Occupational Therapy Practice Board

The mandate of the Occupational Therapy Practice Board is to protect the public's health and safety and to promote the welfare of the state by regulating the competency and quality of professional healthcare providers under its jurisdiction. The board accomplishes this mandate through a variety of activities working with the Department of Health, Health Systems Quality Assurance division.

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Board Information

Description

Our board comprises five members appointed by the governor, with recommendations considered from occupational therapy associations within the state. All board members must be residents of Washington State. Four members, each with a minimum of five years’ experience in public services, teaching, or occupational therapy research, are required. Three of these must be licensed occupational therapists, while the fourth must be a licensed occupational therapy assistant. The remaining member must represent the public’s interest in health services consumers. 

Compensation and Travel Expenses

Members are entitled to reasonable allowances covering subsistence and lodging expenses during official business. Transportation expenses will be reimbursed based on the most advantageous or economical method. Members can receive compensation up to $250 for each day attending official meetings or performing statutorily prescribed duties.

Powers and Duties:

The board administers, coordinates, enforces, evaluates qualifications, and oversees licensure examinations. It has the authority to adopt necessary rules.

Board Participation Expectation Guidelines

Expectation guidelines are provided for current and prospective board members:

  1. Attend quarterly board meetings during business hours.
  2. Participate in telephonic conferences, lasting approximately two hours, to resolve cases between meetings.
  3. Engage in settlement conferences, which may take several hours and occur as needed.
  4. Join hearing panels, ranging from one to several days, two to three times annually, with the option to hold hearings in the respondent’s practice area.
  5. Prepare for meetings by reviewing materials sent one to two weeks in advance, taking approximately two to four hours per meeting. Additionally, spend eight to 24 hours reviewing complaint files before each meeting.
  6. Assist newly appointed board members as necessary.

Total Annual Time Commitment

  • Meetings/conferences: Four to six days per year
  • Meeting preparation: Two to four hours per meeting (about one day per year)
  • Complaint file review: Four to six hours per complaint assigned (about four days per year)
  • Hearing panels: Three to six days per year.

Become a Board, Commission, or Committee Member.

Board Members

Name and term expiration date of members

Members Term Expires
Mary Spores, occupational therapist, chairperson December 31, 2024
Ryan Wilson, occupational therapist, vice-chairperson December 31, 2025
Shari Roberts, general public December 31, 2024
Vacant, occupational therapist --
Joaquin Olivas, occupational therapy assistant December 31, 2024
Board Meetings

All board meetings are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. unless otherwise specified. Please note that meeting details are subject to change. We recommend checking this page regularly for any updates or adjustments to the meeting schedule.

Date and Location Activity Documents

April 19, 2024

Regular meeting  

July 19, 2024

Regular meeting  

October 18, 2024

Regular meeting  
Meeting Minutes

2023

2022