Preamble
The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. ("NBCOT," formerly known as “AOTCB”) is a professional organization that supports and promotes occupational therapy practitioner certification. This Candidate/Certificant Code of Conduct enables NBCOT to define and clarify the professional responsibilities for present and future NBCOT certificants, i.e., OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST REGISTERED OTRÒ (OTR) henceforth OTR, and CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT COTAÒ (COTA) henceforth COTA.
It is vital that NBCOT certificants conduct their work in an appropriate and professional manner to earn and maintain the confidence and respect of recipients of occupational therapy, colleagues, employers, students, and the public.
As certified professionals in the field of occupational therapy, NBCOT certificants will at all times act with integrity and adhere to high standards for personal and professional conduct, accept responsibility for their actions, both personally and professionally, continually seek to enhance their professional capabilities, practice with fairness and honesty, abide by all federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and encourage others to act in a professional manner consistent with the certification standards and responsibilities set forth below.
Where the term "certificant" is used, the term "applicant or candidate" is included in its scope.
Principle 1
Certificants shall provide accurate and truthful representations to NBCOT concerning all information related to aspects of the Certification Program, including, but not limited to, the submission of information:
· On the examination and certification renewal applications, and renewal audit form;
· Requested by NBCOT for a disciplinary action situation or
· Requested by NBCOT concerning allegations related to:
§ test security violations and/or disclosure of confidential examination material content to unauthorized parties;
§ misrepresentations by a certificant regarding his/her credential(s) and/or education;
§ the unauthorized use of NBCOT’s intellectual property, certification marks, and other copyrighted materials.
Principle 2
Certificants who are the subject of a complaint shall cooperate with NBCOT concerning investigations of violations of the Candidate/Certificant Code of Conduct, including the collection of relevant information.
Principle 3
Certificants shall be accurate, truthful, and complete in any and all communications relating to their education, professional work, research, and contributions to the field of occupational therapy.
Principle 4
Certificants shall comply with laws, regulations, and statutes governing the practice of occupational therapy.
Principle 5
Certificants shall not have been convicted of a crime, the circumstances of which substantially relate to the practice of occupational therapy or indicate an inability to engage in the practice of occupational therapy safely, and/or competently.
Principle 6
Certificants shall not engage in behavior or conduct, lawful or otherwise that causes them to be, or reasonably perceived to be, a threat or potential threat to the health, well-being, or safety of recipients or potential recipients of occupational therapy services.
Principle 7
Certificants shall not engage in the practice of occupational therapy while one’s ability to practice is impaired due to chemical (i.e., legal and/or illegal) drug or alcohol abuse.
Ó 2008 National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. “NBCOT” is a service and trademark of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. “OTR” is a certification mark of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc., “COTA” is a certification mark of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc., all marks are registered in the United States of America.
Approved June 2002
Revised February 2003
Revised June 2006
Revised October 2008
ãCopyright 2008, NBCOT, Inc.
