredited provider status, NPTE appeals, and foreign-educated applicant educational equivalency. Additionally, the board addressed proposed amendments to licensing procedures and code of conduct rules, reviewed requests for supervised clinical practice exceptions, discussed imaging referral clarifications, and engaged in planning for future meetings.

The meeting commenced with a roll call confirming a quorum. Key agenda items included the Executive Director's report covering fiscal matters, budgetary concerns, performance measures, personnel, IT, and legislative updates. The Council then approved proposed amendments for publication in the Texas Register concerning exceptions to referral requirements for physical therapy examiners, telehealth informed consent rules, and occupational licensing related to military service members and spouses. Furthermore, approvals were granted for proposed rule changes for occupational therapy examiners related to licensing system transition, disciplinary actions, and detrimental practice. The Council held an Executive Session to discuss personnel matters concerning the Executive Director, after which a motion was passed to adjust the Executive Director's salary upwards.

The meeting commenced with the approval to excuse the absence of one board member. Public comment was heard regarding proposed changes to rules concerning disciplinary actions and detrimental practice. The Executive Director provided a report covering fiscal matters, ongoing projects, IT updates, and agency personnel matters, noting the Licensing Department is no longer short staffed. The Investigation Committee Report included motions to approve several agreed orders for various case numbers. The Board adopted several rule changes related to licensure requirements, display of licenses, license renewal, inactive/retired status, and fees, incorporating changes for military service members, veterans, and spouses due to the agency's new licensing system transition. Further rule adoptions addressed revisions to disciplinary actions and detrimental practice schedules. The Board discussed the development of an RFO/RFP concerning a CE tracking system pursuant to SB 912. Reports were given by the OT Coordinator and the Presiding Officer, which included notes on legislative updates and a neutral position regarding a request from the Texas Medical Board. The Board recessed for an executive session to discuss legal matters related to HB 1522, taking no action in that session, before adjourning.

The Board meeting addressed several key areas. A primary focus was the final adoption of amendments to 22 Tex. Admin. Code (TAC) sections concerning the exception to referral requirements, telehealth informed consent, licensure of military-affiliated individuals, and the CCU tracker system. The Executive Director provided a report covering fiscal matters, staffing changes including resignations and new hires, office upgrades, and performance measures. The Investigation Committee Report detailed the approval of several Agreed Orders, the review of numerous cases resulting in agreed orders and referrals to SOAH, and an update on investigative activities for the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2025. The Education Committee Report involved approving recommendations for two appeals to retake the NPTE, deeming educational equivalency for two foreign-educated applicants as substantially equivalent, and voting on requests for TOEFL waivers and a CCU medical waiver. The Board also discussed updates related to physical therapy entry-level education and continuing competence standards, and reviewed reports on the FSBPT Leadership Issues Forum, Continuing Competence Audit results, NPTE statistics, and the new online licensing system.

The Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners' meeting included discussions and adoptions of rule changes, which will take effect on December 1, 2025. These changes span multiple sections, addressing statutory authority, licensure requirements, license renewals, disciplinary actions, and fees. The amendments include cleanups and clarifications, alignment with the new licensing system, and changes pursuant to the 89th Legislative Session. The board also took formal disciplinary actions against multiple therapists for various violations, including practicing without a valid license and failing to properly document services.